Mac computer software

[spacenerd]

I am waiting for Bearcat's new BCD996T to hit the store shelves so I can pick one up.. I am also in the process of switching from a Pc to a Mac computer. I am wondering if there will be compatibility issues for scanner programming and control software.
Does anyone know about using scanner software on a Mac?
Spacenerd

[ka3jjz]

I would do the smart thing and hang on to the PC. Save the Mac for other apps. While there are a few packages around, the vast majority of the software out there is Windows - there is some tck/tl out there, to be sure, but it's vastly outnumbered.

I have not seen a Mac program for the newer protocols that the Unidens now use - I guess no one has tackled that particular problem as yet. When I mention 'newer protocols', I refer specifically to one of the first portables with Dynamic Memory Access - the SC230 - and all the other DMA radios that have followed to date. It would seem almost a certainty that the 996 will use this same architecture, so I'd be willing to bet that even newer protocols had to be developed to handle all the extra functions, including the GPS functionality. However, I would easily defer to UPMan on that score. 73s Mike

[crayon]

Originally Posted by spacenerd

I am also in the process of switching from a Pc to a Mac computer.

wow. If the reason why you are switching is "just because" .. you might want to hang onto your Windows PC for this type of thing.

Review the Software Wiki: http://wiki.radioreference.com/index...ntrol_Software

Since the Wiki is current, I doubt that you are going to find much else in the way of software for a Mac.

Good luck.

[crayon]

Sorry ka3jjz .. ya beat me!

[MacombMonitor]

Originally Posted by spacenerd

I am waiting for Bearcat's new BCD996T to hit the store shelves so I can pick one up.. I am also in the process of switching from a Pc to a Mac computer. I am wondering if there will be compatibility issues for scanner programming and control software.
Does anyone know about using scanner software on a Mac?
Spacenerd

If you really need to get a MAC, look into Virtual PC v 7 for OS X. I'm pretty certain that will support the Windows based Uniden software for the BCD996T. I would think there would be a few "RR" members already doing this. Maybe they'll come out of the closet!

[tfhphoto]

My main computer is a Macintosh and recently got (for free) a used PC that I use solely for programming radios as I was unable to come up with any Mac radio programming software.

However, with Apple's Boot Camp software you can now boot one of their new Intel chip machines into XP Pro. So, you can basically have your Mac, but boot it into XP whenever you desire.

Do a search on Apple's website for Boot Camp....

Best,
Tim
NØRHH

[spacenerd]

Thanks to all for the info. If any one is using Virtual Pc for the Mac I would be interested to know how well it works.
Spacenerd

[wa8pyr]

Originally Posted by MacombMonitor

If you really need to get a MAC, look into Virtual PC v 7 for OS X. I'm pretty certain that will support the Windows based Uniden software for the BCD996T. I would think there would be a few "RR" members already doing this. Maybe they'll come out of the closet!

I'm running VPC7 on a Mac G4 with OSX 10.4.6 and 2gb RAM. Works great, nice and smooth, and have got ARC396 and Scancat Lite Plus running just fine on it.

For some reason, however, Win96 will not run. All pieces are in the same directory (exe, dll, etc), but it just won't run.

Tom WA8PYR

[JeffNY]

Anyone have any new news on Uniden scanner software for Macs? I have a 296D I bought a few years ago and now want to play with again. If there is still no Mac software out there can someone suggest a good PC progam (that's not to expencive) for programming my 296D? And has a list of current frequencies?

I am mainly interested in picking up the trunk radio of my local fire dept in Rensselaer County NY.....Albany International Airport (and aircraft).......NYS Police.....Troy, NY Police (the most expencive police dept in NY).....maybe some other area police departments in my county, Albany county and Saratoga counties.....marine bands.......just basic stuff. I would just like to get that all in the 296D so I can tune in some things at home or on the car....the idea of manually entering all that does not excite me

Thanks,
Jeff

[ka3jjz]

Nothing I know of - if you still have your PC, there are many programs for the 296 - but probably the champs would be BuTel's ARC250 and Dave Hitchner's IDTracker. And for a list of current freqs, you should check the databases here, and likely NF2G's site.

There is a package called BearTKat which is written in TCL/TK for the 250, which is almost identical to the 296 protocol-wise. I don't know much about this software, as I haven't heard anyone using it.

73s Mike

[califzeph]

If you are getting a new Mac, invest $80 for Parallels Desktop for Mac. It let's you run Windows apps in a window from within OS X, without having to re-boot. You will have to own a copy of Windows install disks as well, you can get Win XP for about $50 on eBay.
Then you can throw your Windows PC away!

I have a new iMac (Intel-based) and iBook G4. I am glad I made the switch!

[JeffNY]

I'm actually a long time Mac user (since '85). I do have a version of Virtual PC running Windows '98 on an OS 9 Mac, my PowerBook actually, but it has no serial ports.....and I am unsure how using a RS232 to USB adapter on VPC will work?

But I do have access to access to a few PC's.

Question; can you buy a USB cable for the 296D or do you have to use a RS232 serial cable with a USB adapter?

Thanks!
Jeff