BCD396T/BC996T: Where to get programming software for a BCD396T

[JoshuaHufford]

I recently purchased a BDC396T and I want to use software to program it. Clicking on the link on the Uniden page leads to a dead page.

Any idea where I can get the software for it? Or perhaps another option? Once I program a scanner I usually don't make many changes so not looking for anything super fancy.

 

[Saint]

I highly recommend ProScan Software for your software, I have been using it for a couple of months and it does everything I want.
Steve

 

[tvengr]

You can use FreeSCAN and it is FREE! Here is the link: Downloads - Sixspot Software It doesn't do DMR or NXDN, but neither will the 396T.

 

[doctordialtone]

+1 on ProScan.

ProScan

Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD160DN UBCD260DN...

Proscan.org

 

[hiegtx]

I recently purchased a BDC396T and I want to use software to program it. Clicking on the link on the Uniden page leads to a dead page.

Any idea where I can get the software for it? Or perhaps another option? Once I program a scanner I usually don't make many changes so not looking for anything super fancy.

FreeSCAN will work without a problem for the 396T. Download it here:
Sixspot Software (FreeScan)

There is a user guide for FreeSCAN in the Wiki:
FreeScan User Guide - The RadioReference Wiki

ProScan is a much more capable software program, but does require purchasing to continue using it after the 30 day free trial. FreeSCAN is free, though it has not been updated in quite some time.

The original Uniden software for the 396T, UASD, was never updated for rebanded systems.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

Thanks!

 

[ka3jjz]

Neither the 396T nor the 396XT can be upgraded to do DMR,. And the correct Easier to Read reference for the T model is:

Easier to Read BCD396T/UBCD396T Digital Scanner Manual

To copy DMR, you need the Uniden scanners listed here;

DMR - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[hiegtx]

OK so I'm realizing I'm a bit over my head here.

I recently purchased a BCD396T, up until this point my only experience with scanners was an old RadioShack Pro-2026, a BC75XLT, and a BC125AT, so this scanner is a whole different world. The main reason I bought this scanner was the ability to scan in the 896-953MHz range, I'm a railfan and like to mess with ATCS stuff, I wanted something to use to be able to scan in that range to just find unknown frequencies and identify what protocols are in use. There is also one system in my area (Jefferson City, Mo Cole County) that is P25 so I'd also be able to monitor that.

The 396T can monitor this system:

Missouri Statewide Wireless Interoperable Network (MOSWIN) Trunking System, Statewide, Multi-State

Missouri Statewide Wireless Interoperable Network (MOSWIN) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

So I need some help understanding how this scanner is setup because it doesn't use the simple banks system that I'm used to. Any suggestions or articles I could read just to get me used to how this scanner is setup and how to use it?

There are multiple articles in the Wiki that apply. Use the links on this Wiki page to find the ones of interest to you:

Category:DMA Radios Hints and Kinks - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Here's one to start with:
Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

If you choose to use FreeSCAN, use the User Guide linked above.

There is also DMR Ham radio in my area, will this scanner work for that?

No. The 396T cannot decode DMR transmissions, and cannot be upgraded to do so.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

OK thanks, no DMR isn't a big deal and I didn't think it could, just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

I guess the biggest thing I'm trying to wrap my head around and for whatever reason I'm just not getting so far is how to use the systems and groups on this instead of banks. I've managed to program a few channels with FreeSCAN.

I need a Systems and Groups for Dummies.

 

[ka3jjz]

Did you check out the Easier to Read manual link in message 7 of this thread?

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

The topic of Systems, sites and groups is also covered in our wiki, viz.

Uniden Scanners Systems, Sites and Groups - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[JoshuaHufford]

Yes I've been looking it over.

