Uniden BCD436HP Radio Review

The use of radio scanners in crime investigation, the field of journalism, medical services, and other fields of work has become rampant in recent years. The radio scanner provides many technical benefits to these fields, making their job easier, more professional, and accurate. The skyrocketed use of the scanner spiked the need for a better version of its former.

On general terms, the radio scanner is a radio receiver that can tune or scan more than one discrete frequency, stopping when it finds a signal on any of the frequencies while it continues to scan the other frequencies. It is a device used to monitor international shortwave transmissions. These scanners can tune to different modulation types as preferred by the user for a better result.

The radio scanners use trunk tracking to track and detect multiple frequencies. The device has a manual scanning mode that allows the user to scan for frequencies at will. It has an automatic scanning mode that saves user stress, especially when the user does not have a particular frequency to search for.

Radio scanners are gaining huge popularity with people. In ancient times, radio scanners are usually big and do not scan several frequencies. Evolution in the size, structure, and functionality of the scanner increased its use and relativity to several fields.

The radio scanners are more compact and portable, less expensive, more functional, and very easy to use and operate. These features make it suitable for different scanning functions and users.

Considerations when choosing the Uniden BCD436HP Radio

The efficiency and performance of a radio scanner depend on specific features. Radio scanners are very useful for several purposes, which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to get one. However, take note of some factors before choosing the radio scanner that suits your use.

These are some vital factors you should consider before making your choice.

Cost

Most people try to overlook this feature, but it is vital to consider before choosing your scanner. You have to consider your pocket before making your choice; you wouldn’t want to get the scanner and go cashless. Check your budget and make plans before getting the scanner.

Cost also plays a role in the quality of a product. A cheap product most times turns out to be of low quality to an expensive one. It does not imply that an expensive product is always of high quality and a cheap one of low quality, but usually follows the trend. I’d advise you to always go for a scanner at a moderate price.

The Uniden BCD436HP is pocket friendly, and you can get it at a moderate price. It has a high quality-to-price ratio offering high quality for the price. You can also get the scanner at a discounted price at a legit and authorized online and offline sales center.

Ease of Usage

This feature is a highly essential factor to consider before getting a radio scanner. It is almost useless to get a product that you cannot use effectively. Complications in the use or control of a scanner can lead to frustration, which is why you have to consider how easy it is to use a scanner before getting the type of scanner.

One of the features Uniden BCD436HP banks on is its ease of usage. It is very easy to use a radio scanner because of its features and components. It has soft and easy to press keys that help the user operate it easily.

It also has an extra-large display that allows the user to read characters easily without straining their eyes. It does not need much programming because it has a pre-programmed micro SD card with an updatable sentinel software database. The scanner features multi-color LED alerts that consist of 7 colors that enable an easy custom alert.

It also has a preset key that helps the user reset the device to a default setting with ease. It also features easy settings that allow the user to configure the device to his/her taste. A user’s manual guides the user on how to use and operate the scanner.

Size

The size of a device, especially a handheld one, is essential to consider. Imagine having a radio scanner the size of a desktop monitor when you can have one mobile phone size. The size of the scanner determines how convenient or comfortable the operator can be when using it.

The Uniden BCD436HP is a radio scanner, the size of a mobile phone. It is stress-free to carry and can fit into your pocket if you have your hands occupied. Its compact size allows you to operate it easily with one hand.

Its small size also allows it to weigh lesser than the large-size version. It can also fit into several applications because of its size and perform the task efficiently.

Battery Quality

A radio scanner’s efficiency depends on the quality of the battery and how long it can last. You have to put these factors into consideration when picking your radio scanner. You cannot always be connected to a power source, which is why a scanner has to have a good battery to work while it isn’t charged.

What is the importance of a radio scanner that you can’t use outdoors without connecting it to a power source?

Uniden BCD436HP has an in-built battery that powers it. It also has a built-in battery charger that allows the operator to charge the battery using a USB port. The device uses 3 AA batteries that ensure high performance and efficiency.

Signal Reception Strength

The two-way handheld device uses a signal for its performance. The signal strength is a crucial factor that you must consider because the device runs on signals. You must ensure that the scanner has good signal reception strength before you get it.

The BCD436HP has a good signal reception strength that allows it to search for multiple frequencies of a wide range. It has an easy set up that allows you to set the step to a frequency ranging from 5 to 100KHZ. It also allows you to set a preferred modulation for 31 bands.

Features

4GB MicroSD Card

A storage device in a scanner helps you save data and settings without re-entering them all over again. The storage feature helps the user keep information on the scanner for frequent or further use.

The Uniden BCD436HP uses a 4GB microSD card to store data. It allows the storage of favorite lists, settings, profiles, recording sessions, and discovery sessions. The scanner also supports up to 32GB storage devices that enable the operator to store more data.

