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Difference between revisions of "Uniden Home Patrol FAQ"

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Please document all issues that pertain to Home Patrol and their solutions here. If it's not in the owner's manual, please consider documenting it here. Be as specific as possible as to the steps taken - the devil is in the details. The more detail you provide, the better.
+
Please document all issues and solutions that pertain to the [[HomePatrol-1]] and [[HomePatrol-2]] here. If it's not in the owner's manual, please consider documenting it here. Be as specific as possible as to the steps taken - the devil is in the details. The more detail you provide, the better.
  
==Updating the HomePatrol Database to the Latest Version==
 
  
Cruise over to [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/HomePatrol/HomePatrolSentinel HomePatrol Sentinel Download] and install the latest version of Sentinel on your PC. This software is key to getting the very latest information into your HomePatrol-1.  
+
'''NOTE:''' We have separate FAQs for other Uniden products;
 +
*If you are looking for other Uniden DMA driven scanners, see the [[Uniden DMA FAQ]]
 +
*If you are looking for information on the [[BCD436HP]], [[BCD536HP]], [[SDS100]] or [[SDS200]], see the [[BCD436HP and BCD536HP Scanner FAQ]].
  
At that site, you’ll also find a printable full User’s Guide to supplement the Quick Reference Guide you got with your HomePatrol-1.
 
  
Now that you’ve installed Sentinel, connect your HomePatrol-1 to your PC, run Sentinel and do three things:
+
==Operations Issues and Fixes==
* UPDATE --> Update Firmware – This will put the very latest operating system in your HomePatrol-1 so you will be sure to get the best performance.
+
*'''How do I use Favorites?'''
* UPDATE --> Update Master HPDB – This will put the very latest radio system database in Sentinel (the database is refreshed at least every Monday morning).
+
**See this [http://forums.radioreference.com/2082707-post644.html writeup] by Jay911
* HomePatrol --> Write to HomePatrol – This will put the very latest radio system database in your HomePatrol-1.
 
  
<small> thanks to upman</small>
 
  
==Loud Buzz==
+
*Are Favorites Lists automatically updated when the database is?
*Symptom: Loud Buzz when connected to amplified speaker system
+
**No. It is prudent to keep an eye on the favorites lists you use regularly and compare them to the latest database.
*Resolution: Purchase a Ground Loop Isolator (RS No. 270-054) and install between radio and input to speaker system
 
  
<small> thanks to kc2rgw</small>
 
  
==Slow Response to Commands on Touch Screen==
+
 
 +
* '''How do I update the HP1 to the latest version?'''
 +
**Cruise over to the [http://info.uniden.com/HomePatrol/ExtremeUpdate Extreme Update] wiki entry and follow the instructions.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
* '''How do I work with the Secure Digital (SD) card?''' 
 +
** Go to the [[Working with Scanners with Secure Digital (SD) Cards]] article
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*'''I get a loud buzz when connected to amplified speaker system. How do I get rid of it?'''
 +
**Purchase a Ground Loop Isolator (RS No. 270-054) and install between radio and input to speaker system <small>(thanks to kc2rgw)</small>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
* '''My HP1 is slow to respond to commands on the touch screen'''
 
* Symptom: When the radio restarts you end up at the initial 6 page setup. The favorites and database would not respond
 
* Symptom: When the radio restarts you end up at the initial 6 page setup. The favorites and database would not respond
* Resolution:
+
** Resolution:
 
#Get a new 2 Gig SD card
 
#Get a new 2 Gig SD card
 
#Use Windows to quick format it before putting it in the Home Patrol.
 
#Use Windows to quick format it before putting it in the Home Patrol.
 
#Connect Home Patrol to computer, opened Sentinel.
 
#Connect Home Patrol to computer, opened Sentinel.
#From the toolbar clicked on Homepatrol, clear user data, check the box for "Display all drives", highlight the drive and then click OK.  
+
#From the toolbar clicked on Homepatrol, clear user data, check the box for "Display all drives", highlight the drive and then click OK. <small> (thanks to fxdscon)</small>
  
<small> thanks to fxdscon</small>
 
  
==Adding Service Search Ranges==
+
* ''' My HP1 powers on but won't respond to the touch screen. '''
Normally most scanners come with a number of service searches already defined - the HP1 does not. These service searches include the following;
+
** The space between the bezel (the plastic frame around the screen, part of the front piece of the scanner) and the touchscreen, while small, is big enough in relative terms for something the size of a sesame seed to wedge in between the screen and bezel at the "bottom" of the screen. This can cause the screen to appear to "lock up" because there is something pressing on it (note the HP uses a single-touch screen unlike the new multi-touch phones, tablets, etc). A business card applied carefully as a means of extracting the foreign object should allow the screen to start functioning again.  <small> (thanks to Jay911)</small>
  
