Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner. TrunkTracker V, Simple Programming, S.A.M.E. Emergency/Weather Alert, Covers USA and Canada

10 reviews for Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner. TrunkTracker V, Simple Programming, S.A.M.E. Emergency/Weather Alert, Covers USA and Canada

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Birdman 62Birdman 62 – January 23, 2020

   What I like most about this scanner is ease of use. With my old Bearcat I had to look up the frequencies I wanted and then punch them in. Time consuming. With the Uniden BCD436HP all you have to do is punch in your zip code . It will list catagories like police , fire rescue, air, ambulances, schools , businesses, railroad, military , Ham , pretty much everything except CB. So I clicked on all of them. It was a mistake . The traffic was huge so I went back and unchecked some of the uninteresting categories . Now listening is more pleasurable. The range on this radio is huge. I get clear reception up to 40 miles. Could it be further? Maybe because it only lists my zip codes nearby frequencies. You can punch in whatever though. The rechargeable batteries last a long time. The radio starts beeping when it get weak . Then I just plug it in my laptop via USB to recharge. It has an earphone jack which I use a lot so as not to annoy the family . The radio has a port for an option GPS. Something you would use to find frequencies if you travel a lot A nice feature on the radio is the avoid button. Sometimes the scanner stops on a fringe signal with a lot of static. Pressing the avoid button will remove that frequency till the next time you turn on the radio. As you can see from my photo the screen is a bit tough to see. There is a button to illuminate it but it is limited to 10 seconds. Obviously to save battery lifeMy take on this radio is that it has everything you could want in a scanner. A little pricy but well worth the money as you will have this radio for a long time.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   William Moore – March 19, 2020

   A good all around scanner in my opinionTo be better, I’d say add a dedicated volume control since the selector switch for the volume has 3 different options, which makes turning the volume up or down a little harder than need beThe battery life with the included rechargeable batteries is horrible. There definitely needs to be a better battery system in place, such as those in a mobile radio. I’m not sure how the upgraded rechargeable batteries perform since I didn’t order them.The user interface to program the scanner can be overwhelming if one is not used to any sort of radio programming. Definitely read up about how radio systems work if it’s your first scanner to give you a better idea on what’s needed to program, especially if you plan on adding agencies and their systems.On a side note, the zip code set up is super easy and with the included software, you are able to tweak whatever you want to listen to using sentinel. Setting up a favorites list is pretty easy once inside the software too.Another feature that should be added is having a water proof/resistant rating.Over all, it’s a great scanner and well worth the money, even if i have to eat ice cube sandwiches for a few weeks until pay day!!

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Elizabeth Derbyshire – March 25, 2020

   I really wanted to hear emergency services in the nearest city’s and hear the nearby railroad, flights overhead, and national grid when returning power during outages. Out of the box, putting in my zip code didn’t give me anything local. It kept giving me signals even hours away when I entered my zip code correctly and limited my range. Maybe the other cities have powerful broadcasting towers or signal repeaters closer, but I didn’t like that. I had to play around with it for hours. I manually inserted frequencies, but they never were picked up. I really wanted some of the frequencies that come up on the police scanner app on my iPad, and was frustrated it couldn’t pick those up. I did get to hear those private conversations people have on ham, about people hating their bosses and local backyard creeks flooding. Those people were even a couple hours away when I looked them up on a map. After a couple of months I hooked it up to my computer and had it update its database, and at last I was able to find some of the signals I had been searching for. It came up as a patch. It centered in on my area alone as I wanted, and I got it to scan and only listen to the frequencies I wanted. It was perfect. I saved it, turned it off and next I turned it on, suddenly there were new channels I didn’t want to hear added on that I hadn’t known even existed and my saved list was gone. I have not yet figured out how to get it to save and use only my favorite list following directions and YouTube tutorials. I guess I’m just fidgeting around with it. But, my advice is anybody who has a hard time with it out of the box, not picking up what you want, hook it up to a computer and use the software.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Program Manager in California – July 12, 2020

