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.

Sound quality is not great for conventional channels, but that’s just minor. This scanner is very complex at first, but after a day or two it’s really simple. I suggest using the Sentinel software to create a favorites list because the scan speed on a digital system is slower than conventional. I don’t suggest using the “zip” feature. Use the software and create a favorites list, and monitor that list.

The BCD536HP and its portable variant the BCD436HP are the only consumer scanners that Im familiar with that can operate in a P25 simulcast environment. Signals on the same frequency from multiple sources cause time delay distortion that will render less advanced receivers useless. You can try all of the tricks with attenuation and directional antennas and they wont solve much. So if you live in a area that has simulcast P25, you youll need to spend the extra $$$ to purchase the Uniden 536/436. These are incredibly feature rich radios, far beyond the tech of last centurys programmable scanners. The downside is that they arent easy to program let alone use the high level features. Yes, you can activate a scanner configuration from your zip code. I consider it more of a gimmick that allows the radio to start receiving after its just been removed from the box. Much of what gets loaded is fluff. Scanner programming software and some familiarity with trunking, frequencies and talk-groups are a must. This information is available. You will learn a lot in the process. BTW, the manual leaves much to be desired. I hope that Uniden has plans to release a less feature rich and complicated receiver line while retaining the superior receiver/processing power of the 536/436. This is the most advanced digital scanner in the consumer market. It works VERY WELL! Youll need to be patient though, and spend HOURS becoming familiar with this radio and the programming process. For those reasons only, I rated this with a 4 stars rather than 5. Im very pleased with my initial purchase and actually own two now!

I love how easy it is to program this scanner by simply entering your zip code, but that may also overwhelm you with channels you dont care that much about which causes it to take much longer to scan through all the channels and you can easily miss parts of a conversation or updates about an event. So, youll still have to learn how to go through your channel list and block out the ones you dont want so you dont miss the important things you do want to hear (such as police band or fire and rescue traffic only). Otherwise you may hear the dispatch say something, then it takes so long to get back around to that channel again and you missed the response. My other major dislike about this scanner is it has no auto volume control feature. You set the volume to a normal level and then you have these very loud female dispatchers come on and blow you out of the room. You turn it down so it doesnt disturb everyone in the house and you cant hear anyone else. The extreme difference in volume levels during the same conversations on the same channels is more than annoying and a very good reason not to buy this scanner, it gets old very fast, especially at night when other people in your house may be trying to sleep. Almost everything out there in the market these days, tvs, stereos, etc has a very simple feature known as auto volume control or auto leveling for the audio output stage so your volume level will stay fairly consistent as you switch channels or input sources, and its usually enabled by default. I thought maybe I turned it off accidently somehow but after looking through a lot of the forums this seems to be a very common complaint with most of these scanners, the feature simply isnt there, and the company doesnt seem to care much about fixing the problem. Its hard for me to believe a scanner so technically advanced would not have this very basic and much needed feature, but do consider this before making a purchase. The only fix Ive found so far is to route the output audio of this scanner thru another (extra cost over the $500 you are spending) device that does control the audio output level and make it consistent. Overall, if you can live with the extreme volume level differences, then this isnt a bad scanner, but there are other brands out there that work just as well and dont have that type of ongoing unresolved issue. One last thing Ill say... youll be paying a whole lot for this scanner versus the price of an analog scanner or even digital scanners from some other companies. Its nice that they have released a product that is usable now, and has a builtin feature to upgrade the firmware as they continue to work on it, but in reality the software is an unfinished product and youll have to pay dearly to get the other features added to your scanner as they complete them. I thought I was paying a lot for a well supported product but right after I spent my money on this I learned there are a few updates available for it but Ill have to pay even more to get those. Thought I did all my research on scanners before making this purchase, but knowing what I do now, I think the choice would have been the other one I was looking at instead. For reference previous scanners owned were a Radio Shack Pro Base Station (still have), 2 Bearcat Mobile (still have 1), 3 Bearcat Handhelds (still have 1).

Amazing piece of equipment but might not be ideal for everyone. The 536HP (and its sister 436 handheld) incorporate Unidens HomePatrol technology that esentially allows for anyone to turn it on and listen to just about anything you choose based on your zip code (including APCO 25 trunked systems in use by many agencies). However, programming the unit to isolate your favorites can prove to be a nightmare as many reviewers have noted. The old methods of programming banks with your favorites is complicated and essentially requires that you use software to achieve what used to be possible with direct entry. Specifically, Uniden has a free software application called Sentinal (PC only, no MAC) that allows for programming and managing the various profiles lists and systems that correspond to your listening requirements. Within those categories you must also customize in order to match the units performance with your desires. Once programming is completed in Sentinal, the choices are transferred to the units micro SD card via the included cable. The entire process can be frustrating for those without the willingness or patience to persevere. Having said all that there are various third party resources that can help you understand the process if youre determined. If you make it through all that youll be rewarded with what I believe to be a remarkably competent piece of equipment that will provide what is arguably the best consumer grade wideband base station listening experience on the market. But for its complexity I would have easily given it 5 stars.

