What's Going on Joe Bearcat?

[donc13]

If you owned a company whose revenue dropped at least 50% (pandemic) while your day to day fixed expenses stayed fixed. You only had 10 speciality programmers and had new hardware coming out and/or old hardware (in the hands of lots of users) that had to be changed requiring different firmware, where would you task those programmers? To fix old hardware, that was mostly working but did have quirks/bugs... Or... Have those programmers do the hardware first so you can continue selling products that can't be sold because they won't work at all without fixed firmware?

 

[werinshades]

If you owned a company whose revenue dropped at least 50% (pandemic) while your day to day fixed expenses stayed fixed. You only had 10 speciality programmers and had new hardware coming out and/or old hardware (in the hands of lots of users) that had to be changed requiring different firmware, where would you task those programmers? To fix old hardware, that was mostly working but did have quirks/bugs... Or... Have those programmers do the hardware first so you can continue selling products that can't be sold because they won't work at all without fixed firmware?

A valid point, but creating a misleading thread that bug fixes are going to be addressed but instead utilizing that information for firmware fixes for future scanner models is deceptive.

 

[wsmoore]

He said Updates will be coming ! They are on his list,but no date available.
He probably is just sick of being attacked every time he comes on here !

 

[donc13]

A valid point, but creating a misleading thread that bug fixes are going to be addressed but instead utilizing that information for firmware fixes for future scanner models is deceptive.

If that's what his intention was, I would agree that would be deceptive.

So, let's just agree to disagree.
🤔

 

[werinshades]

He said Updates will be coming ! They are on his list,but no date available.
He probably is just sick of being attacked every time he comes on here !

Correct...coming to the new hardware but not for current units. Air Spy Joe should be able to handle himself.

 

[iMONITOR]

New hardware coming is only speculation by Joe Bearcat.

 

[captainmax1]

Uniden's R3 & R7 Radar Detectors get regular updates so Uniden obviously have techs doing this job for their flagship electronics. Not sure how this relates to their flagship scanners but I would hope and expect them to be working on any flaws or updates that have been requested or reported by consumers on this site. Yes, things have changed since the demise of our friend Paul. I always enjoyed him reaching out for suggestions in these forums and keeping us updated with potential updates. Gone but not forgotten.

 

[GlobalNorth]

What problems or upgrades will these "updates" repair or perform?

I can see fixing Sentinel - it needs it. My 100 and 200 work fine and I've seen no glitches.

 

[captainmax1]

I have no complaints with my Uniden SDR scanners but I read where others have suggestions. There are entire forums on RR where others have suggestions for features and fixes. Whether they are legitimate suggestions is up to Uniden to determine. For me personally, I would like a selectable option for the scanner to stop on encrypted sites. The reason is to determine actually how many encrypted conversions are happening around my area and there are many. I live in an area that includes all flavors of Federal, State and County Law Enforcement. I like to believe that Uniden is still listening to their scanner customers desires and there are many in related forums.

 

[MStep]

Uniden had Paul Opitz. He was a one-man show that could do everything. He passed, rather untimely. So they got someone to volunteer to replace him, who, by his own admission, is no where near a Paul Opitz in terms of his stature with the company. Then someone identified this poor soul as the guy who allegedly runs AirSpy, which may, or may not be true, and if so, may or may not be a conflict of interest.

He created a "list" of some very good recommendations that were made by the folks here in attempts to correct issues with, and improve the operation of the SDS series of scanners. His intentions may have been good, but apparently, not having the clout of a Paul Opitz, the folks at Uniden probably told him, "yeah, yeah, yeah, good, good, good", and that's where it ended.

No firmware updates, no fixes. About four months ago, in some other thread, I called this guy "Joe Bearcat" out, and I very mysteriously lost the privilege of a day's access to posting for my comments. Coincidence?

I posted an apology, which you can easily find, and since that day, I take everything here that Joe Bearcat posts with several grains of salt. Even though he was allegedly "vetted" by someone here on Radio Reference, maybe he sold someone a bill of goods. To me, it doesn't matter anymore. He has remained "in the closet", his last name has only been guessed at, and some pictures of him allegedly appeared on some other site.

