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

This is the first digital scanner I have owned but I have used all kinds of VHF analog scanners. Over time most of the departments have switched over to VIPER or other digital systems and I could not hear them without an online app. Online apps suck! They are delayed and often dont have anything broadcasting. The homepatrol is fairly expensive so I put off buying for a long time. It has a lot of nice features but some of them are difficult to use such as the favorites. Be prepared to update the unit right out of the box because it doesnt have a current database. This in itself was a bit of an undertaking because of some feature in windows that had to be turned on in the system settings. Luckily there was an online tutorial on how to do this. The stand is really nice and the playback feature is awesome. The best way to learn about it is to sit down and explore what it can do. I usually set mine to Viper NC which gives me most everything of interest in my area.

Its easier to set up, using a zip code, rather than programming it myself, but it does require some patience, because it is not EASY to use. I found it was more than just powering it up, and entering my zip code, to be able to use it. There are several steps that must be followed, using a windows computer, before it will work correctly on trunked radio networks.

works great

Fantastic. First impression was when I opened the smaller than expected box. There were two complex cardboard shapes with everything slipped into carefully designed spaces inside the folds. (I am impressed when someone takes the time to design a simple thing like packaging. I believe this indicates an overall high level of quality that permeates down to the internals of the product.) I installed the four rechargeable AA batteries and found it to be pre-charged to a useable level. I fiddled for a while then plugged it into a USB charger overnight. (The red CHARGE light never did turn green, but the onscreen battery indicator was a solid green.) I got out the quick start guide and dove in. I plugged the included USB cable in my PC and selected NO on the Start Charging screen. This is clever: if you choose YES it accepts a charge current off the USB cable, as one might expect. If you select NO, the PC sees a flash drive with a SETUP folder! I went through the setup process and watched it load the scanners interactive software onto my PC, which downloaded the latest firmware and national+state frequency database. I read up on the use of this software and then loaded the profile from the scanner. I reset my location (zip code) and the services I wanted it to scan. I tweaked the volume, squelch, etc. and saved the profile back to the scanner. (All this can be done on-screen, but its much easier with the PC software.) I held down the power switch for a second or two and it came to life. Im too new at this product to judge yet, but I spent some time fiddling with the attenuation and range controls to get it to find what I wanted to listen to. Ive been learning the HOLD and AVOID functions by trial and error. Im going to read the owners manual (also loaded onto my PC) soon, but Im having too much fun for now. Overall, this is a really sophisticated scanner that comes with local PC software support, which uses an Internet connection to keep the frequency database up to date for me. Ive had scanners before. The early ones required me to use a book to keep my frequencies up to date. Later many of the radio systems went to trunk and digital modes that my little scanner couldnt handle. When the police and news helicopters were nearby over some incident, it was nearly impossible to find out what was happening. That scanner, as nice as it was, sat in a drawer for many years. This one, however, looks like it will prove to be a lot more interesting and informative. And when we go to the local small airport restaurant for lunch, we will be able to monitor aircraft and tower conversations while we watch the takeoffs and landings. The old scanner didnt support that mode.

This is my second radio scanner,(My first was a whistler TRX-1). This unit is super easy to use and program. Gets great reception and seems to pickup better and faster than my TRX-1. The speaker is louder and having the replay option is really nice so you can listen to the last transmission that came through if you missed somthing or want to make sure you heard correctly.

This is my second radio scanner,(My first was a whistler TRX-1). This unit is super easy to use and program. Gets great reception and seems to pickup better and faster than my TRX-1. The speaker is louder and having the replay option is really nice so you can listen to the last transmission that came through if you missed somthing or want to make sure you heard correctly.

When something is supposed to be programmed ready to use them I shouldnt have to spend hours and hours trying to figure out how to set it up. I will just be upgrading my old crystal units to ones that I have to program. This unit picks up plenty of air traffic miles and miles from my jurisdictions but nothing at all local. The few bits that were picked up from the local fire department were terribly garbled. Lesson learned for trying to take the easy road. Luckily the local departments are open about frequencies and even offered to help program a newer unit properly.

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

You can get setup and scanning in minutes. Scanning can be a huge project or with this unit it can be very easy. I highly recommend this unit. The record and replay functions are cool. It automatically found all the channels in my area that I wanted. Very nice system. The only thing is I am not sure about the charging....it seems to just have a timer and not a real check on the batteries...not sure...overall a GREAT unit.

I have owned many scanners and this one is my favorite so far. It is very easy to use, compact, and has a nice backlit color display. It did not take long to get it up and running, programming was fast and simple, and the receiver seems very good as I am picking up transmissions from surrounding counties using the supplied antenna. The unit can monitor APCO 25 trunked and conventional systems, Motorola analog and mixed digital systems, narrow and wide EDACS, LTR, Conventional and phase 2 TDMA systems so there is not much it wont do. Note that it cannot decrypt encrypted communications or receive blocked frequencies such as cellular systems. When the scanner finds something it displays a lot of useful information. I have it plugged into a power strip that has USB charging ports and it charges fine while in use. The only reason that I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the Sentinel software is a bit lacking in capability - they could do better. Overall I am very pleased with the unit and would recommend it to others, especially those that dont want to spend a lot of time programming frequencies manually.