Multi-site Trunking

The BCD436HP has multi-task trunking that allows the scanner to share trunked system ID to several sites without duplicating them. This feature is an advantage of the BCD436HP over other radio scanners.

Location-Based Scanning

The location-based scanning feature allows easy system selection regardless of the scanner’s location, especially when changing location. It ensures easy scanning and switching from frequencies without any restriction placed by the location.

The BCD436HP uses a GPS receiver to ensure system selection and continuous re-selection when traveling. It can automatically avoid trunked departments and sites as well as un-avoid them based on your current location, indicated by GPS.

Audio Recording

Recording audio transmission for later use is one function that should be in every scanner. The audio recorder records audio transmissions for the user to play afterward. It can also automatically record audio transmissions whenever the user is not present.

The BCD436HP has an audio recorder that captures transmissions and stores them for later use. The audio recording can play with any audio player as long as a microSD card is for storage.

High Search Speed

One feature that is very important in a scanner is its search speed. The search speed for every scanner should be high because a low search speed can be frustrating. It takes more time to complete a search with a low search speed than a scanner with a high search speed.

BCD436HP has a high speed that allows it to complete search in time. It has a search speed of 80 steps/sec except for the 5KHz steps. Its search speed for the 5KHz steps is about 250 steps/sec.

Multi-level Display

One of the factors that create a turn-off or discourages a user from using a scanner is a poor display. One of the features every user anticipates in their scanner is a good display.

The BCD436HP scanner does not only have a good display but a multi-level one. The multi-level display uses several colors to provide a perfect display for the user.

Keypad Light

It isn’t easy to use some scanners in a dimly lit room without a source of illumination for the keypad. The keypad light ensures that the user sees and operates the device easily.

The keypad light is a feature included in the design of the BCD436HP. The scanner has a keypad light that turns on when you are operating it. The keypad light makes sure the user sees the keys and buttons clearly without straining their eyes.

Easy Configuration

Configuring your scanner to your use is a good thing only if the scanner has an easy configuration feature. The easy configuration helps you configure the settings, profiles, etc. to your desired taste.

You can easily configure your BCD436HP to your taste and use. You can also program your favorite list with startup keys ranging from 0 to 9. It will help you scan the favorite list easily with the keys whenever you power the scanner.

Easy PC Programing

Programming your scanner can be a little bit difficult, especially if you do not have the technical know-how. Programming can be a lot easier with some scanners than the others. Consisting of the scanners with easy programming is the BCD436HP.

The scanner uses the sentinel software to manage and program your profile, database, firmware updates, and favorite lists. The easy programming feature ensures the user manages the database with or without the aid of a manual.

Analog and Digital AGC

The importance of the analog and digital AGC is essentially required in a scanner. It helps the scanner balance the volume level for different radio systems. The AGC does this automatically without the need for manual control.

This feature is present in the BCD436HP, which ensures its enhanced performance.

Priority Channels and Scan

The BCD436HP allows you to set priority channels. These channels help you keep track of activities on your most important or prioritized channels while simultaneously monitoring other channels for transmission.

The priority scan allows you to set priorities to talk-group IDs and favorites channels.

 Weather Alert

Having a scanner with a weather alert function is an added benefit for you as it forecasts weather alongside its transmission function. The weather alert feature informs the user of pending or ongoing weather changes.

The BCD436HP provides the same weather alert transmitted in NOAA weather channels. It also allows you to set the weather channel as your priority channel.

3 Search Keys

The scanner allows you to assign three of the number keys for specified purposes. It allows you to assign a number key for the tone-out search, another for a custom search, and the third key for a close call search. The search keys allow you to operate the BCD436HP very well with ease and convenience.

Quick Search

It is very easy and more time conserving to do a quick search of a displayed or entered frequency than undergoing a manual search. The BCD436HP has a quick search feature that allows the user to start searching at a displayed frequency. It also enables the operator to enter a frequency and start searching, which is easier and convenient than the conventional search method.

Built-in Battery Charger and Quality Charging

It would be beneficial if you did not underestimate the essence of a good battery in a scanner. The device cannot work without a battery. If the battery is not of good quality, you might not enjoy having a scanner.

As much as you should note the battery quality, you should also consider the charger and its charging quality. A good battery is useless without a charger because there wouldn’t be a way to recharge the battery when it runs low.

BCD436HP comprises these two qualities to provide the user with top-notch efficiency. The battery uses rechargeable 3 AA batteries as its power source. The battery ensures its top-notch efficiency because of its quality battery time.

It also has a built-in charger that allows you to recharge the battery through a USB port whenever it runs low.

