396 Accessory ?'s

[DrDenny1]

Does Radio Shack carry a USB cable that will work with the 396?

What is a good but fairly inexpensive mobile antenna for uhf/vhf?

What is a good stubby antenna uhf/vhf?

What is a good ear piece and where to get it? Does it have to be a monaural type plug?
I went to a Fry's today in San Diego they didn't have squat! I will look in Burbank too.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

 

[ka3jjz]

There isn't a 'specific' USB cable for the 396, but Uniden does sell their USB-1 which works with several scanners, including the 396. I'm sure there are other brands/distributors that work as well. As to the antennas, what are your frequency interests? That's an important question to answer. For example, if all you are interested in is 800 mhz, a cell phone antenna will work very well but probably not too well on other bands.

Earpieces, hm? Any stereo earpiece should work...after all, you're not listening to a concert....73 Mike

 

[DrDenny1]

Thanks Mike, I re-worded the questions.

What is the 800mhz range used for?

Denis

 

[philkoz]

I've personally had very nice results with the Madol MH-209SMA. Most ham stores carry it. The commercial version is the MH-255. Pretty much identical antennas. Check this link:

http://www.cometantenna.com/products.php?CatID=1&famID=1&childID=4

 

[ka3jjz]

Although there are several other services in 800, the ones most are concerned with are public safety where LOTS of trunking systems across the nation can be found.

I personally use an Austin Spectra with my 396. Works quite well - not as good on VHF low but quite hot on VHF hi and UHF. A lot of folks use an antenna by Larsen (widely available) for the 150/450 and 800 mhz bands with very good results. You might also take a look at this quick survey;

http://www.northwestradio.net/interceptnw/antennas.htm

By the way, I'm pretty sure the earphone jack on the 396 is a stereo type. I use it with an el cheapo FM transmitter to send audio to my car radio. Works pretty well.

73 Mike

 

[torontokris]

As for the USB cable just make sure the uniden side matches the scanner Uniden usb-1 is the suggestion.

You could get a serial->USB convertor from radio shack. They should Definitly have those.

 

[UPMan]

Just any USB cable with a plug that matches the scanner will not work. The only one I know of that will work (and that has USB on one end and BCD396T jack on the other) is a USB-1. There are also several general-purpose USB-->RS232 adapters that will work.