   this does pretty much everything a scanner should do. It is so much better now that everything is organized according to the radio reference database Which is organized in a hierarchical fashion. You don’t have to do any programming out of the box. It will scan both conventional and trunk to systems without you doing anything. And then you can customize what it is you’re scanning and how.Some thing for people who are new to scanners should know is the difference between scanning, which is constantly going through a pre-set list of channels to see if there’s any activity on them, versus search which is setting a frequency and then going up or down From there to see if there’s any activity or new channels to be discovered and added to your scan list.I could go on about details about why I like this scanner but I think other people are better position to do a more comprehensive review.Be aware if you are new to scanning there is a lot of stuff you can learn so the manual may seem overwhelming at first. But, if you just turn it on you can get going with this one out of the box and then customize as you learn.Definitely download the sentinel software for your computer that makes it very easy to manage your scan lists (favorites etc.)..

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Billy Five – August 22, 2020

   This is a lot of scanner, so if you’re new to these new things, be prepared for a learning curve. The Zip Code entry feature gets you moving immediately, and the Sentinel software is awesome. Also awesome is the Radio Reference site. Tons of helpful forums there.As for the battery issue I’ve seen here. For one, the scanner does indeed work while charging. Next, I avoid any issues by not charging the batteries in the scanner. I invested a few bucks in a separate charger that even came with batteries (link below). So, while one set charges, the fresh set is in the scanner.If you have the money and the initial time to learn this thing it will bring you lots of scanning pleasure.https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B083B9H5WV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

6. 

   5 out of 5

   SW1971 – August 22, 2020

   Its a great scanner! A lot of very effective features. The database is really good and holds every utility and possible frequency. Do your research before buying this. Youtube this scanner and just listen and watch the video through the end. Make yourself familiar with all the features. There is a steep learning curve, But not as hard as you would think. Familiarity is the key don’t be afraid to push buttons on the scanner and follow Youtube instructions from that community. YOU CAN ALWAYS RESET IT AND START OVER. I would actually recommend doing this. Its a good way of familiarizing yourself with a spectacular Scanner. The closecall function is really cool. It just has a lot of features that I could discuss here, but everyone is better off Youtubing each feature, it took me a whole weekend to understand it resetting scanner once to factory default and a week to get comfortable with it. Now I’m reaping the benefits. Highly recommend this Scanner for the Curious and adventures. Now for the three AA batteries….. Wish they would of made it for four AA batteries, I understand room may have been a factor, But Odd number Three rechargeable batteries is more difficult to charge being that you can only use the scanner to charge them when it is off. So I cycle 8 rechargeable batteries so I always have a fresh pair or 3 batteries. This Scanner is basically a computer!

7. 

   5 out of 5

   WV Radio Guy – September 5, 2020

   I’ve had this scanner for 1 year exactly, and I couldn’t be more pleased. I started with portable 4 channel crystal scanners in the mid 70s, but when they all went digital, that left everyone off line until the manufactures came up with affordable digital scanners. I had a programmable scanner in the 90s, (you still had to program every frequency) so I was slightly aware if the complexities even back then. Well, digital is a LOT more complex in one sense , but much less complex in another. Example: If you’re a scanner geek, you’ll love the 50,000 options that you can make with this scanner. But if you’re like most of us, who just want to hear our local emergency services, all you have to de is put in your Zip Code and start listening! There ARE a couple of options you’ll want to choose however, like the distance you want the scanner to pick up. Most of us who live in the cities choose zero. If you live further out, you might choose 3 5 8 miles (or whatever that option allows) The other option you’ll need to know is how to delete radio transmissions that you dont want to listen to, like the buses or trains. The absolute MAIN thing you’ll want is to download the software from Uniden, set up you channels there, then download them into your scanner. This isn’t absolutely necessary, but it does make things a whole lot easier. The SECOND main thing is watch the videos on YouTube about this scanner! They will help you more than anything!

8. 

