Uniden HomePatrol-2 Color Touchscreen Simple Program Digital Scanner, TrunkTracker V and S,A,M,E, Emergency/Weather Alert, APCO P25 Phase 1 and 2! Covers USA and Canada, Quick Record and Playback

I got this because my local police recently upgraded their radio system to an unencrypted Project 25 Phase 1 system. This raised my awareness to how many local systems are now digital, and I was looking for a quick solution. The HomePatrol 2 is a nice solution. It was very easy to get going using the ZIP code location setting. The connection with the RadioReference.com database works nicely--it automatically pulled up a LOT of frequencies, and the ability to select by service is very handy. It takes some getting used to if youre an old-school scannerist like me because Im so used to doing all the work! Be aware that, for amateur radio use, this receiver will only decode AM or FM signals in the VHF and UHF amateur bands. If you need something for HF amateur work, this is NOT the unit for you, but it WILL automatically load local repeater frequencies for you. Im not keen on the landscape device format, but the color touch screen and included desk stand are very nice. I also like the ability to pause reception by System, Department or Channel with a single touch. This is great for limiting the scanned channels on-the-fly, but you can also set up favorites for doing this more permanently, The right-angle antenna is a slight annoyance, especially being SMA, but the included SMA-BNC adapter will allow you to connect your favorite scanning antenna. In that case, youll need a right-angle BNC elbow (NOT included) if you want to use a vertical antenna directly on the unit. Although this unit is pretty nice, I decided to return it and get the Uniden BCD436HP instead, which is very similar in functionality to the HP-2, but in a more conventional handheld format with a few extra features (and slightly less expensive). I still recommend the HomePatrol-2 as a great general modern scanner with plenty of capabilities, especially if you like a desktop format (and it can be mounted mobile as well).

I purchased this because our countywide system switched over to digital a year ago. Because of the lack of frequency updates for this area from Uniden, I am still unable to listen to anything “local”. I can hear the Illinois State Police, but not my county or local police. Do your research before you buy, download the update app, and check your location. I update once a week to check. Would I buy it again? Only if I lived somewhere else.

If you are not interested in becoming a self-taught radio engineer or working through complex radio system hierarchy programing, then the HomePatrol II scanner is for you. Its as easy as it gets and is a radio scanner for the rest of us. The HomePatrol II is simple to operate and youll be listening in minutes. Just follow the Quick Start-Up instructions and you will hear everything you buy a scanner for. ZERO painful manual programing required. Plug it into your PC, install the Sentinel software, let the unit automatically update its firmware, follow the touch screen instructions, allow it to charge, put in your ZIP Code and voilà, youre listening to whats going on around you. You can pick and choose the services you want to hear. Take it with you when you travel, load in the ZIP Code of your destination, choose the services you want to hear, and youre listening to the local radio traffic. All via touch screen menus. I also own the BCD325P2- which I like, but it requires complex manual programming or third party software to program. I learned to use FreeScan to program it and can get the Systems, Sites, Groups and Talk IDs that I want to hear loaded into the scanner but it takes some time and effort even after the learning curve. My BCD325P2 and BC245XLT Trunk Tracker III are great scanners and learning them made me more technically savvy. But if simplicity and actual listening is what you seek, youve found it with the HomePatrol II. However, if the actual journey towards scanning is just important to you as the destination; then I recommend the BCD325P2 or one of the high-end Uniden scanners. No malfunction issues with the HomePatrol II yet. I put it in a padded carrier then inside my backpack when I travel and have had no problems.

I havent had the Home Patrol 2 only for a few days and was surprised as the size and weight of it - a little bigger than I thought (thickness) and has a little heft. But, after installing the supplied rechargeable batteries, it didnt take very long even without reading the manual to set it up. As soon as it powers up, there are a series of questions that are quick and easy - the easiest is to input your zip code and it will load all of the surrounding channels automatically. I have an external antenna on my vehicle since Im always running to shoot video of fire scenes and it seems to work well with that (they include the adapter to connect to a typical BNC plug). Essentially, its giving me everything I was looking for. One problem that Ive already encountered was a ROM memory issue which a Google search turned up others with the same problem. Youll get an error message on a white screen and it locks up. I removed the batteries, then removed the micro sd card for a few minutes. After re-installing everything, the scanner came right back up and has been working fine. Not something youd expect from a scanner in this price range but something that Ill keep an eye on.