So take it for what it's worth. As I pointed out, I believe that Uniden now considers the SDS100 and SDS200 to be "mature" products that continue to sell and operate, more of less, to specification. The addition of any other features will likely be left to some future model(s). And if I were Uniden, I would be absolutely mortified to do any firmware updates for fear of inadvertently screwing something else up with the operation of the radio and incurring more wrath then they already received here and elsewhere.

As for "Joe Bearcat", to his credit, he has given some of the folks here some decent advice on straightening out operational problems that they were having with their units. And it's not really "insider" insight--- others here could have helped just as well. And others did.

If Uniden eventually comes out with any fixes or firmware updates, it not likely because of anything Joe Bearcat was able to accomplish. He's just a guy who likely has a second job, a wife, screaming kids and a barking dog. Paul Opitz was superhuman and did amazing things--- Joe Bearcat is a mere mortal, just like the rest of us. Live and let live.

 

[mikewazowski]

Even though he was allegedly "vetted" by someone here on Radio Reference, maybe he sold someone a bill of goods.

RR reached out to Uniden and they confirmed his position with them. Nobody sold anybody a bill of goods.

 

[MStep]

RR reached out to Uniden and they confirmed his position with them. Nobody sold anybody a bill of goods.

Which is why I said "maybe". But that is good to know Mike, and I am happy that you confirmed that. But it is not hard to recognize that since Joe came online, a lot of great suggestions were made, but nothing has come to fruition. My point was that I believe it is just beyond his ability to be able to overcome the obstacles placed in his path by resistance at Uniden. Nothing personal with either Joe Bearcat or Radio Reference. I think you know that. Thanks for clearing the air.

 

[iMONITOR]

RR reached out to Uniden and they confirmed his position with them. Nobody sold anybody a bill of goods.

That said I think it's pretty bad that Uniden doesn't support Joe Bearcat's efforts.

 

[hiegtx]

That said I think it's pretty bad that Uniden doesn't support Joe Bearcat's efforts.

I'm not sure that we know that as a fact. Certainly, there's been less progress made than many of us would like to see. But, to a great extent, everyone was basically spoiled by UPMan's efforts, which ended suddenly & unexpectedly. Paul had been involved with scanners for decades, starting originally at Radio Shack, then moving to Uniden where his efforts were broadened to include other product lines at Uniden in addition to scanners. While he did not, personally, write the firmware (as he stated more than once), he had a great grasp on what could, or could not, be done using that. Many of the features, such as the DMA architecture, were based on his input. Due to his longevity at Uniden, as well as his involvement with numerous product lines, he likely had more standing to push for certain things to be done, prioritizing what he felt would be most productive in tweaking features and thus increasing sales.

Joe Bearcat, as the 'new kid on the block', may not have that same clout, at least not yet. He can ask for, or recommend, certain actions to be taken, but he may not yet have the influence to do a great deal of shoving some things ahead of others. Like most everyone else, I would like to see a few tweaks or corrections via firmware updates. Hopefully, those will come, though not as fast as some want or expect. Uniden, like many other organizations, is likely having to make adjustments due to the pandemic. That could mean that certain areas are not staffed as fully as they were pre-Covid, or disruptions in the supply chains, of which there are many, have caused some processes or products to either be no longer possible, or require substantial alterations to what was originally planned.

 

[MStep]

I'm not sure that we know that as a fact. Certainly, there's been less progress made than many of us would like to see. But, to a great extent, everyone was basically spoiled by UPMan's efforts, which ended suddenly & unexpectedly. Paul had been involved with scanners for decades, starting originally at Radio Shack, then moving to Uniden where his efforts were broadened to include other product lines at Uniden in addition to scanners. While he did not, personally, write the firmware (as he stated more than once), he had a great grasp on what could, or could not, be done using that. Many of the features, such as the DMA architecture, were based on his input. Due to his longevity at Uniden, as well as his involvement with numerous product lines, he likely had more standing to push for certain things to be done, prioritizing what he felt would be most productive in tweaking features and thus increasing sales.

