New 396XT 1.11.01 Firmware Available

[kbehning]

To access the P25 adjustment controls, turn off the 396XT. Hold down the Hold button while powering on the unit with the normal power on button. If you see the sequence of flashing light you can let go of both buttons.

Note: If you do the power on while holding down hold trick and don't get the 2 P25 adjust modes, but you do get the flashing colors, you either don't have the firmware 1.10 or later, or you don't have a 396XT.

Once the radio boots up and starts doing its thing, go to the menu, then settings, then you'll see there are 2 new options that only show up when you boot in this special way.

P25 Level and P25 Mode.

I'd start by leaving or setting the Level at 50.

Then try the mode at levels of 3 (auto), 8, and 11. Note that its necessary to enter a leading zero when entering the single digit numbers on the mode when there was previously a 2 digit value.

For each setting monitor your P25 digital system with the P25 quality monitor on the 396 display. Get to system scanning, then press select (press the volume knob) then function, then select again. You should see ERR: on the bottom left of the screen. The value that shows up just to the right of that will be an indication of how much digital audio demodulation error the scanner is experiencing Your goal is pretty much to get this value as low as possible. On some systems its possible to get it to 0 and single digits most of the time. Note that there appears to be some learning that the scanner does with each setting so watch it for about 2 or more minutes before making any judgement on that setting before moving on.

[04Z1V6]

Thanks all works well. I was missing that it is then in the menu, I thought it would just pop up. Thanks again.
PS. with the new setting everything is much better when I am listening while riding my Gold Wing.

[jblake76]

I just purchased the BCD396XT and noticed in the box was a serial cable/mini usb programming cable, is uniden serious with this? My computer is a new laptop with no serial port on it. What are my options now?

[kirk23]

Originally Posted by jblake76

I just purchased the BCD396XT and noticed in the box was a serial cable/mini usb programming cable, is uniden serious with this? My computer is a new laptop with no serial port on it. What are my options now?

yup they are.. you need a RS232 serial to USB adaptor $5.00 on ebay $15 in a computer store

[jblake76]

Originally Posted by kirk23

yup they are.. you need a RS232 serial to USB adaptor $5.00 on ebay $15 in a computer store

unreal!

[rdale]

Originally Posted by jblake76

unreal!

You will often find items cheaper on eBay than in stores.

[UPMan]

Serial (RS232) is required in order for the scanner to be compatible with GPS input for location-based scanning.

[SquierStrat]

I understand why thats required, but in 2009, or whenever this scanner came out, you would think they could at least rig up some sort of usb cable/adapter to be included with the $500 product.. If adapters sell for $5, im guessing they cost even less then that to make. Maybe an idea for the next scanner..

[jblake76]

Originally Posted by UPMan

Serial (RS232) is required in order for the scanner to be compatible with GPS input for location-based scanning.

I get that but my problem is to program the scanner you need to buy another item. Like the scanner wasn't enough! Just venting, sorry.

[UPMan]

It is a shame that PC manufacturers largely omit this very useful and universally compatible port.

[SquierStrat]

isnt it terribly slower then usb though? regardless, i can see your point. they could have kept it,and just added usb. Not replaced it with usb.

[Jay911]

Originally Posted by SquierStrat

isnt it terribly slower then usb though? regardless, i can see your point. they could have kept it,and just added usb. Not replaced it with usb.

In terms of programming a radio, you don't really need 480Mbps throughput (or whatever the USB rate is). USB comes in handy when you're moving megs or gigs of data from one storage device to another, i.e. photos from a camera to a PC, or files onto an external HD (but at that, there are even faster connections for that purpose). To push relatively small bits of data (which is really what a scanner programming load is, even for the "big" scanners like the 396XT/996XT), even 9600bps is satisfactory (though I imagine most people use 57600 or 115200, the usual default settings).

There are tons of non-consumer-grade products and applications that still use RS232 or similar non-USB connections, and if you're in that line of work, you can find PCs or laptops that have true serial ports without too much difficulty. As a couple of examples, most computers designed for mobile data terminal use (i.e. Panasonic ToughBooks, etc) have 9-pin serial ports, because either the RF modem or the GPS/AVL device, or another similar component, requires serial (though some are actually connecting by ethernet now instead). Also, I have a relative who works in the flow measurement industry, and the meters and other components used in this field generally communicate on RS232 as well.

[kruser]

Originally Posted by UPMan

It is a shame that PC manufacturers largely omit this very useful and universally compatible port.

I agree with that statement 100%.

Serial ports have been around forever and are still widely used in industrial control and radio programming. Almost all commercial radios still use a conventional serial port for programming.
In my eyes, a true serial port is much more reliable that any USB port is going to be.
RS-232 is an industry standard that is going to be around for a long time.

[jblake76]

Now I have the adapter and I am having no luck with the firmware update. The links provided on this thread keeps saying this page can no be displayed. I go to the uniden site and the BCD 396XT is no shown. See below?

Scanners:
BC245XLT BC246T BC250D BC296D BC780XLT BC785d BC796D BC895XLT BC898T BC95XLT BCD396T BCD996T BCT15 BCT8 BR330T SC230 USB-1 BC246TUASD BC898TSS BCT15UASD BR330TUASD ES200DL SC230UASD

[DannB]

I cant get this god damn update to work , any suggestions, before i throw the computer and scanner out the F*^*ing window...

[rdale]

Originally Posted by DannB

I cant get this god damn update to work , any suggestions, before i throw the computer and scanner out the F*^*ing window...

I've analyzed your previous posts to help you find the steps where you are stuck...

Wait - you haven't said one thing. We don't know if you're stuck downloading, are trying to do this on an Android tablet, or wirelessly. Start from the top and tell us where things are broken.

[Sbee]

Originally Posted by DannB

I cant get this god damn update to work , any suggestions, before i throw the computer and scanner out the F*^*ing window...

I think Unidens firmware website is down, I have been trying for the last 3 hours.

[kirk23]

Originally Posted by DannB

I cant get this god damn update to work , any suggestions, before i throw the computer and scanner out the F*^*ing window...

Download the update...unzip it..
Instatl the application..
Then go to your program file and run the BCVUP 3.... From there..
Thats what i was doing wrong till UPMan walked me thru it..

[DannB]

I run it and all i get is a prompt to "repair or cancel" File ...my scanner is working fine without the update so i may just say screw it and forget the update....i cant get it to work....

[wx5uif]

Originally Posted by DannB

I run it and all i get is a prompt to "repair or cancel" File ...my scanner is working fine without the update so i may just say screw it and forget the update....i cant get it to work....

It sounds like you are running the installer again. Go to program files and run BCVUP 3.