* [[Citizens Band]]
+
 
* [[Common Itinerant and Business]]
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* '''What do all those abbreviations I see in the Activity Log mean?'''
* [[FRS/GMRS combined channel chart]]
+
** The sheet that describes all the abbreviations as used in the activity log mode in the HP1 can be found [[Media:HP1 Activity Log Defs.pdf|here]]. Note that it is a PDF file so you need Adobe Acrobat or one of the other PDF utilities to read it
* [[Marine VHF Channels]]
+
 
*[[Multi-Use Radio Service]]
+
 
* Railroad
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* '''I cant seem to get the recording function to work'''
 +
** If you are running on battery power, and the voltage level drops too low, recording functions are disabled.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
* '''Can I use the discovery mode to record without having batteries in the unit?'''
 +
** No you must have a good set of batteries installed for this function to work
 +
 
 +
==Conventional Issues and Fixes==
 +
* '''How do I add Service Search ranges to my HP1?'''
 +
**Normally most scanners come with a number of service searches already defined - the HP1 does not. These service searches include the following;
 +
** [[Citizens Band]]
 +
** [[Common Itinerant and Business]]
 +
** [[FRS/GMRS combined channel chart]]
 +
** [[Marine VHF Channels]]
 +
**[[Multi-Use Radio Service]]
 +
** Railroad
 
**[[Current VHF Railroad Frequencies]]
 
**[[Current VHF Railroad Frequencies]]
 
**[[Narrowband VHF Railroad Frequencies]]
 
**[[Narrowband VHF Railroad Frequencies]]
 
**[[UHF Railroad Allocations]]
 
**[[UHF Railroad Allocations]]
+
* And some newer ranges, not listed in any scanner
; And some newer ranges, not listed in any scanner
+
** [[Common Public Safety]] Includes new 700 and 800 Mhz assignments
* [[Common Public Safety]] Includes new 700 and 800 Mhz assignments
+
** [[Emergency Medical Services Radio]] Includes new UHF split frequencies
* [[Emergency Medical Services Radio]] Includes new UHF split frequencies
+
* The answer depends on what software you are using
 
+
#For ARCPATROL, this software comes with a number of files already defined. See the [[ARCPATROL]] article for specific files and instructions.
===ARC Patrol===
+
#For [http://www.sixspotsoftware.com/downloads Power Patrol], you can use the '''EZ-Grab''' function to pull frequencies from the articles linked above into a favorites list. '''NOTE:''' This software is not compatible with HP1 firmware version 2.0 or newer and is no longer supported.
* '''NOTE:''' If the ''Extreme Upgrade'' is installed, you should use version 2.0 of the software
+
#For Sentinel, see the [[Sentinel User's Guide]]
* This software comes with a number of files already defined. See the [[ARCPATROL]] article for specific files and instructions.
 
 
 
===Power Patrol===
 
* '''NOTE:''' This software is not compatible with the ''Extreme upgrade''
 
* You can use the '''EZ-Grab''' function to pull frequencies from the articles linked above into a favorites list.
 
  
===Uniden Sentinel===
 
====Pre Extreme Upgrade Method====
 
Download this [[Media:Sentinel Templates.zip|file]] and save them to whatever folder you use for downloads. Unzip them into your desired directory using your favorite zip utility.<sup>1</sup>
 
  
 +
==Trunking Issues and Fixes==
 +
* '''What causes distortion when listening to P25 simulcast systems? How can it be remedied?'''
 +
** Please see the [[Simulcast digital distortion]] article for a discussion of this issue
  
Open Sentinel and create five new favorites. Label them as 2m Repeaters, Marine Channels, CB & FRS Channels, 6m & 10m Simplex & Repeaters and 1.25m & 70cm Repeaters. Go to Edit/Profile and on the Favorites Lists tab toggle Download On for these five new favorites. Now, File/Save and File/Exit.
+
* '''How do I define an I-Call? Its not defined in the manuals'''
 +
**Note: This will only work with the ''Extreme Upgrade''.
 +
If you are doing it on the Unit and you wish to do ID Scan instead of ID Search simply create a Department named "ICalls" in the system in which you wish to monitor ICalls.
 +
Then create a new channel and call it ICall. Then Do the following:
 +
[[File:Icall.jpg]]
 +
*That's the "i" (Under the 7) followed by a zero (0).
 +
The i will change to a period like above.
 +
Select Accept and you should be good to go.
 +
*Note: If you are doing ID Search you should not have to do the above.
 +
*2nd Note: In Sentinel do the same thing except put in a
 +
**TGID of "i0" in a memory spot.  
 +
*If done correctly you should see something like this:
 +
[[File:HPICall2.jpg]]
 +
*Then ICalls should start to show up on the display'
  
