It's hard to know where to start, but we'll try. First we should note that Uniden doesn't even call this product a scanner. It's simply HomePatrol. One reason for this is that unlike so many scanners, particularly those of recent vintage, HomePatrol is so easy to operate that anyone can use it. You don't have to know a thing about scanners. All you need to do is enter your zip code (or a city name) and the device will auto load the frequencies, trunking systems, alpha tags and sub-audible tones for that area. HomePatrol includes the entire RadioReference.com U.S. and Canadian databases of radio systems. If you travel with HomePatrol, with a special GPS receiver (available from Scanner Master for $89.95 + $19.95 for the GPS accessory kit which provides the necessary cabling), the radio will automatically re-tune itself based on its location (so long as GPS coordinates for the various systems have been entered into the RadioReference databases which in very many cases they are). This means no more programming!

HomePatrol also has a color touch screen, another first in the industry. What we particularly love about the radio is its ability to hierarchically tune. You can now tell the radio with one or two clicks: I want to monitor all the agencies in County X, or I want to monitor all the agencies in City Y within County X, or I just want to monitor the fire department in City Y. You can go further and state that you only want to scan say Police, EMS and utilities within any group of counties. This allows tremendous flexibility in monitoring and with the beautiful full color display it's a pleasure to use.

HomePatrol's new Extreme Software Upgrade

Uniden has now taken a ground-breaking new scanner and brought it up to incredible new heights of functionality and fun. The Extreme Software Upgrade for the HomePatrol HP-1 radio is the ultimate toolkit for the serious scanner hobbyist and communication professional. This optional upgrade allows the radio to not only perform all the regular scanner functions but also to analyze trunking systems in great detail, find new talk groups and frequencies, perform direction finding analysis, enhance search functionality and much more. Using Extreme is like using a whole suite of custom radio research scanner apps -- the software is informative, exciting and entertaining. This is a powerful tool for both communications professionals and radio hobbyists. Even novices will enjoy the features as it will boost their understanding of how radio systems, particularly trunked systems operate. Check out the details of the HomePatrol Extreme Software Upgrade option.

Note that HomePatrol owners can download and install their own Extreme Upgrade for $100 or Scanner Master can handle the installation when purchasing the radio new for $112.95.

HomePatrol Features:

• An absolutely astonishing receiver. We're hearing far more with this radio than we ever heard before!
• Rechargeable batteries included
• Mounting bracket included
• A true USB cable included
• Simple database and firmware upgrade capability
• Programming software included to customize what you scan
• Create Favorites Lists
• Record/Replay capability built-in
• Super-detailed channel descriptions
• Sentinel Software works with a PC only, no MAC.
  

We want to describe this last bullet point in a little greater detail because it's so important and so useful. We're looking at a HomePatrol screen right now as we write this report. It's showing an active Boston Police channel.

Where on other scanners we typically are only able to see:

01-0003	CONV P1D	(Channel/Bank Number/Priority Condition)
au	460.400000	(Receive mode -default-; Frequency)
PATROLANDDISPATC		(A 16 character channel description)
DC:346		(Sub-audible tone status)

or on other scanners two lines X 16 characters of a channel description.

Yet on Home Patrol we see:

Suffolk			(County)
Boston Police			(Agency name)
Patrol and Dispatch			(Channel use)
District B-2/B-3			(Channel area)
Law Dispatch	460.2250	HOLD	(Channel Type, frequency, Hold condition)

Note that depending on the detail provided by the database administrators this will vary from one agency to another, but in many cases you'll see this kind of amazing channel detail. (Note that you do not see sub-audible tones.)

Where on other scanners you do not have the text flexibility to easily identify the agency, HomePatrol never has that problem. Because it uses a full graphics display it's much easier to describe a channel clearly and as you wish. Because of the hierarchical structure of the data channel and bank locations have far less importance. We do note that other scanners have sub-audible tone display and a more distinct and easy to read signal strength meter. These are reasons why there will be professional users and serious hobbyists who would consider radios such as the GRE PSR-600 and the Uniden Bearcat BCD996XT better radios for their purposes.



For serious scanner hobbyists and professionals we continue to recommend high-end models that give you the full capacity to program and tune as you wish. But even for this of group of users HomePatrol is a fantastic choice when traveling when you don't have the time to pre-program a scanner for your visit.

Specifications

• APCO 25 Digital
  
• Trunked and Conventional Motorola analog and mixed digital
  
• EDACS narrow and wide trunking
• LTR Conventional trunking
  
• 2GB Micro SD for storing favorites lists and recording transmissions
  
• Factory Programmed for all known radio Systems in the US and Canada
• Zip code entry for instant reception of local Police, Fire and EMS(ambulance)
• City Selection for instant reception of local services
• "Locate me" determines local systems
• Connect a GPS for precise system selection and Continuing reselection when you travel
• Weather Alert Standby (SAME)
• User custom programming via PC software
• USB connection to PC for updates/feeding audio
• RS232 connection for GPS
• Frequency range: 25-512 MHz and 758-960 MHz (less cellular)
  

Specifications for this unit are subject to change without notice by the manufacturer.

