See also the Easier to Read BCD436/536HP Digital Scanner Manual

Last Updated October 30, 2021

Editing Tips

Edit Favorites Lists

Favorites List Quick Key

Location Settings

Favorites List Number Tag

Search/Close Call

System Quick Keys Status

Broadcast Screen

Export/Import a List

Custom Search

Export List to a kml File

Close Call

Copy List

WX

Rename List

Tone-Out

Delete List

Favorites Lists Quick Keys Status

Move/Sort Favorites Lists

Discovery

Edit Systems

Display Options

New System/Options

Band Defaults

Append System to Favorites List

Miscellaneous

Unit IDs

Programming Checklist

Fleet Map

Common Fleet Maps

TGID Format

Entering IDs

Location Format

Delete System

Move/Sort Systems

Understanding the Memory

The first time you use the scanner to set a location you will start to setup a profile. Only one profile at a time can be used in the scanner. You can create multiple profiles for different locations, Favorites List selection, or scanning preferences. The Sentinel software allows you to download your profile from the scanner, edit, save, and create new profiles to upload them back to the scanner. 

Profiles also hold your Favorites Lists settings (not the actual lists) for monitoring and uploading to the scanner. If you delete a profile (in the software), your Favorites Lists will still be there. When you create a new profile, you can select which Favorites Lists will be associated (enabled or disabled) with the new profile. 

Favorites Lists
Because the memory is based on the Radio Reference database we now have a different order of organization not like banks and channels in traditional scanners, but more like Dynamic Memory Architecture. You can now use Favorites Lists that follow RR database structure of Systems that contain Departments that hold the Channels (conventional frequencies or IDs) and then there are Sites to hold just the trunking frequencies. If you are familiar with DMA (Dynamic Memory Architecture) scanners, think of departments as being like channel groups. 

Favorites Lists will allow you to store channels you find when you are scanning from the full database (the easiest way). They can contain channels from trunking systems and conventional systems. You can also manually add systems, (not single sites), departments and channels into Favorites Lists from the database as well as program new systems, departments, sites, and channels with the Sentinel software.  

You can save up to 256 different lists in the scanner (and software) and associate them with any or all of your profiles. You can monitor one or more lists at a time and/or the database. You can also export you lists to a file to share them. Deleting a profile will not delete the lists associated with a profile. However, deleting a Favorites List will delete it from all profiles.

Systems
Systems will hold all of your Sites, Departments, and Channels.

Departments
Departments are also created inside systems. Departments hold frequencies (channels) for conventional systems and IDs (also called channels) for trunked systems. Departments are typically used for the various Agencies that you listen to within a system. If you are familiar with DMA (Dynamic Memory Architecture) scanners, think of departments as being like 'channel groups'. 

Trunking Sites
Inside systems are trunked sites hold the trunking frequencies for any trunking system and any band plan information needed. You will need at least one site for each trunked system and some systems can have several sites.

Understanding Quick Keys

Connecting the USB Cable

Installing the Sentinel Software

1. Use the USB cable to connect your scanner to your PC.
2. Turn on the scanner and press E/yes for Mass Storage.
3. USB Mass Storage displays while it is connected to the PC.
4. The microSD card in your scanner will install to your PC like an additional drive.
5. Open the drive folder and double-click setup.exe in the Setup folder.
6. When installation is complete, Sentinel software is installed on your PC.
7. You can now disconnect the USB cable.
8. Sentinel will automatically notify you if a more recent version is available.

Sentinel Menus and Toolbars

Top Toolbar

Clear User Data Allows you to clear all user data in the scanner (full reset). This will delete all favorites lists, reset all profile options to default, clear all avoids, delete all recording sessions, and all discovery and analyze logs. Connect the scanner using the USB cable and select 'Mass Storage'

To update the HomePatrol firmware:
1. Connect your scanner to the computer using the supplied USB cable and turn the scanner on and select 'Mass Storage'.
2. Start Sentinel on your computer. Note: The computer must be connected to the Internet for the following steps.
3. In Sentinel, select Update > Update Firmware… Sentinel checks the web for the latest firmware.
4. When Sentinel completes writing to your scanner, disconnect the USB cable. The scanner then applies the update and reboots.

