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BCD436HP and BCD536HP Scanner FAQ

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Revision as of 21:07, 4 April 2023 by Ka3jjz (talk | contribs) (major revisions and reorganization)

Welcome to the BCD436HP and BCD536HP Scanner FAQ. This will cover the BCDx36HP Series 3 tier DMA scanners. Please feel free to add any commonly asked questions and answers related to these 2 scanners here. This page is devoted to usage, concepts, firmware and known issues. Items regarding software, third party accessories, reflectors and YouTube videos can be found on page 2 of this document. Uniden's Sentinel Software has its own special pages listed under Sentinel (Uniden software).


NOTE: We have separate FAQs for other Uniden products;

The Nuts and Bolts

  • If you're a newcomer, you've probably already discovered that there's a huge amount of terms that seem unfamiliar to you. Our Glossary has lots of these terms, along with definitions. Just click on the term you wish to view.
  • When looking at frequencies in our database, float your mouse over the column header, and you should get a balloon with a brief description of the terms and abbreviations that are used there.
  • The biggest hurdle for many is the concept of trunking. Our Trunking Basics article will get you started, as well as this PDF file written by UPMan. Note that you will need Adobe Acrobat or a compatible reader (such as Foxit) to read it.


Relevant Source Material

Easier to Read Manuals
Other Links
Related Wiki Articles
Uniden TWiki Links


What Must I Do First?


My new BCD436HP/BCD536HP is constantly asking me to set the time and date...what gives?
  • From Uniden's UPMan:
Keep the Time!
Plug in your scanner and turn it on. The first things you'll see are prompts to set 
the date and time. The scanner has a real-time clock with backup power that will run 
the clock for about 1 week. The backup power needs to charge for about 50 hours 
before full backup-time becomes available. If the backup source is depleted before
power is restored, you will be prompted to set the time again upon power up.
  • Upgrade the Firmware to a newer one if prior to 1.09.02.
Where do I go to register my new scanner(s)?


BCD536HP Only

Where can I download "Wi-Fi-Updater.zip"?
  • Download the file from here
    • Run these updates as Administrator to ensure full hardware access.
    • Thread on wifi issues


Feature List and Function Discussions

DMR/MOTOTRBO Programming


Firmware

  • Where is the official BCD436HP Firmware page?
    • Go to this page on the Uniden TWiki
  • Where can I find the ProVoice or DMR upgrade for my BCD436HP?
  • Where is the official BCD536HP Firmware page?
    • Go to this page on the Uniden TWiki; f/w update can only be made through the front port or by dropping f/w bin file into Firmware Folder
  • Where can I find the ProVoice or DMR upgrade for my BCD536HP?
  • Where can I find information on the NXDN update for the 436 and 536?


I-Call

How do I set up I-Call (also known as Private Call)?
  • See this section in the Easier to Read manual


LCN Finder


Manually Add a P25 Frequency to any list


Modifications and Repair

(BCD536HP) Can I access the discriminator?


(BCD536HP) How do I replace the Backlight LEDs?


(BCD436HP) How do I mod the background color of the screen?


Can the power cord from BCD996XT be used with the 536HP?
  • Yes, in-theory any Power cord from 10.5vDC at 1500ma/1.5amp to 16v at 500ma/.5a with 5.5mm o.d-2.1mm i.d can be used, double check polarity.


NXDN Programming


Issues Discussions (General)

  • Also see the Issues section of the BCDX36HP article

Audio from Simulcast Systems

The audio from my simulcast digital system is lousy / distorted. What is wrong?


Favorite Lists

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


FM Broadcast Interference

I suspect I have issues with local FM BCers overloading my scanner. What are some good FM traps to use on these scanners?


Headphones

If I am having headphones-issues, what can I do?


Noisy VHF Hi / UHF Reception

VHF-Hi and/or UHF Reception is noisy; the scanner seems less sensitive on this band when compared to other radios
  • I get a lot of noise decoding a DMR (digital) UHF signal
    • See this Thread for a full discussion of this topic


Nothing to Scan


Quick Keys

I am a little confused... What's the difference between Quick Keys and Number Tags?
How do I use Favorites Lists and Quick Keys?
  • See these, halfway down, on their respective pages: Favorites, Systems, Departments or Multi-Site Trunking
  • A Favorite does have to be Downloaded, Monitored, and Enabled, then the System has to be Enabled, then as well the corresponding Department - Group of TGID(s) and Site(s)


Receiving P16 or P25 Systems

I'm having trouble receiving P16 or P25 systems. Is there a fix?
  • See the UPMan's suggestion for P25 reception Thread
  • See the P25 audio decode level adjustment article for adjustment procedures, believe it or not, before Audio can be decoded the CC has to be, so adjustment of decode will effect both reception ability and decode ability.
  • See the Simulcast digital distortion article for a full explanation
  • Check Band Plan setting is set to Custom for Motorola Type I or Type II where it's 800 MHz, or VHF or UHF, proper plan should allow reception
  • Check to see System Hold Time is greater than 2 and "Digital Threshold Mode" is set to "Manual", for LSM Phase I or Phase II systems.


Simplex Reception

Why is Simplex reception not perfect?
  • Scanner is has only a single receiver, not the 2 required for proper decode and reception.
  • You may have overloaded the scanner with your Transceiver - transmitting close by.
  • Try FM instead of NFM with Manual Digital Threshold Manual of between 1-5 available in ProScan and ARC.


Unit IDs (UIDs)

My Unit Id's UID are not displayed correctly, even when replayed?
  • During a constant transmission, the scanner does not attempt to decode the UID multiple times, so therefore until transmissions breaks, the scanner will not re-attempt to decode another units identification number, as well as its not decoding digital data on the Control channel while it's on a voice channel, like your SDR or Commercial Radio can.


Issues Discussions (BCD436HP)

My BCD436HP seems to have "gone deaf"

In order of likelihood:

  1. Actual "Site" has switched to a different Control Channel
  2. DQK is not Enable/On, as well as Systems QKs or Favorites QKs aren't Enabled.
  3. Site is "Avoid"ed, and/or a frequency is Avoided (possible with older version of software)
  4. This is a situation where your unit has been operating without any issues, the user has made no changes to lists, the unit has not been moved, and the departments have not gone encrypted. In other words, everything looks fine but the unit just does not receive anything anymore. You will say, "It was working yesterday but today I'm not receiving anything." If you cannot even receive NOAA broadcasts, your unit has "gone deaf" and will need to be repaired. This is a repair covered under the Uniden one-year from purchase warranty and involves replacing the Q2 and Q3 circuits. When you ship the unit, describe the problem as "No channel reception."
  5. Site is Down


Issues Discussions (BCD536HP)

Dongle is not found

Im having issues with my 536 not finding the dongle
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