Uniden BCD 996T V1_04_12

[greggk]

Greetings. I have had my Uniden BCD 996T since they first came out. Sadly, I have not kept abreast of updates and firmware changes over the years. In fact, I just did not know they were available. My scanner software is very outdated, plus the local police and fire here in Palatine, Illinois are rebanding. I have read everything I could get my hands on, but still it reads like Greek to me.

My first step was to download software from Uniden. One file went okay. The second file, mentioned in the title, comes with a .SCN extension. My computer says it does not recognize such extension.


Since this is the first problem I have come across, can anyone help me with this matter?

Thanks.

Greg

[davidmc36]

Originally Posted by greggk

Greetings. I have had my Uniden BCD 996T since they first came out. Sadly, I have not kept abreast of updates and firmware changes over the years. In fact, I just did not know they were available. My scanner software is very outdated, plus the local police and fire here in Palatine, Illinois are rebanding. I have read everything I could get my hands on, but still it reads like Greek to me.

My first step was to download software from Uniden. One file went okay. The second file, mentioned in the title, comes with a .SCN extension. My computer says it does not recognize such extension.


Since this is the first problem I have come across, can anyone help me with this matter?

Thanks.

Greg

Don't try to open the .scn file, just make sure you take note of where it is located. I assume the first file you downloaded was the Update Program installer. Once that is installed, make sure your scanner is communicating with your computer on an available comm port (one way you can do this is run the free UASD software and confirm that your computer is communicting with your scanner, then shut that program down) and then run the updater program. At some point it will ask for the new firmware file, that is the .scn file and you will need to point the updater program to where it is. Be sure to follow all steps exactly as it tells you in the realease notes and while the updater program is running. Take NO shortcuts. Read ALL the release notes, they are your instructions on how to do the updates and what the updates will do for you.

[greggk]

Thanks David. That answered my question. It appears I will have to buy a cable also, as my new computer does not have the proper serial port in the rear. I have printed out all the instructions from Uniden, yet they are still quite intimidating to me. I'll take it one step at a time, and my next step is buying the cable.

Again, THANKS

Greg

[abbydabby]

greg my name is keith i just downloaded the latest softwear from uniden berfor i talked to uniden they told to be sure to click on need the reg key the customer service guy says to have this key will stop you from having down load issues i don:t know if this will help you with this issue or not i have a issue maybe you will help me with i have been working with scanners for 30 years but have never used a computer to program one with i am not scanner stupid just computer stupid i have a bcd996t i have the radioreference sub and the latest uniden download i just don"t know how to connect and make it work any suggestions scannerdad1951@yahoo.com thanks

[davidmc36]

Originally Posted by greggk

Thanks David. That answered my question. It appears I will have to buy a cable also, as my new computer does not have the proper serial port in the rear. I have printed out all the instructions from Uniden, yet they are still quite intimidating to me. I'll take it one step at a time, and my next step is buying the cable.

Again, THANKS

Greg

This is Unidens "Official" adapter cable.

Uniden | A World Without Wires

There are many other sources available for adapters that work also, some for as little as 5 beans. The important thing no matter what one you get is be sure and get the drivers that match the HARDWARE and your OPERATING SYSTEM. And be sure and install drivers BEFORE you plug in the adapter or windows will install generic ones that may not work and could cause all types of headaches.

The instructions can look intimidating at first but are not that bad if followed faithfully. It's not a race either. The program and the scanner will wait for you to make the next step so you can carefully read as you go and do each thing right.

Once you do the first update and get your checksum from the scanner and enter it on the website there will be another update available with all the instructions and files neccessary to continue.

[greggk]

I appreciate everyone's help. AbbyDabby, I cannot help you as I have never programmed my scanner with software and the computer. There are plenty of experts here that can and will help you. I have always enjoyed the manual programming anyhow...whats more fun than a scanner, a cup of coffee, and pages of frequencies??

Again,thanks.

Greg

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by davidmc36

Don't try to open the .scn file, just make sure you take note of where it is located. I assume the first file you downloaded was the Update Program installer. Once that is installed, make sure your scanner is communicating with your computer on an available comm port (one way you can do this is run the free UASD software and confirm that your computer is communicting with your scanner, then shut that program down) and then run the updater program. At some point it will ask for the new firmware file, that is the .scn file and you will need to point the updater program to where it is. Be sure to follow all steps exactly as it tells you in the realease notes and while the updater program is running. Take NO shortcuts. Read ALL the release notes, they are your instructions on how to do the updates and what the updates will do for you.

This seems to be the problem i'm having updating the firmware. I have a new laptop running Windows Vista 64 bit. I have the UASD Installer downloaded, latest firmware downloaded, USB cable, and just need the final step. When I was running Windows XP, I was able to open up the Installer and the files came up. All I had to do was highlight it, then opened it and was able to download it to the scanner. For some reason, my SCN file can't be found on the Vista system.

[rvictor]

Originally Posted by werinshades

This seems to be the problem i'm having updating the firmware. I have a new laptop running Windows Vista 64 bit. I have the UASD Installer downloaded, latest firmware downloaded, USB cable, and just need the final step. When I was running Windows XP, I was able to open up the Installer and the files came up. All I had to do was highlight it, then opened it and was able to download it to the scanner. For some reason, my SCN file can't be found on the Vista system.

You could do a search for where you saved the SCN file, but the easier approach I think is to download it again and this time put the downloaded file on the desktop. That should make it easy to find when you need to do so.

Dick

[ka3jjz]

Actually I have found a better solution, and of course YMMV - put the .scn file in the same directory as the VUP program. I think that's where it looks first for it anyway. It makes it very easy to find the .scn file when you need it 73 Mike