The Confusion Over The Uniden Serail Connector (R)

[WA1LMC]

WISH LIST

Sionce I bought it, my 996P2 always presented a problem inserting the programming cable into the front port. If it was not aligned exactly correct, it would not insert. It would be a great heal for all this scanner does, if Uniden made it possible to program and monitor the scanner from the rear RS232 DB9 connector.

My 996P2 now has a damaged front commentator and I am going to try a USB to Serial adaptor and a null modem cable to see if it is infact possible to program from the GPS/REMOTE DB9 RS232 on the back.

I got three of them in a desk top rack and they look nice except that blasted programming cable sticking out of the front. I operate virtual control on all three.

The front port is flimsy and Uniden could do much better.

 

[jonwienke]

Sionce I bought it, my 996P2 always presented a problem inserting the programming cable into the front port. If it was not aligned exactly correct, it would not insert.

That's the case for almost any cable, USB or otherwise.

It would be a great heal for all this scanner does, if Uniden made it possible to program and monitor the scanner from the rear RS232 DB9 connector.

You can remote control the scanner from the rear port (that's why it's labeled GPS/REMOTE), but firmware updates and such must be done with the front port. The front port allows a much faster data transfer rate than the rear port--USB is much faster than RS-232.

 

[N9JIG]

ScannerMaster sells a USB-1 modified with a DB9 to work on the back port, I use one on my 996P2 with ProScan and it works great. (Works with the 996T, 996XT, BCT15 and BCT15X as well).

While the cable is pretty expensive ($50) it works great. You could modify an existing USB-1 if you want.

You should be able to program with it and it certainly works for control but like Jon mentioned I would use the front jack for firmware. I have never tried to do a firmware update with the rear jack and don't want to risk bricking a radio to try it. Maybe an old BCT15 could be a guinea pig one of these days...

 

[UPMan]

Trying the rear port for f/w upgrade can't brick it. It won't work, though (the f/w update must use a specific CPU port that is tied to the USB on the front).

 

[N9JIG]

Trying the rear port for f/w upgrade can't brick it. It won't work, though (the f/w update must use a specific CPU port that is tied to the USB on the front).

Well, I suppose that answered that question!

 

[WA1LMC]

I did find information regarding the USB and Serial port. The RX Data on the USB port is the same RX Data on the rear serial port. The same is true for the TX data and the ground. CTS in not used on on the USB port and there is no DTR. Now Uniden informed me you can not program from the rear port but some have indicated it is possible. So I have a null modem cable arriving and a new USB to DB9 serial port adaptor and I am going to try. I also have a USB 1 cable with the DB9 F connector option. I should know in a few days what is what. I will post my results here. And if it doesn't work, it is off to Uniden for repairs. 90 bucks!!

 

[eaf1956]

I did find information regarding the USB and Serial port. The RX Data on the USB port is the same RX Data on the rear serial port. The same is true for the TX data and the ground. CTS in not used on on the USB port and there is no DTR. Now Uniden informed me you can not program from the rear port but some have indicated it is possible. So I have a null modem cable arriving and a new USB to DB9 serial port adaptor and I am going to try. I also have a USB 1 cable with the DB9 F connector option. I should know in a few days what is what. I will post my results here. And if it doesn't work, it is off to Uniden for repairs. 90 bucks!!

I program my 996P2 from the rear RS232 port all the time.

 

[ProScan]

WA1LMC
Hope this helps

Rear Port
Programming - Yes
Monitor and Logging - Yes
Update Firmware - No
Null Modem Adapter - Yes

Front Port
Programming - Yes
Monitor and Logging - Yes
Update Firmware - Yes
Null Modem Adapter - No

 

[n9mxq]

Programming, and firmware updates are vastly different beasts.. I use my rear GPS port for programming, and feeding tags for my feeds all the time. To speed things up, you can go in and set the port speed higher in the settings, however, if you want to run a GPS, you'll have to adjust the speed to the GPS.

 

[ProScan]

The RX Data on the USB port is the same RX Data on the rear serial port. The same is true for the TX data and the ground.

I don't know what you mean by same but they are different.

CTS in not used on on the USB port and there is no DTR.

Handshaking signals not used. Just RX, TX, and GND.

Now Uniden informed me you can not program from the rear port but some have indicated it is possible.

You are confusing programming with firmware. Firmware needs the front port and programing can be front or rear ports.

