Thank you for these videos. I was getting nervous that I was about to buy a scanner that would intimidate the heck out of me, but your videos and explanations have made me think I could actually program it, either through the software or in the unit and get it to work.
Thanks Brenda for the kind words. Yes, you should have no trouble programming the scanner. It will take some time to understand everything, but it gets easier with time, And once you receive it, don't hesitate to ask questions.
Thanks for posting this. It was simple and easy to understand. I've been using Uniden scanners for many many years but now Uniden added the term Department which added to my confusion. Lol
I found someone that was helpfull and I got the real hard for me to program freq all workingm to hear a new not in use p25 phase 1 and a man testing 1,2,3,4 made my day
Do you think you could throughly explain the terms of each segment for this digital scanner such as systems,etc and what each term means and how do I find out which one each frequency uses,etc? What we could use so much is a glossary for all the new terminology for these digital scanners. I have been scanning even longer than you and I am having a very difficult time getting this set up. This owners manual leaves a lot to be desired. Over the years I have had Regency,Bear Cat and Radio Shack scanners, from buying individual crystals and then the programmable scanners and now digital. Right now I am pretty much listening to whatever my zip code can pick up for me! Thank you for the videos you have posted!
Check out the links below. I think they will help answer many of your questions and also help you understand the terminology. I do understand exactly what your talking about. I have been trying to learn about these new scanners since the day I opened the box. I keep learning more and more over time. marksscanners.com/536/X36%20HP%20Sentinel.shtml marksscanners.com/536/436_536.shtml
I'm new to this scanner. Your videos are helping a lot. My question is when setting up the favorites from the data base how do I know what the system type is?
Great video! I too have many years experience (starting with rock bound) scanners. These new scanners are a whole new ballgame for me! Thanks for taking the time to explain so much about them. I have numbered my FLs and just use the location based scanning for the sites, but I am still a bit confused as when to use SQKs and DQK. I am sure that they will take the scanner experience to the next level. Please if anyone has seen a video or other explanation of how to best use these, please reply! Keep up the good work. Don - KD0NN
Hey I'm looking at the video and in around 3:20 I see on the right side Start up configuration Keys with boxes to tick, can you explain me the use of it?
Hey. I live in Santa Rosa County....I’m not hearing anything from the same frequencies entered as your scanner shows. Can I meet up with you and maybe you can show me what I’m doing wrong? Thanks
You have been so helpfull. But it I don't know if it is conventional or phase 1 of. How can I understand or learn this. System quick keys or the others. Can I assume they affect order of the scanning in a favorite list and or over all?
System quick keys turn on and off the systems. Yes, it will affect the scanning rate because the scanner doesn't have to scan all of the systems only the ones we choose. Here is a good summery of trunked radio systems: www.signalharbor.com/sr/05apr/ P25 Phase 1 and 2 is just a digital format for the radio system. Also check out: www.advancedspecialties.net/radio-scanner-faq.htm www.homepatrol.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=listcat&Itemid=39
You do NOT have to assign a quick key and the scanner will scan it. Also after you create the favorite list you need to save it before trying to send it to the scanner. Dah!
You Do NOt need to program a Quick Key for scanner to scan a Favorite List. I do not have quick keys assigned to any of my favorite lists. Not sure why you made that statement!
Just a quick, (possible dumb question) ? are you able to copy and paste in sentinel, like in Freescan. or do you have to manually do it. or can you import export with premium membership from radio reference. My unit will arrive tomorrow via UPS from HRO
No question is dumb, it's not asking the question that is dumb. No, I haven't found a way to copy and paste using Sentinel. But, the full RadioReference database is already in the software, no need to download anything except the database update that occurs around 10:00 AM Central Standard Time every Monday.
Good video but once you make these, how do you turn them on and off in the radio? Also what were all those check boxes for that you said you would come back to?
Hi can youu help me ? Iam from new zealand there are 2 digital repeaters we i am thay are TDMA. I donot know how to set scanner for TDMA. What is band plan freq's the rep out put freq's of the repeaters are 456.30625 12.5 and 164.1875 12.5 Can you help me set it up. Thanks
I have had many scanners this is the first digital one. It is impossible to figure out. I would pay someone to do this for me. I am going to return it.
The BCD 536HP has to be without a doubt, THE MOST COMPLICATED scanner Ive ever incountered. I had mine for 4 days and NEVER heard the local police (Millstadt, Illinois) on STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois P25. I just sent mine back. Just call me...DUH...lol
I've had the same problem. Have left mine off for 2 years. This week I am trying to get it restarted. Coming across problems like the micro SD card was bad. Also, I think I have to buy the DMR key. Will be mad if I buy it, and it doesn't fix the scanner.