This is an awesome Scanner. If your area PD uses DMR you cannot be without this scanner if you want to know what is going on in your area. I am planning on getting another one for the other end of the house, and possibly a portable one.

Works Great:I have had this for 3 months without a glitch. If you need to listen to a Motorola or Harris P25 public safety system this is the best way to go for most people. Previously I was using a Motorola Spectra to listen to this system in analog mode (I have skills). But the county switched to P25 and shut me out. So this Christmas after a long delay I treated myself to a BCD536HP. Pros: Very sensitive receiver Receives analog and P25 digital and capable to upgrade the common digital modes Provoice and DMR at small cost. Small, well appointed controls, WiFi connectivity for Android and IOS. Powerful audio (when used with an external speaker) Easy to upgrade firmware and channels using Sentinel. Cons; You will have to get latest firmware and channels using Sentinel to get started. Not hard to do, it requires a PC and a USB cable (supplied). Ditch the internal speaker, plug in an external communications speaker 3 or 4 inch diameter. Getting Started Programming can be somewhat frustrating for the newbie. I am used to programming commercial LMR radios and understand all the parameters. So I would say I am expert, however this experience turns out to be unneeded and perhaps misleads me. This radio is quite different in that Sentinel will download a fire hose full of nationwide channels. Your radio will require you to provide your Zip code (or connect optional GPS) and it will activate all the systems in a radius you provide. This will probably be way more than you need. The solution is to use Sentinel to create a Favorites List and use Quick Keys to activate only the channels or systems you wish. Otherwise you will spend a lot of time pressing the Avoid Button to ignore the dog catcher (no kidding). The database comes FREE from www.Radioreference.com Visit that site, the forums etc, and learn about the system you wish to monitor. Simulcast Systems You will hear a lot of favorable and unfavorable things about this receiver. The largest complaint is the reception of P25 simulcast systems. It is true that the scanners available today (Both Uniden and Whistler) use a discriminator to decode the P25 signal. This is not the best way to decode P25 in a simulcast system. The best way is a DSP receiver, and you can only obtain that by buying a Motorola, Harris radio (which you cannot legally program properly), a Pricey Unification Pager, or set up a software defined radio (for geeks). Personally my experience is that my radio works fine on my local simulcast system and I am in an overlap area. Occasionally the bit error rate is high and the audio garbles. P25 itself is not a perfect mode and you will find dispatchers and officers sound like the have marbles in their mouths. It is the nature of P25. If you have any concerns contact local users and ask them their experience with this scanner in your area. Encryption If your local agency uses encryption on some or all of their talk groups you will NOT be able to decode them. The radio lacks an encryption card and even if equipped you would NEVER be able to obtain the lengthy 256 bit key. It would be illegal as well. If I havent scared you off, you will be very pleased after you get it up and running. Uniden also makes a portable version of this radio, the BCD436HP. I bought the mobile/base version as then I do not have to worry about batteries and the BCD536HP has better shielding and so receives with less noise.

Works awesome, great product, thank you

I can only say, if you want a quality scanner IE Police, fire, air, etc. Look no further than this! There is a small learning curve but for what all you get and can do it would be silly to think there would not be. However with the easy zip code option, you can turn it on enter zip code and do nothing else and you are up and running. The sound is great and clear too! The only con (and not a big con) is I wish for the price they would send a quality antenna with it. Dont get me wrong, the antenna that comes with it is fine but there are better antennas that will give you much better range. On the fence? Dont be.. Do it! Do it now! You know you want it.. Why wait lol. All kidding aside, I would buy again. Its a great scanner!!!

I have been a scanning hobbyist for 35 years, almost all with Uniden scanners and I have never encountered anything that has claimed more and delivered less. Heres what Amazons site says: The BCD536HP continues Unidens tradition of leading innovation. HomePatrol Programming makes it the easiest-to-program mobile professional scanner weve ever made. Plus, the Wi-Fi feature lets you use the exclusive Uniden Siren App on your smartphone or tablet to access your scanner from anywhere in your home or vehicle. Easy to program?? No way! I agree, the HomePatrol feature makes it super easy to scan right out of the box. The problem is that you get a generic scan that floods you with transmissions you dont want. Do you really want to listen to Public Services in another suburb discuss filling potholes? Programming the unit to your specific needs is NOT EASY. The commands are complex and sensitive to the slightest error. Worse, Uniden provides no help. The manual is useless. If you search on-line long enough you can find a 3rd party manual that is better but still difficult and it costs $35. There are also several YouTube videos that help a lot but still be prepared for a long and difficult learning curve. WiFi - forget it. Does not work at all - absolutely no function. The advertised Uniden Siren App does not exist. It has never been delivered and all that Uniden will say about it is App release coming! How can you advertise and sell a product when its most highly touted feature doesnt even exist? Arent there Consumer Protection laws against this?? In fairness, a couple of good things to say about the unit. It has the best reception of any unit I have worked with and it has almost completely solved the vexing problem of P25 Simulcast interference. These are important features not to be overlooked. IMHO - Uniden bit off more than they could chew with this unit. Unless you enjoy living on the bleeding edge of development, hold off buying a new Uniden until they release the next generation scanner that can actually deliver what it claims!

Sound quality is good