HomePatrol uses the following databases:
Radio System Database – provided by www.radioreference.com, contains radio system information including frequencies, trunked talk groups, and geographic locations for radio systems across most of North America.
ZIP Code Geographic Database – provides geographical coordinates for every zip code in the US and every postal code in Canada.
Radio Reference SysID Database – contains system ID and geographic location information for trunked radio systems across North America.
City Location Database – includes the center point of most named counties.

Create New Favorites List
Copy Favorites List
Rename Favorites List
Append to Favorites List

Delete removes any selected (click on) Favorites List, System, Department, Site, or Channel.
Avoid Avoids any selected System, Department, Site, or Channel.
Clear Avoid clears the Avoid for any selected System, Department, Site, or Channel.
Review Avoids allows you to review and clear Avoids for selected entries in the Database or each Favorites List.

Planning Favorites Lists

Creating a Favorites List from the Database

Editing Tips

Right-Click any FL, System, Department, Site, or Channel for options.
Use Append to copy Systems, Departments, and channels to Favorites Lists.
Click then Shift-click to select multiple entries to set/clear Avoids.
Click and drag column headings to organize for current view (Resets columns for each view).

Edit Favorites Lists

Click the New Favorites List button
Or, Edit > Edit Favorites List > New Favorites List.
Give it a name and click OK.

Click Edit Favorites List and double-click a list to edit.
Or, Edit > Edit Favorites List > (Select List).
Or, Right-click any list and select "Program Favorites List".
Favorites List Options are in Blue.

Click to select any System, Department, or Channel (can't append a Site) from the Database or a Favorites List.
Click the Append to Favorites List button
Or, right-click and select Append to Favorites List.
Select the target list or create a new list and click OK.

Favorites List Options Tab

Location Control Allows you to enable or disable channels scanned in the list based on your location. Actually, it enables/disables Sites and Departments in Favorites Lists (as long as they have locations programmed) based on your current location and scan range settings. Location Control is always enabled when scanning from the full database. 

To use Location Control, you have to enable it for each Favorites List (default is No). You also need to have locations programmed for sites and departments in each list (you can’t program a location for a system).
With Location Control set to Yes, the scanner only sees Departments/Sites with programmed locations. Any Department/Site with no location information programmed will not be scanned. If you append (add) a System/Department to a list from the database, the locations will be brought in with each System/Department you append.
With Location Control set to No, the scanner will enable all Sites and Departments in your Favorites List no matter what the scan range or Site/Department range is set to. 
If all your departments/sites don't have locations programmed with Location Control set to Yes, you will see Nothing to Scan.

You don’t need a GPS to scan by location if all of the following apply:
1. You have Location Control set to On for the list.
2. You have set your location (by zip code, city, Auto Locate, or manually).
3. Your Departments and Sites in the list have locations programmed. 

The scanner then compares your location data with site and department data to determine which channels to scan.

Conceivably, you could program everything you want to hear into one Favorites List and scan just by selecting locations rather than enabling/disabling lists. If you are traveling long distances a GPS device would be a better way to go (unless you want to keep changing your location).

Favorites List Quick Key You can only use a Favorites List QK once. If you don’t assign a QK to a Favorite List, it will always be scanned unless you turn it off in Scan Selection.
      None, 0-99

Favorites List Number Tag This allows you to number a Favorites List so you can access it quickly from Channel Hold Mode. See also Using Number Tags.
      None, 0-99

Startup Configuration Keys This allows you to turn on the scanner with the Favorites List enabled for scan. See also Using Startup Keys.
Check the keys you want to use to enable the Favorites List.

System Quick Keys Status Tab This is where you enable your System Quick Keys. Same function as "Set Scan Selection > Manage Quick Key Status > System Quick Key" in the scanner.

Check the Systems to turn the Quick Keys On or uncheck to turn Off.
Right-click anywhere to select All On or All Off.
Mouse over each number to see which System the key is assigned to.

To Export a list click File > Export to hpe file... Select the list you wish to export and click OK. Select the systems to export and click OK. Name the list, navigate to a location, and click Save.
To Import a list click File > Import from hpe file... Select the list or create a new list (and name) you wish to import into. Navigate to a location containing a hpe file and click Open.

