X36Editor is a free, web-based configuration editor for Uniden HomePatrol-style scanner configuration files.
It was created to make working with Uniden scanner configuration files easier, faster and more accessible without requiring specialised commercial software. The project grew out of my own use of Uniden scanners and the need for a simple way to inspect, edit and maintain scanner configuration files. While Uniden provides software for programming its scanners, I wanted something that was more straightforward for making changes directly to the configuration file.
X36Editor is designed primarily for scanner enthusiasts who want to understand and manage their configuration without having to learn complicated programming software.
It runs in a web browser and is designed to work with configuration files used by the:
- Uniden UBCD436PT
- Uniden UBCD536PT
- Uniden BCD436HP
- Uniden BCD536HP
The aim is simple: open the file, understand what is in it, make the changes you need, and save it again.
What It Does
X36Editor allows you to work directly with your scanner's configuration file. Depending on the configuration data contained in the file, you can use it to:
- Open and inspect
.HPDconfiguration files - View systems and their configuration
- View sites and frequencies
- View departments and channels
- Edit frequency and channel information
- Modify scanner configuration data
- Search through configuration data
- Make changes without having to work through a large programming interface
- Save the edited configuration back to an
.HPDfile, which can be read via the Uniden Sentinel Software, or copied directly to the SD card inisde the scanner.
The editor is particularly useful when you already have an existing configuration and simply want to make a few changes.
X36Editor is also useful as a learning tool. Instead of treating the HPD file as something that is completely hidden from the user, X36Editor makes the underlying configuration easier to see and understand.
This can be especially useful for radio enthusiasts who like to know exactly how their scanner is configured.
Free to use
One of the main goals of X36Editor is to keep it free. There is no subscription and no licence fee required to use the editor.
It is intended as an enthusiast-built alternative for people who want a straightforward way of working with their scanner configuration files.
What It Does Not
X36Editor is a configuration file editor. It is not intended to replace every function of Uniden's programming software or third-party scanner applications.
It does not:
- Program the scanner directly or communicate with the scanner over USB
- Replace Sentinel's firmware-update functionality
- Replace Sentinel's database-update functionality
- Download or maintain the Uniden RadioReference database
- Automatically determine which frequencies you should program
- Decode radio transmissions
- Control the scanner while it is operating or act as a scanner remote-control application
- Provide a complete alternative to every feature found in commercial scanner programming software
X36Editor works with the configuration file.
The basic workflow is therefore:
Scanner / Sentinel → HPD file → X36Editor → Edited HPD file → Scanner
It is important to understand this distinction.
X36Editor does not magically program the scanner itself. Instead, it gives you a convenient way to work with the configuration data that will ultimately be used by the scanner.
Why X36Editor?
There are already commercial applications available for programming Uniden scanners.
X36Editor takes a different approach. Rather than trying to become a complete replacement for every scanner programming application, it concentrates on one thing:
Making the configuration file easier to work with.
For an experienced scanner user, this can be much quicker than navigating through multiple screens just to make a small change.
For a new user, it also provides an opportunity to see how their scanner configuration is actually structured.
And because it is web-based, there is no large software package to install just to make a quick change to an HPD file.
Built by a scanner enthusiast
X36Editor is an enthusiast project, developed from real-world use of Uniden scanners and the same sort of configuration work that scanner users perform every day.
It is built for people who enjoy experimenting, searching, monitoring and maintaining their own radio systems.
Disclaimer
X36Editor is provided free of charge and without warranty.
It is an independent, enthusiast-developed tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by Uniden.
X36Editor is intended to edit and manage compatible scanner configuration files. Always keep a backup of your original files before making changes.
While every effort has been made to make X36Editor reliable, the author accepts no responsibility for loss, corruption, damage or unintended changes to configuration files, scanner settings or equipment resulting from its use.