How do you contact someone from Uniden?. They had me send my scanner to Texas for repairs on 3/6 and I still have not received a call from them. I cant get them on phone and I want scanner or money that it cost back. Don't deal with Uniden
K4DPS It go's back to the same phone number that is always to busy to answer as they are experiencing high call volume. I just want my scanner or the $600.00.
All I wanted was a scanner that will scan only the channels that I enter. This is the so stupid of a program that when I try to follow this screen, it is not the same as my screen on my computer. You cant contact with phone to get help as it is busy all the time. Try to enter channels on scanner itself. that does not work as it always says nothing to scan. I don't want "close call, departments, or quick keys" I just want to scan what I enter. I have a BCD536HP, I had to get this because my Bearcat would not get the new (P25) channels.
Dave Louis Well it's not like old scanners we are use to where we can just add a frequency to a channel and start scanning. When you create a favorite make sure you create it as a conventional system. You will have to add the System, Department, and Channel. There is no way around this.
Yes it is incredibly stupid. It was apparently written by following the radio designer's logic tree for the menuing structure and no thought at all given to making it easy for the end user. I stumbled across this video while trying to simply add a new favorite list with a single analog (US broadcast FM) channel. I've blown a couple hours trying to get the damn radio to recognize the new favorite list. So far no success. Apparently there are an infinite combination of settings possible which prevent the radio from scanning what you programmed in with Sentinel. Finding the one combination that will scan, well it's almost impossible without devoting a lifetime of study to the programming tool. It's like having a key to my front door and I need to figure out where to position all the bump and groove sizes while I'm standing there wanting to go inside. Keep trying different combinations and maybe, eventually, one will unlock the door. So here I am with a favorites list that seemingly is set up with regard to quick keys (SO unquick, in my estimation) and profile settings, monitor settings, upload settings, quick key settings that appear to be like the other favorites, and yet, when I upload, unplug the cable and let the radio reboot, it still ignores the new favorite list. I get really tired of the radio double-beeping it's error signal at me. If it would just unlock the list and scan it, life would be so much simpler.
K4DPS There could be away around this if Uniden did not make a program that (who wants) is so hard to enter. I did get hold of help and did get some of what I wanted to scan on scanner by entering it into Sentinel, but could not hear any of frequency's that were entered. next time I talked to someone they had me enter (only) 4 of the 20 frequency's that I wanted directly into scanner, then had me enter some other numbers that no one had me enter before and I could listen to ONLY 1 of the 4 entered. WHY don't they tell you to enter frequency's AND the other number so you can listen ?.I have had no luck in trying to do this when trying to load this directly into my scanner as I don't know what program, department, or name and why is this needed. I have updated Sentinel many times and it says that program is always up to date so I must be trying to enter the correct frequency's.I know that P25 is new, but WHY couldn't they make it simple to use. If Uniden could send me a download "through Sentinel" a simple way to load my scanner directly, it sure would help.
Some of this programing is over my head, without some way to auto program the unit for every thing I will be sending it back for any refund I can get, just to much for me.
Then just press ZIP, enter your zip code and let the unit auto program. Press SERV and select the type of services you want to hear (aircraft, ham, fire, police, etc). It will program everything that is in the database within a certain range of your area. You can change this range with the RANG button.
Thank you for these videos. I was getting nervous that I was about to buy a scanner that would intimidate the heck out of me, but your videos and explanations have made me think I could actually program it, either through the software or in the unit and get it to work.
Thanks Brenda for the kind words. Yes, you should have no trouble programming the scanner. It will take some time to understand everything, but it gets easier with time, And once you receive it, don't hesitate to ask questions.
Thanks. I may end taking you up on it!
Thanks! Looked at heaps of videos regarding adding frequencies to favourites - your's is the best in explaining how to do it!
a trick : you can watch series on flixzone. I've been using it for watching loads of movies lately.
@Houston Lochlan yea, have been watching on flixzone} for months myself :)
K4DPS thank you so much for your videos. Analog scanner user for a long time. Just got a BCD436HP and am loving it. Thanks again for your video!