I have owned many scanner radios over the years, including Regency crystal type. I have a 396xt which has been THE scanner to receive most digital signals, in my county. Cincinnati Police are partially encrypted so most reception is Hamilton County Sheriff as well as surrounding counties. This is the scanner to own, for the majority of users. As to install, it literally took me 1 minute to getup and running. At this time, im going with the factory firmware and not connected to a laptop. The display is superb, finish and build quality very good, and the reception of digital signals very clear. The one thing I miss is the loss of search function. You cant set a lower and upper scan range looking for new frequencies. The signal strength meter is way to small in the upper right corner. Setup is very easy. Punch in your zip code.. The scanner will load all local frequencies from a 4 gig micro sd card, located under the right side batteries. 2300 Mahr nimh AA batteries are included. After loading your frequencies, you then can go into the meny and adjust distance from transmitters to your home and pick what type of freq. to load. When doing setup just go past the page asking for user info, either attach USB to computer to download Sentinel off Unidens web site. I did not use Sentinel. A better choice would be Scancat. Sentinel will not run properly in XPpro, especially if you have a lot of drivers loading. I strongly suggest you install into Win 7-8.1. I have seen issues involving corruption of the sd card, especially if nimh batteries are nit loaded. An AC failure seems to corrupt some cards. Honestly,the radio is fine with original firmware. So, if you have no laptop handy, use as is. The clarity of digital signals is better then on my 396. Now the bad- get an extendable whip antenna and toss the rubber duckie. Universal has a fine antenna with the correct sma connector and swivel. Consider getting a Uniden extension speaker, especially in autos. The gps option automatically changes freq. depending on location. Be gentle installing the two connectors to the radio. Jacks have been reported to fail when excessive presure is applied. The gps uses a very clunky interface needing a separate power connection. I would recommend not leaving scanner on dashboard in summer. I have not encountered any software bugs with original firmware. The ver. 2 has a charge indicator on the front panel. The scanner is currently overpriced. If you dont need it now, wait until the prices come down. For the average listener, the zip code feature issuperb. I had to pay to program previous Unidns. They were terrible even using scanning software. I wouldve given five stars, except for the price. ADVOCATE USE REPORT- after living with the HPII, I become more impressed everyday. The scanner was so easy to setup. No computer required. Tone quality superb even on APCO 25 phase one. The scanner also decode phase 2 being used in some large cities. This is first trunk tracking HP. Graphics in color are EXCELLENT. Sensitivity excellent. Setup SUPERB. If you use matching speaker, sound is fantastic. You can alter to exact mile away from transmitter that you will receive. Start with zip code. Then go into menu and fine tune distance. All the negative issues concerning jacks failing is not really correct, at least on my sample. You do not have to immediately use a computer. You dont have to enter your info. Bypass these screens and enjoy. I was particulary impressed by clear reception from other counties. I do recommend you dump the rubber duckie. Universal sells a superb telescopic whip that cones with a swivel sma plug. You can use and charge, if you AC adapter is rated 1 amp @5v. Next use test will be new uniden trunking five handheld.

Not good at all had to send it back. Would not work.they are sending me a new one???

Very easy to set up, battery life is great just needs a better antenna if you live in the country.

I received this and set it up and it worked perfectly for about 2 weeks. Then it stopped working completely. I contacted them and set up a return and replacement. I am waiting on the replacement to show up. If it works and does not go dead on me, I would give this a 5 star rating. Till I can see the results of the replacement, I cant. For the time it did work, it worked really well. Tracked all my local agencies as well as civil and military air in the area. It also tracked all the train traffic in my area. Easy to set up and get running. Dissapointed with the replacement as it was missing the stand and was an apparent return, not a new unit. Was programed for wisconsin, not from a virgin state. Lowered my rating on this seller.

Bought this to listen to local police/fire, as my old Bearcat scanner seemed like it was a thing of the past and I was intrigued with the HomePatrol product line and its user friendliness. Took it out of the box, plugged it into my PC for quick freq updates via Sentinel, punched in my ZIP code and I was up and running in no time. Getting analog 800MHz trunked traffic from my local PD well along with some P25 Phase I. The P25 Phase I I could only get with help of a cheap Tram 1094 external antenna which I mount outside. P25 Phase II TDMA (which is used by one local precinct in my area) is still a challenge as I believe this unit does not handle it well - I can pick this traffic up but not well and antenna has to be in a very specific spot (believe this is due to Simulcast Distortion Going to try a directional antenna eventually to handle that. Overall the P25 Phase II TDMA is a small subset of what I want to listen to so Im ok for now. I love the touch screen display on this thing and how it displays channel/precinct info on the screen in laymans terms. Works well mobile in the car as well even with the stock antenna. The USB charging interface is a great idea as I can use same charger I use for my phone. Note that others have complained about not being able to charge and listen at the same time - all you need to fix this is a $10 USB charger that is capable of the higher 2.1 Amp capacity instead of the lower 0.5 Amp - these 2.1 Amp chargers can be found for less than $10 from Anker, etc. Bought it refurbished here and saved a good chunk of money , the unit works just fine. It did have to run to Wal Mart to get some rechargeable AA batteries but otherwise all is good.

The battery icon is useless; it either has power or its battery low. Im not sure if the battery icon was ever intended to show status like on your phone. Also, it takes 14 hours or more to charge and the useful battery time you get out of it is way less then that before you have to charge again. Unlike a phone you charge for an hour and can use for a day or two. The radio itself is very useful and is fantastic. Just keep it near a live power source at all times.