Firmware Alert – Uniden HomePatrol-1 [2.03.01]


By Jonathan Higgins

Product: Uniden HomePatrol-1 (HP-1)
Firmware Update: 2.03.01

What included in the update?

  • Improved the SD Card Error message to help resolve troubleshooting issues.
  • Added a low-pass filter switch option for raw data output mode.
  • Added a remote command to control the low-pass filter switch.
  • Fixed the issue where the display mode setting was reset after cycling power.
  • Fixed that some systems were not appearing in Add Channel mode.
  • More details

    This update should fix a couple of the little bugs that were reported to Uniden. Nothing major in this update.
How to update your HomePatrol?

  1. Plug your HP-1 into AC Power to prevent power lost during update.
  2. Connect your HP-1 to your PC via the Programming cable.
  3. Open the Sentinel Software
    (If you don’t have the software download it here)
  4. Click “Update” tab
  5. Select “Update Firmware”
  6. Your HomePatrol should be selected, click “OK”
  7. The software will prompt you once the download is done.
  8. Disconnect the programming cable from your HP-1
  9. Please allow a few minutes for the update process to run.
  10. Your HP-1 will restart and the firmware update is complete.

Scanners and Camping!

By Jonathan Higgins

Scanners and Camping!

When I’m not working at Scanner Master I like to spend my weekends camping in the spring, summer and fall.  My wife and daughter introduced me to camping and we started out tent camping.  It was an amazing feeling to pack up the car and hit the road to a new or favorite destination.  Enjoying the land like the early settlers had, spending the nights under the stars near a campfire.  I have grown to love this and we have now invested in a travel trailer, what we like to call our second home on wheels. Being the scanner geek that I am, I always pack a scanner on these trips.  Working at Scanner Master, I have many opportunities to try different products in the camping environment.
Getting there!
I tow my travel trailer with my pick-up truck which is already equipped with the Uniden BCD996XT, GPS Receiver, and the Uniden RH-96 Remote head.  It’s taken a while but I have most of the public safety agencies for New England programmed into it along with the GPS Data.  The scanner keeps me informed about any accidents or incidents along the way.

Recommended Programming – Getting There!
If you’re doing a lot of highway travel, be sure to program State Police/Highway Patrol and state highway departments.

You may want to program some of the secondary State Police channels/talk groups, these channels could be used for radar details.  States are trying to generate income from every avenue including giving speeding tickets.  Keep in mind some of these secondary channels/systems maybe non-repeaterized, and in-line of sight.

In some states the State Highway Departments are playing more of a roll with traffic incident such as accidents.  These channels can tip you off to lane closers and delays, most of time this info is relayed on these channels for the Highway Traffic Information boards.

At the Campground!
I would recommend a portable unit, you can run it on batteries and you wouldn’t be dependent on AC/DC power.  Before the trip I usually do research on RadioReference.com and then program my handheld scanner.   If you frequent the same area a few times a year you may want to store the programming into a V-Folder on GRE or a high number system on a Uniden unit with Dynamic Memory.

It’s always fun to listen to the campground communications.  Most campgrounds use two way radios for communications, such as MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) or FRS (Family Radio Service).  Most scanners have both MURS and FRS/GMRS as preset service search.  Keep in mind these communications are not on a repeater they are in-line of sight (low power).   If they are not using the assigned FRS or MURS channels you can use Close Call (Uniden) or Spectrum Sweeper (GRE) technology.

NOAA Weather Radio
Summer can bring some wild weather… Your scanner can also act as weather station, with most scanners you’re one press away from a Local NOAA Weather radio station report.  There are more than 900 NOAA Weather stations across the United States.   Not only can you tune into a weather report anytime you want you can also set up your scanner for weather alerts.  This is very simple to set up once you’re at your destination, it will alert you about those surprise thunder storms.Camper Shack!
Uniden HomePatrol-1 in the sleeping quarters, using the Windshield Mounting Kit for the Uniden HomePatrol-1.

