780 help needed

[KE0HIN]

Im using the old andy's program and when I tery to find radio Im getting the following error coade any help would be great

it says unable to initialize communications to radio
VR REQUEST IS ''

 

[Ubbe]

If it is the first time you try that program using that computer it can be many different things that could be the problem.
Have it worked before and now suddenly doesn't?
Do you use a USB-to-serial adapter or a real RS232 serial port?
What model of computer it is, a vintage one or very new with Win10?
Have you set the correct serial speed in the 780?
Do you get a different message if you do not connect the cable and also if you have the cable connected but scanner turned off?

/Ubbe

 

[ProScan]

Im using the old andy's program and when I tery to find radio Im getting the following error coade any help would be great

it says unable to initialize communications to radio
VR REQUEST IS ''

Probably the scanner is not in remote mode. Press the 'E' key for 2 seconds then you should see RMT on the display.

 

[KE0HIN]

its a windows 10 PC I'm usinf a usb to serial cable ive matched speeds so on its a program I loved like 25 years ago ? just trying to update two 780's programs

 

[KevinC]

Are you using a null modem cable?

 

[KE0HIN]

Are you using a null modem cable?

I don't know what that is, but the one I used to use had a box on the dongle from USB to Serial the one I have now does not ,I'm trying ton do this on the cheap they are obviously very old radios.

 

[KE0HIN]

if free scan worked on a 780 this would not be an issue LOL

 

[KevinC]

I don't know what that is, but the one I used to use had a box on the dongle from USB to Serial the one I have now does not ,I'm trying ton do this on the cheap they are obviously very old radios.

You will need either a null modem cable or adapter for whatever your current cable is.

I'm assuming you have a cable between the USB adapter and the 780.

 

[KevinC]

And I don't know if you do or don't have a null modem cable/adapter, just saying you'll need one.

 

[ProScan]

You will need either a null modem cable or adapter for whatever your current cable is.

And I don't know if you do or don't have a null modem cable/adapter, just saying you'll need one.

Null modem cables don't work on the earlier scanners. Null modem cables are only needed on the newer scanners where the RS-232 port doubles as a GPS port.

 

[ProScan]

if free scan worked on a 780 this would not be an issue LOL

ProScan works with the 780. The 30 day demo/trial is full functional.

 

[KevinC]

Null modem cables don't work on the earlier scanners. Null modem cables are only needed on the newer scanners where the RS-232 port doubles as a GPS port.

You are correct. Disregard everything I said.

 

[KE0HIN]

bummer I burned that years ago not sure how to overcome that

 

[KevinC]

bummer I burned that years ago not sure how to overcome that

If you share a copy of Andy's program I can test it on my Win 11 machine. I use ProScan for my 780 and it works just fine.

 

[KE0HIN]

you can down load it here
thats where I got it again

BC780XLT: - BC780XLT Andy's Program Download?

Hello! Dusting off the old topic of BC780XLT programming. . anyone have a source for the freeware 'Andy's Program' ? Every link I've found is broken. I liked this program from back in the day, and several computer generations later, I don't have a copy anymore. Still love the BC780XLT for...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[KevinC]

you can down load it here
thats where I got it again

BC780XLT: - BC780XLT Andy's Program Download?

Hello! Dusting off the old topic of BC780XLT programming. . anyone have a source for the freeware 'Andy's Program' ? Every link I've found is broken. I liked this program from back in the day, and several computer generations later, I don't have a copy anymore. Still love the BC780XLT for...

forums.radioreference.com

Ugh, I forgot how convoluted this program was. While it was cool in 2001, we've progressed so much since then.

Anyway, it works on my Win 11 machine, but personally I'd just get ProScan. Use the 30-day free trial and then if you like it spend the $50.

 

[KE0HIN]

as for the recomended cable would this work?

USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter with LED Indicators, FTDI Chipset, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above​

Amazon.com

 

[KevinC]

as for the recomended cable would this work?

USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter with LED Indicators, FTDI Chipset, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above​

Amazon.com

I thought you already had a USB-to-serial adapter?

 

[KE0HIN]

i do but its just a strait usb to serial

 

[KevinC]

i do but its just a strait usb to serial

Disregard everything I said about null modem, you don't need that.

With your current adapter plugged in go to device manager, then ports and find your adapter, then see what com port it's assigned to.