HP1 ExtremeThe first paid update for the HP1 is called the HomePatrol 1 v2 Extreme Edition, or more simply just the HP1 Extreme or HP1E. It is intended more for the advanced scanner user than the novice. The HP1E adds to the “regular” HP1 things that are attractive to the advanced scanner listener, who want advanced features that may not be needed by most novice users. It costs $100 from
www.uniden.com. Some features in the v2 firmware and Sentinel update are free.
Some of the features of the HP1E include the ability to make it work somewhat more like conventional scanners, with delays set per channel, volume offsets, limit and Service Type Searches, and a graphic bandscope similar to a spectrum analyzer. The Conventional Discovery mode allows you to search a range of frequencies from end to end to find previously unknown users and record them. While some of these features may seem to make it appear that you may be better off with a more conventional scanner like the BCD996XT, you can use the HP1E with both the novice and advanced feature set.
More advanced users will like the ability to decode data streams from trunked systems and the LCN finder for EDACS and LTR systems (This is needed for proper programming of scanners). The Trunking Discovery feature allows you to find new talkgroups in a system and even records voice traffic found with these new talkgroups so you can decipher the users of them. The HP1E also allows you to view and use Radio ID’s on some trunked systems. Once identified you can assign them names and alerts as well. For example, if you identified Radio 12345 as Deputy Fife you can add that name to the radio so his name is displayed when he talks on his radio.
Users of some software applications can connect the HP1E to the computer and use it as a source of data for analysis using a built-in dataslicer. You can even use it as an audio source for live scanner streaming over the Internet, either to share with others (such as a feed on RadioReference or other sites) or for your own private use.
After you purchase and install the upgrade to your radio and the Sentinel program the radio will display a new choice when connected to the computer. “Mass Storage” mode allows you to do the various upgrades for routine use as you would have before the upgrade. “Serial” mode is to be used for future features and the various streaming and data applications.
The HP1E allows you to create new Systems, either trunked or conventional, via the Favorites mode, either from the radio or Sentinel. Within the Favorites you can select to create a new Favorite and then create new Systems. Following the instructions and prompts you can create the Systems you want regardless of whether the information is in the RRDB.
If you are familiar with the Uniden DMA scanners, such as the BCD996XT or BCT15X, then you will know what “Systems”, “Sites”, “Groups” and “Channels” are. The HP1E allows you to create new Systems in much the same fashion, but effectively “Departments” on the HP1E equals “Groups” on DMA scanners.
You can even set a Location for one of these user-created Systems to allow the radio to automatically monitor the System based on your location.
This allows you to have just about all the features of a conventional scanner plus all the cool stuff the HP1 does. None of the HP1 features are disabled by upgrading to the HP1E, and if you don’t want or need the HP1E, the HP1 will still provide all the features you got with the radio. The HP1E truly gives you the best of both worlds for a little extra cash.