Export List to a kml File You can export selected lists to a kml file that will allow you to see (programmed) locations (circle only) for departments (not sites) for your current location in programs like Google Earth. The feature will only export enabled Favorites Lists (lists with Monitor set to On).

1. Click Edit Profile or Edit > Edit Profile > Scan Selection.
2. Enable each list by selecting the list (or right clicking) then selecting On next to Monitor.
3. Uncheck Monitor Full Database or you will get a huge file for the whole database.
4. Close the Profile window and click File > Export to kml file...
5. Select the range for the departments you want to see (All will include nationwide departments) and check Open Google Earth after Exporting.
6. You will be presented with a window that allows you to save the kml file. Navigate to a location (or use the default) and click Save.

Type a name for the new list and click OK.

Type in a new name and press OK.

Or, right-click any list and select Remove from Favorites List.

Move/Sort Favorites Lists Edit > Sort Favorites Lists...

Edit Systems

Edit > Edit Favorites List
Or, Right-click any list and select "Program Favorites List".
Or, Click Edit Favorites List and double-click a list to edit.
At the Systems Tab, click the append icon , type the System Name, select the System Type from the dropdown menu, and click OK.

Edit > Edit Favorites List
Or, Right-click any list and select "Program Favorites List".
Or, Click Edit Favorites List and double-click a list to edit.
Click the System on the left to select, then select The Options tab in the right pane.
System Options are in Blue. See also Editing Tips.

Click to select any System from the Database or a Favorites List.
Click Append to Favorites List
Or, right-click > Append to Favorites List.
Select the target list or create a new list and click OK.

System Options Tab

System Name Type in a name.

System Avoid This determines whether a System will be scanned or not (even if the system is enabled).
      – (Off), or Avoid

ID Search This sets whether the scanner searches for all IDs in a trunking system (On), or scans only programmed IDs (Off).
      On or Off

Emergency Alert This sets how your scanner audibly alerts you to IDs that have the emergency flag set.
      If On, set the Alert Tone and Alert Volume. Auto is the master volume level.

Emergency Alert Light This sets how your scanner visually alerts you to IDs that have the emergency flag set.
      If On, set the Alert Color and Alert Pattern.

Status Bits This sets how your scanner works with Status Bits (also called S-bits), letting you control how the scanner interprets and displays Motorola talk group IDs.
      Yes - the scanner treats all received IDs as unique IDs.
      Ignore - the scanner rounds all IDs down to the next interval of 16.

P25 NAC This allows you to have the scanner search for NAC codes or you can program a specific code for the System.
      Search - The scanner opens squelch for any digital signal and displays the NAC being used.
      Set P25 NAC - The scanner opens squelch only for signals that include the programmed NAC.

System Quick Key If you don’t assign a QK to a System, it will always be scanned unless you Avoid it.
      None, 0-99

System Number Tag This allows you to number a System so you can access it quickly from Scan Hold Mode.

      None, 0-99

Contents

Hold Time This sets (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner will scan the System before moving on to the next system. All (Unavoided) channels will be scanned at least once regardless of this setting. The scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, any current transmission ends, and the channel delay time expires.
      0-255 sec.

Priority ID Scan This allows you to use Priority Scan with IDs in the System. See also Priority Scanning.
      On or Off

End Code This sets how the scanner handles the transmission end code sent by most Motorola Systems.
      Analog - The scanner recognizes only analog end transmission codes.
      Analog+Digital - The scanner recognizes analog and digital end codes.
      Ignore - The scanner waits for the carrier to drop before leaving a channel.

Analog/Digital AGC This allows you to turn AGC (Automatic Gain Control) on or off for the System.
      On or Off

P25 Waiting Time This setting gives the scanner time to determine if channels on Conventional Systems have digital or analog transmissions. During this time, the scanner will evaluate the received signal and, if it detects digital data, will open squelch immediately. If digital is not detected before the delay expires, the scanner will open squelch at the end of this delay. This is to prevent "false decode" problems. This setting only affects conventional channels with an Audio Type set to All.
      0 to 1000

P25 Threshold Mode This mode sets the algorithm for P25 decode [1].
      Auto - Automatically sets the decode threshold based on received signal.
      Manual - Allows you to manually set the threshold by using the P25 Threshold Level setting (below) or P25 Adjustment Mode.
      Default - Sets the scanner to the default threshold of 8, Auto.

