SDS100/SDS200: Updates via MacBook
- Thread starter Peerlessk
- Start date
The SDS100/200 uses Uniden's Sentinel software to update the database and the firmware on these radios.
Sentinel only runs on Windows....
Sentinel only runs on Windows....
As a fellow Mac iser, I can confirm that nothing runs native on MacOS for scanners. I use Parallels but you could also get a cheap windows laptop to run Sentinel / Proscan / Butel to update scanners.
As nessnet (and wrockjm) has already noted, you need to be able to run Windows in order to use Sentinel, which is the required software needed for firmware, as well as database updates for the SDS series scanners, as well as the x36HP series. None of the programs that can be used on both the Uniden scanners (all models}, as well as Whistler scanners, run on the MacBook's operating system. All, both Uniden's software, as well as third party software such as ProScan, and Butel's ARC series, require Windows.
See this page for more discussion on what can be done. To use your MacBook, you need one of the software programs that allow your Mac to boot up into Windows, plus you'd need a valid copy of Windows as well. Frankly, by the time you purchase the extra software needed, as well as a copy of Windows, it would be cheaper to find a previously owned Windows PC or laptop to use, As long as it can run Windows, Windows 7 or later, as well as connect to the internet, use it for updates and programming. None of the required scanner software requires a super fast processor, nor a lot of Ram memory. A basic machine will do just fine. You can find a used PC, or laptop, that meets the requirements at pawnshops, on eBay, or other places, at a cost less than acquiring the software needed to be able to use the Mac. Less than $200, and often much less than even that, if you keep your eyes open and look around.
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lu81fitter
Member
I picked up a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 at a pawn shop for $300. Bought a cheap Logitech cordless keyboard, and with the USB->USB- C adapters, it works great with Proscan, Sentinel, Freescan, and others. I can also hook it to both of my radios in the car and use it as a display running 2 instances of Proscan.
As a Mac user, his has worked out very well for me running Proscan and Sentinel. Plus there have been other electronics it's been used for. And having a spare laptop has been a good thing.
Parallels costs money. The consumer version of VMWare Fusion is free.
Yes it does. Never tried VMWare Fusion. Might have to look into that!
I’ve been using it for years; works great and less intrusive than Parallels.
jlaselva
Member
You do need Uniden's Sentinel software, which only runs on Windows. As mentioned above, you could install Parallels, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox, and then create a Windows virtual machine inside it, and install Sentinel on that. However, that requires buying a Windows license, and booting up a virtual machine every time you want to use Sentinel.
I have an Apple Silicon Mac and run Sentinel via Wine. Wine is free and open source, though there is a company that makes a paid version of it, which is a little more slick, called CrossOver. However, the free Wine works just fine. This lets you run Sentinel without all the overhead (and expense) of also having to run Windows. It works great. I've confirmed that you can also run ProScan and ProScan's Scanner LAN Player via Wine, as well. I edit my favorites lists and even upgrade my SDS200's firmware using this setup.
After installing Wine, you'll need to install Sentinel. Then, assuming you installed it in the default location, you can open it with the following command:
It should pop up a Windows-style Sentinel window right inside your macOS environment. For Sentinel usage, just make sure your scanner is connected to the computer via the Micro-USB connection on the front, and make sure you choose Mass Storage mode when prompted.
I have an Apple Silicon Mac and run Sentinel via Wine. Wine is free and open source, though there is a company that makes a paid version of it, which is a little more slick, called CrossOver. However, the free Wine works just fine. This lets you run Sentinel without all the overhead (and expense) of also having to run Windows. It works great. I've confirmed that you can also run ProScan and ProScan's Scanner LAN Player via Wine, as well. I edit my favorites lists and even upgrade my SDS200's firmware using this setup.
After installing Wine, you'll need to install Sentinel. Then, assuming you installed it in the default location, you can open it with the following command:
$ wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files\ \(x86\)/Uniden/BCDx36HP\ Sentinel/BCDx36HP_Sentinel.exeIt should pop up a Windows-style Sentinel window right inside your macOS environment. For Sentinel usage, just make sure your scanner is connected to the computer via the Micro-USB connection on the front, and make sure you choose Mass Storage mode when prompted.
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I used Wine on my M1 Mac with Sentinel and it worked fine. However, since I use multiple programs (Sentinel for updates, ARC536 Pro for programming and scanning/logging, other programs for different scanners), it was easier for me to install Windows. I did discover that when you do the VMWare install, you can then download the Win11 image through it and install. No need to activate, it works just fine; the only thing is that customization is disabled on an unactivated copy of Win11. Not a big deal for me since I only use Win11 occasionally for programming; I usually do most stuff on my 2019 Intel Mini, which is running Win10 on VMWare.
I saw the same thing happen on Parallels. Installed but didn't need to activate Win 11. I ended up buying a license key just because I want to stay on the up and up legally. Like you said, the customization was disabled until I activated the key.
I prefer the Butel products, although that's probably because I've been using them for years, starting with ARC780.
That being said, Proscan works just fine; I use it primarily to program my BC780s as ARC780 was designed for 16-bit computers.
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