 

[tvengr]

The 396T supports only 1 site per system. If you wish to use multiple sites, you need to set up multiple systems with the same talkgroups with each system using a different site. You can assign a quick key to each system to be able to toggle each one on and off to determine which site or sites you wish to use. These are 3 sites on the MOSWIN statewide system:

1 (1)

048 (30)

Kingdom City 700

Callaway, MO

769.45625a

769.70625

770.45625c

770.70625

773.08125

773.83125

1 (1)	016 (10)	Jefferson City 700	Cole, MO	769.18125c	770.15625	773.03125	773.78125a	774.08125	774.30625
1 (1)	020 (14)	Eagle Ridge	Cole, MO	151.175	152.810	155.0925	155.790c	169.8875a	171.3875

 

[JoshuaHufford]

OK, so please someone correct me but I think I'm understanding this now.

You can have up to 10 systems, with up to 10 groups within each system. Each group can have as many channels as you want (up until you run out of memory). Is this correct?

I am able to turn the systems off and on from the buttons on the scanner, however for the life of me I can't turn a group off and on. I've read over everything, from what I can tell if you press the "Function Button" then one of the number buttons it should turn a group off and on but it isn't working that way on my scanner.

This video shows that the function or F stays lit up once you press the button, however on my scanner the F only stays lit up when I hold the button. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? I've programmed in 3 services with one group per service.

 

[a29zuk]

Someone can correct me but I believe there is a 200 channel/talkgroup limit per group on the 396T. If you need more you have to set up another group.

The video you have is the XT model which came out later. I have the 396T but haven't used it for a while since I use the 325P2 more.
I believe on the 396T you have to hold the "function" button while hitting the group key at the same time. On the XT and later Uniden models the "F" mode stays lit for 5 seconds after the key is hit allowing you time to hit the group key. I'm just not at home now to verify it on the scanner.

Jim

 

[hiegtx]

Someone can correct me but I believe there is a 200 channel/talkgroup limit per group on the 396T. If you need more you have to set up another group.

Actually, the limit is 200 talkgroups per trunked system. (The 396XT's limit is 500 TGIDs.) That's a significant handicap on the larger systems.

Full specs can be found in the Wiki:

BCD396T - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

The video you have is the XT model which came out later. I have the 396T but haven't used it for a while since I use the 325P2 more.
I believe on the 396T you have to hold the "function" button while hitting the group key at the same time. On the XT and later Uniden models the "F" mode stays lit for 5 seconds after the key is hit allowing you time to hit the group key. I'm just not at home now to verify it on the scanner.

Yep. If you are currently scanning your target system, quickly press the Function key and the quick key for the grouup that you want to tiggle off. (The 5 second delay on the 396XT was a handy improvement.)
If you are not currently scanning the system where you want to turn a Group on or off via it's group quick key, you have to hold the Function key down then scroll to the system that you want to change a group's status.
More here:

Easier to Read BCD396T/UBCD396T Digital Scanner Manual

 

[tvengr]

If you are currently scanning your target system, quickly press the Function key and the quick key for the grouup that you want to tiggle off.

For the 396T, you must hold the Function button while pressing the group quick key number button to toggle a group on and off. On later scanners, you press Function and then the group quick key number.

 

[tvengr]

OK, so please someone correct me but I think I'm understanding this now.

You can have up to 10 systems, with up to 10 groups within each system. Each group can have as many channels as you want (up until you run out of memory). Is this correct?

You can have up to 400 systems. There are 100 system quick keys (0 thru 99). You can assign more than one system to the same system quick key. To toggle system quick keys 10 and above, press .no and then the 2 digit system quick key number. You have 20 groups and 10 group quick keys available per system. Likewise. you can assign more than one group to the same group quick key. There is a 200 talkgroup limit per trunked system.

 

[a29zuk]

Actually, the limit is 200 talkgroups per trunked system. (The 396XT's limit is 500 TGIDs.) That's a significant handicap on the larger systems.

Thanks for refreshing my memory, too.

Jim

 

[JoshuaHufford]

Thanks everyone, this has been very helpful.