P25 Threshold Level Sets the RSSI value below which the scanner will not attempt to make P25 fine tune adjustments. If the signal is too low, RX reliability is not high enough to make P25 adjustments correctly [1].
      0 to 20

Unit IDs Tab

Display Mode must be set to Unit ID Mode in Display Options to view Unit IDs.
Click the append icon . Enter the Name, Unit ID and select the Alert Tone and Alert Light. See also Editing Tips.

Dept/Site Quick Keys Status Tab

This is where you enable your Department and Site Quick Keys.
Check the Departments/Sites to turn the Quick Keys On or uncheck to turn Off.
Right-click anywhere to select All On or All Off.
Mouse over each number to see which Department(s)/Site(s) the key is assigned to.

Fleet Map Tab

This allows you to program a fleet map for Motorola Type I Systems. You must program a system fleet map in order for the scanner to properly track and display talk group IDs.
For each Block, scroll to the size code (0-14) and press E/yes. Defaults to 0 for all blocks (Motorola Type II system).
The next available block is prompted to select the next size code (0-14).
Repeat for each block as needed (0-7).
If you select size code 12, 13, or 14, these restrictions apply:

12 can only be assigned to Blocks 0, 2, 4 or 6.
13 can only be assigned to Blocks 0 and 4.
14 can only be assigned to Block 0.
Since these size codes require multiple blocks, you will be prompted for the next available block.
Example: If you assign Block 0 as 12, the scanner prompts you for block 2, the next block available, instead of block 1.

Click on the "View' menu in the Favorites List Editor.
Motorola/P25 TGID Format click to select Decimal or Hexadecimal.
EDACS TGID Format click to select AFS Format or Decimal Format.

Click on the "View' menu in the Favorites List Editor.
Location Format click to select DMS:DDD MM’SS.ss or DEG:DDD.dddddd.

Or, from the main window right-click and select Remove from Favorites List.

Move/Sort Systems

Edit Departments

Edit > Edit Favorites List
Or, Right-click any list and select "Program Favorites List".
Or, Click Edit Favorites List and double-click a list to edit.
Click the System to select. At the Departments Tab, click the append icon , click to select and type the Department Name.

Edit > Edit Favorites List
Or, Right-click any list and select "Program Favorites List".
Or, Click Edit Favorites List and double-click a list to edit.
Click the System on the left to select. Expand the System and click the Department to select, then select each tab in the right pane.
Department Options are in Blue. See also Editing Tips.

Append Department to Favorites List

Click to select any Department from the Database or a Favorites List.
Click the Append to Favorites List button
Or, right-click > Append to Favorites List.
Select the target list or create a new list and click OK.

Department Options Tab

Department Name Type in a name.

Department Avoid This determines whether a Department will be scanned or not (even if the Department is enabled).
      – (Off), or Avoid

Department Quick Key If you don’t assign a QK to a Department, it will always be scanned unless you Avoid it.
      None, 0-99

Department Location Tab Click on the "View' menu in the Favorites List Editor. Location Format click to select DMS:DDD MM’SS.ss or DEG:DDD.dddddd.

Location Type Select Circle or Rectangles.

Circle Enter the Longitude and Latitude.
Enter Range 0-6000.
Rectangle Cick the append icon for a new rectangle.
Click to select, then click to edit each corner of each rectangle.

Delete Department Click to select a System. From the Departments Tab, Click to select a Department then click Remove .

Or, from the main window right-click and select Remove from Favorites List.

Move/Sort Departments

From the Departments Tab, Click to select Department then to move up, or to move down.
Click to sort.

Edit Sites

New Site

Edit > Edit Favorites List
Or, Right-click any list and select "Program Favorites List".
Or, Click Edit Favorites List and double-click a list to edit.
Click the System to select. At the Sites Tab, click the append icon , click to select and type the Site Name.

Edit Site

Edit > Edit Favorites List
Or, Right-click any list and select "Program Favorites List".
Or, Click Edit Favorites List and double-click a list to edit.
Click the System on the left to select. Expand the System and click the Site to select, then select each tab in the right pane.
Site Options are in Blue. See also Editing Tips.

Site Frequencies Tab This is where you program trunking frequencies for the Site.

