New BCD396XT Best Programming Approach?

rogermass · #1 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 11:48 AM

I just bought a BCD396XT and will have it shortly. There seem to be MANY approaches to programming it. It seems that I can possibly download a file using freescan from radioreference.com if I pay for a preferred membership. It seems that maybe I can enter my latitude and longitude somehow to get frequencies. And I'm sure that I can enter the frequencies manually. I'd prefer a download and live near the Worcester, MA area. Although I'm a newbie on scanning I have a programming background and am willing to tackle this comprehensively. I hope I posted this in the right place, if not I'm sure I'll find out fast.

N5DXL · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 05:38 PM

Personal I used FreeScan and RadioReference and it took no time at all,
the $15 (1/2 year) $30 (1 year) saved me hours of trying to program it by
myself. Money will spent, at less for me.

KE4ZNR · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N5DXL

Personal I used FreeScan and RadioReference and it took no time at all,
the $15 (1/2 year) $30 (1 year) saved me hours of trying to program it by
myself. Money will spent, at less for me.

Wise words spoken above

I would also recommend posting in the Mass forum as I think it would be a safe bet that someone in your local area already has one and can help you get up and running.
Marshall KE4ZNR

rogermass · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 05:47 PM

I will surely use Freescan (which is free) and I'll probably try Proscan trial for a month free then maybe pay for the subscription for $15 if I like it at all.
Thanks

andy404ns · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 06:13 PM

The correct approach is clearly not to wait for Uniden to release the UASD software for this scanner.

Unadan · #6 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy404ns

The correct approach is clearly not to wait for Uniden to release the UASD software for this scanner.

I wouldn't purchase this unit until the UASD software is available. Why should you have to pay additional $$ to program a $500 scanner?

KE4ZNR · #7 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unadan

I wouldn't purchase this unit until the UASD software is available. Why should you have to pay additional $$ to program a $500 scanner?

As I posted in the other thread your reasoning above does not make sense considering there is FreeScan available for the entire XT line of radios. Which means you DON'T have to pay additional $$ to program a $500 scanner. You download FreeScan for FREE and use it to program the XT.
Marshall KE4ZNR

jnewell · #8 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unadan

I wouldn't purchase this unit until the UASD software is available. Why should you have to pay additional $$ to program a $500 scanner?

Because you prefer the software and how it works. After using FreeScan and ProScan, I reached into my pockets and ponied up for ProScan. By the way, if I'd decided I was going to stick with FreeScan, I'd have made a payment of similar size for that.

W7RA · #9 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 12:15 PM

Does the PSR-500 come with free software?

Scanmikey · #10 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W7RA

Does the PSR-500 come with free software?

Off topic but... NO.

Bottom line... There are other software packages other than UASD available NOW and perfectly capable of programming the XT line of scanners. There is no need to wait for Uniden to release UASD to buy these scanners. I use Freescan because it is absolutely free and it programs the 396XT just fine.

Why wait?

BigEvil · #11 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 06:18 PM

When are they thinking the UASD will drop?

andy404ns · #12 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigEvil

When are they thinking the UASD will drop?

No one knows. Paul said he'd make a sticky when it finally does but I don't think it's his department at all so he probably doesn't have any more up to date information on an ETA than we do. I can't even begin to imagine what's taking so long. But hey I've been happy with the extra $500 in my pocket so far.

BigEvil · #13 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy404ns

But hey I've been happy with the extra $500 in my pocket so far.

my sentiments exactly. i like that the lack of software is forcing me to be rational and hold off...

KE4ZNR · #14 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigEvil

my sentiments exactly. i like that the lack of software is forcing me to be rational and hold off...

Again: What lack of software?

ScanNow.org - The Home of FreeSCAN!

There is free software that works damn good and does everything that UASD did and more. Does not get any better than that.

So the "lack of software" quote is not correct.

If you don't want to buy the radio, then don't. But don't pretend that good, free software does not exist because it does.

Marshall KE4ZNR

andy404ns · #15 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KE4ZNR

Again: What lack of software?

ScanNow.org - The Home of FreeSCAN!

There is free software that works damn good and does everything that UASD did and more. Does not get any better than that.

So the "lack of software" quote is not correct.

If you don't want to buy the radio, then don't. But don't pretend that good, free software does not exist because it does.

Marshall KE4ZNR

The lack of software quote is correct because we were referencing the lack of UASD software.

SquierStrat · #16 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unadan

I wouldn't purchase this unit until the UASD software is available. Why should you have to pay additional $$ to program a $500 scanner?

you dont, i believe the new XT comes with the option to program by hand....

KE4ZNR · #17 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy404ns

The lack of software quote is correct because we were referencing the lack of UASD software.

See now you may have had point (albeit a weak one) if you said "Lack of UASD Software". But all that has been discussed so far is "Lack of Software." Which is wrong considering that Freescan exists.
Why hold out just for UASD when Freescan is available?
Freescan supports import from every other software package. Freescan supports importing and converting between many different Uniden scanners. Freescan supports all features in the current XT line. For gosh sake explain why not give it a try?
No offense to past versions of UASD but Freescan does everything UASD did and more.
If you don't want to spend the money to buy the radio, fine. But again holding out for UASD when there is already a superior, free software available is not a rational decision.
Marshall KE4ZNR

epilab · #18 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 05:22 PM

Will the Butel software program the "XT" systems??

KE4ZNR · #19 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epilab

Will the Butel software program the "XT" systems??

Past versions of Butel software no...but Gommert is working on ARC_XT.

ARC XT software for Uniden BCD396XT BC346T BCD996XT BCT15XT models

But apparently the only software that counts to some people is UASD

Marshall KE4ZNR

GTO_04 · #20 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 08:26 PM

Having used both UASD and Freescan for my 396T, I much prefer the Freescan. We are fortunate that good programming software for the XT is available free of charge. I cannot think of any reason not to use Freescan.

GTO_04