BC296D: Where do I find a 296D Programming cable?

[DVINTHEHOUSEMAN]

I'm thinking about buying a BC296D to use as a second scanner since my WS1040 is wrapped up in the PRO96Com tape a lot and I was wondering where I would find a programming cable for it since the majority of the ones I see don't have one and I haven't seen one listed correctly. Would I be stuck trying to hand program it or is there a cable out there still that's the right type?

I just wanted to ask before I spent money on it because hand programming is a PITA and to see how impactful it is on top of the scanner.

 

[itchy201]

I have never purchased anything from these guys but rfguys.com has a listing for a programming cable for the bc296d. Scanner Programming Cable Bearcat / Uniden BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT

Not many computers have a rs232 port anymore so you will need to rs232 to USB adapter as well.

https://a.co/0Lyyvq3

 

[DVINTHEHOUSEMAN]

I have never purchased anything from these guys but rfguys.com has a listing for a programming cable for the bc296d. Scanner Programming Cable Bearcat / Uniden BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT

Thank you, I tried looking on eBay and Amazon and stuff like that but didn't find anything for the 250/296, only stuff for the 396/246/etc.

As for the serial port, I was going to be programming it from a (ancient by today's standards) computer that still has one and I also have way more RS232 to USB adapters than anyone would need in their lifetime so I think I'm good on that part lol.

Thank you again!

 

[tvengr]

I'm thinking about buying a BC296D to use as a second scanner since my WS1040 is wrapped up in the PRO96Com tape a lot

Which systems do you intend to monitor? Unlike the WS1040, the BC296D does not support 700 MHz frequencies. The plug on the RS232 serial cable for the BC296D is different from just about all of the other Uniden scanners. I am fortunate to have one left over from programming a BC296D for our news department many years ago. I am going to hold on to it in the event I ever have another 296 to program.

 

[DVINTHEHOUSEMAN]

My plan for it was to basically make a copy of my WS1040 into another scanner so that I could monitor traffic while I have my WS1040 hooked to PRO96Com without having set on a wildcard and dragging it away from the CC.

For the most part it's going to be a bunch of conventional VHF/UHF frequencies, WISCOM, and MPSCS, which over here operates on 800.

There shouldn't be very much of a problem with 700MHz frequencies since those are basically non-existent up here. VHF, UHF, and 800 is about all there is to it, and if you take out the MPSCS, then it's just VHF/UHF.