Click the append icon to add each Frequency.
For EDACS and LTR sites enter the LCN number.

Site Options Tab

Site Name Type in a name.

Site Avoid This determines whether a Department will be scanned or not (even if the Department is enabled).
      – (Off), or Avoid

Site Modulation This setting selects the modulation used for the Site.
      Auto, NFM, or FM

Band Type EDACS Wide is the same as EDACS Standard and uses a 9600 baud control channel. EDACS Narrow-band sites use a 4800 baud control channel. The default setting is Wide
      Wide or Narrow

Site Attenuation This setting controls whether the scanner attenuates signals on the Site by about 20dBs.
      On or Off

Site Quick Key If you don’t assign a QK to a Site, it will always be scanned unless you Avoid it.
      None, 0-99

P25 Waiting Time This setting gives the scanner time to determine if channels on mixed Motorola Systems have digital or analog transmissions. During this time, the scanner will evaluate the received signal and, if it detects digital data, will open squelch immediately. If digital is not detected before the delay expires, the scanner will open squelch at the end of this delay. This is to prevent "false decode" problems. This setting only affects conventional channels with an Audio Type set to All.
      0 to 1000

P25 Threshold Mode This mode sets the algorithm for P25 decode [1].
      Auto - Automatically sets the decode threshold based on received signal.
      Manual - Allows you to manually set the threshold by using the P25 Threshold Level setting (below) or P25 Adjustment Mode.
      Default - Sets the scanner to the default threshold of 8, Auto.

P25 Threshold Level Sets the RSSI value below which the scanner will not attempt to make P25 fine tune adjustments. If the signal is too low, RX reliability is not high enough to make P25 adjustments correctly [1].
      0 to 20

Band Plan Tab Band plans are required so the scanner can correctly determine the voice channel frequencies.

Site Location Tab Click on the "View' menu in the Favorites List Editor. Location Format click to select DMS:DDD MM’SS.ss or DEG:DDD.dddddd.

Location Type Select Circle or Rectangles.

Circle Click on the "View' menu in the Favorites List Editor. Location Format click to select DMS:DDD MM’SS.ss or DEG:DDD.dddddd.
Enter the Longitude and Latitude.
Enter Range 0-6000.
Rectangle Cick the append icon for a new rectangle.
Click to select, then click to edit each corner of each rectangle.

Delete Site Click to select a System. From the Sites Tab, Click to select a Site then click Remove .

Or, from the main window right-click and select Remove from Favorites List.

Move/Sort Sites

From the Departments Tab, Click to select Department then to move up, or to move down.
Click to sort.

Edit Channels

New Channel

Edit > Edit Favorites List
Or, Right-click any list and select "Program Favorites List".
Or, Click Edit Favorites List and double-click a list to edit.
Click the System on the left to select. Expand the System and click the Department to select.
At the Channels Tab, click the append icon , click to select and type the Channel Name.

Edit Channel

Edit > Edit Favorites List
Or, Right-click any list and select "Program Favorites List".
Or, Click Edit Favorites List and double-click a list to edit.
Click the System on the left to select. Expand the System and click the Department to select.
In the right pane, click to select the channel and enter the settings, or click twice (not double-click) to use the drop down menus and select.
Channel Options are in Blue. See also Editing Tips.

Append Channel to Favorites List

Click to select any Channel from the Database or a Favorites List.
Click Append to Favorites List
Or, right-click > Append to Favorites List.
Select the target list or create a new list and click OK.

Channel Options

Frequency or TGID Enter the frequency or ID. See also Entering IDs for partial IDs.

Delete Channel Click to select a Department. Click to select a Channel. Click to select a Channel then click Remove .

Or, from the main window right-click and select Remove from Favorites List.

Move/Sort Channels

From the Channels Tab, Click to select a Channel then to move up, or to move down.
Click to sort.

Managing Profiles

Contents

To Create a New Profile Click the New Profile button or File > New... type a name for the profile then click OK.
To Save a Profile Click the Save Profile button or File > Save to save the profile in the default folder.
To Save a Profile with a different name Click File > Save as... to save the profile with a different name.
To Open a Profile Click the Open Profile button or File > Open... and select the profile then click OK.
To Edit a Profile Click the Edit Profile button or Edit > Edit Profile to edit the current profile.
To Delete a Profile Click the Edit Profile button or Edit > Edit Profile select the profile then click Delete.