Thanks for posting this. It was simple and easy to understand. I've been using Uniden scanners for many many years but now Uniden added the term Department which added to my confusion. Lol
I found someone that was helpfull and I got the real hard for me to program freq all workingm to hear a new not in use p25 phase 1 and a man testing 1,2,3,4 made my day
Do you think you could throughly explain the terms of each segment for this digital scanner such as systems,etc and what each term means and how do I find out which one each frequency uses,etc? What we could use so much is a glossary for all the new terminology for these digital scanners. I have been scanning even longer than you and I am having a very difficult time getting this set up. This owners manual leaves a lot to be desired. Over the years I have had Regency,Bear Cat and Radio Shack scanners, from buying individual crystals and then the programmable scanners and now digital. Right now I am pretty much listening to whatever my zip code can pick up for me! Thank you for the videos you have posted!
Check out the links below. I think they will help answer many of your questions and also help you understand the terminology. I do understand exactly what your talking about. I have been trying to learn about these new scanners since the day I opened the box. I keep learning more and more over time.
marksscanners.com/536/X36%20HP%20Sentinel.shtml
marksscanners.com/536/436_536.shtml
I'm new to this scanner. Your videos are helping a lot. My question is when setting up the favorites from the data base how do I know what the system type is?
I dowload the Sentinel and got my BCD436HP connect and it became a SDS200 scanner
Great video! I too have many years experience (starting with rock bound) scanners. These new scanners are a whole new ballgame for me! Thanks for taking the time to explain so much about them.
I have numbered my FLs and just use the location based scanning for the sites, but I am still a bit confused as when to use SQKs and DQK. I am sure that they will take the scanner experience to the next level.
Please if anyone has seen a video or other explanation of how to best use these, please reply! Keep up the good work.
Don - KD0NN
Hey I'm looking at the video and in around 3:20 I see on the right side Start up configuration Keys with boxes to tick, can you explain me the use of it?
Hey. I live in Santa Rosa County....I’m not hearing anything from the same frequencies entered as your scanner shows. Can I meet up with you and maybe you can show me what I’m doing wrong? Thanks
You have been so helpfull. But it I don't know if it is conventional or phase 1 of. How can I understand or learn this. System quick keys or the others. Can I assume they affect order of the scanning in a favorite list and or over all?
System quick keys turn on and off the systems. Yes, it will affect the scanning rate because the scanner doesn't have to scan all of the systems only the ones we choose. Here is a good summery of trunked radio systems:
www.signalharbor.com/sr/05apr/
P25 Phase 1 and 2 is just a digital format for the radio system. Also check out:
www.advancedspecialties.net/radio-scanner-faq.htm
www.homepatrol.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=listcat&Itemid=39
HOW DO I PROGRAM TALKGROUPS IN THE 536 TRY EVERTHING CAN THINK OF NO LUCK I CAN DO REGULAR COV BUT NO COUE ON THE TALK GROUPS ANY INFO
I followed all how to connect and how to connect my 536HP from Sentinel but it still came back as a SDS200
great video but what if I wanna add multiple places to listen to on my favorites list
In Menu, Check "On" for each favorite.
You do NOT have to assign a quick key and the scanner will scan it. Also after you create the favorite list you need to save it before trying to send it to the scanner. Dah!
You Do NOt need to program a Quick Key for scanner to scan a Favorite List. I do not have quick keys assigned to any of my favorite lists. Not sure why you made that statement!
Just a quick, (possible dumb question) ? are you able to copy and paste in sentinel, like in Freescan. or do you have to manually do it. or can you import export with premium membership from radio reference. My unit will arrive tomorrow via UPS from HRO
No question is dumb, it's not asking the question that is dumb. No, I haven't found a way to copy and paste using Sentinel. But, the full RadioReference database is already in the software, no need to download anything except the database update that occurs around 10:00 AM Central Standard Time every Monday.
Good video but once you make these, how do you turn them on and off in the radio? Also what were all those check boxes for that you said you would come back to?
I will go over more in-depth on the quick keys and how to turn them on and off in a video soon.
Ok thanks.
the Setinel software 2.02 revision 01 will not work good on this BCD436HP and the BCD536HP
What is the best software for programming the 536?
Hi can youu help me ? Iam from new zealand there are 2 digital repeaters we i am thay are TDMA. I donot know how to set scanner for TDMA. What is band plan freq's the rep out put freq's of the repeaters are 456.30625 12.5 and 164.1875 12.5 Can you help me set it up. Thanks
Can you explain how to setup the wifi feature so I can listen on my iPhone while driving? Is this possible with the base unit at home?
Uniden has not released the WiFi app as of 2/14/14. Hopefully it will be ready for release soon.
Thanks. I needed that. Please keep me posted. I appreciate your help.
Great videos, they help a lot bro..
I have had many scanners this is the first digital one. It is impossible to figure out. I would pay someone to do this for me. I am going to return it.
