Thanks for the quick reply. I forgot about the firmware updates. But your first item confused me. As I understand it, the scanner comes with an SD card with the entire RR database programmed in. Are you saying this is the original database that shipped with the scanner in 2014 and hasn't been updated? Yikes!
Anything else I need to be concerned about?
Unless the database has been updated since the scanner was shipped (for example, you purchased it from the original owner, who may have updated at some point), the database in the scanner will be from 2014, even if you recently purchased the radio new.
As I mentioned, I should be getting a PC in a few months. At this point I think it would be sufficient to just use the zipcode data to get my local services. I just want to monitor Police, FIre, and EMS stuff at the beginning. It seems, from what I've been able to glean, that I can still set up Favorites lists directly from the scanner, albeit, tediously. Is this not true?
I might go the VM method on my Mac if it gets to be too much hassle but it seems like I should be ok for a few months. But I'm interested in hearing why this might not work. Thanks for the reply.
The odds that there have been no changes to the systems and frequency usage in your area since 2014 is between slim and none. So, just using your location and the main database would likely leave you in the dark.
Your best bet, as already stated, is to either obtain a pc where you can install Sentinel, or set up your Mac with a VM.
If you have a friend or family member that has a working PC, and is willing to help you, there is another option. Purchase an extra micro-SD card. They're cheap & readily available. Have your friend or whoever is willing to help install Sentinel on his/her PC. Along will the extra memory card, you'd also need a card reader (if their PC does not have one already). They can then use Sentinel to create you a new memory card. They could also download the latest firmware update to the card (to do that, there is a prompt to choose between the models)..
Once the newly created & updated card is set up, you would then install it in your 436HP. The firmware update would also run if needed. At that point, you could set up the scanner to use the main database and your location and range. You can hang onto the original card for later use once you could update yourself. (You could also simply take your scanner to whoever you are working with. Then, once they install Sentinel & update it, you could quickly get your scanner up & working, However, an extra card is good to have available.)
Another option, which I don't recommend due to cost, is to purchase a pre-programmed card, with a Favorites list, from
ScannerMaster. At about $60.00, that's getting into the price range where you could acquire a working, though older, PC to use at a yard sale, pawn shop, or one of many web sites or phone apps. As phask noted, you can use an older PC as long as it boots up and has a working USB port as well as internet access.
