UBC785XLT computer cable?

[TammieM3ENF]

(Apologies if this is in the wrong section)

I'm in the UK and searching for the correct computer cable to connect the scanner to my PC. I thought I had one, but I can't find it anywhere. A quick search online has come up with half a dozen and I just don't know what I'm looking for.

Ideally Amazon or eBay (would prefer Amazon), but if anyone knows of one of the UK radio companies (Radio World?) then that'll do too.

Thanks,
73 Tammie M3ENF

 

[doctordialtone]

Ideally Amazon or eBay (would prefer Amazon),

Is this it?

Psylins USB to RS232 - USB Converter Cable - Amazon.co.uk

Buy Psylins USB to RS232 - USB Converter Cable

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[doctordialtone]

Or this?
Serial RS232 9 pin Connection Cable, Male to Male, 1.8: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

 

[TammieM3ENF]

I don't know. I've got that first one but the pins sticking out won't go into the pins that stick out on the back of the radio.

The manual says: plug the scanner end of the RS232C straight cable into the remote port which is on the rear of the scanner. Plug the other end of the cable (DB-9 serial connector) into a personal computer's serial port. A few PC's may require an adapter, most will not.

 

[doctordialtone]

the scanner end of the RS232C straight cable

It looks like you need a 9 pin to 9 pin cable.

Here is the part of the manual that describes the cable.

Listening Safely; Connecting The Clone Cable; Connecting The Tape Recorder - Uniden UBC785XLT Owner's Manual [Page 21]

 

[TammieM3ENF]

So that would be the second link you found? Both are 9 pin, one has screws sticking out one doesn't.

 

[TammieM3ENF]

And male to male not male to female? Or would that depend on the serial socket on the back of my PC which I don't know without looking, which I'll try and do now.

 

[doctordialtone]

would that depend on the serial socket on the back of my PC which I don't know without looking,

The cable has to match the gender of your scanner and your PC.

Obviously a male plugs into a female.

 

[TammieM3ENF]

So I have a problem, the socket with 9 holes in is taken by my second monitor. I only have these two connectors (top, the two dusty looking ones white on left black on right). I have a connector that turns one of those into the other but nothing with 9 pins. Would 9 pin serial work (RS232C) to USB instead of back to RS232C? I have 2 free USB here as you might be able to see, plus 3 on the front.

 

[doctordialtone]

The monitor uses a 15 pin connector.

A serial port uses 9 pins

 

[TammieM3ENF]

Hmm, then I don't have a 9 pin socket on this PC. Do they make a 9 pin to USB conversion? I'd have to buy a 9 pin to 9 pin (so that second one you found) and a converter?

 

[doctordialtone]

Do they make a 9 pin to USB conversion?

Yes I believe you'll need an adapter.

What are going to connect the laptop to the scanner for? Do you have software?

 

[TammieM3ENF]

So do you think that first link you found would work? 9 pin at one end USB at the other?

It's to my PC and not yet, I seem to recall ARC software for it. I also have the 3500XLT but that's already preprogrammed. The 785 is to a point but we're hardly picking up anything on marine so I want to reprogram and put it into some kind of order. We're 2 miles from the sea and used to pick up the local harbour and coastguard 24/7.

But, the scanner was downstairs and my Dad has two external antennas on the same pole, literally next to each other. One I think is marine band and the other 2m, I think they're probably feeding off each other. But he's throwing out radios and scanners left right and centre because he thinks it's the radios.

This scanner works fine on air, I've got a base station multi antenna and I've been picking up Gatwick. I did pick up the harbour a couple times this afternoon but nothing else. My 3500 picks up marine band with my base antenna, I proved it to him by putting the two downstairs and mixed up the scanner and antennas. I think it's his antennas to be honest.

He wanted me to sell the 785 but I want to keep it so I'm seeing if it's working properly.

 

[TexScan780D]

I just got this a few weeks ago from Amazon and it works great on my BC780XLT.

Plugable USB to Serial Adapter Compatible with Windows, Mac & Linux (RS-232/DB9 Female Connector, Prolific PL2303HX Rev. D Chipset)
Sold by: Plugable Technologies Product.

 

[TammieM3ENF]

Plugable USB to Serial Adapter Compatible with Windows, Mac & Linux (RS-232/DB9 Female Connector, Prolific PL2303HX Rev. D Chipset)

I've got this cable already, but where those pins stick out either side of the 9 pin, it won't fit into my 785, because pins stick out from the back of the back of the scanner. So I'm assuming the cable and radio are male, I obviously need the female 9 pin.

 

[TexScan780D]

View attachment 74838

So I have a problem, the socket with 9 holes in is taken by my second monitor. I only have these two connectors (top, the two dusty looking ones white on left black on right). I have a connector that turns one of those into the other but nothing with 9 pins. Would 9 pin serial work (RS232C) to USB instead of back to RS232C? I have 2 free USB here as you might be able to see, plus 3 on the front.

The 9 holes you are talking about is for VGA connection to your monitor. A 9 pin serial port on the computer will have the 9 pins.

 

[TexScan780D]

I've got this cable already, but where those pins stick out either side of the 9 pin, it won't fit into my 785, because pins stick out from the back of the back of the scanner. So I'm assuming the cable and radio are male, I obviously need the female 9 pin.

I see what your talking about. I had to take the screws on either side of the 9 pin serial port connector out of the scanner. The 9 pin serial port is still held on the scanner. That is on the BC780XLT.

 

[TammieM3ENF]

I see what your talking about. I had to take the screws on either side of the 9 pin serial port connector out of the scanner. The 9 pin serial port is still held on the scanner. That is on the BC780XLT.

That's one way of doing it I suppose I did see an adaptor to make the male into female.

So, I think my options are either:

A) Buy the adaptor to turn the male into female
B) Buy a new cable that's RS232C female to USB

If I got it right and my scanner has a male connection that is, lol.

 

[TexScan780D]

That's one way of doing it I suppose I did see an adaptor to make the male into female.

So, I think my options are either:

A) Buy the adaptor to turn the male into female
B) Buy a new cable that's RS232C female to USB

If I got it right and my scanner has a male connection that is, lol.

I just took the connectors off the scanner, works just fine. The scanner serial port is held on to the scanner strongly, I can not even move it around. Those two connectors are design to hold the serial cable onto the serial port. If you feel better to get an adapter, go for it.

 

[TammieM3ENF]

I just took the connectors off the scanner, works just fine. The scanner serial port is held on to the scanner strongly, I can not even move it around. Those two connectors are design to hold the serial cable onto the serial port. If you feel better to get an adapter, go for it.

I'm just not sure about taking them out What did you use to move them, I can't do anything with my fingers. Did you use a pair of pliers or similar? There's nothing to put a screwdriver in on mine, just the holes where the serial cable would go.