 Here is the SpecturmForce Wide band Antenna with Mag Mount and SMA outside of the camper using a Bracket for Mobile Scanner Installations.  This bracket was a perfect surface for the antenna, and can be easily removed when traveling.

New Product – Uniden Bearcat BC125AT Scanner

Product: Uniden Bearcat BC125AT Analog Conventional Scanner
MSRP Price: $179.95
Price: $139.95
Note: Available first week in February!

This scanner will not work in all areas, please check out sister site policescanners.net for compatibly.

Bellow is product description provide by Paul Opitz Senior Product Manger @ Uniden


BC125AT, 500 channels in 10 banks/50 channels per-bank, the BC125AT includes full VHF and UHF coverage (see the frequency chart below), including Air and Military Air channels, as well as full alpha tagging for all channels. PC programmability makes it simple to quickly program up for events such as air shows, auto racing, boat racing, and more.

Close Call® RF Capture including Do-Not-Disturb makes capturing those unknown frequencies a snap. Plus, Uniden has extended the Do-Not-Disturb functionality to include Priority channels, so annoying interruptions from priority or Close Call checks is a thing of the past.

The BC125AT includes all the feature enhancements you’ve come to expect from Uniden, including Temporary Lockout, CTCSS/DCS decoding, per-channel dropout delay, and complete search features, all in a compact, easy-to-carry chassis. Weather priority and weather alert will also keep you informed as to the latest weather and other hazard as announced by the National Weather Service.

BC125AT Features:

Memory Storage/Programming

  • 10 Channel Storage Banks – You can store up to 50 frequencies into each bank for a total of 500 frequencies so you can more easily identify calls.
  • PC Programming – you can download information into the scanner and control the scanner via your personal computer.
  • CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes – rapid search for CTCSS/DCS tones/codes used during a transmission. You can identify up to 50 CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes.
  • Direct Access – lets you directly access any channel.
  • Text Tagging – you can name each channel, using up to 16 characters per name.
  • Memory Backup – keeps the frequencies stored in memory for an extended time if the scanner loses power.
  • Key Confirmation Tones – You can turn on/off a tone that sounds when you perform an operation correctly or if you make an error.
  • Key Lock – lets you lock the scanner’s keys to help prevent accidental changes to the scanner’s programming.

Close Call

  • Close Call RF Capture Technology – you can set the scanner so it detects
    and provides information about nearby radio transmissions
  • Close Call Do-Not-Disturb – checks for Close Call activity in between channel reception so active channels are not interrupted.
  • Close Call Temporary Store – temporarily stores and scans the last 10 Close Call hits in the ‘Close Call Hits’ system.

Lock-Out Functions

  • Lock-Out Function – lets you set your scanner to skip over specified channels or frequencies when scanning or searching.
  • Temporary Lockout – makes it easy to temporarily lock out any channel or frequency. The lockout is cleared when you turn power off, then back on so you don’t have to remember to unlock the channels later.

Priority Functions

  • Priority Scan with Do Not Disturb – lets you program one channel in each bank (10 in all) and then have the scanner check each channel every 2 seconds while it scans the banks so you don’t miss transmissions on those channels. Do-Not Disturb keeps the scanner from interrupting transmissions during receiving.
  • Priority Plus Scan – you can set the scanner so it scans only the priority channels.

Display

  • Display Backlight – You can turn on/off the LCD backlight, set it operate on squelch only, keypress only, or both.
  • Signal Strength Meter – shows the signal strength for more powerful transmissions.

Antenna/Reception

  • Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector – provides adequate reception in strong signal areas and is designed to help prevent antenna breakage. Or, you can connect an external antenna for better reception.
  • Triple-Conversion Circuitry – virtually eliminates any interference from IF (intermediate frequency) images, so you hear only the selected frequency.

