New manual digital receiver from UNIDEN, range 25-512 / 806-960 / 1240-1300 MHz, modulation AM / FM / NFM / WFM / FMB, TrunkTracker
• Favorite scan - Allows you to organize your channels into your favorite lists. The scanner scans multiple favorite lists and a complete database at the same time.
• MicroSD memory card 4 GB in package (support up to 32 GB) - to store lists of favorites, profiles, all settings, search sessions and recording.
• Location-based scanning - connect to the GPS receiver (not included) for precise system selection and resume reselection.
• Range control - allows you to set how far away from your current location the scanner searches for channels in the Favorites List.
• Frequency Tracking Feature V - scans APCO 25 phase 1 and phase 2, DMR, Motorola, EDACS, EDACS ProVoice and LTR trunked systems, as well as conventional analog and P25 digital channels.
• Multi-site Trunking - allows you to program the scanner to share system data IDs in multiple locations without duplicate IDs.
• Only scan the control channel - you don't need to program the frequencies of voice channels for Motorola's trunk frequency.
• Instant playback - plays up to 240 seconds (4 minutes) of the latest transmissions.
• Sound recorder - to collect transmissions for later playback.
• Custom alerts - For each notification in the scanner you can select from 9 different tone samples, 15 volume settings, 7 colors.
• Multi-colour LED warning - Warning LEDs with 7 colours, blue, red, magenta, green, butt, yellow or white, can be used with their own warnings.
• Trunking Discovery - Monitors system communications on a radio system with a frequency range that searches for unknown IDs and automatically records audio from new channels and records new channels for later inspection and identification.
• Scan by service type - scan channels by service type, ie. Fire, Police, Railways, etc.
• Search speed - 80 steps / s. (Typical) in search mode (max) except for 5 kHz steps. 250 steps / s. (Typical) in search mode (max.) - (Turbo Search) for steps 5 kHz.
• Multi-stage display and keyboard light - allows you to easily display the display and keyboard in dim light with three levels of backlight.
• System/channel number indication - Numeric markers allow you to quickly go to a specific list of favorites, system, or channels.
• Close Call © RF Capture Technology - allows you to set up your scanner to detect and provide information about nearby radio transmission.
• Standby / Tone Search - allows you to set the scanner to alert you if a two-tone sequential option is transmitted. You can set up to 32 tones. The scanner also searches for and displays unknown tones.
• PC programming - Use Sentinel software to manage profiles, favorites lists and firmware updates.
• Analog and digital AGC - helps automatically balance the volume level between different radio systems.
• Priority ID Scan - Allows you to set priority to talkgroup iDs.
• Intermediate Frequency Exchange – Changes the IF used for the selected channel/frequency to avoid interference
• Adjust the volume of each channel - allows you to adjust the volume shift for each channel.
• Configurable default band - allows you to set step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz) and modulation (AM, FM, NFM, WFM or FMB).
• Adjustable search delay – set a delay of up to 30 seconds or forced a continuation of up to 10 seconds for each channel or search.
• Naming data - allows you to name each favorite list, department, channel, ID, location and custom search using up to 64 characters.
• Duplicate input alert - notifies you if you try to enter a duplicate name or frequency already stored in the scanner.
• 100 quick keys - you can scan your favorite lists, systems, and separation by assigning to quick keys.
• Search using Scan - Allows you to include user search scopes during a scan operation.
