ARC396 - Is there something better?

oritpro · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2006, 12:48 AM

This is one quirky piece of software. There has got to be something better out there for the 396 other than ARC and the freebie from Uniden.

Any suggestions?

MacombMonitor · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2006, 12:51 AM

If you set up a Linux box, you could use this:

http://www.fullhilt.com/~toms/bcd396t/

ka3jjz · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2006, 06:13 AM

We have all the packages known to support the 396 documented on the Wiki;

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BCD396T

The Scannerbase software is not set up for programming (control and logging is where it's strongest) but I understand it works pretty well. There are a couple of programming only packages (Scan Control and Scancat Lite Plus - which I don't think completely supports all the functions of the 396) and RadioCtl (an older freeware package that only just recently added 396 support - how well it does that I don't know).

FYI - the folks at Scan Control are working on the protocols for control/logging for all the DMA radios at the moment. Undoubtedly they've run into some snags, but hopefully it will be released soon. 73s Mike

Al42 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacombMonitor

If you set up a Linux box, you could use this:

http://www.fullhilt.com/~toms/bcd396t/

This should work on just about any computer. Tcl is available for the Mac and for Windows. (Sorry, all you Commodore 64 users.)

hotdjdave · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2006, 11:38 PM

Butel ARC396 seems to be the best for now. I think all scanner interface software is "quirky." It should act more like Windows.

Al42 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotdjdave

I think all scanner interface software is "quirky." It should act more like Windows.

You mean crash once a day?

DaveNF2G · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 11:19 PM

I thought acting quirky was the definition of Windows. :-)

hotdjdave · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al42

You mean crash once a day?

If that is all it did, then it would be better than the alternative.

hotdjdave · #9 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 12:05 AM

See this video on why Mac is so easy to use.

oritpro · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2006, 04:46 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I kinda miss the TalkPCR software that I had purchased for a now long-gone PCR1000. Too bad the author doesn't make a version for the 396.

I do have programming experience and spent a day experimenting with the 396 control codes via Hyperterminal, however, a serious lack of time prevents me from coding something better.

Maybe an Open Source Project could be the answer?

ARC396 has potential, it just needs to be better implemented.

Butelsoftware · #11 (**permalink**) 05-13-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oritpro

ARC396 has potential, it just needs to be better implemented.

We always welcome suggestions that will further improve our software products, so your suggestions/feedback are appreciated, we also run a dedicated ARC396 discussion/support group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arc396/join

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

hotdjdave · #12 (**permalink**) 05-13-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotdjdave

I think all scanner interface software is "quirky." It should act more like Windows.

In regards to right click, left click, menus, etc.

As far as the best software, as of right now, Butel's ARC396 Pro seems to be the best software available for the BCD396T.

mike_s104 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-20-2006, 12:50 AM

I use the ARC396 software all the time and I love it. I did have a few issues once I updated my scanner to the latest version of firmware. I not get connection errors during sending data and lose the changes I made to the systems and have had a few systems get corrupted. BUT...I think the errors were from me doing a lot of changes and a few times stopping the reading of the scanner systems in the middle of it. I have just learned to save the systems every time I make a few changes and to back up the system files.

the new beta version of the software works well too and the RR import features are a lot better now.

if it crashes daily, maybe check what other software is running and do some general system clean-up like a defrag.

Al42 · #14 (**permalink**) 05-20-2006, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotdjdave

As far as the best software, as of right now, Butel's ARC396 Pro seems to be the best software available for the BCD396T.

I like Butel's ability to download from the site's database, but I prefer the UASD file format. Much easier to edit manually.

Go-24 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 01:12 PM

With ARC246 I could connect to the database and download conventional frequencies, having just got ARC396 "PRO" and I dont see the link to do that.

Butelsoftware · #16 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 02:20 PM

ARC396 1.050 BETA also imports conv. frequencies.

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

Go-24 · #17 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 02:32 PM

ahhh for some reason I have 1.042 PRO, hopefully upgrades are free.

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Got it loaded - thanks!