InterceptRadio.com Forums

Been trying to get the Butel ARC536PRO software (ver 0.90 released today) working with my BCD536HP with only minor success so far. Following the recommendation to use the Serial port on the rear of radio for interfacing to the PC, I purchased a Serial to USB cable but still cannot the PC to recognize the radio so far via that method even thou I downloaded the serial driver from the Uniden website. Using the front USB port, I'm able to get the Butel software to recognize the radio but VC (Virtual Control) does not work. I'm not about to dump $70 for their software until I can get the demo version to work properly. And while the radio works perfectly fine on it's own with no audio issues, I'm now beginning to wonder if my radio is one that is on the recall list. Also funny to see Bearcat spelled "BARECAT" on the radio screen when you first turn it on - even thou I've installed the latest firmware. The radio has been very useful in following the Oso slide disaster radio comms - but my 396T does that just as well.

Port assignment issue?

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The recall issue has nothing to do with butel working or the serial port just FYI.

Yea fiest would be to check your serial port works, you mentioned you have other scanners - check it works with other scanners and free scan or something first. Then check your assignments etc.

There is also some free monitoring software published for displaying the radio and remote control for the 36hp series - try that free software as well - it has had high success from the reading I have been dooing.

Additionally, there is a huge, and offical support thread where the developer is monitoring the success of the software I would strongly suggest reading all that information.

Additionally I would question the need for the software, if I were you I would personally wait untill the uniden software is fully featured later this year before you make and decisions about further money to spend.

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

so i actually used the 436 "for real" this last week.. drove down the coast for some work and ran the radio with the GPS unit.. I must say the unit works perfectly, and is easy to operate while driving.

I only was monitoring Police and ran GPS with 0mile area.

The only annoyance .. if you want to call it that was after about 100 miles or so, after I had locked out WSP in Seattle by the time I hit longview or there abouts it had reloaded WSP for that new "area" and unlocked it - I think that is what happened but anyway it was cool.

Side note.. I never monitor WSP and heard them using P25.. cool

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Here is one for you Kelly I am on my 3rd 536hp 1st one the front jack problem, 2nd knob was falling off, the 3rd one opened tody will see how that goes, the 436hp sucks if you use the USB charger, battery life is very short in that mod, useing a wall charger just for batterys works great.

i'm not sure if i'm keeping mine. i guess i should start using it more. i really like the old uniden interface. i must be getting old. :shock:'

the fancy display is nice but what good is that in a mobile environment... and the programming... eh...

the AMBE2+ decoder is nice on P25 but i'm not sure it's worth $500+

Yea I never bothered to charge with the unit. Just plop the batts in a dedicated charger.

Oh man sorry to hear on the issues, seems like this new production facility has some kinks to work out still


Nick - I have a 996, willing to trade you with cash if you want. PM let me know before you toss it. I don't think I can revert to "old interface" anymore.

I do curse the "left handed knob" however

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Spud I'll let you know soon. I have 996xt in the SUV so don't really need another one but if I decide to sell, we can work something out. :)

this code is still in very early stage.. but you guys wanna help me test it out?

http://kellykeeton.com/uniden/

the idea is that you zip your fav list contents and upload the zip file it will report out..
I just busted this out using the idea from another guy.. it might still have some bugs let me know via PM

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

I travel often and I have question regarding the BCD 536. Can the unit monitor state patrol (Multi-state travel) via GPS and be set to monitor only the sector / sectors traveled through by locking out all other comms except state patrol? I did not create a new post topic and added to the current 536 thread. Sorry if I threw off the current subject.

yes and no, it would monitor all police its easy to lock out departments you dont want. and if you set up lists prior for only state agencies yes. if your not handy with the "new way of scanning" you might not enjoy it.. if your handy with newer scanners... its no problem

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Yup.
Just punch in the WSP 'area' freqs, along with the car to car.
Now days with nac's, pl's, and alpha tagging it's even more fun.

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I really like my 996xt but am thinking the uniden 436 would meet my needs better.
So 6 months later, how are you guys liking the new radio's?
Have they finally gotten the manufacturing kinks worked out or can I expect to roll the dice on having a hardware issue?
Are the phone apps working as expected with the radios?
What's a good mobile antenna to use or is the stock 'good enough'?
Any other pros/cons/tips you can throw my way about these radios?

Thanks,
D.

Man, wish I'd have seen this 2 weeks ago... just bought the 436HP and so far find it mystifying at best. And yes, programming it so far seems extremely difficult. Could be a problem on my side, but I'm not finding this thing intuitive in any way.