• 3 search keys - to assign 3 number keys you can start a custom search, search for tones or close call
Contents of the pack:
1 receiver UBCD3600XLT
1-touch USB cable
3-pack AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries
1-pack microSD card (installed in scanner)
1-set clip with belt
1-to-1 SMA-BNC reduction
1-for-1 antenna
1-ks AC adapter
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In the next review, I would like to describe the new receiver designed for the European market, which belongs to the current top board of uniden radioscanners series "Home Patrol 2" with the designation UBCD3600XLT. UNIDEN radioscanners are no new on the European market. Although the company is mainly oriented to its production on the North American market, several basic types of their scanners have also been software-adjusted for the European market. The biggest difference between the US and European versions is the promotion of large frequency databases and the close link to the Radioreference.com. American receivers of the second and third generation were prepared for the "consumer" market ie. A potential customer bought the receiver, switched on, set its current state or district, and automatically recorded the receiver's service data from the city and the surrounding area. So you just need to turn on and listen. In this respect, the Authority (FCC), which publishes up-to-date lists of users and users, is a great asset. Of course, european versions of UNIDEN receivers do not have this function, but there is no relevance in Europe, and then there are various more or less executed softwares that are used for monitoring unknown radio operations in the vicinity. Here, therefore, each listener is reputed either on himself or to a close group of users, which these receivers also own and can use them appropriately.
This is also the case with the European version of the well-known HP Series Handheld Scanner (BCD436HP), which came out after two successful years of the American version under the designation UBCD3600XLT. The designation UxxxxXLT generally means that it is the European version. At first glance, it is an identical receiver, the differences are only in software equipment.
HW page
Uniden receivers have been held for several years by its special concept, which is based on the special connection of single-purpose circuits and the appropriate use of simple DSP processors. This concept is very effective for searching nearby signals and searching professional zones nearby at all. Unfortunately, this concept is patented in part and therefore UNIDEN does not alter the wiring of VF circuits and only completely redesignes the digital part to which no patents apply. Unfortunately, this means that the characteristics of the receivers do not change too much (if at all) and the only way to improve reception is either by better turning away the circuits (in the case of a handheld scanner) or on the side of the connected antenna using anti-interference filters and using appropriate low-noise preamplifiers.
This case is also 3600. If you are satisfied with the reception of older series of receivers, you will be equally satisfied with this type. If you mind the low sensitivity and durability of previous versions, you will be disappointed here, too, it is according to the requirements and difficulty of the listener. In general, I would say as always that to monitor local services you will not find probably a better overview receiver than the UNIDEN series in general. However, if you want to watch more remote DX stations, you will have nothing left but to invest in local interference filter add-ons (U:FON, CDMA, LTE) and low-noise pre-empts.
As I've already indicated, the 3600kis based on the American version. This means the largest point display you can find with handheld scanners on the market. It is divided into sections according to the mode and informs you of everything possible and impossible. Unfortunately some users with a weaker eyesight will probably have a problem with some texts to read. Since another level of memory division was added here, it was also necessary to implement this into the information on the display. I personally think it's been done. By looking at the display, you can find information about the current mode, active memory banks, active stations, etc.
A great nice change is the choice of power supply. I almost want to say "FINALLY" someone thought of knocking out this meaningless 6V power supply that was the cause of a failed scanner. The problem was solved by using a normal Mini-USB connector, which serves both for powering the receiver and charging the batteries, but also for communicating with the computer. In the field, you just need any properly rated cell phone charger with regular USB output and you have the scanner power solved.
The control buttons are standard rubber, which I personally very much dislike, I find it will be a big problem in their lifetime. Plastic buttons in past versions were almost indestrullable in normal use.
For BCD536HP mobile scanners, the memory card is inserted into the front panel, with manual versions (including this European) inserted under the batteries into a slot similar to older mobile phones. The receiver supports Micro SDHC cards up to 16 (up to 32 GB according to discussion forums).
Compared to older models, the 3600ka is equipped with at least basic coverage of external connectors for connecting power (mini USB) and connecting an external GPS receiver (seraline) connector downloaded from previous types of receivers. The upper headphone jack unfortunately has no coverage, although it should have coverage above all.
Display
As I said, UBCD36000 has just like the American version the largest display of handheld scanners ever. This one is divided into basic sections. At the top of the screen, you're informed about the current time and date. Then there's the classic little S-meter, if you have the active second function of the buttons, so a small icon "F" and if you press the DIAL element , you can see the battery voltage. If the battery is low, a small battery icon flashes in the upper-right corner. If you have a receiver in saved memory browsing mode, the top of the display is used to outline active memory directories (more precisely their numeric abbreviations) as you know them from previous versions of UNIDEN scanners. The slight difference is that in basic mode you see the List of Active Directories (Favorite List) and Subfolders (Systems). Press FUNC to display a list of active groups (Groups) and departments of memory where the receiver is currently located or currently scanned.
