I've got W7 64 and have never needed to use compatibility mode for the drivers.
uniden 396xt
- Thread starter heffer
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thank you all who helped me with this issue, i did figure it out after nearly hanging myself. I went to radio world to try a new cable.......and yes, my load cable was faulty. They did not have one in stock, so i went home. I decided to take it apart, and where the electronic board is, there was an electronic piece that was loose and not making contact, so i soldered it back on ....... and tada....
Guess that should of been a little more obvious at first, but hey..... still learning to.
Guess that should of been a little more obvious at first, but hey..... still learning to.
Basic Question on BCD396XT
I am attempting to help a friend of mine with his Uniden BCD396XT.
When I first saw the USB setup on this radio, I started cursing. I knew it was going to be fun.
Today, I finally managed to get the following adapter installed on the computer in order to interface it with the radio in question. However, I never observed where this was installed under Programs & Features on Windows 7. The computer being used has Windows 7, 64 bit.
So, I would appreciate some feedback regarding where I am at in this installation process. Does this adapter work with this radio: IOGEAR - GUC232A - USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter
When I attempted to connect the radio to the computer, I ran a test on Free Scan. It showed that the scanner was not recognized. Can someone tell me if I'm on the right track.
I will refine my programming abilities once I have the basics down.
I am attempting to help a friend of mine with his Uniden BCD396XT.
When I first saw the USB setup on this radio, I started cursing. I knew it was going to be fun.
Today, I finally managed to get the following adapter installed on the computer in order to interface it with the radio in question. However, I never observed where this was installed under Programs & Features on Windows 7. The computer being used has Windows 7, 64 bit.
So, I would appreciate some feedback regarding where I am at in this installation process. Does this adapter work with this radio: IOGEAR - GUC232A - USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter
When I attempted to connect the radio to the computer, I ran a test on Free Scan. It showed that the scanner was not recognized. Can someone tell me if I'm on the right track.
I will refine my programming abilities once I have the basics down.
When you install a USB device, it appears under the "Device Manager." If installed properly, it will show as a COM port. If not installed correctly, it will show with some type of error symbol (typically a triangle) and an indication that the drivers were not properly installed.
That looks a lot like one of the adapters I use w/no issues on a W7 64 laptop. Be sure you have installed the correct drivers prior to plugging the adapter into a port (they can be found at Drivers & Manuals - IOGEAR).
That looks a lot like one of the adapters I use w/no issues on a W7 64 laptop. Be sure you have installed the correct drivers prior to plugging the adapter into a port (they can be found at Drivers & Manuals - IOGEAR).
Cable Model Number
Does the cable shown have the DB9 or whatever weird plug Uniden decided to use on this radio on it?
So No Drivers are needed at all when using the Serial Cable cable that is included with the BCD 396xt is that Correct Paul.!
I thought about Getting the USB cable as well (because it's more universal to Use)that's shown below that Scanner Masters sells.. I also seen below the U.S.B cable the Driver's that are needed to use with this Cable:
PL-2303 Windows 98SE/ME/Win2k/XP Driver Installer.exe
Ra
Does the cable shown have the DB9 or whatever weird plug Uniden decided to use on this radio on it?
Not sure of your question...since the photo shows the cable shown (and clearly neither end is a DB9...shown below for reference).
Much Thanks
First of all, I want to express my appreciation to you, UPman, for your straight-forward style of answering a question. You don't beat around the bush, get sarcastic, or adopt a condescending air when you respond to those lost in the maze of scanner issues.
You are one of the best to help others!
I wish others would learn from your style. I believe some people forget what it is like to be lost in a complicated & confusing installation. Also, I believe some forget the varied skill levels within RR Forums. We have a very wide range, newbies to radio technicians and beyond, I suppose.
One question: When you go to "Device Manager" do you go down to "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" and open that up to see the USB port? As a trial, here on my computer with my GRE USB cable installed, I cannot differentiate between it and the others. These seem to be phrases like "USB Composite Device." It does not specifically name the brand of the various USB cables. I don't have an adapter like the one I included, but I could not find my GRE/RS 30-3290 listed.
Again, thanks. I will go back to my friend & attempt to get this little boy installed.
I hope that Uniden considers simplifying their interface to future digital scanners.
First of all, I want to express my appreciation to you, UPman, for your straight-forward style of answering a question. You don't beat around the bush, get sarcastic, or adopt a condescending air when you respond to those lost in the maze of scanner issues.
