kb9gzg
Newbie
Has anyone heard if/when Uniden is going to be Mac compatible? (My Dell is dead, and I bought a new Mac.)
BCD436HP/BCD536HP: WHEN; oh, when?...
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doghausdev
Member
Me too. Another vote for Mac here
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
K2KOH
Silent Key
Never happen. Unfortunately is Mac cultists have to keep loading crap Windoze on a virtual machine to program our radios.
I wrote an article on this very subject, read it here:
Mac Users of Police Scanner Radios | ScannerMaster.com
Mac Users of Police Scanner Radios | ScannerMaster.com
Webheadfred
Member
The ONLY thing I use Windows for is for my 536 and 436. I use Parallels. I also use Windows 10 and I never activated it. It keeps nagging me to do so but I never do. It still works and downloads into Sentinel perfectly. On my Mac, if I'm using Safari, 3 fingers swipe on the pad and screens are swapped. Easy.
K2KOH
Silent Key
Good read, Rich. I started with Parallels, but didn't like it. Running VMWare. What's funny is they keep trying to get me to upgrade because I have upgraded my Mac OS (El Capitan now), yet I have no problem. I have fusion 6, I believe. I also run Windows 7. I don't like the newer versions at all.
I have tried both and preferred Parallels, the wife preferred Fusion. I stuck with Parallels and v11 seems to work fine in Sierra so I am going to skip the paid upgrade to v12 for now.
The wife hasn't needed a Windows machine in a couple years so she has kind of abandoned Fusion, so I have not played with it in a while.
I recently has an issue with Windows 10 not running an IP phone system for work so I had to find a copy of my old Windows 7 installation, I just copied it back to the Mac and it ran fine. All my radio stuff seems to run fine in Windows 10 on the Mac except for some older Moto programming stuff so I keep an old XP netbook in a drawer for that.
The wife hasn't needed a Windows machine in a couple years so she has kind of abandoned Fusion, so I have not played with it in a while.
I recently has an issue with Windows 10 not running an IP phone system for work so I had to find a copy of my old Windows 7 installation, I just copied it back to the Mac and it ran fine. All my radio stuff seems to run fine in Windows 10 on the Mac except for some older Moto programming stuff so I keep an old XP netbook in a drawer for that.
Oh so agree...I bought a CHEAP CHEAP slow Windows 10 computer that runs my Sentinel x36 and my Sentinel for my HP-2. Other than that everything I do is on my iMac.
I keep hoping but don't think we will ever see it...but they may get a nice advantage over the OTHER COMPANY if they did.
I keep hoping but don't think we will ever see it...but they may get a nice advantage over the OTHER COMPANY if they did.
JamesO
Member
$100 for a dedicated tablet to update and manage the radios - WinBook TW101 Tablet 823526 - Micro Center
Hope I have the right thread for this??
I was ready to update my 2 Apco25 scanners (BCD396XT &996XT) to the BCD436HP but found some problems.
I mainly use my IMAC (Dell is pretty old), so programming new unit is one problem. Does the BCD436HP come already programmed?
Also problem with new battery charging concept. I keep one scanner plugged in in the car for trips.
It is unacceptable to have to shut off the radio and change to charged up batteries while driving.
I use the other portable scanner as a permanent monitor for CT St. PD in the house.
This also will be impossible with the BCD436HP,
Any suggestions for a different scanner?
Regards ;
JohnO44
I was ready to update my 2 Apco25 scanners (BCD396XT &996XT) to the BCD436HP but found some problems.
I mainly use my IMAC (Dell is pretty old), so programming new unit is one problem. Does the BCD436HP come already programmed?
Also problem with new battery charging concept. I keep one scanner plugged in in the car for trips.
It is unacceptable to have to shut off the radio and change to charged up batteries while driving.
I use the other portable scanner as a permanent monitor for CT St. PD in the house.
This also will be impossible with the BCD436HP,
Any suggestions for a different scanner?
Regards ;
JohnO44
The BCD436 and other ZIP Code scanners come with the database and firmware that was current as of the date of manufacture, so it could be several months old by the time you get your radio. There is a good chance the information and firmware will be "good enough" for you but no promises.
Some of the scanner retailers will (for a fee) update the radio for you before they ship it. You need to judge whether the inconvenience to you being able to do it yourself is worth the extra cost.
The Dell should work for you, as long as it runs Windows XP or newer. Windows 7 is better, and I have also used Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Some of the scanner retailers will (for a fee) update the radio for you before they ship it. You need to judge whether the inconvenience to you being able to do it yourself is worth the extra cost.
The Dell should work for you, as long as it runs Windows XP or newer. Windows 7 is better, and I have also used Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Why would it be impossible to use the 436HP in the house? While you cannot charge the batteries at the same time the scanner is turned on and monitoring, you can easily power it with a USB charger like those used for many cellphones.
In your vehicle, you can also use a plug-in USB adapter/charger to power the scanner in the vehicle. Again, it would not charge the batteries when operating (just when turned off & connected to a charger), but using an adapter eliminates the need to swap out batteries. If you use low self-discharge batteries, such as the Eneloop series, and charge batteries outside of the scanner, you would have charged batteries in the scanner for when you unplugged the charger/adapter. There us no need to turn off the scanner when unplugging the adapter, unless you have no, or dead, batteries in the scanner.
The BCD436HP does not come 'fully programmed'. While it does have the complete RadioReference database in it, the data in the scanner could be a month or more out of date. So, updates would be in order. Once you update the database, then you can either create a Favorites list, or pick the service types you want to hear, set your location as well as a range (distance) setting, then let the scanner load what matches your choices.
That same update required action would also apply to other scanners with the preloaded database, whether you are looking at the Home Patrol 2, or one of the newer Whistler models, such as the WS1098, or the TRX-1 or TRX-2. The WS1098 & TRX-2 are both base/mobile units, with a removable head. The TRX-1 is a handheld, just as the 436HP is.
jonwienke
More Info Coming Soon!
A 436 can work just fine as a home base or mobile scanner. You just power it off a USB adapter instead of batteries. It's advisable to have batteries in the unit to supply power if the cord gets bumped or there is a power outage, but you can run it for months off external power if you want.
xlr8
Member
I agree completely! The only reason that I keep an old Windoze laptop and also run Windoze 7 in VirtualBox on my iMac is for radio programming software. RT Systems is at least running a poll on their web page to gauge interest in MacOS capable software for their ham radio programmers.
I agree with "jonwienke" about the power adapter. Leave the batteries in to prevent troubles of the power goes out. When you plug it into a USB adapter (like the one from an iPhone line I use) select "Serial Mode" so the radio doesn't think you are trying to access the memory card.
It isn't in the menu, it will prompt you on screen when you plug a device into the USB port of the radio. IIRC it says something like "Press E for Mass Storage, "." for Serial Mode"
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