The middle part of the screen changes according to the current receiver mode. If the scanner is in manual tuning mode (VFO mode), you can see QUICK SEARCH in the middle of the display, you can see a large font of the current number and type of operation. In the bottom half of the screen, you can see the range of frequency (the entire receiver) and the step. At the bottom of the screen you can see information about whether "Broadcast screen" is active and note how to start browsing with memory. In addition, if you are in CUSTOM SEARCH mode, you can see the range number and its name at the top. At the bottom of course defined range and step.
If the receiver is in stored memory scan mode, the middle part of the screen is divided into three sections separated by an optical line. At the top, you can see the small name of the memory file (Favorite List) and the large font name of the current subfolder (System). In the middle you can see the large name of the group with memory (Groups) and below the second line at the bottom shines a large name of memory and below it a small font of the number. Under the number is "timed" unnecessary name of the type of service. In addition, the user is informed of the numerical memory label (unfortunately, although no "Number Tag" is defined), the attenuator actuator, or the active memory omitation (avoid). You are therefore constantly informed about the entire status of the receiver and the frequencies or memory currently being searched. Yes, I recognize some of the information could be displayed with a larger font, so people with poorer vision will have a bit of a problem reading some information, but most important inscriptions and information are displayed in a wide font and well readable even remotely.
Compared to older versions of UNIDEN scanners, there is a modena backlight white, which unfortunately today gives manufacturers who use monochrome displays everywhere, so it's not actually a mistake, but a feature. On the other hand, several items related to display settings appear in the set menu, and most of them are very practical (especially the ability to combine backlight activations). User-friendly notification of interest or Close Call in practice means that you define the color of one small led just below the keyboard. I think you'd definitely miss an optical warning in your car.
Software
For UNIDEN UBCD3600XLT there are currently two control software. It's the original Sentinel (!!! THIS MODIFIED VERSION - "SENTINEL 3600" not the original for the American version of the receiver) and then commercial software ARC536, which can control both types of receivers, both American and European. If you have a license for the American version, you will also work European. Both programs are not an ideal combination, each with its pros and cons. In general, however, you can say that with ARC you beautifully program memory, you will elegantly control the receiver "live", but you can use Sentinel to set the personalization of the receiver ie. From greeting through frequency ranges to the color of the flashing lights.
A great advantage of this receiver is the connection to the computer made using a classic mini USB cable, so there is no need to buy any additional accessories. If you connect the receiver to a computer, it will ask you if you want to control it, i.e. You activate the internal USB /RS232 converter and can remotely control it. The second option is that you want to manage the memory in the receiver, thus switching the device to "external memory" mode and accessing it as a connected USB flash memory. This brings one advantage. You don't have to have a receiver in your hand at all to manage your memory. You just need to basically make any micro SD card and reader. You format a tab in Sentinel, and then you save everything to it as if the receiver were connected. In the case of a handheld scanner, this is not as elegant as mobile scanners, because replacing the card means removing the batteries first, but in practice it is possible to prepare, for example, two identical memory cards, and if you fill one with recordings, for example, the elegant replacement of the card can be continued further.
As far as memory is generally concerned, because files have only a few dozen KB, the number of memories and memory combinations is de facto unlimited. The user can choose directly from the receiver menu which memory files to record to the receiver. If 3600k is not in use (it is used in VFO mode when it is enabled, therefore, Quick Search), the memory is not recorded on the receiver. Memory will not be downloaded until you activate memory browsing (SCAN mode).
The UBCD3600XLT has the same u.S. models the ability to divide memory by service. This is convenient if, for example, you have aviation frequencies contained in different directories or subfolders. By simply activating the appropriate services can make a quick filter with memory across active memory files. The type of service is always programmed for a specific memory or in the case of operation of dmr or apco25 call groups. You can allocate a kind of service both by editing the memory on the receiver and on your PC.