Service Banks/Searches

  • Service Banks – frequencies are preset in 10 separate Police, Fire/Emergency, Ham, Marine, Railroad, Civil Air, Military Air, CB Radio, FRS/GMRS/MURS, and Racing banks to make it easy to locate specific types of calls and search any or all of these banks.
  • Custom Search – lets you program up to 10 Custom Search Ranges and search any or all of these ranges.
  • Quick Search – allows you to enter a frequency and start searching up or down from that frequency.
  • Turbo Search – increases the search speed from 100 to 300 steps per second automatically for bands with 5 kHz steps.
  • Search Lockouts – you can lock up to 200 search frequencies: 100 temporary frequencies and 100 permanent frequencies in Custom Search, Service Search, Close Call Search, or Quick Search Modes.
  • Scan/Search Delay/Resume – controls whether the scanner pauses at the end of the transmission to wait for a reply. You can set the Delay time for each Channel, Close Call Search, Custom Search, and Service search. You can also set a negative delay where the scanner stops on transmissions for a set time then automatically resumes.

Weather

  • Weather Alert Priority – the scanner scans active WX channels every 5 seconds to check for the presence of a 1050 Hz Weather Alert Tone.
  • Weather Alert Standby – the scanner allows you to monitor for weather alerts broadcast on NOAA channels.

Power

  • Two Power Options – let you power the scanner using the included two AA rechargeable or alkaline batteries or the supplied USB cable.
  • Battery Save – works when there is no transmission for 1 minute in Scan Hold Mode and any Search Hold Mode (without Priority Scan). This feature turns off RF power for 1 second and turns on it for 300ms to extend the battery life.
  • Battery Low Alert – the icon will blink in the display and a tone warns you every 15 seconds when the battery power gets
  • Built-In Charger – allows you to charge Ni-MH batteries in the scanner using a USB port on any computer and the supplied USB cable.

Frequency Coverage:
25-54 MHz
108-174 MHz
225-380 MHz
400-512 MHz

New Product – HomePatrol – Uniden Nylon Travel Case

The Product:
HomePatrol – Uniden Nylon Travel Case
Price: $69.95
For: Uniden HomePatrol HP-1

On the go with your Uniden HomePatrol? We now carry the HomePatrol – Uniden Nylon Travel Case. With the clear plastic cover over the screen you can see and operate the HP-1 in the Travel case. This Travel case is a must have for someone moving the HP-1 for from location to another.

Storage above for:

  • Flex Antenna
  • AC Power Adapter
  • DC power Adapter
  • Desk Stand
  • USB Cable
  • Extra Batteries.

 

Case Size:
10” x 7” x 2 ½”

There are opening on the sides for hook-up to antenna, power, GPS, and headphones. You can close these opening with the Velcro flaps located inside the case.

Other availbale cases for the Uniden Homepatrol:

 

New Product – Windshield Mounting Kit for HomePatrol

By Jonathan Higgins

New Product:
Windshield Mounting Kit for HomePatrol
Cost:
$39.95

What’s included with the Windshield Mounting Kit?

  • Heavy duty 3 ½ inches suction mount
  • Adjustable 7 inches arm
  • HomePatrol Mobile Mounting Bracket
  • Bracket mounting screws and nuts


Road Test

Over the past weekend, I was able to Road Test the new Uniden HomePatrol Windshield Mounting Kit.

During the road test I was very impressed with this product. It has heavy duty suction mount along with its 7 inch arm. The windshield mount holds the one pound HomePatrol without a problem. Well built, and suitable for most windshield mounting situations.

This product is made by Ram Mounts for the Uniden HomePatrol.

Scanner 101 – Uniden HomePatrol Favorites List

Do you own the Uniden HomePatrol? Would you rather pick and choose the agencies or communities?  You can simply select them in the database, and run them in a Favorites list. In this Scanner 101 we give you basic steps on setting up a Favorites List in your Uniden HomePatrol.

When running a favorites list, you will be just running the channels you select. This will work great for home or office set up.  If your running the unit as mobile with GPS you would need to run the Uniden HomePatrol on the full database.
You can set up multiple favorite list, here are some examples of a few I have in my office Uniden HomePatrol.

