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AC0RV

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Can you have a GPS signal going on the serial port of the 996xt and still use of the usb port(s) for programs such as the PRO96COM ?
 

UPMan

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The BCD996XT does not have a USB port. You can connect a GPS to the rear serial port and still use the front serial port for programming and control from your PC.
 

AC0RV

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Thanks. I am just starting investigating the possibility of getting a 996xt.
 

ofd8001

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Though your question has already been answered, let me chime in.

I'm doing just the exact thing. I have a Garmin GPS plugged into the rear serial port of my 996XT, pretty much a permanent connection. Then to program the scanner via laptop computer, I use the Uniden USB-1 cable connected to the front port. Works like a charm!
 
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GPS

I'm doing just the exact thing. I have a Garmin GPS plugged into the rear serial port of my 996XT, pretty much a permanent connection. Then to program the scanner via laptop computer, I use the Uniden USB-1 cable connected to the front port. Works like a charm!

So let me get this straight. When you take the house down off the cinder blocks and move on down the road, the scanner is able to track your movements and enable/disable systems accordingly?

That is cool! So you can also use Garmin to find the next Waffle House along the route.

I think I'm going to move. Real Maple Syrup is 15 cents extra where I live.

Forgive me. I'm new here. Why would you use GPS from a fixed location?
 

kma371

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So let me get this straight. When you take the house down off the cinder blocks and move on down the road, the scanner is able to track your movements and enable/disable systems accordingly?

That is cool! So you can also use Garmin to find the next Waffle House along the route.

I think I'm going to move. Real Maple Syrup is 15 cents extra where I live.

Forgive me. I'm new here. Why would you use GPS from a fixed location?

where did he say he had a fixed location? he said "permanent connection" meaning always connected. he probably has it hooked up in a mobile setup.
 
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ofd8001

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Well, I'm more of a cheese omelet guy when I visit Waffle House. . .

When I drive the vehicle having the 996XT from Louisville KY to Lexington KY the GPS unit will turn off the Louisville "stuff" as I get out of Louisville range and as I approach Lexington, it turns on the Lexington "stuff".

The GPS is permanently connected to a scanner in a vehicle (meaning it's connected all the time and not just when I go "on the road").

I have been known to use a GPS at home however. Just the other day I got a new Uniden GPS unit and connected it to a 396XT. That was to be sure I connected the thing correctly and had the proper settings. That's so when I do go on the road the scanner and GPS will function as desired. I'm glad I did as I forgot that the baud rate had to be set at 4800 (I use a higher rate when programming)
 

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I assume when you travel with the GPS you can have it load only specific "stuff" right? Like only fire or highway patrol?
 

UPMan

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GPS does not cause the scanner to load/unload stuff. It locks and unlocks systems, sites, and channel groups you have loaded into the scanner, as long as the system/site/group's Quick Key is enabled. So, what it locks/unlocks depends on what you program into the scanner.
 

ofd8001

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There are many different ways to go about skinning the cat of programming a scanner for listening when one goes traveling.

The "cat skinning" method I use is this. I program my "out of town" systems in my scanner, choosing the particular things I'm interested in. I assign all of these "out of town" systems to a system quick key based on the state. For example, Kentucky will have system quick key 20, Indiana has system quick key 30, Illinois system quick key 40, Wisconsin system quick key 50.

(I use computer software for programming and through the RR subscription I have, it downloads locations too).

When I'm in my home area, I lock (which disables or turns off) the system quick keys associated with these out of town systems. That leaves just my local "stuff" active. When I'm out the road, I unlock (which enables or turns on) the system quick key associated with the state I happen to be in. (I lock all the system quick keys for my home area).

This seems to work more efficiently for me. I have a lot of things programmed in my scanner The process of determining which systems/sites or groups, are locked or unlocked by the GPS can be lengthy,

As noted, there are many ways of accomplishing the desired end result because this scanner is so versatile. Another method is to use start-up keys, though I'm not overly familiar with this.
 
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