Like previous versions of UNIDEN scanners and the U.S. version of the HP series, the European 3600ka is equipped with the ability to connect an external GPS receiver. It has its own connector on the side of the scanner and, as with other versions, two-dof-date connections (GND and DATA) are enough. The communication speed and unit settings are available directly in the receiver setup menu. Control PC software allows you to redefine the scope of a given file with memory or System, Group, or Department. Coordinates can of course also be assigned to defined DMR or P25 networks. Perhaps in future versions of UNIDEN receivers will already be GPS integrated, but here it is still up to the user whether gps connects to it. In my opinion for a handheld scanner, GPS scaning without integrated GPS receiver is useless. From internal batteries can not power it and pull in your backpack other devices connected to the cable is nowadays interesting to the car, but to the terrain unusable.
Control
This is the nut of all modern series of uniden scanners. Many articles have already been written on this subject, as in discussion forums, desperate advice and explanatory guides. If you haven't mastered the control of past versions of UNIDEN receivers, I'm just saying forget the 3600k and buy a need for an AOR ARD300, you'll save a lot of time and nerves. However, for those who have successfully waded through uniden scanners (especially the penultimate series) there are other options to further combine shifts with memory, as the next level of their song appears here. When changing the parameters of the receiver, a large display is a great helper, on which the receiver menu is very clear (fortunately most function names remained the same). Finally, the large display also brings an additional advantage, and it is the unlimited size of the name of the memories (groups, subfolders, lists) - limited to i think to 255 characters.
A huge advantage against all other series of UNIDEN receivers is the ability to record everything the receiver "hears" not only the sound, but at the same time store all the information from the screen ie. Frequency. modulation, if the CTCSS/DCS decoder is used, as well as the code. So when you play, you can see all the information on the screen again, as if the show were live. The recording function can be used in three basic variants.
Record live audio and the ability to play the last shows immediately (for TV and video that matches the "time shift" function) when you can't listen to the last show or shows, you can press the play button one way. Another option is to permanently record all traffic, regardless of whether the receiver is in memory or bandwidth mode - that is, the functions of the dictaphone. Of course, sound is only recorded when the noise gate is open. This records sessions to separate files separated by a change in the number. The receiver automatically creates date and time directories on the memory card, uploads 100 recordings to them, and then creates another directory. It's not a single container, but you can easily copy individual sessions or traffic to Define, copy it seamlessly to your computer and edit or save it at will. If you monitor traffic on low active frequencies, just let the receiver spin on these frequencies with the recording turned on and capture not only the operation, but also all the information related, even if the DMR operation is on the frequency (see Chapter DMR).
The third recording mode is a special feature called DISCOVERY. This is a completely remade "Search and Store" feature from previous UNIDEN scanner models. This function was originally used to search for stations in defined ranges and to store them (something like the "autostore" function for ICOM receivers). Discovery complements this feature by not only being stored, but also directly recorded and "cataloged". In the original SENTINEL software, you can then examine the stored frequency and operation table on them. DISCOVERY is a feature that not only requires fairly precisely defined conditions for viewing the band (how short sessions are to be omitted, how long one session is to be recorded, how long the entire record should be, whether to check the record with a stored frequency database, etc.), but is primarily intended for longer band exploration (i. order of day) and its later evaluation. This is therefore the ideal feature for browsing the band with very little or more impact traffic.
In this section of the description of the control I can not omit an important section called "Quick Key" (QK) and "Number Tag" (NT). Modern UNIDEN receivers allow you to quickly control the receiver with numeric shortcuts. While scanning stored memory, the keyboard can quickly switch between active memory groups. This feature is a great helper, but on the other hand it's the thing that makes the listener the biggest problem. The stumbling block is in that you need to control the receiver using QK or NT to constantly think ie. Realize what you're actually activating and blocking. The number shortcut system was quite transparent with the uniden basic series of receivers, where you activated the corresponding memory list by number. UNIDEN receivers of newer series already combine several activation and filtration functions for memory. First here you have numeric shortcuts (QK) in 4 (!) Levels, then here you have direct numbers by which you select a specific directory, folder, or memory (NT) no matter what memory file you are currently in. Another degree of memory filtration is the service type already mentioned.
