Tag Archives: Police Scanner

New Product – Setup & Optimize Service

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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.

    First Look @ Uniden HomePatrol

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    First Look @ Uniden HomePatrol
    By Jonathan Higgins

    Release Date: Early Fall 2010 – 09/30/10
    Price: $495.00

    Uniden HomePatrol
    Recently I had the opportunity to see the New Uniden HomePatrol in action. This product is very simple to operate, you can be up and running within 3 minutes or less. No programming needed all you need is your zip code. Once your Zip Code is entered, HomePatrol will load Police, Fire and EMS channels in your area and you have the option to also scan Utilities, Airports, Railroads, Businesses, schools and other services in your area that area listed on the Radio Reference database.

    My initial thoughts of the HomePatrol:
    This cutting edge technology from Uniden will take the work out of programming. The menus are very straight forward and simple. The reception was amazing with the stock antenna that came with the unit. This product would be ideal for someone just getting into the hobby, or just looking for something that is very simple to operate.

    Advanced Users
    Advanced users may find the HomePatrol limits your ability to customize the programming. I would still recommend the Uniden BCD396XT or BCD996XT to advanced users. For myself HomePatrol would be great for traveling outside of my listening area, because I wouldn’t need to spend time setting up the programming.

    GPS ScanningHomePatrol would be a great for Road Trips too! By connecting a GPS Receiver the system will select all of the agencies in your area and it will keep updating as you travel.

    Building Favorites Lists
    You can make your own favorites Lists from the database in HomePatrol. If you only like to listen to fire call you can go into the database and select those departments. You can name and save each favorites list. I really like this option because you can customize what you’re monitoring.

    Instant Replay
    Did you miss a transmission? You can replay radio transmission from the last 30 Seconds to 240 seconds; you can set the replay time through the Advanced Menu options.

    Updating HomePatrol
    With the HomePatrol Sentinel PC Software you can update the internal database within minutes. When needed HomePatrol may need a Firmware update, these are simple and done through the software. Also with-in the software you can make and save your own custom Favorites Lists.


    HomePatrol Appearance and Jacks
    Screen:Full Color Touch Screen

    Buttons:

    Volume Control and Power Buttons
    Jacks:

    Left to Right – SMA Antenna Jack, Head Phone Jack, and Line Out Jack


    Left to Right – GPS Jack, DC 9V Power Jack Jack, and USB – Programming/Updating Jack

    In the Box:
    HomePatrol will come with Flex Antenna, AC Adapter, DC Cigarette Lighter Adapter, 4 AA Rechargeable batteries USB Cable, Desk Stand, and a quick Start Guide.

    Frequency Coverage:
    25-54 MHz
    108-512 MHz
    758-960 MHz

    Communications Systems Covered:

  • EDACS Wide/Narrow
  • LTR
  • Motorola
  • Conventional
  • Digital (Project 25)
  • Analog

    Specifications for this unit are subject to change without notice by the manufacturer.

    Great Links:
    HomePatrol Offcial Website
    HomePatrol Yahoo Group
    HomePatrol Yahoo Group Links

    HomePatrol on YouTube:
    HomePatrol Launch Part 1
    HomePatrol Launch Part 2
    HomePatrol Launch Part 3

    • Scanner Master Road Trip – I-95 Maine

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    By Jonathan Higgins

    Last weekend, the Higgins family took a road trip to Northern Maine to visit with family! Oh yes, cozy Maine, with its 60 plus lighthouses, 6,000 lakes, 32,000 miles of rivers, and digital communications systems. Yes, digital communications are coming to Maine! In past road trips to Maine I have that Biddeford Police used Project 25 (P25), in this trip I found more areas using digital. They are using a VHF conventional digital system:

    Auburn Police – 159.1500 NAC 293
    Augusta Police – 153.6275 NAC 770
    Biddeford Police – 159.9450 NAC 51 (Dispatch),
    and 156.2100 NAC 703 (Secondary)
    Lewiston Police – 158.7900 NAC 293

    Maine State Police
    Soon the Maine State Police will be upgrading their Analog VHF conventional system to a new Project 25 VHF Digital trunking system called MSCommNet (Maine State Communications Network). Right now this system is in the planning stage. They hope to have this up and running by fall of 2012.

    You can read more about this system on the Maine.gov website.
    http://www.maine.gov/oit/services/radio/mscommnet/index.html

    Handy Frequencies…
    Maine Turn Pike Ops – 151.0700 CTCSS 107.2
    Great channel to monitor for accidents, or lane closures. You can hear the motorist assistance trunks.

    Railroad Buffs
    A great place to stop anytime you’re making your way into Maine is the Seashore Trolley Museum, located in Kennebunkport, Maine.
    Main Dispatch – 160.4700 CSQ
    Secondary Channel – 160.5000 CSQ

    Below is a photo of Wheeling Traction Co. #639
    1924 Cincinnati Car Co.
    Photo Taken by Jonathan Higgins
    (Seashore Trolley Museum Members Day 2009)