BCD396XT Feature or Bug?

[MarkWestin]

I will have had my BCD396XT for a week tomorrow and I am quite impressed with the new feature set. The new receiver is much more sensitive than the one in my BCD396T and the Close Call seems to work much better.

There is an odd Feature or Bug with the way the Backlight works. When in Infinite mode, the Backlight works as expected until or unless Data is sent to or from the scanner from a computer. In this case, the Backlight turns off when the transfer is started and never turns itself back on (unless the operator turns it on). On all my other Uniden Scanners (BC246T, BR330T, and BCD396T) the Backlight is not affected by data transfers (The Backlight stays on whether or not a data transfer is taking place when the Backlight is in infinite mode)

Any insight would be appreciated

Mark

[rvictor]

Originally Posted by MarkWestin

I will have had my BCD396XT for a week tomorrow and I am quite impressed with the new feature set. The new receiver is much more sensitive than the one in my BCD396T and the Close Call seems to work much better.

There is an odd Feature or Bug with the way the Backlight works. When in Infinite mode, the Backlight works as expected until or unless Data is sent to or from the scanner from a computer. In this case, the Backlight turns off when the transfer is started and never turns itself back on (unless the operator turns it on). On all my other Uniden Scanners (BC246T, BR330T, and BCD396T) the Backlight is not affected by data transfers (The Backlight stays on whether or not a data transfer is taking place when the Backlight is in infinite mode)

Any insight would be appreciated

Mark

I've noticed this and the fact that the volume is reset to 6 and the squelch to 2 after each transfer. I've asked the author of FreeScan if he could include a feature that would restore these settings to what they were prior to the transfer. He said he would see if he could do so.

Dick

[DaveIN]

What were you using to send data Mark?

[sjlamb]

Originally Posted by rvictor

I've noticed this and the fact that the volume is reset to 6 and the squelch to 2 after each transfer. I've asked the author of FreeScan if he could include a feature that would restore these settings to what they were prior to the transfer. He said he would see if he could do so.

Dick

This is the only real objectionable fault that I have found with FreeScan. It's a great program but, would be even better if it ratained the 396XT settings following uploading. I find that after uploading with FreeScan, I have to reprogram my settings for the backlight feature, keypad beep level and display contrast setting, all of which get reset to default settings following uploads.

[DaveIN]

Well that's the point. If it was FreeSCAN then I'm sure Assaf is working on it, but if it was another program maybe it needs fixed?

[sjlamb]

Originally Posted by DaveIN

Well that's the point. If it was FreeSCAN then I'm sure Assaf is working on it, but if it was another program maybe it needs fixed?

I think it's just a quirk in FreeScan as these settings are retained when using Butel's 396XT Pro. Regardless, I still prefer FreeScan over the current version of Butel's programming software.

I'm sure we'll see a fix in future versions of FreeScan. Impressive prgramming platform to say the least.

[rvictor]

Originally Posted by sjlamb

This is the only real objectionable fault that I have found with FreeScan. It's a great program but, would be even better if it ratained the 396XT settings following uploading. I find that after uploading with FreeScan, I have to reprogram my settings for the backlight feature, keypad beep level and display contrast setting, all of which get reset to default settings following uploads.

Assaf is aware of the issue with respect to volume, squelch, and backlight on or off status. I didn't raise the other parameters because I hadn't noticed that they changed. If you'd like other parameters retained, you might want to go to the forum on the scannow.org website and post a message. He's very responsive to feature requests and will definitely see it there.

Dick

[cpuerror]

sjlamb,

Check to make sure you are using version .9 or higher if these settings are not being retained after upload. Also check to make sure you have "Send Scanner Settings" selected during upload. These defaults can be edited in FreeSCAN prior to uploading. If you select "Erase All Systems & Settings" prior to upload, squelch, volume etc will be reset to their respective default settings.

[W2SJW]

Strange - I've been using FreeScan since I got the scanner at the end of March, and it's always kept the volume\squelch\backlight settings (I also have done what Assaf mentioned since day-1, and that's to always load the settings to the unit with every write).

[cpuerror]

It will keep those settings if you select "Replace systems by the same name", although the backlight may need to be reactivated. But if you do Erase All then those settings and everything else would get wiped out.

Myself if I am just replacing existing systems I usually deselect Send Custom Settings. Reason is I may be working with a file that has old settings, or a new file that has default settings, so I only resend the custom settings if I'm making a change to them or starting from scratch.

[MarkWestin]

I don't believe that the Backlight problem is specific to any one software program. Using Freescan .9b, The Backlight goes off as soon as an upload or download is started. Using ARC XT PRO v0.95 Build 1, the backlight stays on until the transfer is complete and then goes out. I also have been using ID Tracker II - V3.1.0, and as soon as the program talks to the scanner the light goes out. When I use ARC396PRO, Freescan, or ID Tracker II with my BCD396T, the Backlight never goes out unless I turn it off.

Mark