Joe Bearcat, as the 'new kid on the block', may not have that same clout, at least not yet. He can ask for, or recommend, certain actions to be taken, but he may not yet have the influence to do a great deal of shoving some things ahead of others. Like most everyone else, I would like to see a few tweaks or corrections via firmware updates. Hopefully, those will come, though no. Doeest as fast as some want or expect. Uniden, like many other organizations, is likely having to make adjustments due to the pandemic. That could mean that certain areas are not staffed as fully as they were pre-Covid, or disruptions in the supply chains, of which there are many, have caused some processes or products to either be no longer possible, or require substantial alterations to what was originally planned.

Maybe Joe just doesn't have enough hours in a day. I see references here to other projects that he is involved in, whereas Uniden may have been Paul's full-time endeavor. For whatever reason, it is what it is.

I'm also willing to bet that if Uniden did come out with a firmware upgrade for the SDS series, many of us would take a "wait & see" attitude to let those brave souls who are the trailblazers here to apply the update to see what the results are. Fortunately, there have not been major issues, at least with the SDS radios that I have been using. The SDS series are IMHO the most complex devices that Uniden has offered thus far in terms of scanners. Does Uniden really want to mess around with a product that has proven itself for so long? Remember the saying.... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I'm thinking of "New Coke" (for those who were around at the time), and more recently of AOR's misstep with their 2101 and 2107 firmware updates. Uniden may have taken note.

 

[iMONITOR]

Maybe Joe just doesn't have enough hours in a day. I see references here to other projects that he is involved in, whereas Uniden may have been Paul's full-time endeavor. For whatever reason, it is what it is.

I'm also willing to bet that if Uniden did come out with a firmware upgrade for the SDS series, many of us would take a "wait & see" attitude to let those brave souls who are the trailblazers here to apply the update to see what the results are. Fortunately, there have not been major issues, at least with the SDS radios that I have been using. The SDS series are IMHO the most complex devices that Uniden has offered thus far in terms of scanners. Does Uniden really want to mess around with a product that has proven itself for so long? Remember the saying.... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I'm thinking of "New Coke" (for those who were around at the time), and more recently of AOR's misstep with their 2101 and 2107 firmware updates. Uniden may have taken note.

Let's not forget AOR's infamous AR-DV10.

 

[iMONITOR]

I'm not sure that we know that as a fact. Certainly, there's been less progress made than many of us would like to see. But, to a great extent, everyone was basically spoiled by UPMan's efforts, which ended suddenly & unexpectedly. Paul had been involved with scanners for decades, starting originally at Radio Shack, then moving to Uniden where his efforts were broadened to include other product lines at Uniden in addition to scanners. While he did not, personally, write the firmware (as he stated more than once), he had a great grasp on what could, or could not, be done using that. Many of the features, such as the DMA architecture, were based on his input. Due to his longevity at Uniden, as well as his involvement with numerous product lines, he likely had more standing to push for certain things to be done, prioritizing what he felt would be most productive in tweaking features and thus increasing sales.

Joe Bearcat, as the 'new kid on the block', may not have that same clout, at least not yet. He can ask for, or recommend, certain actions to be taken, but he may not yet have the influence to do a great deal of shoving some things ahead of others. Like most everyone else, I would like to see a few tweaks or corrections via firmware updates. Hopefully, those will come, though not as fast as some want or expect. Uniden, like many other organizations, is likely having to make adjustments due to the pandemic. That could mean that certain areas are not staffed as fully as they were pre-Covid, or disruptions in the supply chains, of which there are many, have caused some processes or products to either be no longer possible, or require substantial alterations to what was originally planned.

I agree with most of what you're saying. However I'm not putting the blame on Joe Bearcat. Unless he was overly optimisitc I think Uniden misled him on some issues causing him to pass that on to the rest of us, only to be disappointed when not much of anything happened.

 

[werinshades]

I agree with most of what you're saying. However I'm not putting the blame on Joe Bearcat. Unless he was overly optimisitc I think Uniden misled him on some issues causing him to pass that on to the rest of us, only to be disappointed when not much of anything happened.

If that is the case, then a retraction would be the best approach. "Hi I'm Joe from Air spy" would be a good start and go from there.

 

[garys]

It's a computer based radio receiver. All of which seem to need updates from time to time. That goes for two way radios as well.

What "updates" to the firmware are needed? It's a radio receiver, not a computer based wireless device.