9 pin serial cable

dyrtjunkie · #1 (**permalink**) 02-28-2009, 07:05 PM

I am trying to connect the BCT15 to my computer using the supplied 9 pin serial cable. Its connected physically. Its just not recognizing each other. Do i need to download a driver to use the 9 pin serial cable?

justinnine · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 02:58 PM

If the nine pin came with drivers then yes you would need to load them. With my BCT8 I bought a 232 usb plug and it came with the drivers and it works fine. I'm using Windows xp. I dont know anything about the BCT15 but I know that with the BCT8 I have to push and hold the deciml button to switch it to remote to get the ACR8 software to reconize the scanner.

davidmc36 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 03:10 PM

Any drivers for your computers comm port (the DB9 that you are connected to) should already be installed with your operating system. Check to see if you have comm ports in device manager and that they are working. If you have no instances of comm ports or there is a yellow question mark beside any of them then you may need to reinstall drivers from your operating system. Are you connected to the same one as you software is looking for? Is your scanner running at too fast a speed for the comm port in your computer? Manual page 65 and 70

UPMan · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 04:14 PM

You probably need a null-modem adapter in your link.

dyrtjunkie · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 10:53 PM

Im pretty good w computers. Here's more details. Baud rates are at 115200. Comp is Win XP. I'm using the Auto detect feature in ARC15PRO (demo version). I might need to purchase the release key for the full version to get it to work property. I bought the full version of Uniden's BCT15UASD software. I have tried to connect through it and still no luck. (btw: so far i don't like the BCT15UASD software, i might try to return it) Which software is the most popular and most suggested for the BCT15? I can go into Device Manager and look at my devices but i'm not sure what i'm looking at. Im not sure what comm port the DB9 is plugged into. Its not a USB port, it was the only serial port available on the back of my computer. Fortunately it was a DB9 receiver port. Normally my computer is Plug n Play but this scanner is acting like an exgirlfriend. I was expecting to go into device manager and activate the serial port but i don't personally recognize which one it is in the DM. I'm sure i need to change something in Device Manager. I just dont know what that is. I have read the Manual 5 times to no avail. I really appreciate the help from you guys.

UPMan · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 12:39 PM

In Device Manager, a COM port will show up under "Ports (COM & LPT)" (which is right after "Network adapters" and just before "Processors"). A physical COM port is almost always assigned by the system as COM 1 (but at least COM 2, COM 3, or COM 4).

If no COM ports are showing up, you might need to enable it in your BIOS.

Reading the scanner O/M isn't going to help. You need a good O/M for your computer.

hacksaw · #7 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 12:30 AM

Just a message, as I have oops on this before: You probably have done this already, the front port enable got me once.

The BCT15 and BCD996T have to be put into Remote mode and the baud rate selected. On the radio keypad:

Turn radio on normally.
Press the "MENU" Button.
Use the rotary tune dial to select "Settings". Press the "E" key to make the selection.
Use the rotary tune dial to select "Set Serial Port". Press the "E" key to make the selection.
Use the rotary tune dial to select "Set Front Port". Press the "E" key to make the selection.
Use the rotary tune dial to select the desired baud rate ... 115200 is recommended. Press the "E" key to make the selection.
Press the "Menu" Button several times to back out of menu mode.
NOTE: While the radio is in Remote mode the keypad is available for normal use. Remote mode remains active until you deactivate it, even if you power the radio on and off.

dyrtjunkie · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 01:06 AM

baud rates are the same. Using Win XP. Using BCT15UASD software. btw: computer still dosent recognize scanner. Using supplied 9 pin serial cable to front port usb on scanner. any suggestions?

rvictor · #9 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 08:54 PM

In the Device Manager you'll have a listing for Ports. Click on the + sign to the left of that. It should open a list which should include a Communications Port (COMx). Right click on that and from the menu that appears, select Properties. A new box will open. On the General tab in the center of the box it will say Device Status. That should say "This device is working properly". If not, you won't be able to connect through that port.

If there is more than one Communications Port listed, do this for each one.

Let us know what you find there.

BTW, if your computer happens to have a serial port on the front and another one on the rear, try the opposite one from the one that you have been trying.

Dick

hacksaw · #10 (**permalink**) 03-09-2009, 12:18 AM

Is this a laptop top computer? Most of the time I see the Modem in a laptop conflict with com ports. I see more blown ports on laptops as well.

I posted how to turn on your remote mode just before our question " how do I turn on remote mode" Post.

dyrtjunkie · #11 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 04:37 PM

Hey guys, I finally got it working. I found out from a computer junkie that the 9 pin serial port on the back of the CPU is usually COM port 1. I had to uninstall the driver that was on COM port 1. Reduce the baud rates to 57600, then used auto detect. It took a lot of tinkering, but i got it. Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.