You are one of the best to help others!
I wish others would learn from your style. I believe some people forget what it is like to be lost in a complicated & confusing installation. Also, I believe some forget the varied skill levels within RR Forums. We have a very wide range, newbies to radio technicians and beyond, I suppose.
One question: When you go to "Device Manager" do you go down to "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" and open that up to see the USB port? As a trial, here on my computer with my GRE USB cable installed, I cannot differentiate between it and the others. These seem to be phrases like "USB Composite Device." It does not specifically name the brand of the various USB cables. I don't have an adapter like the one I included, but I could not find my GRE/RS 30-3290 listed.
Again, thanks. I will go back to my friend & attempt to get this little boy installed.
I hope that Uniden considers simplifying their interface to future digital scanners.
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In the main, most people are asking for a more complicated interface (USB).
Unknown End
I was attempting to name the type of plug that goes into the scanner. Actually, I don't know what type of plug this is because I've never seen one before. Now that I think of it, that was rather stupid of me. DC9 implies 9 pin, I suppose. I am talking about the type of plug used on the other end, the one goes into the scanner.
In post 6 in this thread, there is a cable that appears to go from the scanner plug to USB, but the model number is not given. Would this cable work as well?
Not sure of your question...since the photo shows the cable shown (and clearly neither end is a DB9...shown below for reference).
I was attempting to name the type of plug that goes into the scanner. Actually, I don't know what type of plug this is because I've never seen one before. Now that I think of it, that was rather stupid of me. DC9 implies 9 pin, I suppose. I am talking about the type of plug used on the other end, the one goes into the scanner.
In post 6 in this thread, there is a cable that appears to go from the scanner plug to USB, but the model number is not given. Would this cable work as well?
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Yes, we specifically market the USB-1 cable for this application. However, the IOGear cable (combined with the cable that comes with the scanner) should also work. If you've already purchased the IOGear piece, you are probably best off just getting it working (if it is the one I believe it is, it uses exactly the same driver as the USB-1 cable...so you would have exactly the same issues in installing either).
Mistake Found
When you said, "make sure you install the drivers before plugging in the cable", this was one problem. When I was on the phone with the IOgear folks, he advised me to make sure I plugged in the USB before installing the driver. I will redo this and follow your recommendation by installing the driver first.
Now, in order to reverse what I've done so far, could I just re-install the driver from IOgear and then plug in the radio?
Last night, I kept seeing a port speed of 115200 or something like that when I looked at it. I don't even recall how I found this number. LOL.
I will ask my friend if he want to take this back to Altex & buy the Uniden. If he wants to stick it out, we can attempt to get the one I asked about going as well.
When you said, "make sure you install the drivers before plugging in the cable", this was one problem. When I was on the phone with the IOgear folks, he advised me to make sure I plugged in the USB before installing the driver. I will redo this and follow your recommendation by installing the driver first.
Now, in order to reverse what I've done so far, could I just re-install the driver from IOgear and then plug in the radio?
Last night, I kept seeing a port speed of 115200 or something like that when I looked at it. I don't even recall how I found this number. LOL.
I will ask my friend if he want to take this back to Altex & buy the Uniden. If he wants to stick it out, we can attempt to get the one I asked about going as well.
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To work on the USB issue, I'd try the tips at Tips for solving problems with USB devices (expand the section titled My USB device is not working)
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I think this is where a lot of folks get tripped up. In Device Manager, you are looking for a Comm port, not a USB port.
When the Uniden USB-1 cable (or a USB to serial port adaptor) is correctly installed, it will show up in Device Manager as an entry under a heading of "Ports (COM & LPT)".
The new entry under that heading will show the Comm port number.
Light Turned On
You certainly cleared the air of confusion. Once I installed my GRE cable, I basically never went back and observed the changes in "Device Manager." When I looked today, I did not find ports until, duh, I plugged my USB cable in the computer. Bam, there it was, big as day. Man, you really helped me out. Thanks to all. Yes, you hit the nail square on the head.
Now, I am encouraged to go back to my friend's house & get this task completed. I will get that Uniden interfaced this afternoon, hopefully. Each & every interaction with a new scanner adds to the lexicon of solutions.