 

[iMONITOR]

I'd like to see a USB port on the back of the scanner, like you normally find on a USB printer. Very durable!

 

[USASA]

Will it work

Hi All!

Now will the RS-232 on the back of the BCD536HP work the same way? Using a gender changer on a RS-232 to USB cable work the same?

Thanks

Al
USASA

 

[ProScan]

Hi All!

Now will the RS-232 on the back of the BCD536HP work the same way? Using a gender changer on a RS-232 to USB cable work the same?

Thanks

Al
USASA

BCD536HP rear port can't be used for programming because the scanner needs to be in Mass Storage mode using the front port. If using the rear for logging, it takes a null modem type of gender changer or a null modem adapter.

 

[USASA]

Yes!!!!

Hi All!

Well I made a null modem, gender changer (2 female) and it works (for a change). My bcd536hp now is working on the RS-232 port ! Thank you for the info. I would rather have ProScan running hard wire rather than WiFi. Less RF floating around. Now if some of the free programs like PRO96COM would work with it I would be bouncing off the walls. Also now I have a hand on DMR and how to punch into the scanner and it also works. I have to say ProScan works very, very well. I am now a happy scanner.


Al
USASA

 

[USASA]

It has to be me!

Hi All!

I made a null modem, gender changer and all was well. I shut down to run the wires and things went to hell. The response of ProScan went from fast to dead slow. I checked the settings, baud rate and all. Dada! The data at the top of the screen ran at normal speed but the radio display on the computer was way, way behind. I went back to WiFi and all is well. Anyone who has tried using the Comport to run Proscan have the same thing? I even tries a different Com to USB adaptor, nada! It has to be ME!
My radio hates me!


Al
USASA

 

[jonwienke]

RS-232 is far slower than USB or WiFi, so it's kind of silly to use the DB-9 connector for programming updates and remote control, especially on the 536 where programming updates can be multiple megabytes of data. It would take hours to rebuild the entire Main Database via RS-232, so that's why it's not even an option for programming the 536.

USB or WiFi has much faster data rates, and remote control will be much less laggy using those instead of RS-232.

 

[ProScan]

RS-232 is far slower than USB or WiFi

You may be good at a lot of things but on this one I have to disagree 100%. It depends on if the USB is a RS-232 converter or Mass Storage device. If using as a RS-232 converter then same speed as RS-232 which is 115 K Baud. I did a speed test on the Wi-Fi just now and I get slightly less than 115 K Baud.

USB or WiFi has much faster data rates, and remote control will be much less laggy using those instead of RS-232.

A USB to RS-232 converter and Wi-Fi is 115 K Baud max so it doesn't matter if using USB to RS-232, Wi-Fi, or the DB-9 connector regarding lagging.

 

[WA1LMC]

There was lots of confusing posts over the use of the rear panel DB9 Female RS232 connector relating to programming. Mine has a boogered up USB connector. The cost to repair was about 90.00 and Unidenh support told me that back port CAN NOT be used for programming.

I ordered the following:

USB to RS232 (Sabrent CB-DB9P)
Null Modem Cable (Startech SCNM9FF2MBK DB9 Feale to DB9 Female)

Using the system defaults (not changing port speed), I opened up ARCXT and after confirming the Comm Port in Device Manager), went into the Communications set up, selected the port and clicked (Auto Detect Scanner). It did and the settings were saved.

Under SCANNER, I selected READ SCANNER and it did.

I cleared the systemed and using the Internet feature, went on Radio Reference and loaded it up. It uploaded perfectly and the Virtual Scanner works.


SO, YOU CAN PROGRAM AND USE THE REAR DB9 F CONNECTOR USING A USB to SERIAL DB9 Male and a NULL MODEM CABLE (FEMALE TO FEMALE GENDER) in place of thaty crappy front USB connector.

 

[mule1075]

Yep well known you just can't update the firmware with the rear port.

Sent from my SM-S907VL using Tapatalk

 

[WA1LMC]

Read Serial Port and Firmware

Mule1075 made note and Mule1075 is correct. Although you can read/write and use Virtual Control (ARCXT) through the rear serial port using a USB adaptor and null cable, I concur that you CAN NOT UPDATE FIRMWARE from the rear serial port. Sadly my scanner is using a previous firmware version, it will have to go back to have the front port fixed. But I will not use it for anything other than firmware updates. Once it goes in the rack, it is the rear port only as will be my 996T and 15X (my feed scanners).

Tnx Mule For Reminding me!!