Mac+ BCD396XT

Brebuck · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 11:21 PM

This is probably a dumb question but is anyone aware of pending software that allows programming a Uniden bcd396xt using Mac OS X?

Thanks
Bill

ac7xc · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 12:22 AM

Hi am in the midst of writing a program for the X/XT line that will work across all platforms of computers, but I am still working on the programming of the radio part. The only thing I can suggest right now is to borrow a Windows machine and use Freescan to program your handheld scanner. Many local libraries or Kinkos allow you to use their Win machines. So you could consider that as a last resort.

Brebuck · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 09:00 AM

I'm looking forward to its release.
Regards
Bill

rvictor · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 06:39 PM

There are, of course, the programs that allow you to run Windows software on your Mac. I'm told that FreeScan works with some of them. I'd suggest that you check on the scannow.org forum to get specific info as to what worked for others.

Dick

N9JIG · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 08:15 PM

Building on Dick's post I have been running many different radio programs on my Macs using Bootcamp, Fusion and Parallels. Of course you need to spring for a copy of Windows and (in the case of Fusion or Parallels) the emulator program.

On my MacBook Pro I recently installed Bootcamp, then Windows. A little later I realized I had an extra license for Fusion I wasn't using and when I installed it I found that it recognized my Bootcamp installation of Windows and used that, saving me the hassle of reinstalling Windows.

I prefer Fusion over the others, it was easy to install and configure and allows me to swap stuff around between OS's while running Windows programs just fine. ARC-XT and FreeScan have both worked just fine in Fusion and Bootcamp, I have also used programs like Pro96Com and WIN96 among others on the Mac.

There have been some Linux builds of radio programs that work on Mac's but I haven't yet seen a direct OS-X application for the XT series.

Brebuck · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 10:32 PM

Sorry, I didn't give the entire story. I can run Windows w/BootCamp on my MacBook Pro and have used it successfully to program the scanner using FreeScan. It's just that I feel more "at home" in the Mac environment and since I have used Macs for more years than I care to admit, it would be nice to be able to use OS X for the scanner.

Thanks for the guidance.
Bill

PS I will look into Fusion in the near future.

oldsarge · #7 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac7xc

Hi am in the midst of writing a program for the X/XT line that will work across all platforms of computers, but I am still working on the programming of the radio part. The only thing I can suggest right now is to borrow a Windows machine and use Freescan to program your handheld scanner. Many local libraries or Kinkos allow you to use their Win machines. So you could consider that as a last resort.

When you are in need of Beta Testers, be sure to let us all know. There are a few Mac users here that are frustrated, but then I knew that when I bought my MAC. Forunately I have a great Windows Laptop (too big to be a notebook), with two hard drives, etc, that I have been using for programming my scanners.

Gasport · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 08:54 AM

Finally some MAC users....I still have several programs that are Windows only and use my old Dell for them, including ARC BCT8 and ARC 246. I have both Parallels and VMWare Fusion on an iMac and MacBook. I have never tried these programs there as I am relatively new on the MAC and have not yet determined how to create the virtual serial port. Could any of you MAC users tell me how you do it and what software / hardware you use to accomplish this.

I have the Uniden BCT8 and 246 so I am stuck with the serial communications.

Look forward to MAC software....

bep · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 10:23 AM

Freescan and BCTool work fine on my Mac using Windows XP and Parallels.

Gasport · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bep

Freescan and BCTool work fine on my Mac using Windows XP and Parallels.

These do not work with the BCT8. Do you know of any free ones that do?

Brebuck · #11 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 10:29 PM

[QUOTE=Gasport;1180365]Finally some MAC users....I still have several programs that are Windows only and use my old Dell for them, including ARC BCT8 and ARC 246. I have both Parallels and VMWare Fusion on an iMac and MacBook. I have never tried these programs there as I am relatively new on the MAC and have not yet determined how to create the virtual serial port. Could any of you MAC users tell me how you do it and what software / hardware you use to accomplish this.

I may be misinterpreting your question but I programmed my scanner using the USB scannermaster cable and did not create a virtual serial port.
Regards
Bill R

crevatis · #12 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 03:38 PM

Mac users be aware that the Prolific drivers for USB to serial adapters do not work in 10.6 on 64bit macs (Intel Core 2). You shouldn't have any problems with Parallels and I'm guessing VMWare as these should use the Windows drivers to access the peripheral. 64 bit Vista had similar issues, but Prolific now has an update for it and it work fine now. Hopefully they update the drivers for the mac as well soon.

mrkelso · #13 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 04:10 PM

FreeScan running inside a Parrellels Virtual window on My IMAC on XP

Brebuck · #14 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 10:50 PM

Yikes, I don't have a clue what I'm looking at but it looks awesome. Much more research needed at my end.

TPD1263 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 08:00 PM

I too use Parallels on a MBP 13", however, I use "Coherence Mode" so it's seemless... and you keep that Mac environment.