Uniden BCD536HP HomePatrol Series Digital Phase 2 Base/Mobile Scanner with HPDB and Wi-Fi. Simple Programming, TrunkTracker V, S.A.M.E. Emergency/Weather Alert. Covers USA and Canada.
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Scott Dresden
> 3 dayConfession: Im BRAND NEW to the scanner hobby. There, now that thats out of the way. The 536HP is an absolute TOP OF THE LINE product! After spending quite a bit of time learning how this darn thing really works, the results are pretty darn amazing. Initially I was quite frustrated at the lack of channels that I could listen to in my immediate area even though I live in a major metropolitan area. A little research helped considerably so I purchased a much better antenna, placed it outside, spent a few hours reading over the manual and watching some youtube videos and actually found some listenable local channels. Spent some more time researching and learned some of the actual features of this scanner and how they work. There are an AMAZING amount of things that can be done with this scanner. If I had to do it again, I would start by doing more research, especially about antennas and proper placement for better reception. This is an unbelievably powerful scanner that quite honestly, with the right antenna, is plug and play right out of the box. FWIW I live in an Apartment with a lot of RF interference. After putting a decent antenna outside it really opened up the reception for me. I can understand the reviews that say that this is a complicated scanner and agree to a point. Ive spent quite a few hours getting this thing to where I understand it.
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Bessie Padberg
> 3 dayLooking at some of these reviews, you cant tell which Uniden product the reviewer bought. Theyre all bundled together. Mine is the Uniden BCD536HP. First of all I noticed it was heavy. Dont know if thats good or bad, but I like it like that. As soon as you get it turned on, keep your finger close to the avoid key, because youll be using it a lot, until you get some of the items weeded out. This is by far Unidens top of the line scanner. It will take some getting used to, but its the best sounding, and the best overall functioning scanner Ive ever owned, and this one makes number thirteen. This police scanner hobby is kinda like chocolate, you always just want another. You can get by with just a zip code to get started, if thats what you like. but you will have to spend some quality time later with your 536, but you have all the tools with sentinel software, and the cable included in this package.If you just want to plug and play the Uniden Home Patrol is the way to go. Everything you ever wanted to know about a frequency shows up on the Home Patrol screen, but I wanted a challenge so I bought the 536. I know my way around a computer just a little, but I can read and look at you tube. There are a lot of videos that will help, and you might as well get a subscription to Radio Reference as well. Its a great help, and has tons of freqs if you need them. Spend the money, you cant take it with you. .
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Russell L. Smith
> 3 dayUniden has always made great products and this scanner is no different. Be prepared for a bit of a learning curve. I found some helpful videos on YouTube. Once you get it down though it works great! But its definitely more complicated initially than the traditional scanners. The speaker is on the bottom of the unit so you have to use the mounting stand (reversed) in order to hear it. While its not terrible I would have rather had the speaker on the side or top. I am considering an external speaker.
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J. DeWitt
Greater than one weekIt is hard to program but all it takes is time. Only used it for a few days but I needed the digital. As always it’s quite expensive for an amateur.
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DEG
21-11-2024I knocked off 1 star only due to the high price. This seems like a very high quality product and it seems to work great. I now regret paying extra for the home patrol version as I only used the zip code function for the first hour or so while I figured out how to use the software to create favorites lists from the database.
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Robin R
> 3 dayrecently got back into scanning, but in my absence from the hobby my local police had went to digital, so had to get a digital scanner. the BCD536HP was the perfect choice. comes with software that makes firmware and database updates a breeze. makes a perfect base scanner, well worth the money!
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goodspirits
> 3 dayThis radio is fantastic. I was looking for a good price and kept checking around and saw Amazon had this one on a scratch and dent sale, saying that it had a one inch scratch on the back and no original box for $329. So I jumped on it. It looks perfect and works perfect! Thanks Amazon!
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Kindle Customer
> 3 dayThis unit is so easy to set up and use. No programing on line or from anywhere else. Just use your zip code. It started loading and broadcasting in minutes from taking it out of the box. We live in the county but in a busy area, it is good to know where the accident is, fire is, which community or communities are responding. I never knew how much the police, troopers and firemen respond on a daily basis. This has been an eye opening experience. Thank you Uniden and our men/women in blue!
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Catalina Hills
21-11-2024I have had this scanner a couple weeks and it has worked flawlessly. The Sentinel software is great, and very user friendly. I chose to select from the database to program the local frequencies I needed. It was also very easy to utilize the software to program auto racing frequencies that were not in the database. I am an Amateur radio operator and also programmed in numerous repeater and Skywarn frequencies. I recommend using the Uniden videos available in YouTube that show how to easily program this scanner for a frustration free programming experience. Excellent Scanner, packed with features and worth the money! You will not be disappointed with this scanner.
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Barbara Rutten
> 3 dayEasy to set up