Uniden BCDx36HP Sentinel 2.05.03
================================

WHAT THIS IS
The last 2.x release (December 2023), which added Waterfall support; Uniden's
21 December 2023 firmware notes require it. Uniden's download pages still
offer it, labelled "Green Shield". Supports the BCD436HP, BCD536HP, SDS100(E)
and SDS200(E); not the SDS150.

BCDx36HP Sentinel is Uniden's free Windows program for the BCD436HP/BCD536HP
and SDS-series scanners: it edits Favorites Lists and settings, updates the
master database (HPDB), and updates scanner firmware, which it downloads from
Uniden's server while it runs. It is a different program from HomePatrol
Sentinel.

This version is kept as the last 2.x version. A reader should normally install
the current version (3.01.01); Uniden's manuals advise always using the latest
Sentinel.

APPLIES TO
Scanner models listed inside this version of the program: BCD436HP, BCD536HP,
SDS100, SDS100E, SDS200, SDS200E. It is not for the HomePatrol-1/HomePatrol-2
(they use HomePatrol Sentinel). Windows only; there is no macOS or Linux
version.

BEFORE STARTING
  - A Windows PC with an internet connection (firmware and database updates
    are downloaded while Sentinel runs).
  - Administrator rights: the installer checks for them, and the
    RadioReference wiki notes Sentinel may need "Run as administrator".
  - The .NET Framework 2.0 runtime. The zip carries Microsoft's .NET 2.0
    redistributable for older Windows; on Windows 10/11 the RadioReference
    wiki's remedy for ".Net framework 2.0 is required" is to enable .NET
    Framework 3.5 (includes 2.0) under Windows Features.
  - The scanner's USB cable (SDS100: side mini-USB port marked Charge; SDS200:
    front mini-USB port).

CONTENTS OF THIS ZIP
The download zip holds the vendor file exactly as Uniden published it, plus
this README.txt and SHA256SUMS.

  BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03.zip  (43883488 bytes)
    SHA-256 ffedf240e3d65bbce1caddb756eee5e3babd40d6f7b68e46a2680aa302b5c43d

  Inside BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03.zip:
    BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03/DotNetFX/dotnetfx.exe
      Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 redistributable (installed by setup.exe if
      missing)
      23510720 bytes
      SHA-256 46693d9b74d12454d117cc61ff2e9481cabb100b4d74eb5367d3cf88b89a0e71
    BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03/DotNetFX/instmsia.exe
      Microsoft Windows Installer redistributable
      1709160 bytes
      SHA-256 536e4c8385d7d250fd5702a6868d1ed004692136eefad22252d0dac15f02563a
    BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03/DotNetFX/WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe
      Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 redistributable
      2585872 bytes
      SHA-256 69b61b2c00323cea3686315617d0f452e205dae10c47e02cbe1ea96fea38f582
    BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03/setup.exe
      the installer to run
      496640 bytes
      SHA-256 1c2669b7acd3b297442c62847dea9a80870d45ce423b9e899c34985b0754a660
    BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03/Setup_BCDx36HP.msi
      the Windows Installer package setup.exe installs
      13882368 bytes
      SHA-256 aefa7d6ff35cdec48722bfc133799e543626ae8a4942e4c8f63344b0fda80eb6
    BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03/WindowsInstaller3_1/WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe
      Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 redistributable
      2585872 bytes
      SHA-256 69b61b2c00323cea3686315617d0f452e205dae10c47e02cbe1ea96fea38f582

INSTALLATION
  1. Unzip the download to a folder on the PC.
  2. Run setup.exe from the unzipped folder and follow the installer's
     prompts.
  3. Start Sentinel. To update the scanner: connect it, choose Mass Storage on
     the scanner (press E at "Select USB mode"), then in Sentinel choose
     UPDATE -> Update Firmware and follow the prompts.
  4. To update the database: UPDATE -> Update Master HPDB (updates Sentinel's
     copy), then Scanner -> Write to Scanner.
  5. When Sentinel has finished, turn the scanner off before unplugging the
     cable, then turn it on and let it apply any update.

VERIFYING
The program's file and product version inside this installer is 2.5.0.3. The
exact menu in Sentinel that displays its version could not be confirmed;
Windows lists the installed program as "BCDx36HP_Sentinel" under installed
apps.

IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG
  - "Unhandled Exception has occurred in your application" during setup: the
    RadioReference wiki recommends compatibility mode with administrator
    privileges.
  - ".Net framework 2.0 is required": enable .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows
    Features.
  - Sentinel will not start or its settings are corrupt: close it and delete
    the folder beginning "BCDx36HP_Sentinel.exe_Url_" under
    C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Uniden; Sentinel recreates it
    (RadioReference wiki).
  - The scanner card does not appear: tick "Display all drives" in Sentinel.
  - Versions before 3.01.01 are not code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen may
    warn and UAC may show "Unknown Publisher" (Uniden's 3.01.01 notes).

DOWNGRADING
Older Sentinel versions can be installed from their own zips. Whether the
installer requires the newer version to be removed first could not be
confirmed; removing it through Windows' installed-apps list first is the
cautious order. Back up Sentinel's Favorites Lists before changing versions.

PROVENANCE
  - Official source:
    https://www.uniden.info/download/files/BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03.zip
  - Sentinel page and change log:
    https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCDx36HPSentinel
  - Wayback copy:
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240519183259/https://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BCD536HP/BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_2_05_03.zip
  - Retrieved: 2026-09-18. Status: verified (SHA-1 matches the Wayback
    capture).

MORE INFORMATION
  - scanners.fubsypoly.com, Uniden SDS100 - Vol 5, Upgrades & Firmware:
    https://scanners.fubsypoly.com/uniden-sds100/vol-5/
  - scanners.fubsypoly.com, Uniden SDS200 - Vol 5, Upgrades & Firmware:
    https://scanners.fubsypoly.com/uniden-sds200/vol-5/
  - scanners.fubsypoly.com, Uniden BCD536HP - Vol 5, Upgrades & Firmware:
    https://scanners.fubsypoly.com/uniden-bcd536hp/vol-5/
  - Uniden download pages: https://www.uniden.info/download/index.cfm?s=SDS100
    (and ?s=SDS200, ?s=BCD536HP)
  - RadioReference wiki:
    https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Sentinel_for_the_BCD436HP/BCD536HP/SDS100/SDS200