Profile Tabs

Scan Selection

Broadcast Screen

Tone-Out

Display Options

Service Types

Custom Search

Quick Keys Status

Band Defaults

Location Settings

Close Call

Discovery

Miscellaneous

Search/Close Call

WX

Scan Selection

Select each list (or right click) then select On or Off next to Monitor or Download. Your Favorites List will not scan unless you set Monitor to On for each list.
Selecting Monitor On will also select Download On. Selecting Download Off will also select Monitor Off.

Check "Monitor Full Database" if you want to include it with your Favorites Lists.

To include selected Custom Searches with scanning Check "Monitor Search with Scan".
Click the 'Options' button. Make sure the Avoid System option is unchecked.
Select each Custom Search by selecting and clearing the Avoid (  –  ) in the drop down menu.

To include any Close Call hits that have been found with Close Call Priority or DND, clear the Avoid for the "Hits with Scan" Department.
You will see "Close Call Hits" in the display when the Department is scanned if any hits have been received.

The Hold Time setting determines how long each Custom Search or "Hits with Scan" will run during Scan Mode.
Click to select and enter the Hold Time (in seconds) from 0 to 255. Note: 0 will scan the whole range.

Contents

Contents

Current Location Settings

To create a location from a zip/postal code, click the Zip/Postal button and enter the zip/postal code.
To create an exact location, select the GPS Options Format and enter (or paste) the longitude and latitude.
To save the location, click the Append button and give the location a name.
To rename a location, select (or right click) the location name and click Recall. Click Append and rename it. Select (or right click) the old location name and click Remove.
To use a different location, select (or right click) the location name and click Recall. The location in blue type is the current location.
To remove a location, select (or right click) the location name and click Remove.
To set the range for the location, use the drop down arrow to select 0-50 miles. Tip: set it to 0 and adjust the range in departments and sites accordingly.
Note: You may receive distant systems in other states that have a range that overlaps your area when using the database. This is due to the structure of the database. Tip: Use Export to kml to see what you have.
To reset the range for a saved location, Recall it, Remove it (longitude and latitude will remain), change the range, then Append it with the old name.

GPS Options

Select DMS for degrees, minutes, seconds or DEG for decimal degrees.
Leave the Baud Rate at the default 4800bps for most GPS units.

Understanding Range

Quick Search/Close Call Settings

Attenuator This controls the attenuator by about 20dB.
      On or Off

Modulation Select Auto, AM, NFM, FM, WFM, or FMB (Broadcast).

Delay - Determines how long the scanner waits after a transmission ends before resuming search operations. A negative delay will force a resume after that number of seconds.
      -10 -5, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 30 sec.

Analog/Digital AGC This allows you to turn AGC (Automatic Gain Control) on or off.
      On or Off

P25 Waiting Time This setting gives the scanner time to determine if frequencies have digital or analog transmissions. During this time, the scanner will evaluate the received signal and, if it detects digital data, will open squelch immediately. If digital is not detected before the delay expires, the scanner will open squelch at the end of this delay. This is to prevent "false decode" problems.
The default setting is 400 ms.
      0 to 1000

P25 Threshold Mode This mode sets the algorithm for P25 decode. The default setting is Auto.
      Auto - Automatically sets the decode threshold based on received signal.
      Manual - Allows you to manually set the threshold by using the P25 Threshold Level setting (below) or P25 Adjustment Mode.
      Default - Sets the scanner to the default threshold of 8, Auto.

P25 Threshold Level Sets the RSSI value below which the scanner will not attempt to make P25 fine tune adjustments.
      If the signal is too low, RX reliability is not high enough to make P25 adjustments correctly [1]. The default setting is 8.
            0 to 20

Custom Search/Quick Search/Close Call Settings

Repeater Find Sets whether the scanner tries to tune to a repeater output frequency when it detects a transmission on a repeater input frequency. Turning this feature on can let you hear both sides of the conversation on the output frequency. The default setting is Off.
      On or Off

Search Keys

The scanner has three search keys that you can assign to a search range. The search keys are number keys 1, 2, and 3.
This allows you to start a Custom, Tone-Out, or Close Call Search without having to go into the menus.
For each Search Key, select a Custom Search, Close Call Search, or Tone-Out Search.

