BCD396T/BC996T: BCD996T Firmware vs Registration trouble.

[F6twistersrwindy]

I am trying to update my brothers 996t. It currently has firmware version 1.03.11
I followed the instructions on the Uniden website for upgrading firmware. I tried using the downloaded BC_VUP program. After trying to run the .scn file it says because the current firmware is so old its concidered a major update, I need the scanner reg key....so I tried registering the scanner but it does not have the Esn checksum number listed under the esn. So I have to update to version 1.04.12 but the BC_VUP program still says I need a registration key to upgrade 🙄 I tried both BC_VUPv2.0.0.3 and BC_VUPv2.0.0.7.
I have to upgrade the firmware in order to register the scanner to upgrade the firmware 😭

 

[cg]

It has been so many years that I am not 100% sure but I think the ESN part came about after the scanner was released. You may need to do this page install first:

Uniden | A World Without Wires

Then you should be able to find the newly created ESN in the radio

chris

 

[kc2asb]

Is your brother experiencing any problems with the radio? FWIW, I've owned my 996T since 2007/2008 and never upgraded the firmware. I took it out of the box, read the manual, and got to programming it. Never had any issues with the radio. Just something to consider before you spend too much time on this.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

No he's not. Have you updated your programming to current data without conflict?

 

[kc2asb]

No he's not. Have you updated your programming to current data without conflict?

I never connected mine to a computer, believe it or not. I did all the programming manually. Once I upgraded to a 536HP, the 996T was just used for my local PD/FD which was Mot Phase 1.

Since my local PD/FD encrypted a few years ago, I now use the 996T only for marine, aircraft, etc.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

It has been so many years that I am not 100% sure but I think the ESN part came about after the scanner was released. You may need to do this page install first:

Uniden | A World Without Wires

Then you should be able to find the newly created ESN in the radio

chris

Thank you Chris. I believe thats the same page I attached in the photos?

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

I never connected mine to a computer, believe it or not. I did all the programming manually. Since my local PD/FD encrypted, I use the 996T only for marine, aircraft, etc.

Ok. I saved the original programming thats in it now just in case. I'll go ahead & update & see how it works.
Thank you 😀

 

[GILLIG40]

Uniden 996T Key

Registered a new to me 996T today on the Uniden site to do the upgrades, but when I hit the Get key or what it is the site fails. Has anyone else come across this or know what steps to take?

forums.radioreference.com

You might want to take a look at this.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

Uniden 996T Key

Registered a new to me 996T today on the Uniden site to do the upgrades, but when I hit the Get key or what it is the site fails. Has anyone else come across this or know what steps to take?

forums.radioreference.com

You might want to take a look at this.

Ohh boy. So I may not be able to update the firmware at all. They even contacted Uniden & were told No updates can be applied to this discontinued scanner. I'll just update the database & if it dont work right I'll break the news he needs to upgrade his scanner too.
Thanks again GilliG40 🙂

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

I went ahead and programmed scanner. Its working as scanning goes but the display does not show the clock, squelch or volume 🤔 I reset to his original program and it doesnt show then either. Any ideas?

 

[cg]

There is not a clock on the 996T. The Squelch and volume only show when they are being changed.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

Oh. Ok but volume & squelch dont show up even when being changed.

 

[kc2asb]

Oh. Ok but volume & squelch dont show up even when being changed.

Just checked - the volume & squelch do not show on mine when being changed either. I think that is normal.

 

[dave3825]

They even contacted Uniden & were told No updates can be applied to this discontinued scanner.

Calling uniden is pointless because the people answering the support lines are clueless. Someone called last year and was told Uniden does not sell dmr, nxdn or provide upgrades and could only get them via 3rd party, even though Uniden does sell them, and has the cheapest price.

Many stories on here highlighting Unidens lack of proper or even helpful customer service.

While I don’t have that scanner or know its process for firmware, if it can be done, someone will chime in.

 

[cg]

That's odd, on my 996T, I get V=xx or S=xx in upper right corner as I turn those respective knobs. Firmware 3.02.00

 

[kc2asb]

That's odd, on my 996T, I get V=xx or S=xx in upper right corner as I turn those respective knobs. Firmware 3.02.00

I just checked mine again and those indicators are not there. I purchased mine in either 2007 or 2008 and it's still running with whatever firmware version it came with from the factory.

 

[cg]

A bit more searching found a blog post by UPMAN with a how-to for updating the radio. As he was the Uniden tech whiz prior to his death, I would say this would be the best info found.. I think it is the same process described on the WIKI but in a slightly different presentation.

UPMan's UPDate

His post here stirred my memory of why the ESN was created, a prelude to those paid updates that were in the future.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

That's odd, on my 996T, I get V=xx or S=xx in upper right corner as I turn those respective knobs. Firmware 3.02.00

My 996t does also as I have updated firmware on that one.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

A bit more searching found a blog post by UPMAN with a how-to for updating the radio. As he was the Uniden tech whiz prior to his death, I would say this would be the best info found.. I think it is the same process described on the WIKI but in a slightly different presentation.

UPMan's UPDate

His post here stirred my memory of why the ESN was created, a prelude to those paid updates that were in the future.

I can't get a ESN checksum number.

 

[Ronaldski]

Squelch/volume indicators were added in firmware 2.0
See https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD996TFirmwareUpdate

To me the registration serial#'s was likely so infinitesimal of the web page just seems no reason to remove it.