[Scan-DC] In car use of Home Patrol

Sun Jan 16 11:10:18 EST 2011

John,

I'll post a few pictures of the bracket when I get a chance. It's not the sturdiest or fanciest thing in the world, but in the end, it holds the HP fine for me, and I've never had the HP fall off. I think a cell phone bracket that expands far enough to hold the HP is fairly unusual, since it is much bigger and heavier than an iPhone (in fact, my first impression when I took my HP out of the box is that it is considerably larger than it looks in pictures). By the way, the bracket would work for most regular handheld scanners as well. It can be configured vertical or horizontal.

With regard to the GPS puck -- I haven't seen one yet. Does someone have a URL for a GPS hockey puck that is made for the HP? I would buy one in an instant.

I had fine reception when the HP was using its stock antenna, and the unit was down at the lower dashboard level (near the cupholders/console). Of course since I was listening to all new stuff, I can't really know what I may have missed. I have since run a cable to connect the HP to my glass-mount antenna at the back of the car, and reception is very good with that. The one thing that I HATE about the HP is its use of an SMA connector. As far as I can tell, there is no reason to use an SMA. There is plenty of room on the side of the unit to have used a BNC.

One other gripe -- when I received my HP, the included AC adapter was DOA. Despite three support emails and two faxes to Uniden, they have not sent a replacement. This is the first time I have had to use Uniden support, and I would rate it a 0 out of 10. There is no telephone number to talk to a person. It's Web form or fax only. I ended up making my own AC adapter from a surplus wall-wart in my junk box.

Having said that, I think the HP and the other similar generations of scanner (like the coming GRE unit) are fantastic. It allows everyone to spend a lot more time listening to action and a lot less time programming. If I could wish for anything, it would be a scanner that has two personalities -- it could either work in the very convenient HP-type mode when desired, but could also be put into an "expert" traditional mode where you could set up custom frequencies, systems, band searches, Close Call, etc. I suspect that's coming (dang -- more $$ to spend!).

Andy

-----Original Message-----
From: John Nash [mailto:j.m.nash at verizon.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 10:14 AM
To: aclegg at nsf.gov
Cc: cliffj at cox.net; scan-dc at mailman.qth.net
Subject: In car use of Home Patrol

Andy:

I would like the information on the $20 cigarette lighter cradle adapter.  I also would like to hear people's impressions of using the Home Patrol with the GPS attachment in the car.   How is the reception of the unit while sitting on the front dashboard using the standard provided antenna?  I take it that the GPS unit works fine sitting on the dashboard (directly under the glass)?

Also have people found that the HP1 unit fits (and stays) securely in dashboard cradles made for GPS units, BlackBerrys and other devices?  I have had mixed results using a cradle with the BCD-996T.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

John Nash
Falls Church VA

On Jan 3, 2011, Clegg, Andrew W. <aclegg at nsf.gov> wrote: 

On Christmas weekend, I took the family up to the Pro Football Hall of
Fame in Ohio. I took the Home Patrol with me, and it was GREAT just
being able to update the programming automatically as I drove up the
highways. I would have otherwise never bothered to program in all the
little towns in MD, PA, and OH, and the Turnpike Police, and the major
cities (Pittsburgh, Cleveland), etc., etc., before I left. That would
have taken hours (or days, in my case). I got to listen to a lot of
action that I would have missed before. My BCD-996T was relegated to
Close Call only for the whole trip. Kind of sa

By the way, at a truck stop on the way, I found a nifty $20 cigarette
lighter cradle adapter thing that can hold the Home Patrol, plus
provides a cigarette lighter port and a USB power charger port. It's
marketed for holding cell phones, but it works great with the Home
Patrol too! If anyone is interested, I can send the exact model name
when I get home.

Andy

-----Original Message-----
From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of cliffj at cox.net
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 4:29 PM
To: scan-dc at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Scan-DC] Fw: Pro 106 and DC Fire

I just got a home patrol and it truly does make life easier. Having that
and the pro-96, I have all I need. The home patrol will make traveling a
lot easier
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "Clegg, Andrew W." <aclegg at nsf.gov>
Sender: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2011 16:15:59 
To: Dewey<dewey3 at gmail.com>; Barile, Philip<philip.barile at dhs.gov>
Cc: <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Pro 106 and DC Fire

Sure glad I have a Home Patrol! :)

Seriously, it's great just being able to listen rather than spending
lots of time programming. You do lose some flexibility, but you gain a
lot more in simplicity.

Andy

-----Original Message-----
From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dewey
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 4:03 PM
To: 'Barile, Philip'
Cc: scan-dc at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Pro 106 and DC Fire

I can't speak to the programming of the Pro-106 itself, but I can say a
little about DCFD / DCPD. First, forget the fact that they are the same
system, as this is where most programmers get messed up. While they are
both 603d, program the 460 system separate of the 800 system. The 460
system is DCPD, and has a custom fleetmap, so don't forget about that
when
you do your programming. The DCFD and other DC Govt entities use the
800
side, and that can be programmed as a "standard" Moto 800 system. If
all
you want to monitor is FD, you do not need to enter any of the 460
stuff.

I hope that helps,
Dewey

-----Original Message-----
From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Barile, Philip
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 15:03
To: Scan DC
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Pro 106 and DC Fire

I have a new Pro 106 scanner and I have attempted to set up DC Fire both
the
800 and the 460 MHz with all the frequencies and talkgroups associated
with
Fire and no police talkgroups. They are separated into 2 scan lists.
When
I turn on either or both lists I pick up nothing. I know there are
calls
being dispatched because in my conventional objects group I have the
154.190
frequency. Can anyone provide some insight on the issue? Has anyone
else
has this same problem.

Thanks for any help anyone can give.

Philip Barile
IT Specialist - ISSO
(202) 254-4081 (Office)
(202) 528-8998 (Cell)
philip.barile at dhs.gov
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