Avoided Frequencies This allows you to program, review, and delete search/Close Call frequencies.

Contents

Broadcast Screen Automatically ignores transmissions that are on common broadcasts, paging systems, and other annoyance radio sources during Custom Search, Quick Search, or Close Call Search. You can select common bands you want to ignore or program custom bands. The default setting is Pager On. You can right-click in the Preset Broadcast area to Set All or Clear All.

Preset Broadcast

Select each common band desired.

Custom Band Range

Check to enable each custom range and double-click to enter the lower and upper frequencies.

Custom Search You can edit the 10 Custom Search ranges.           

Click to select and enter the name, lower, and upper frequencies.
Click to select and enter the other settings, or click twice (not double-click) to use the drop down menus and select.
See also Editing Tips.

Bank Status enables/disables each search range during Custom Search.
See also P25 Waiting Time, P25 Threshold Mode, and P25 Threshold Level.

Close Call See also Close Call.

Close Call Mode Selects the Close Call mode when scanning or searching.

Off - Close Call is turned off.
CC DND - Close Call checks for frequencies every two seconds between transmissions.
CC Priority - Close Call checks for frequencies every two seconds.

Close Call Alert

Tone Type - Select the alert 1-9 or Off (refer to Close Call menu in scanner for sounds).
Tone Volume - Select the level 1-15 or Auto (master volume level).
Light Color - Select Off, Blue, Red, Magenta, Green, Cyan, Yellow, or White.
Light Pattern - Select On, Slow Blink, or Fast Blink.
Pause Time - Sets how long the Close Call hit remains in the display.

3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, sec. or Infinite.

Close Call Bands Check to select each band.

WX Weather settings.

Options

WX Priority Turning the weather alert priority feature on allows the scanner to check the weather channels every 5 seconds for a 1050 Hz weather alert signal and still scan or search. If you should receive an alert, you will hear a loud warbling then the weather channel audio.
      On or Off

Attenuator Sets the attenuator (20 dB) for weather operation.
      On or Off

Delay Sets the number of seconds the scanner should wait after a transmission stops before moving on to the next channel during weather scan.
      -10 -5, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 30 sec.

Analog AGC This allows you to turn AGC (Automatic Gain Control) on or off.
      On or Off

SAME SAME (Specific Area Messaging System) is a system developed by the National Weather Service to reduce the number of alerts received by consumers by allowing them to hear alerts only for the counties they are interested in. Each alert contains information about the type and severity of the alert, as well as the specific geographic locations affected by the alert.
To receive SAME alerts, you can program up to 5 groups of 8 FIPS codes.
To find the FIPS codes for your scanner call the NWS toll free at 1-888-697-7263 (follow the instructions you hear) or see FIP codes for the United States and its Possessions. See also SAME Event Codes.

For each SAME group (0-4), double-click to enter the name, and click to enter each code.

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Tone-Out Your scanner can be set to respond to fire tone-outs, a system comprised of standardized two-tone sequential paging, short one-tone paging, and long group tone paging. Fire-Tone-Out will monitor up to 32 different channels for paging tones (two-tone sequential, single tone, and group tone). For more information on Fire Tone-Out see this webpage at Radio Reference. See also Fire Tone-Out.                 

Click to select and enter the name and frequencies.
Click to select and enter the other settings, or click twice (not double-click) to use the drop down menus and select.
See also Editing Tips.

Check the Favorites List to turn the Quick Keys On or uncheck to turn Off.
Right-click anywhere to select All On or All Off.
Mouse over each number to see which Favorites List the key is assigned to.

Discovery Allows you to setup your Discovery Sessions. See also Discovery Mode.                 

Click to select Conventional or Trunked Discovery.
Click to select and enter the name.
Click to select and enter the other settings, or click twice (not double-click) to use the drop down menus and select.
See also Editing Tips.

Plug the scanner into your computer using the supplied USB cable and select Mass Storage.
From the Menu bar select Tools > Discovery Log Viewer...
Click on the Import Discover Log button in the log viewer window.
Type a Name for the collection and check Move from HP-1 if you don't want to leave a copy on the microSD card and click OK.
Expand the collection in the left pane and click a run to view.
The Options button will let you change the ID format and Location format. The drop-down menu will let you select Summary or Detailed information.
Select a recording and press the play button to listen.