   5 out of 5

   James J. Gorski – September 18, 2020

   This is an amazing scanner with a multitude of features. For those new to this scanner, it will take time to familiarize yourself with this radio and the numerous menus and options. It may seem frustrating at first, but, as I learned, it is well worth the time and patience it takes to fully appreciate this scanner and what it can do. For those living in a rural area, away from, or on the fringes of, a major metro area…….be prepared to invest in a good quality replacement antenna. I live 30 miles north of the Kansas City downtown metro, and the scanner will not pick up anything but the Highway Patrol channel if I am on the first floor of the house…….on the second floor, it will pick up all available channels in the main database that are in use in my area. Battery life is not good, 6-8 hours max. I noted that the rechargeable AA batteries that came with the unit are 2300MA……….all rechargeable batteries, no matter what the size, have different MA ratings…there may be 5 brands of rechargeable AA batteries out there, all with different MA ratings, so be sure to use 2300 MA. I purchased a kit with the recharging base and 8 AA batteries, so I always have an extra set available, with no down time.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   E. Fisher – January 18, 2021

   With over 700 reviews of this product, there is a lot of material out there. If you’re like me and have limited time to read reviews, let me sum this product up for you:1. It is plug & play. Enter your zip code and it knows what frequencies to scan in your area. Game on!2. If you travel, buy the Uniden-brand GPS unit available on Amazon (Uniden BC-GPSK Serial GPS Receiver for Scanner and Marine Products). The reason to buy the Uniden unit is A) As you travel, the GPS feeds your location into the scanner and the scanner updates the frequencies it is scanning to those near you and B) because it is also plug & play. Mine arrived with the necessary cords to plug directly into the scanner, and it worked from that moment. Perfect!3. You can connect the scanner to your PC to update the firmware and the frequency database from Uniden. It is easy. No need to buy a third-party web database. Uniden regularly updates their database. I purchased my unit in 9/2014 and used it nine months before performing updates. It works fine out of the box.4. The scanner has two batteries, a main battery for scanning and a secondary battery for the clock. Charge the main battery first, then turn on the scanner to charge the secondary battery. Oddly, the clock battery charges when the unit is on.5. On trips, an external antenna will extend your range. I purchased a magnetic mount antenna on Amazon for about $30 (ASIN B004HM9RHE) and it works great. Almost a plug & play device, you do not need an SWR meter as it is pre-tuned. Plug & play caveat: You will need a BNC Female/SMA Male Adaptor (ASIN B00CLFFM4G) to plug the antenna into the scanner.6. When using in a vehicle, know the law. States may have laws restricting scanner use in a vehicle. UPDATE: As of May 1, 2006, a permit from the Michigan state police is no longer required to have a scanner in your vehicle on Michigan roadways. I have been told by the Ontario Provincial Police it is legal to have a scanner in a vehicle in Canada but have not been able to find the law on the books. UPDATE: March 7, 2021: A Spectrum Management Officer of the Canadian Innovation, Science and Economic Development department (Canada’s equivalent to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission) wrote me that an amateur radio operator’s license is required to use a scanner in a vehicle in Canada. Canada recognizes U.S.-issued amateur licenses, so if you’re a licensed ham operator, you’re set.7. That’s it. This scanner is as simple or complex as you wish it to be. For a busy dad, the simplicity is welcome and the Plug & Play No Fuss Ready-to-Use attributes actually let me enjoy the thing without brushing off my kids to learn how to make it work. It reminds me of the original Apple MacIntosh computer: A product so smart you can turn it on and use it without devoting hours of study to get it to function :-)

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Cookie910 – February 18, 2021

    Very easy to use. I just put in the batteries, turned it on, pressed the “ZIP” button and entered my zip code. It started scanning right away. Any channels you don’t want to hear, just press the “Avoid” button. They will come back on the next time you turn it on. So if you never want to hear a certain channel, press the “Avoid” button twice. Then that channel will stay off. There is a setting in the menu where you can view all of your avoided channels and you can un-avoid them if you want. To set the volume, press down on the knob on top and then you can turn it to adjust the volume. The USB cable will power the scanner even with dead batteries. Just plug in the USB into a computer or other charger with a USB port. The scanner will beep, and a message will come on asking if you want to use “Data storage”. Press the “No” button and it will start scanning while plugged in. This is all I know about this scanner so please don’t ask me any hard questions. I recommend that you watch set-up videos about this scanner on YouTube.This scanner has endless features, but I only use it to listen to local police, fire, ambulance, etc.