Favorites List name: Office w/railroad
Holliston Police
Holliston Fire
Mass Dot – District 3 – Central
Mass Bay Commuter Rail South Road
Mass Bay Commuter Rail Worcester Road

Favorites List name: Office w/MSP
Holliston Police
Holliston Fire
Mass Dot – District 3 – Central
Mass State Police C-Patrol 1
Mass State Police C-Patrol 2

Uniden HomePatrol in the photo above scanning Bristol County, MA
Here are the steps to set up your Favorties List

Step 1
Press “Menu” (bottom Left Corner)

Step 2
Press “Manage Favorites Lists” (Right hand side 3rd option)

Step 3
Press “Crate New List”

Step 4
Type out a name for this list then press “Accept”

Step 5
Press “Review/Edit Channels”

Step 6
Press “Add Channel”

Step 7
Select “USA” or “Canada”

Step 8
Select your “State”

Step 9
Select your “County”

Step 10
Once you have selected your “Scope” you can browse the database and select channels you wish to monitor once all the channels you wish to monitor are selected press “add channel”.

Step 11
Press yes to conform.

Step 12
Once you have added channels you can review them on “Review/ Edit Channels” screen

Step 12A
To add more areas repeat Steps 6 – 10

Step 13
Press “Back”

Step 14
Press “Use This List”

Step 15
Press “Yes” to Conform

Sentinel Software

If you would rather do this using software, you can download the free “HomePatrol Sentinel” software. With the Sentinel you can update the firmware and the HomePatrol frequency database.

ARC Patrol Software
If you looking to add frequencies or trunking systems not listed in RadioReference.com you can purchase the ARC Patrol Software. – Read more about the ARC Patrol Software

New Product – ARC Patrol

By Jonathan Higgins

The Product: ARC Patrol Software
Price: $29.95
Works with: Uniden HomePatrol (HP-1)

The Uniden HomePatrol comes with software but the software has some limitations:

With ARC PATROL you expand the functionality of your HP-1:

  • Add a frequency that is not in the built-in database
  • Add a talkgroup that is not in the built-in database
  • Add a trunk system that is not in the built-in database
  • Add Nascar and other race frequencies
  • Change Alpha tags
  • Change or add subtones
  • Add Airband, CB, Marine, Railroad, FRS and GMRS frequencies
  • Change the service type of frequencies and/or talkgroups
  • Search a frequency range

    Links about the ARC Patrol:

  • Questions and Answers
  • Download the demo

    Introduction to the New BuTel ARC Patrol Software.
    Narrated By Gommert Buysen of Butel Software

  • New Product – Uniden HomePatrol

    By Jonathan Higgins

    The Product: Uniden HomePatrol-1

    The much awaited Uniden HomePatrol’s will be shipping out on Thursday, September 30, 2010.

    Please check out my First Look @ Uniden HomePatrol
    Highlights:

    New Product – Setup & Optimize Service

    By Jonathan Higgins

    Product Name: Setup & Optimize Service (for the Uniden HomePatrol and GRE PSR-700 only.)

    Cost: $39.95 – If the scanner was purchase from Scanner Master
    ($49.95 for customers that already have purchased the scanner elsewhere)

    Note: This service delays the shipping one week.

    When you order this option along with your Uniden HomePatrol and GRE PSR-700 the Setup & Optimize Service Covers:

  • Optimizing the internal database
  • Checking and updating the firmware
  • Setting-up your local town/city into a Scan List/Favorites List
  • With Scanner Master’s exclusive Set-up & Optimize Package we see to it that you’re pre-programmed scanner is fully updated and ready to use for your area, perfect for your own use and especially perfect for a gift. First we optimize the internal database by updating the frequency library, which changes daily. We will also check and install any firmware updates to before your pre-programmed scanner ships. (The firmware is the operating system for the radio which may have been updated or tweaked by the factory following its production in Asia.) Scanner Master will then build a Favorites List/Scan List for the customer (based on the ship to address of your order), or for the area in which the scanner will be used if the customer specifies a different city (for example if the radio is given as a gift).


