Scanner to computer

[homerjay]

Hello all. I have a Uniden BC785D and I was looking to hook it up to my computer. I wasnted to run Trunk88, and some ctcss tone decoders. I have a discriminator tap being installed as we speak.

I am however unsure how to connect it to my computer/laptop. I've read something about needing something called a slicer? I thought all I would need is a cable running from my tap so my sound card in.

Any ideas? Thanks

[spooney]

Are you just looking to operate the scanner using your computer or also wanting to run data channel programs??

[homerjay]

Sorry, no I currently have no problems operating the scanner using the computer. I was looking to run data channel programs as well. Thanks

[ka3jjz]

homer, it depends entirely on the software you are trying to run. If you're trying to use Trunk88, Trunker or any of these types of software, then a Data Slicer is required. Also called a level converter, this takes the signal coming from the discriminator tap and changes it to a RS232 level. There are a few commercially built versions as well as the homebrew schematics as shown on the link above (look at the bottom of the article).

What you may be thinking of is UniTrunker - this is a Windows based app that reads the control channel of several different protocols, and yes, it only requires a good clean tap signal which would go to your line in (or mic in - every laptop seems to be setup differently). That software, along with numerous other data decoders can be found linked here (note: anything in blue is a hyperlink...)

If you have further questions about these, we have a dedicated forum for Trunker/Etrunker/T4Win which covers UniTrunker and a great many related topics, such as this one. 73s Mike

[williams63]

I highly recommend Uni Trunker, with teh tap in place , and a line into yer sound card...yer in bizz my friend , Uni Trunker is free...and IMHO , is simply the best I have yet to use!

Give it a try, and the price for Uni Trunker is right

Thx Rick!!

[slicerwizard]

Originally Posted by homerjay

Hello all. I have a Uniden BC785D and I was looking to hook it up to my computer. I wasnted to run Trunk88, and some ctcss tone decoders. I have a discriminator tap being installed as we speak.

It all depends on the requirements of the decoding software. The DOS version of TRUNK88 requires either a data slicer connected to a serial port or an audio cable connected to a true SoundBlaster-compatible audio card (a rarity these days). The Win32 version of TRUNK88 (not released yet) should work with most Windows-compatible sound cards.

I imagine that any CTCSS decoding software you're looking at is Windows-based and just requires an audio cable to a sound card.