BCD325P2/BCD996P2: 996P2 Programming via Serial Port?

[HappilyRetired]

I purchased two Uniden 996P2s to go along with older 785XLT's. As I'm sure most of you know, the XLT's program using the rear 9-pin serial connector. The 996P2 however has what is it a micro C USB connector on the front but then a port on the back for a remote or GPS. I don't read anywhere in the manual where it tells how to physically attach the scanner to a computer for programming. Can the 9-pin serial port be used to program the 996P2? My intention was to leave it connected all the time so it could be remote controlled using ProScan. I got old eyes that I got to tell you the printed in the manual for the 996P2 is small!

Searching the internet I did find that I'm going to have to install a driver for USB but I don't see that in the manual either. Am I missing something? I was again planning on leaving the programming cable connected all the time which is why I previously asked about using a USB to serial port hub by Startech. I am using Windows 7 on an unused PC but I can upgrade it to Windows 10 if I need to.

I checked the PC and it actually does have one serial port on it but I have not been able to find a device that will take one serial port and turn it into 8. I was going to use a USB to serial Port hub.

 

[buddrousa]

You can use the 9 pin port on the 996p2 for programming but still have to use the front USB port to update firmware if I remember correctly.
The baud rate has to match.

 

[doctordialtone]

To keep it simple, I use the front port on the 996p2 to the USB on my laptop.

 

[tvengr]

You can use the rear serial port for programming, but you need to use a null modem cable or adapter. As stated earlier, you can update firmware only from the front USB port. Here is a link giving you the USB driver and the instructions to install it: BCD996P2 < UnidenMan4 < TWiki The USB port on the BCD996P2 is a mini, not a micro.

 

[HappilyRetired]

Thank you very much for your help. Is this the cable you are referring to? The reason I ask is because on the 780XLT it's I think what they call a straight through serial cable. I want to make sure I do this right.

6 Foot DB9 9 Pin Serial Port Null Modem Cable Male / Female RS232 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026KE4CM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_6Z434RQKABQJ0YMZNJSA

 

[tvengr]

Do you have a nine pin serial port on your computer? Newer computers no longer have them. If you have only USB ports, you will also need a USB to serial adapter. The cable you linked to has male and female connectors. You will need a reverser to change the male cable end to female. Here is the USB to serial adapter I use: Amazon.com: Insignia 1.3' USB-to-RS-232 (DB9) PDA/Serial Adapter Cable, Model: NS-PU99501, Black : Electronics It will be a lot easier and less expensive to install the USB driver and use the front USB port,

 

[HappilyRetired]

Do you have a nine pin serial port on your computer? ... The cable you linked to has male and female connectors. You will need a reverser to change the male cable end to female.

Thank you for your help. The first problem I have is my wife who's been watching the quantity of my radios grow like rabbits humping.

As I wrote in my first post, I have a Serial Port on the PC. The Amazon item I linked to is a null modem serial port cable.

6 Foot DB9 9 Pin Serial Port Null Modem Cable Male / Female RS232 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026KE4CM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_NQPYPT961JW07K32JJ5N

With this written, the problem I face now is that my plan was to use an RS-232 Hub because I have four scanners that I wish to stream that I would like to have remote control over using ProScan. Three of them are 785XLT's that use a Serial cable. I am told I should still be able to do that but the problem is that it is a USB to RS-232 Hub. That means loading a driver. From what I have read every time the computer reboots you run the risk of a different driver being loaded than the one that you need/want.

Although this is an older computer with Windows 7 that I hadn't planned on upgrading but will if I have to, I have devices on it and every one of them seems to have a different USB driver. I'm not a computer whiz but I don't think I don't like USB. I need a plan B.

 

[tvengr]

If that is the case, the null modem cable will work. The BCD996P2 has a male 9 pin connector. I assume your 9 pin serial output is also a male. If so, you will need the reverser so that both ends of the cable are female.

 

[HappilyRetired]

If that is the case, the null modem cable will work. The BCD996P2 has a male 9 pin connector. I assume your 9 pin serial output is also a male. If so, you will need the reverser so that both ends of the cable are female.

Thank you again for your reply.

I had to take a look at a 785 and the 996 before I noted that the 785 has a female serial port compared to a 996 that has a male serial port. That caused confusion. I still don't need a gender changer. Amazon has the appropriate female to female null modem cable. I think I got it now. Different scanners, different connectors. This means the RS-232 Hub I was looking at may not work since I have three 785's and one 996P2 unless I can use a male / female null modem cable on one port. My ham radio Elmer tells me the only difference between a regular serial cable and a null modem cable is that the null modem cable criss-crosses the transmit and the receive.



StarTech.com 10' RS232 Serial Null Modem Cable - Null modem cable - DB-9 (F) to DB-9 (F) - 10 ft - SCNM9FF,Gray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006B8B...abc_F4AFV820FFWB0P7KMRDH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[tvengr]

My BC796D has a female 9 pin connector and uses a standard cable. What firmware version do you have in your scanner? To find out do this: Press MENU > Scroll 1 click to the left to Settings and Press E > Scroll 1 click to the left to See Scanner Info and press E > Scroll to Firmware Version and press E. ---- Press SCAN/SEARCH twice to exit menus. You will still need to install the USB driver to update firmware using the front panel USB port,

 

[tumegpc]

This is what I use, no special connections. Works with 996XT, 996P2, and 536HP using the rear serial port.
Works perfectly with ProScan too.

Amazon.com

 

[tvengr]

This is what I use, no special connections. Works with 996XT, 996P2, and 536HP using the rear serial port.
Works perfectly with ProScan too.

OP is using a 9 pin serial port. Your cable is for a USB port.

 

[W1KNE]

OP is using a 9 pin serial port. Your cable is for a USB port.

It is a null modem USB to Serial port, the PC will just detect it as another Comm port. There would be no issue with using both. Back when I had multiple serial devices that's how I got around. USB hub for the 785s and the single cable tume suggested for the 996, should be no issue.

 

[tvengr]

This is what I use, no special connections. Works with 996XT, 996P2, and 536HP using the rear serial port.
Works perfectly with ProScan too.
https://www.amazon.com/USB-Serial-A...008634VJY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

It is a null modem USB to Serial port, the PC will just detect it as another Comm port. There would be no issue with using both. Back when I had multiple serial devices that's how I got around. USB hub for the 785s and the single cable tume suggested for the 996, should be no issue.

It sounds like the OP wants to use the serial port on his computer, not the USB port. I agree that tumegpc's cable will work. We'll have to let the OP decide which route to take.

 

[HappilyRetired]

It sounds like the OP wants to use the serial port on his computer, not the USB port. I agree that tumegpc's cable will work. We'll have to let the OP decide which route to take.

Not quite. I want to use a USB to 8-port serial hub. I know enough at this point to just be dangerous. If you see smoke call Cal Fire.

1. I want to be able to expand up to 8 scanners if I choose to and that's why I'm looking at an 8-port hub. It is a USB <> Serial. The 785's take a straight through serial cable and the 996 takes a null modem cable. I think I said that right.

2. Although you guys know this better than I do, the research I've done so far suggests that when the computer starts up it may move the USB assignments around. So what I set up for scanner #1 may become scanner #4 and you know figure a bunch of different things that could happen.

So, I want to go back to point #1. Using a single USB to an 8-port serial hub. Off of that hub from what I have gathered from you gentlemen is that I can run up to 8 null modem cables. I don't think I'm going to run 8 but the price point for the 8-port Hub is cheaper than for the 4-port Hub.