Accessories Included: Flex Antenna AC Power Adapter DC Power Cable Desk Stand USB Cable 4 AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries Quick Start Guide

 

Scanner Master Blog
First Look at Uniden HomePatrol

HomePatrol website
http://www.homepatrol.com/

HomePatrol Yahoo Group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HomePatrol/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HomePatrol/links

HomePatrol on YouTube (Videos made before product release)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-usqzuLnzI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr6igaf1UGU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmop5MFFkC4

HomePatrol Owner's Manual
Owner's Manual on PDF

HomePatrol Quick Reference Guide
Quick Reference Guide on PDF

HomePatrol Sentinel Software
Sentinel software for managing your HomePatrol on a PC

Set-up & Optimize Package Details
With Scanner Master's exclusive Set-up & Optimize Package we see to it that your HomePatrol is fully updated and ready to use for your area, perfect for your own use and especially perfect for a gift. First we optimize the internal database by updating the frequency library, which changes daily. We will also check and install any firmware updates to the HomePatrol before the radio ships. (The firmware is the operating system for the radio which may have been updated or tweaked by the factory following its production in Asia.) Scanner Master will then build a Favorites List for the customer (based on the ship to address of your order), or for the area in which the scanner will be used if the customer specifies a different city and county (for example if the radio is given as a gift).

(The benefit of this Favorites List work is that we insure that the most important data to the user is readily accessible as often times, if the database for the end user's area hasn't been completely prepared with what's known as "geo-tagging" then some or all of the local agencies will not activate for scanning. Scanner Master insures that this will not be the case.)

Scanner Master will also pre-tune the radio by entering the end-users zip code. Finally we will give the radio's installed re-chargeable batteries a brief charge to insure that the radio will be ready to use right out of the box. We also set the clock for the user's time zone.

The charge for this service is $39.95 if the scanner is purchased from Scanner Master and $49.95 for customers that already have purchased the scanner elsewhere. Note that this service will add approximately 2 to 3 business days for processing before the radio will be shipped.

ARC Patrol Software
HomePatrol comes with software but the included software has some limitations.

With the optional ARC PATROL you expand the functionality of your HomePatrol HP-1:

• Add a frequency that is not in the built-in database
• Add a talkgroup that is not in the built-in database
• Add a trunk system that is not in the built-in database
• Add Nascar and other race frequencies
• Change Alpha tags
• Change or add subtones
• Add Airband, CB, Marine, Railroad, FRS and GMRS frequencies
• Change the service type of frequencies and/or talkgroups
• Search a frequency range

GPS Accessory Kit
In order for the GPS receiver to connect to the radio you need three additional components: A special Uniden serial cable which includes the proper micro-serial connector to connect to the radio itself and a DB9. Additionally you need a gender-change adapter and a null modem adapter. This GPS accessory kit contains all three components which are then connected to the DB9 jack on the GPS receiver. The reason for this configuration is that the GPS receiver also connects to the Bearcat BCT15X and BCD996XT which requires a standard serial port connection. Note that due to limited production of the serial cable we may at times be out of stock of this kit. Please also note that your everday GPS unit will not work with HomePatrol. This radio requires the antenna for the GPS and must have its own power source. The SpectrumForce GPS receiver along with this accessory kit is exactly what is needed. This is a very specialized requirement.

	AGENCY INFORMATION Lets you see at a glance the Agency, Department, and Channel you are monitoring.
	ON-SCREEN CONTROLS Let you quickly access the features you'll use the most. Just tap the desired control to apply the feature or to bring up a function menu.
	CONTEXT SIDE MENUS Give you quick access to control HomePatrol-1's operation. From avoiding systems, channels, or departments you don't want to monitor to adding channels to Favorites Lists, we could not have made it any simpler.
	QUICK HOLD Just Tap on a System, Department, or Channel to hear only those comms. Tap again to return to normal monitoring
	EASY-TO-NAVIGATE MENUS Lets you quickly get to the options you want.
	MULTIPLE SETUP OPTIONS You can set your location using Zip Code, City, GPS or even have HomePatrol-1 automatically determine its location using a patent-pending search algorithm. For precise location, connect a GPS or manaully enter your latitude and longitude coordinates.
	HEAR WHAT YOU WANT Hone HomePatrol-1's seletion by picking just the types of agencies you want to hear. By default, HomePatrol-1 picks Fire, Ambulance, and Law dispatch channels, but explore to hear even more!