    — Bellow applies to the Uniden HomePatrol ONLY. —
    (The benefit of this Favorites List work is that we insure that the most important data to the user is readily accessible as often times, if the database for the end user’s area hasn’t been completely prepared with what’s known as “geo-tagging” then some or all of the local agencies will not activate for scanning. Scanner Master insures that this will not be the case.)

    Scanner Master will also pre-tune the radio by entering the end-users zip code. Finally we will give the radio’s installed re-chargeable batteries a brief charge to insure that the radio will be ready to use right out of the box.


    Greg Jolly busy at work Setting up and Optimizing the New Uniden HomePatrol.

    Scanner 101 – Uniden RH-96 Remote Head Hook Up



    The Uniden BC-RH96 Remote Head is
    only available from Scanner Master!

    Using the Uniden BC-RH96 Remote Head
    Are you installing a new Uniden base/mobile Scanner in your car or truck? Most new vehicles don’t have a lot of space for a bulky full size scanner, so the Uniden BC-RH96 Remote Head is the perfect fix to any instillation. With the Remote head you can place the scanner under the seat or mount it in the trunk. With the compact BC-RH96 Remote Head you can have full control** of the scanner with full display taking up 75% less space. If you’re installing the BCT15X or BCD996XT in your vehicle, make sure you check out the Uniden Bearcat BC-RH96 Remote Head.

    **Note:
    When powering down the remote head, it will not power down the scanner itself.
    Size:
    7.2W x 1.9D x 2.2H in inches (without knobs)

    Also In the box:
    Mounting bracket with Knobs
    10 foot data cable
    Cigarette lighter DC power plug
    The Owner’s Manual
    The Uniden BC-RH96 Remote Head works with the following Uniden Scanners:
    BCD996XT / BCD996T
    BCD396XT / BCD396T
    BCT15X/BCT15
    BC346XT
    BR330T

    Bring the Sound the Front
    When purchasing the Uniden BC-RH96 please check out our external speaker options available. You also need to bring the sound to the front along with the controls. The BC-RH96 does not have an internal speaker.
    Uniden 4” External Speaker – 10 foot cord
    RoadPro 2.75” External Speaker – 6 foot cord

    Simple 1,2,3 Remote head to Scanner Hook-Up
    Step 1
    Hook up the data cable to the scanner via the front PC Port.
    Step 2
    Hook up the data cable to the RH96 to the Remote port. This cable can be extended by using an optional 6 foot stereo extension cable or 25 foot stereo extension cable.
    Step 3
    Hook up your cigarette lighter power cord or using the optional Uniden Power Cable (it will plug directly into your fuse block).

    Installing Tips
    >> When placing the scanner in the trunk or under the seat make sure the scanner is in a location so will will not over heat. Try to avoid tight closed in spots.


    >> If you need to extended the 10 foot data cable that comes with the BC-RH96 you can purchase optional 6 foot stereo extension cable or 25 foot stereo extension cable. These cables can be use to extend the speaker cables as well.

    >> If your using multipliable cigarette lighter power cords you may want to purchase 12-Volt 3 Outlet Power Port Adapter.
    Programmable Function Buttons

    With the Uniden BC-RH96 you can program three function buttons.
    Options include:

  • Scan Key
  • Hold Key
  • Service Menu Shortcut
  • WX Scan Menu Shortcut
  • Goto Tone-out Standby Shortcut
  • Goto Close Call Only Mode Shortcut
  • and more!
    See the BC-RH96 Manual Pages 19- 21 for more details.

  • Optional Parts:

    External Speakers
    Uniden 4″ External Speaker
    Uniden 4″ Powered External Speaker
    Roadpro 2.75″ External Speaker

    Data and Speaker Extension Cables
    Stereo Extension Cable 6′
    Stereo Extension Cable 25′

    Power Options
    Uniden Power Cord (no cigarette adapter)
    Uniden Cigarette Lighter Charger Straight Cord – This already comes with RH96, if you need extra here is the part needed.

    Multi-port Mobile Outlet
    12-Volt 4 Outlet Platinum Series Power Port