 +
==Websites and Resources==
 +
* [http://www.homepatrol.com/ Homepatrol.com]
  
Let's do the easy ones first; Marine Channels<sup>3</sup> and CB<sup>2</sup> & FRS Channels. These two require no editing on your part. In Notepad++<sup>4</sup> open the .hpd favorites file in Uniden/HomePatrol/FavoritesLists for Marine Channels. This should be the second new .hpd file you previously created in Sentinel. You'll see just two rows in this file. Next, open the Marine Channels.txt file. Copy-n-paste rows 3-57 to the open favorites .hpd file starting at row 3. Save the favorites .hpd file. Repeat these same steps for the CB & FRS Channels. The CB & FRS favorites file will be the third new .hpd favorites file you created in Sentinel. Double check your work by opening Sentinel and reviewing these two new favorites folders. Always close and open Sentinel when you double check your work so Sentinel will refresh what you've done.
 
  
 +
; Uniden TWiki pages
 +
* [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/HomePatrol/WebHome HomePatrol 1]
 +
* [http://info.uniden.com/HomePatrol/HomePatrol2 HomePatrol 2]
  
Now let's do the three Amateur .hpd favorites lists. The three .txt files are currently for the Washington DC area. Open the 2m Repeaters.txt file.
 
In Notepad++ open the .hpd favorites file in Uniden/HomePatrol/FavoritesLists for 2m Repeaters. This should be the first new one you previously created in Sentinel. Copy-n-paste rows 3-81 from the .txt file to the .hpd file and save the .hpd file.
 
Row 3 in the .hpd file is what will show as Row 1 in the HP-1 when you're scaninng. Now, edit Row 6 by deleting the state abbreviations and type in the state abbreviations you want. This is what will show as Row 2 in the HP-1 when you're scaninng. Now, here's where you'll need your ARRL Repeater Directory or the online repeater lookup search website. Rows 7 and beyond is what you'll edit for the 2m repeaters in your area. Carefully delete the city names and clubs and type in your city names and clubs. Next, delete the six digit frequency and type in your six digit frequency. Always leave the trailing 000 after the six digit frequency. Edit as many rows as you want going down the page. Periodically save the .hpd file and open Sentinel and review the 2m Repeaters folder. If you see any corruption in any of the rows, such as zeros in the frequency column, AM in the Mod column or Aircraft in the Service Type column this is a tabbing issue in your favorites .hpd file. Reopen your 2m Repeaters favorites .hpd file and place your cursor right after the city name and club and hit your tab key once. Repeat this for any other corrupt rows. Save the favorites .hpd file and reopen Sentinel and double check again. Continue editing on down the .hpd file for your remainng 2m repeaters. Delete any remaining non-edited
 
rows. If you need to add more rows after row 81 copy-n-paste row 81 on down the page. For the new rows, increment the CFreqId= starting with 261360.
 
  
 +
; Easier to Read Manuals
 +
* [http://new.marksscanners.com/HP/HP.shtml Home Patrol 1, 2 and Sentinel]
  
Repeat the same steps above for the 6m & 10m Simplex & Repeaters (the fourth new .hpd favorites list your created) and the 1.25m & 70cm Repeaters (the fifth new .hpd favorites list you created). Note that the 6m repeater outputs are good for every state except California. California follows the even numbered outputs as shown in the ARRL 6m Band Plan. For some reason, every other states' outputs are odd numbered and, compared to the 6m Band Plan, fall into the Band Plan input sections. Once again, double check your work in Sentinel and make any corrections as necessary in your .hpd files. Once you're satisfied, write to HomePatrol and fire up your HP-1
 
  
  
;Notes
 
#Never depend on Windows to unzip a file properly. It is known to corrupt files. Use one of the popular zip utilities instead, such as WinZip, WinRAR or 7-Zip. Links for them (and others) can be found [http://download.cnet.com/windows/file-compression/?tag=mncol%3Bsort&rpp=10&sort=downloadCount+asc here]
 
#CB channels 16 and 36-40 may have SSB transmissions on them; Home Patrol may not be able to receive these frequencies correctly
 
#Marine channels 87 and 88 are reserved for [[AIS]] - Home Patrol will not be able to receive these frequencies correctly
 