Motorola/P25 TGID Format Sets the ID display format.
      Decimal or Hexadecimal

3-Line Mode (BCD536HP only) This shows only 3 big lines in the display. The frequency/mode and CTCSS/DCS/NAC code (or TGID and Unit ID) and service type are not shown.
      On or Off

Opening Message Allows you four lines to text and show when the scanner powers on.

Backlight The scanner will turn on/off the LCD and the Keypad backlight automatically according to backlight setting.

Dimmer Sets the Dimmer.
      High, Middle, Low, or Off.
      (BCD536HP only)
            + Polarity - If the orange wire gets 12V when you turn on the headlights.
            -  Polarity - If the orange wire is switched to chassis ground when you turn on the headlights.

Squelch Light Determines how the backlight acts with squelch.
      Off - The backlight stays off when the squelch opens (default).
      5 sec - The backlight stays on 5 seconds after the squelch opens.
      10 sec - The backlight stays on 10 seconds after the squelch opens.
      Open Squelch - The backlight stays on only when the squelch is open.

Keypress Light
      Off - The backlight stays off when any key is pressed (default).
      5 sec - The backlight is on for 5 seconds when any key is pressed.
      10 sec - The backlight is on for 10 seconds when any key is pressed.

Backlight Timer (BCD436HP only) This allows you to reverse the display so you can mount the scanner upside-down and hear the speaker from the top.
      10 sec - Turns the backlight on for 10 seconds when you press .
      30 sec - Turns the backlight on for 30 seconds when you press (default).
      60 sec - Turns the backlight on for 60 seconds when you press .
      Infinite - The backlight always stays on.

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Click to select and enter the settings, or click twice (not double-click) to use the drop down menus and select.
See also Editing Tips.

General Options

Priority Scan Mode
      Off - The Priority feature is off.
      DND - The scanner checks Priority channels only when not receiving other conventional channels.
      Priority - The scanner checks conventional priority channels.

Priority Interval Time This sets (in seconds) how often the scanner will check the priority channels.
      1-10 sec.

MaxChannels/Pri-Scan This sets the maximum number of priority channels that are scanned during one priority scan interrupt. If there are more priority channels than the value you select, the channels are divided into more than one group and the scanner scans each group in turn. Example: If you set the maximum channels to 20 and there are 100 priority channels, the scanner checks those 100 channels in groups of 20 and takes a total of 5 intervals to complete the priority scan.
      1-100

Global Attenuator This setting turns attenuation on for everything.
      On or Off

Key Beep Allows you to turn the key beep on or off and adjust the volume level. Auto sets the alert beep to the master volume level.
      Off, 1-15, Auto

Clock Options

Time Zone Select.

Daylight Savings Time Advances the clock one hour during DST when On.
      On or Off

Replay Options

Replay Duration Is how far back in real time recordings are kept. Your scanner Replay feature acts as an instant replay of the transmissions you’ve just heard. You can set how long a period Replay records for instant playback. This period can range from 30 seconds to 240 seconds (4 minutes) or off. While you can replay that recording immediately and continue replaying it, you cannot save it for future listening.
      Off, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, or 240 sec.

BCD436HP Options

Volume
      Off, 1-15

Squelch
      Open, 1-14, Tight

Keypad Lock The only keys/knobs that work when the keypad is locked are Channel for Hold Mode, Func, , and the Scroll Control for volume.
      On or Off

Battery Save Turns off RF power for 1 second and turns it on 300 ms to extend the battery life in Channel Hold Mode for a Conventional System (without Priority Scan), and in any Search Hold mode when there is no transmission over 1 minute.
      On or Off

Battery Low Alert

Alert Tone

640, 780, 920, 1060, 1200 (Hz).

Alert Volume

Off, 1-15, Auto

Alert Interval

1-60 sec.

Intermediate Frequency Exchange (IFX) Changes the IF used for a selected channel/frequency to help avoid image and other mixer-product interference on a frequency.
This allows you to program, review, and delete IFX frequencies.

Write To/Read From HomePatrol

Programming Checklist: