John, FreeScan will work just fine -- we have its user manual in our wiki, linked below (blue text is a link)...
FreeScan User Guide - The RadioReference Wiki
However, before you jump in, it's best to understand what you are getting into first. The first thing to realize is that these newer scanners take a bit of study. You really can't just jump in. There are many new concepts to learn (and if you say, what about the new RS/GRE models, I'd say exactly the same thing). To that end, our wiki has a FAQ which should prove pretty helpful. Go to the blue toolbar under the logo and float your mouse over
Wiki then click on
FAQs. Click on the
Uniden DMA FAQ and start reading. At the bottom of the article are many links to the Easier to Read manuals. Although there isn't one for the 396XT, there is one for the 396 (which is the older model), and that's going to be helpful. If you understand that, it's a pretty short jump to the XT models.
Now back to the software - most PCs don't have serial ports, but they do have USB ports. You will need a USB-serial converter - Uniden sells their USB-1 model, and Scanner Master has it, along with drivers. Note that some folks have found the Uniden drivers not to work very well - the FreeScan website has the more up-to-date Prolific drivers you can download. There are, of course, others, and since I am lucky enough to have serial ports, I will let others comment on which USB devices seem to work well for them.
The user guide has several comments about USB devices (see the 'Making the Connection' article). Read it carefully - it's very important to get the steps in exactly the right order. In sum, you would install the drivers, then connect your USB device and cable. Go to Device Manager to make sure the COM port the drivers allocated is available.
Finally you have many routes to get data. One way is to purchase a premium subscription and download data into FreeScan. In that same toolbar, slide over to the right and float over
About, then click on the appropriate link. In addition, FreeScan can import ARC (BuTel software) and UASD (Uniden's Advanced System Director) files directly. I don't live in Montgomery, but can probably slap a Montgomery file together pretty quickly (I have the 396T) if no one here offers you one.
That should about do it for now. Be more specific about what you want to hear in Montgomery and that'll help folks who may have file(s) you can use.
73 Mike
Help getting 396XT setup
Linear Mode