#Notepad ++ is a popular freeware text editor - it can be downloaded from [http://notepad-plus-plus.org/ here]
 
  
<small> Thanks to Stu N3PZT for the procedure</small>
 
  
  
  
 
[[Category:Uniden Scanners]]
 
[[Category:Uniden Scanners]]
[[Category:Trunking Scanners]]
+
[[Category:Programming FAQs and Tips for Uniden Scanners]]
[[Category:Digital Scanners]]
+
[[Category:Scanners FAQ]]
[[Category:Rebanding Supported Scanners]]
+
[[Category:Digital Scanners without DMR]]
[[Category:FAQ]]
+
[[Category:Digital Scanners without MOTOTRBO]]
[[Category:Programming FAQs and Tips]]
+
[[Category:Digital Scanners without NXDN]]
 +
[[Category:Digital Scanners without ProVoice]]

Revision as of 14:23, 10 January 2019

Please document all issues and solutions that pertain to the HomePatrol-1 and HomePatrol-2 here. If it's not in the owner's manual, please consider documenting it here. Be as specific as possible as to the steps taken - the devil is in the details. The more detail you provide, the better.


NOTE: We have separate FAQs for other Uniden products;


Operations Issues and Fixes

  • How do I use Favorites?


  • Are Favorites Lists automatically updated when the database is?
    • No. It is prudent to keep an eye on the favorites lists you use regularly and compare them to the latest database.


  • How do I update the HP1 to the latest version?
    • Cruise over to the Extreme Update wiki entry and follow the instructions.



  • I get a loud buzz when connected to amplified speaker system. How do I get rid of it?
    • Purchase a Ground Loop Isolator (RS No. 270-054) and install between radio and input to speaker system (thanks to kc2rgw)


  • My HP1 is slow to respond to commands on the touch screen
  • Symptom: When the radio restarts you end up at the initial 6 page setup. The favorites and database would not respond
    • Resolution:
  1. Get a new 2 Gig SD card
  2. Use Windows to quick format it before putting it in the Home Patrol.
  3. Connect Home Patrol to computer, opened Sentinel.
  4. From the toolbar clicked on Homepatrol, clear user data, check the box for "Display all drives", highlight the drive and then click OK. (thanks to fxdscon)


  • My HP1 powers on but won't respond to the touch screen.
    • The space between the bezel (the plastic frame around the screen, part of the front piece of the scanner) and the touchscreen, while small, is big enough in relative terms for something the size of a sesame seed to wedge in between the screen and bezel at the "bottom" of the screen. This can cause the screen to appear to "lock up" because there is something pressing on it (note the HP uses a single-touch screen unlike the new multi-touch phones, tablets, etc). A business card applied carefully as a means of extracting the foreign object should allow the screen to start functioning again. (thanks to Jay911)


  • What do all those abbreviations I see in the Activity Log mean?
    • The sheet that describes all the abbreviations as used in the activity log mode in the HP1 can be found here. Note that it is a PDF file so you need Adobe Acrobat or one of the other PDF utilities to read it


  • I cant seem to get the recording function to work
    • If you are running on battery power, and the voltage level drops too low, recording functions are disabled.


  • Can I use the discovery mode to record without having batteries in the unit?
    • No you must have a good set of batteries installed for this function to work

Conventional Issues and Fixes

  1. For ARCPATROL, this software comes with a number of files already defined. See the ARCPATROL article for specific files and instructions.
  2. For Power Patrol, you can use the EZ-Grab function to pull frequencies from the articles linked above into a favorites list. NOTE: This software is not compatible with HP1 firmware version 2.0 or newer and is no longer supported.
  3. For Sentinel, see the Sentinel User's Guide


Trunking Issues and Fixes

  • What causes distortion when listening to P25 simulcast systems? How can it be remedied?
  • How do I define an I-Call? Its not defined in the manuals
    • Note: This will only work with the Extreme Upgrade.

If you are doing it on the Unit and you wish to do ID Scan instead of ID Search simply create a Department named "ICalls" in the system in which you wish to monitor ICalls. Then create a new channel and call it ICall. Then Do the following: Icall.jpg

  • That's the "i" (Under the 7) followed by a zero (0).

The i will change to a period like above. Select Accept and you should be good to go.

  • Note: If you are doing ID Search you should not have to do the above.
  • 2nd Note: In Sentinel do the same thing except put in a
    • TGID of "i0" in a memory spot.
  • If done correctly you should see something like this:

HPICall2.jpg

  • Then ICalls should start to show up on the display'

Websites and Resources


Uniden TWiki pages


Easier to Read Manuals