The system of keyboard shortcuts allows you to create logical hierarchies with memory, in addition, in the case of UBCD3600, it can be a very large frequency database because you have 4 levels. So you can have hierarchically split channels in memory, for example, as follows:
Memory hierarchy UBCD3600
FAVORITE LIST SYSTEM GROUP DEPARTMENT PAMÄŤ
PROFI BAND Czech Republic LIBEREC DISTRICT LIBEREC taxi service taxi LBC 1
taxi LBC 2
taxi LBC 3
TRANSPORT COMPANY dp LBC 1
dp LBC 2
dp LBC 3
DISTRICT JABLONEC taxi service JBC 1
taxi JBC 2
taxi JBC 3
TRANSPORT COMPANY dp JBC 1
dp JBC 2
dp JBC 3
Ústecký county district LOUNY taxi service taxi LN 1
taxi LN 2
taxi LN 3
TRANSPORT COMPANY dp LN
If you assign a QK number to each level, you can very quickly activate or deactivate the scanning of a section with memory. This means that, of course, the memory hierarchy needs to be thought out when programming. Programming help can be the section name itself. If you also insert an activation code in the memory name (for example, you select "10. You will always know that you will activate this memory folder by 10 both during scanning and memory browsing.
Receiver control is customized to the memory hierarchy. Under the numeric keypad, you have three light function buttons to disposition, which you can easily either block the memory section (pressing the corresponding button will appear under the name of the "HOLD" section and you will only scan the memory in the blocked section) or use the řecht to switch entire sections across memory files, so you do not have to navigate through hundreds of memories in directories that you are not interested. Locking memories with function keys can also be freely combined – for example, active HOLD on SYSTEM and DEPARTMENT at the same time.
Monitoring of DMR operations
Uniden BCD3600XLT is, like the American version of Home Patrol 2 scanners, equipped with the dmr (Digital Mobile Radio) decoding option, with the difference that this option must be purchased as licenses or as an alternative firmware in the U.S. version, while the European version already has this feature in the basis. This is therefore officially the first hand held scanner, which has the ability to monitor dmr networks already from the manufacturer. DMR networks can already be monitored using an AOR receiver marked DV-1 or an add-on from the same ARD300 brand. However, these devices only serve as a D/A converter ie. Digital colloquial frameworks are detected, if they are correctly decoded, data is sent to the coder and decoded to analog form. UBCD3600XLT is much further in this regard. DMR digital operation can be tracked in three modes.
VFO "Stupid" mode. Since dmr is detectable on the DSP that processes the last intermediate frequency, it doesn't matter what type of operation you have set, if the receiver correctly detects the DMR signal on the frequency, automatically switches to DMR mode (even if the need for AM modulation is inappropriately set), and automatically displays all the information about the ongoing call on the display if the signal quality allows. Ie U (Unit ID), TG (Talk Group), SLOT (slot number when it comes to traffic on smugglers) and of course Color code. This is therefore a mode where the listener "accidentally" tunes the DMR operation to an unknown state. The receiver can in addition detect about what kind of DMR traffic is involved, whether it is a classic DMR voice or DATA, it can determine whether it is CAPACITY + mode or in the case of a Hytera TIER III network. In the lower right corner you can see the type of DMR traffic.
