Newbe here-bcd396t on the way

[ko57]

Hello all, I'm new to scanning, from s.e. Louisiana (Lafourche parish) my first post is in the Louisiana forum. Thanks to this forum for all the information here, I've been reading through the posts for the last week or so, and will subscribe. I ordered the bcd396t from Amazon today, hopefully it will be in by Friday-my orders usually arrive fast, within 2-3 days. I did download/install the free software from Uniden to my laptop.

My question is this: if the scanner has a usb port on the scanner, why not just plug in a usb from the scanner with the other end being usb connector to my laptop to setup programing? I have a standard size usb/usb connector, and 2 others, one end being very small and the other end is standard, mp3 player and camera cables.

I do have a serial port on my desktop computer but I don't really use that pc for the internet. I'd have to copy everything to cd then install on the desktop. I guess I can get the serial to usb cable at walmart or radio shack if mine doesn't work...

I'm excited and can't wait to get it, start learning about setting it up and using it. I'll see how the antenna does for my area, I'd read about radio shack's 800mhz antenna, but I also read about the Watson super gainer antennas, the fiberglass and telescopic 18" models at http://www.wsplc.com/acatalog/Watson_Handheld_Antennas.html . I live right next door to a firestation, and it seems the local pd has been pretty busy lately...

Regards,
ko

 

[floydpink999999]

Congrats on your purchase. You will be very pleased with the 396!

The scanner does NOT have a USB port, it has a 4-pin mini jack. The cable supplied is a 4-pin mini-to-Serial. you will need a USB-to-Serial adapter. Some people have found it on ebay for approx. $7 including shipping recently.

[http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...oc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget]

Good luck!

 

[Raven95150]

First, good luck with the 396. It is a bit tricky to figure out at first, especailly if you are new to scanners but once you get it down you should be very happy with it. I have had mine for about 6 months now and I love it.

I would suggest getting Butel's ARC396 or ARC396PRO software. It is not free like Uniden's but it works much better. It is well worth the money.

About the USB cable...The scanner does not have a USB plug on it, it has a special plug that looks similar to a mini USB plug, but it is different. The MP3 and camera cables will not work with the scanner. The cord that comes with the scanner has a serial plug to plug into your computer. If you wish to use it with USB, you need to either get a USB-serial adapter or order the USB scanner cable from Uniden.

As far as antennas, I use Radio Shack's 800mhz antenna, and it works quite well.

 

[Raven95150]

Some people have found it on ebay for approx. $7 including shipping recently.

[http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...oc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget]

Unless you like waiting a long time, I would stay away from those ebay cables. I bought one and by the time it got shipped overseas and cleared customs, it took nearly 2 months to get to me. I actually gave up on it thinking I wasnt going to recieve it so I bought one at Circuit City. I then recieved it a few days later...lol.

 

[ko57]

Thanks Anabella,

I thought I've seen some serial to usb adapters at Wal, perhaps Radio Shack has them, do they all have driver cds?? That ebay link's price is very inexpensive! I believe I will enjoy using and learning how to use this scanner very much.

I'm also thinking about getting the leather case to protect it, I do use a protector for my palm display so have that covered. Don't have it yet and I'm already running an accessory list up...

Thanks Raven,

Sounds like the RS antenna is pretty good. One question, lets say I try programming with the free software, but then go ahead and get the Arc/Butel software (I'm reading it is very fast & easy), would it erase anything I might program into the scanner? Does it leave in the original frequencies already programmed in the unit? I can see that I'll get no sleep once it comes in...

Kerry

 

[floydpink999999]

For your info, there is a very active Yahoo! discussion group on this scanner, with an extensive message archive that will certainly be most useful to you.

The Yahoo! group is "BCD396T", I highly recommend it.

You should also check for RR and Yahoo! groups dealing with scanning issues and frequencies for your local area, this will be of great help in programming local frequencies.

The adapter drivers, if needed, are usually included on a CD with the adapter.

Please note that I have not dealt with this eBay store personally, but I was giving you the link where a user had just recently purchased the adapter for $7 (including shipping) and was happy with it.

Check in the Yahoo! group I just gave you for message # 21444 to read more on this.

Hope you receive it soon so you can start enjoying this most awesome piece of scanning technology.

 

[floydpink999999]

The software is your choice. Some will tell you to buy Butel, Some will tell you to use free Uniden.

You said you have already installed Uniden, try the free demo from Butel and decide for yourself. Personally, I have both but I now regret having bought Butel, Uniden does everything I need for free and IMO, is a lot more user-friendly to use..

Everyone has a different opinion, only YOU will know what to use.

Your choice...

 

[ko57]

I had joined the 396 yahoo group a few days ago, the yahoo groups are very helpful, I also go through the google groups, rec scan and alt scan. I'll try Uniden's-it's free, I've ordered something from China before, the seller was very nice-we emailed, item came in quick, too. Selling for .99c and 4,95 shipping, beats $29 at RS, another dealer has it for app $13+shpping. I got this laptop from Circuit City, good that they have them, I don't know if the RS down here does, our WalMart doesn't carry them anymore (called earlier).

I'm glad to hear from both of you, glad to hear you are enjoying your scanners. I'll post once I get it in, perhaps I'll enter some local frequencies manually to get started. Meanwhile I'll charge up some batteries.

ko
Thanks for that message #.

 

[W5TWX]

I use the free one from Uniden and it works fine for. It took some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy. I bought the Uniden USB-1 cable when I bought my 396T. I think it was worth the price I paid.

Good luck and if you need any assistance, just ask. There's plenty of people on here that are willing to help you out. Myself included. You can find me on the TEXAS side of this forum.

 

[ko57]

Thank you, I will keep you in mind.

Regards,
ko

 

[ka3jjz]

ko, we have an extensive Wiki article on the 396 here (just click on the blue text). There are 2 links I would refer you to get you started - the Easier to Read manual and Paul Optiz's article. They will start giving you a heads up on getting your 396 set up and most importantly, how to use the new DMA memory structure.

73s and GL Mike

 

[ko57]

Thanks Mike, that sounds good, will definitely go through the easier to read manual. I do have the pdf downloaded, did look through it a bit.
Regards,
Kerry

 

[W5TWX]

Here's a pretty good site for easier programming of the 396T. Be sure and check this one out. This site helped me a lot more than the crazy owners manual that they send you with the scanner. In the Uniden manual, you have to read way ahead and then revert back to figure things out. It drove me nuts!!!

http://myweb.cableone.net/marksscanners/330/330test.html

 

[ko57]

"Because so many people were having problems registering or downloading the updates they are also posted in the 'Files>Firmware' sections of the BR330T Yahoo Group and the BCD396T Yahoo Group. Note: The new updater version (BC_VUP_v1.5.2.1.exe) won't fit in the 'files' section but the old updater (BC_VUP_v1.5.0.1.exe) should still work."

I noticed a post about the old updater, someone wanted to keep that one. Does the older one have less trouble or something? Are most people using the newer updater??

Thanks,

ko