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.

Ive bought just about every new scanner thats been available over the last few years and this is a go-to unit. If you know your way around the software/programming and new digital technology these days youll probably love this thing. It can also be fairly easy to use as a beginner or someone who doesnt care to get too involved. Lots of options available to upgrade the firmware as well. It has good audio and decode quality and receives very well. Many useful features and ways to custom program.

I am a scanner newbie, I wanted something to listen in to local police and fire and air. My experience with scanners if very limited. I first bought the RS PRO-652 from my local RS store. I had a heck of a time trying to program this, I basically used search and tune and entered one frequency at a time. Very frustrating, even after reading instructions. I thought Id order this Uniden after reading how simple it was to program. I ordered through Amazon and got it next day. From the time I opened the package and got it working was like 30 minutes. I put in my zip code and it started loading the area database and I was in business. I even found this one picked up distant radios a little better as well. I returned the RS and havent looked back. I have a Apple iPad and can listen to it using the Siren app and even do some programming and other controls with it. I wish they had the Siren for PC or Android. WIth wifi it should be able to connect to the PC wirelessly. My SSID contains several lower/upper case letters and I was unable to figure out how to do caps lock or lower case. So I created a new one using all upper case password. I still am learning with this scanner but so far it seems to be light years ahead of others with the home patrol software built-in. I am able to pick up radios from two counties away, faintly, but I can hear them. So far Ive been very pleased with this scanner.

I was a total noob when it comes to scanners and RF stuff, but after owning the BCD536HP for two weeks I feel almost like a pro! Its got quite the steep learning curve, when it comes to programming your own frequencies and favorites, etc., but its really simple to get started by entering your zip code in and just letting it do its thing. I live in a major metro area and it picks up several local law enforcement and fire departments as well as some local small airport traffic. So far, I think this thing is amazing. One thing I wish law would allow is for us to be able to listen to Channel 3 hot LE channels, because that is where the majority of the action is, after the initial calls are made. Though often theyll just hang out on the main channel and I get to hear a lot of things I kind of wonder if I really want to hear, you know? There is a LOT of crazy stuff going on all around us at any given moment. Really an eye opener. Overall, I recommend this unit highly. I use it on my desk at home, by the way, and have no problem picking up signals. Good luck and happy scanning!

Once I figured out how to block channels, it was a bit easier. A quality unit.

Great scanner. It does what the instructions states it does. Hook up antenna, plug in AC adaptor, and turn it on. It asks what the date is and enter it, what time it is, enter that, your time zone #, and enter. It will show nothing to scan. Hit the ZIP (zip code) button and enter your zip code, it will upload all frequencies within a 20-mile radius, and scan. Super easy and works great. Uniden got this one right.

Goes offline at least twice a day. Unplugging and reinserting the dongle usually fixes it but occasionally the scanner has to be rebooted.

12/15/17 Update I’ve owned the Uniden BCD536HP for almost 3 years, purchased the DMR upgrade and enjoying it ever since. I did have the RTC issue and finally decided to send it in for repair about a week ago; I’m surprised they accepted it after so long. Thank you, Uniden! I picked up a Whistler TRX-2 about 2 weeks ago and can say the BCD536HP was the better choice thus far. Once I get my BCD536HP back then I’ll have time to use them simultaneously more. BCD536HP • Screen is larger and displays more details about target; has 32 larger font characters across another 4 for HOLD status. • Boots up much faster than the TRX-2, even with the RTC error asking me to reset the clock and letting it time out. Starts scanning 16 seconds after turning knob to power on after RTC repair. • Speaker is louder; listening to people I talk with locally on Ham bands and has natural sounding audio. • GPS scanning capability for those interested although I haven’t purchased or used the unit. • Support for third-party software like ARC536. • It’s about $10 cheaper; HRO has it for an additional $5 less today. • The Sentinel programming software is basic and not as polished as Whistler’s; need to manually find updates to it on their website. TRX-2 • The Digital Trunking Scanner Programming System is more polished than Uniden’s and makes it easier to upgrade all components from a single interface. • The ability to store different configurations via V-scanner is a nice function. • The NXDN system upgrade was offered for free. • Speaker isnt as loud and listening to people I talk with locally on Ham bands, sounds hollow. • Feels like a tin can and the detachable head (something I dont care for) feels light and cheap; even the mount is thin. • Screen is small and belongs on a handheld, not mobile/desktop scanner; has 16 characters across with smaller font. • The supplied Whistler USB cable is way too short unless youre using a notebook on the same desk as the scanner. • Only two of five white keys have lights and all other keys dont appear to have any lights behind them. • Noticed backlighting display flickering and reported by others as well. • Scanning shows top level lists instead of actual targets names. • Paging system intermod on 2m Ham and 150-160MHz bands but not present on BCD536HP, receivers, SDRs or Ham gear. • Too easy to accidentally edit config since clicking on something will automatically save config. • Copying initial Library was extremely slow and stuck at 42%; clicking in the window appeared to wake it up as it looked like it was freezing. The same cable used with the BCD536HP updates the database much faster. • Starts scanning 3 minutes and 7 seconds after holding button (for about 3 seconds) to power on. • Every time you go into the Menu and back out, the lists reload again and you have to wait! • No third-party software support.

Ive owned other scanners for over 25 years and all were simple to program. Ive had this one now for over a month and still havent been able to program in the frequencies that I really want. They do have YouTube videos but they arent in any particular order so you have to keep jumping from video to video trying to find the continuation of the video you were just watching. You do have the option to have them program what you want to listen to but they charge too much and if you want it changed you have to pay again and they send you a new micro-sd card. They could do a better job of explaining the spreadsheet of information you need and how to use their programming software. You can select the preprogrammed frequencies but then you have to use what they want you to listen to.

I purchased this bcd536hp scanner due to the wifi adapter. I use proscan software with the web server and now can listen to my stream anywhere in the world. You must have proscan turned on with web server. so computer has to be on and scanner has to be on all the time. I make sure I have light on scanner turned off. I dont need that to die on me!. I use it mostly for simulcast in Central NY. I have to say it does pretty good on simulcast. I just couldnt afford the Uniden sds200. ProScan is well worth it. try it out for free for 30 days and if you like it then you pay a one time fee of 50.00

I like this police scanner. I can get calls from many miles away and close to my home. Its nice to hear all the calls and sometimes hear the outcomes of calls. It has good sound but we wanted more so we added a speaker for better sound and quality to hear in other rooms of the house too. It is hard to get the programming just the way you want it, but with persistence it is workable. It came tightly wrapped and in perfect condition. We have been listening to this radio for up to a year now and no problems. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to hear the calls digitally.