Frequency Coverage

The BCD436HP has a high-frequency coverage that enables crystal clear transmissions. The scanner has a wide range of frequency coverage; 25 to 512MHz, 758 to 824MHz, 849 to 869MHz, 894 to 960MHz, and 1240 1300MHz. This frequency coverage ensures quality transmissions.

Compact Size

The BCD436HP has a compact size that allows the user to carry it easily. It also allows the user to operate easily with just one hand. The handheld device has a width of 2-5/8”, the height of 6”, and a breadth of 1-1/4”.

SMA Antenna

The antenna is a very crucial component of a scanner. The antenna helps the scanner in getting signals and, in turn, ensuring perfect transmissions. The BCD 4236HP uses a top-notch antenna to secure signal for the scanner and ensure top quality transmission.

Soft Keypads

Pressing a hard keypad for long can hurt your fingers or, worse, bruise them. This effect is why the BCD436HP has soft keypads. The soft keypads allow you to push at them with comfort without affecting your fingers.

Warranty

The warranty of a product is a way a manufacturer shows his confidence in a product. A warranty offered covers the BCD436HP that indicates that the device is highly recommendable and efficient. The scanner has a 3-year warranty that covers it.

Two-Tone Paging

The BCD436HP has two-tone paging that consists of 32 tone slots to ensure efficiency in its performance. The paging protocols include playing two different audio notes in which the first tone plays for one second while the other plays for three seconds. These two tones are then transmitted on a dispatch frequency in which the pager is tuned.

Impact Resistance

The BCD436HP has a rugged construction that consists of a bottom impact area and rubber sides. It helps the scanner enhance its impact resistance.

FAQs

How to Program Uniden BCD436HP Scanner

Programming a product allows the product to work in a defined and specified way. It is essential you program your scanner manually or automatically. You can download the programmed software for BCD436HP on the Uniden website, allowing automatic programming of the device.

You can download the program software by connecting to an external computer or using the keypad. The Uniden program software does not include a RadioReference import feature, but you can always get an alternative means by downloading CSV files of stations, agencies, and counties and then paste them on the Uniden’s software.

Downloading the programming software is an automatic and relatively easier way to program your BCD436HP. Another way, which is the manual way of programming the scanner, is time-consuming, tedious, but very easy to program.

To manually program your device, you have to locate an empty channel using the scanner’s multi-function feature. After locating an empty channel, choose and enter your preferred frequency. You can either input the frequency by pressing down on the multi-function key or input it manually with the keypad.

Note that the scanner will reject a frequency already programmed; it will not accept two same frequencies. After inputting the frequency, you should confirm and register it. To confirm and register the frequency, you will have to press hard against the confirm button.

After inputting and registering the frequency, you should return to the program menu screen to choose the frequency and tag it to a word or number with a maximum of 16 characters. Set the squelch modes to ensure rapid search and also reduce interference.

You can delete any channel or even an entire bank to reprogram at will. You can also program other features like a key lock to prevent accidental changes to the programmed information. You can also program a key confirmation tone and a memory backup to prevent the loss of frequency due to power loss.

The manual programming allows you to configure your scanner to your taste, unlike automatic programming that follows a default programming. You can change to different channels at will with just the push of a button. You are ready with your radio scanner.

How to Enter a Frequency on Uniden BCD436HP

Entering a frequency on your Uniden BCD436HP is very easy and straightforward. There is a quick save method that allows you to save the frequency easily but not on a specific part, and there is a manual method that allows you to save the frequency on your preferred path.

To use the quicksave method, you have to hit the enter button and then input your frequency. Always remember to put your decimal point when inputting the frequency.

To save the frequency on a specified path, click on the menu on your scanner. After clicking on the menu, you should then click on manage favorites. Choose a favorite list for your frequency after clicking on manage favorites.

After completing these steps, you will get to a stage to review and edit the system. Then, you should choose a preferred system, which must be a conventional one. Edit and choose the department you want your frequency to follow.

Click on the edit channel and choose a new channel. The channel will house the frequency, so you should choose a suitable channel for your frequency. After clicking the new channel icon, you should input your frequency for the channel.

Ensure you add a decimal to the frequency number when inputting it. You can now edit the alpha tag and enter a PL tone and other necessary settings you need to do.

Conclusion

The BCD436HP is a powerful radio scanner used for several transmission purposes, including patrol scanning and other frequency use. It is highly efficient with a lot of features that ensure its high performance.

The components and parts of the BCD436HP make it suitable for several transmission activities. The tool is also very affordable, with a high quality-to-cost ratio. It offers high quality for a low price.

It is also very easy and stress-free to use and operate. It has a 3-year limited warranty that assures the user of top-notch efficiency. The scanner also has additional features that spice up its functions and provide smooth use to the user.