BCTool

[nyscan]

Anyone have any experience with the free programming software for Uniden scanners called BCTool. Info can be found here: www.bctool.org It is still in beta but seemed to work well on my BR330T.

[eagle_i_photos]

For the past few days I've been "messing" with my new outta the box BCT15 and have faced the challenge of figuring it out with much appreciated help from features of BCTools (version 17). My past experience with scanners is very limited. So far I've been successful in using BCTools to remotely operate the scanner via the computer screen and trackball and I've got it setup for automatic logging and audio recording to the computer hard drive. I have lots of experience with PC's so that part wasn't too tough.

I'm now at the point of needing to figure out the best way of programming local stuff instead of just listening to the built-in scan options ... hence my visit here to the forum.

Seems like when, in my youth, I wanted to try to make an educated vote. The more I studied and tried to learn the more questions came up and the more confused I got. I may have given up on overcoming the frustration of selecting the best candidate, but I'm not going to give up on this neat new scanner.

As for BCTools I LIKE what I see. I've subscribed to the group and am impressed by the effort of Rob, the fellow in the UK, who is developing it with the help of a crowd of enthusiastic and knowledgeable testers. It's not yet capable of programming trunking systems, but that is a feature planned for the future. I've become a premieum subscriber here for access to .cvs files, but have not yet committed my $$$ toward a commercial software application. I feel I need to learn more about the basics of programming so I can determine what'll be best for me.

I'll continue using BCTools for all the COOL features it now provides for FREE and if in the near future it offers a solution to help me with the complicated efforts of sensible programming I'll be more than happy to show my support for Rob's work.

[bonus1331]

Seems as if this software may put some commercial developers out of business. Seems to be getting some very good buzz. The developer is definitely listening to the scanner community.
However, 90% of what I monitor is trunked; so I may wait a couple of more weeks to try this out.

[eagle_i_photos]

After reading a flurry of posts over the weekend (in the bctool forum) about bug fixes and the release of a new beta (#18) I decided it might be a long a wait for trunking support.

Anxious to get my new BCT15 programmed I opted for ACT15PRO since I already established a RadioReference download account. While still in the demo version and knowing next to nothing about what I was doing I was successful at stumbling my way through activating both of the major trunking systems for my local area. Got everything including the dog catcher so ID editing and organizing will be in order ... BUT IT WORKS!

Having done a quick comparison of logging and recording features and virtual control of each program I have to say I still REALLY LIKE bctool and will continue to use it and will closely follow developments.

[keithmj]

BCTools is a nice program and at this time they are at Beta 23. I have been playing with it and like what I see and when it is done I know it will work with the BCT15 and the BC246T and others besides the scanners they created it for. It will also do trunking when done. It will be one of the better programs out there and for the price it will draw alot of attention from the scanning community..Try it. I also use ARC and Unidens software but BCTools will give them some competition..Cheers..Keithmj

[itopia]

I tested Beta 27 with my BCT-15.

Pros:
-Price

Cons:
- Couldn't rename groups on some systems for some reason. Tried it repeatedly but no change in the group name.
- No cut and paste feature for channels. You can only move channels between systems.
- Frequencies on some systems would come pop up in other systems after reading data from scanner.

I applaud the spirit of the bctool organization but Arc15 delivers solid performance for those who need the scanner programmed with ease and reliablity.

I have 10 systems programmed so the Arc15 demo software did the trick. Does it expire?

[bonus1331]

From monitoring the Yahoo group. He is far from done.
It's still in beta. He hasn't even tackled trunking yet.
Give it time.
I won't even download until trunking is completed.