A huge advantage of the receiver is the possibility of a complete reconstruction of the network. In practice, this means that you can completely program the entire DMR network into the receiver memory and then it will behave like a network station, ie. You can not only filter calls, but you can completely name everything. To do this, two modes (essentially adequate modes in analog trunk networks) serve, i.e. SCAN and ID SEARCH mode. In the first case, the scanner behaves like a station ie. What is not stored in memory ignores. In the second case, if a new group or stations appear on the smuggler, not only do you see on the display that you do not have this group or ID in memory, but by pressing the "E" key, the receiver will prompt you to save (or even name) the new identification to the network. As with analog trunk networks, here you can create a multifrequency network that may or may not have an equally defined group and user ID. A huge advantage against professional stations is the separate definition of user ID. In practice, this means that a station with the number 1 can be named in one network 'base' and in the other network 'vehicle' and depending on where that station appears (on which defined network) the station name changes on the display even if it is the same number. In short, you can break the DMR networks on the fronts. For example, if you want to watch a radio amateur DMR smuggler, you can define exactly everything from the list of smugglers here, through the list of groups relevant to them to the list of the son-in-call and names of the radio amateurs who use these smugglers.
The third mode is already mentioned trunk DMR mode (CAPACITY + and TIER III.), I.e. if the network broadcasts a data channel on which to rotate information and ongoing groups. These can change both the number and the time slot, according to the current network load. The receiver should be able to analyze these networks, to monitor the defined group according to information from the data channel. The word "BY" here is no accident. I haven't tried this feature yet, so I'll add it to this article after practical tests. At the same time, the analysis functions should be applied to this type of operation, but this will again be subject to further investigation.
practical reception
That being said, this is a classic series of UNIDEN receivers, that is, it's a receiver designed primarily to monitor local or nearby services. To connect the scanner to a larger antenna, you must adjust the signal input level. In practice, it is therefore advisable to use both a low-noise preamplifier and an antenna (it may not be too profitable), due to the not too high sensitivity of the input part of the receiver and also the filter(s) against local interference of type LTE, CDMA, PEGAS etc. This section is strongly individual according to income conditions . In general, however, it is always advisable to use a lower pass below 470 MHz and a hold on the CCIR band (VKV radio). If you have any special interference of type CDMA, PEGAS, uphon, etc., it is necessary to use a filter to suppress interference from these networks. However, if you generally find a convenient point where the receiver also listens to relatively weak stations and is at least disturbed by unwanted networks, you can make it a very efficient tool for monitoring traffic.First, there is a very hilarious intelligent memory card recording feature (an 8GB card is enough to record about 2 months of all-day operation) and or discovery can also be used to search for frequencies with very poor traffic. Although I would be very careful here, as this function is a little more complex for optimal settings.
As regards the practical income of DMR, here are a few basic rules:
The receiver evaluates the DMR automatically, this function cannot be disabled or by changing the type of operation.
For a proper decoding of DMR traffic it is necessary that the signal is undistorted, mobile operation is not a glitch, if there is no signal at the limit of insinuity, pulse interference from the car's engine is, however, a problem.
It is possible to decode both group and individual calls (the display shows the receiver "i" at RID stations).
It is possible to decode the dmr conduction, but the signal must be strong enough and stable.
It can be combined in one MEMORY FAVORITE LIST analog and digital channels.
Automatic display and key backlight can also be activated when dmr signals are received.
Simplex DMR operation CANNOT BE DETECTED WITH CLOSE CALL FUNCTION
Uniden UBCD3600XLT handheld scanner surprised me very much in many pages. First, its shelf life. In practice, therefore, it is not a problem to monitor on the go both analog networks (including the use of all standard functions such as the CTCSS/DCS instant decoder, close call function, or rf plotter targeting function), as well as DMR digital operation. If the system is set up appropriately, it is possible even when connected to an external antenna. The clarity of dmr traffic is at an excellent level, I would not hesitate to compare it to a professional station. The battery receiver consumption isn't dizzying, so if you have two sets of batteries, eneloop, you're not sure to be caught on all-day roads by a broken receiver.
Great is the power option with a standard miniUSB connector, so you can power it everywhere in the car and from any laptop nowadays. The cost of this receiver is ranked in the upper class, but it is not a dizzying amount and, given the utility of the receiver, is more than adequate.