The BCD 536HP has to be without a doubt, THE MOST COMPLICATED scanner Ive ever incountered. I had mine for 4 days and NEVER heard the local police (Millstadt, Illinois) on STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois P25. I just sent mine back. Just call me...DUH...lol
Sorry to hear that you sent it back, but I do understand. I'm still learning how to use it and I have been scanning for over 30 years!
I've had the same problem. Have left mine off for 2 years. This week I am trying to get it restarted. Coming across problems like the micro SD card was bad. Also, I think I have to buy the DMR key. Will be mad if I buy it, and it doesn't fix the scanner.
How do you contact someone from Uniden?. They had me send my scanner to Texas for repairs on 3/6 and I still have not received a call from them. I cant get them on phone and I want scanner or money that it cost back. Don't deal with Uniden
Dave Louis Dave this is the link I have for them: repair.uniden.com/repairInstruct.cfm
The telephone number is 1-800-235-3874
K4DPS It go's back to the same phone number that is always to busy to answer as they are experiencing high call volume. I just want my scanner or the $600.00.
Dave Louis I'm sorry Dave I don't know what to tell you. I'm not employed or in any way affiliated with the Uniden Corporation.
All I wanted was a scanner that will scan only the channels that I enter. This is the so stupid of a program that when I try to follow this screen, it is not the same as my screen on my computer. You cant contact with phone to get help as it is busy all the time. Try to enter channels on scanner itself. that does not work as it always says nothing to scan. I don't want "close call, departments, or quick keys" I just want to scan what I enter. I have a BCD536HP, I had to get this because my Bearcat would not get the new (P25) channels.
Yes Dave the only way is to create a favorite list of the channels that you only want to hear.
K4DPS Favorites list always asks for system, close call, trunk,department or P24, ect. How do I skip this?.
Thanks,
Dave
Dave Louis Well it's not like old scanners we are use to where we can just add a frequency to a channel and start scanning. When you create a favorite make sure you create it as a conventional system. You will have to add the System, Department, and Channel. There is no way around this.
Yes it is incredibly stupid. It was apparently written by following the radio designer's logic tree for the menuing structure and no thought at all given to making it easy for the end user. I stumbled across this video while trying to simply add a new favorite list with a single analog (US broadcast FM) channel. I've blown a couple hours trying to get the damn radio to recognize the new favorite list. So far no success. Apparently there are an infinite combination of settings possible which prevent the radio from scanning what you programmed in with Sentinel. Finding the one combination that will scan, well it's almost impossible without devoting a lifetime of study to the programming tool.
It's like having a key to my front door and I need to figure out where to position all the bump and groove sizes while I'm standing there wanting to go inside. Keep trying different combinations and maybe, eventually, one will unlock the door.
So here I am with a favorites list that seemingly is set up with regard to quick keys (SO unquick, in my estimation) and profile settings, monitor settings, upload settings, quick key settings that appear to be like the other favorites, and yet, when I upload, unplug the cable and let the radio reboot, it still ignores the new favorite list.
I get really tired of the radio double-beeping it's error signal at me. If it would just unlock the list and scan it, life would be so much simpler.
K4DPS There could be away around this if Uniden did not make a program that (who wants) is so hard to enter. I did get hold of help and did get some of what I wanted to scan on scanner by entering it into Sentinel, but could not hear any of frequency's that were entered. next time I talked to someone they had me enter (only) 4 of the 20 frequency's that I wanted directly into scanner, then had me enter some other numbers that no one had me enter before and I could listen to ONLY 1 of the 4 entered. WHY don't they tell you to enter frequency's AND the other number so you can listen ?.I have had no luck in trying to do this when trying to load this directly into my scanner as I don't know what program, department, or name and why is this needed. I have updated Sentinel many times and it says that program is always up to date so I must be trying to enter the correct frequency's.I know that P25 is new, but WHY couldn't they make it simple to use.
If Uniden could send me a download "through Sentinel" a simple way to load my scanner directly, it sure would help.
Some of this programing is over my head, without some way to auto program the unit for every thing I will be sending it back for any refund I can get, just to much for me.
Then just press ZIP, enter your zip code and let the unit auto program. Press SERV and select the type of services you want to hear (aircraft, ham, fire, police, etc). It will program everything that is in the database within a certain range of your area. You can change this range with the RANG button.
Im boxing mine back up and sending back to Amazon tomorrow. Worst think I have ever purchased!!
Sentinel 2.02 is BUGGY
It's Sentinel NOT centennial. A Sentinel is like a guard or guardian, a centennial is 100 year celebration.
I saw that! LOL