You certainly cleared the air of confusion. Once I installed my GRE cable, I basically never went back and observed the changes in "Device Manager." When I looked today, I did not find ports until, duh, I plugged my USB cable in the computer. Bam, there it was, big as day. Man, you really helped me out. Thanks to all. Yes, you hit the nail square on the head.
Now, I am encouraged to go back to my friend's house & get this task completed. I will get that Uniden interfaced this afternoon, hopefully. Each & every interaction with a new scanner adds to the lexicon of solutions.
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bear780ks
Member
Old Style Computer with some Good ol fashion Style of Ports
Paul i'm Glad my old "Tank" of a Computer has the Old style Hook up's, It running Windows XP Home Edition Sp.3 the Computer has all the Old style hook ups that were on Computers 7 or 8 years ago..So using the Cable that came with my 396 or the one that's included with 996 that i will have soon should be all that i need, I hope the cable hooks up fine to it I haven't Tested it yet).
But I wanted to ask and see, I shouldn't have to do anything more than Just hook it Correct.? And then Follow the Instructions to move the software from the Computer to Scanners..
Paul i'm Glad my old "Tank" of a Computer has the Old style Hook up's, It running Windows XP Home Edition Sp.3 the Computer has all the Old style hook ups that were on Computers 7 or 8 years ago..So using the Cable that came with my 396 or the one that's included with 996 that i will have soon should be all that i need, I hope the cable hooks up fine to it I haven't Tested it yet).
But I wanted to ask and see, I shouldn't have to do anything more than Just hook it Correct.? And then Follow the Instructions to move the software from the Computer to Scanners..
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The same cable would work with any of the DMA scanners- BC246T, BR330T, BCT15, BCD396T, BCD996T, BCD396XT, BCD996XT, BC346TX, BCT15X, etc.
I sue the same base 'regional' FreeSCAN file for all of my scanners, selectively loading the systems I want in that specific unit, if necessary modifying the load for when I'm taking a trip outside my immediate home area.
Bingo
Your help along with Post 33 helped me a whole lot. Now, I can see the cable present in Device Manager under the specified area. Tomorrow, I will return to play with the radio and attempt to get it married to that little cable/computer. Today, I'm hungry and tired.
This afternoon, I help my friend program his other radio (brand omitted due to thread name).
Hopefully, I will get this Uniden beast running tomorrow.
Your help along with Post 33 helped me a whole lot. Now, I can see the cable present in Device Manager under the specified area. Tomorrow, I will return to play with the radio and attempt to get it married to that little cable/computer. Today, I'm hungry and tired.
This afternoon, I help my friend program his other radio (brand omitted due to thread name).
Hopefully, I will get this Uniden beast running tomorrow.
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Nearly There
I've managed to do this so far with the BCD396XT: a) program the cable successfully to where I can upload/download to scanner along with importing from the RR DB; & b) download the various TSYS and conventional desired objects.
At present, I hit a snag based on the instructions shown in this helpful You Tube video: Freescan Video 1 - YouTube
As shown in this video, I started number the various groups shown beneath the various trunking systems with a quick key. As shown in the following picture, inside Bell County EDACS, I ran out of numbers. The drop down menu only showed 0-9, no more.
So, is it necessary to assign quick keys to all of the various systems or not? When you toggle/scroll through the radio, won't the programmed systems show up without these numbers?
If not, how do I get more than 0-9 under Bell County? I'm only using this as an example of this programming question for this radio.
I've managed to do this so far with the BCD396XT: a) program the cable successfully to where I can upload/download to scanner along with importing from the RR DB; & b) download the various TSYS and conventional desired objects.
At present, I hit a snag based on the instructions shown in this helpful You Tube video: Freescan Video 1 - YouTube
As shown in this video, I started number the various groups shown beneath the various trunking systems with a quick key. As shown in the following picture, inside Bell County EDACS, I ran out of numbers. The drop down menu only showed 0-9, no more.
So, is it necessary to assign quick keys to all of the various systems or not? When you toggle/scroll through the radio, won't the programmed systems show up without these numbers?
If not, how do I get more than 0-9 under Bell County? I'm only using this as an example of this programming question for this radio.
Attachments
You do not have to program a GQK for every channel group...those w/o GQKs will be controlled by the group lock/unlock (you have to use the menu to access). Or, if there are some channel groups within a system that you'll always turn on/off together, assign them to the same GQK. As you've determined, GQKs are limited to 0-9. SQKs are 00-99.
Or create another system
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