CS1911 be more specific about what it is you are looking to do. And say something about where you are (city/county/state will do nicely). We have forums for each of the 50 states, as well as a cross reference of numerous state-driven scanning related Yahoo groups in our wiki. Between the 2 you have lots of help available.
These 3 links should be a big help - anything that's in blue and/or underlined is a link -
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Trunking
In the 'overview' section, read the 'Trunking Basics' and 'tutorial article'. Stick with these for now - just get the idea of how trunking works, and what some of the basic concepts are.
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Uniden_DMA_FAQ
The 396 does not have 'banks' - rather you dynamically allocate groups and systems using a common pool of some 6000 memories. This article will introduce you to a little of the concepts and terminology. It too has links for understanding trunking - which is why it follows the above....in addition, you should pay attention to finding data for your particular area, and getting a premium subscription so you can use the database to help you program. This too is described here.
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BCD396T
This is the wiki article that covers the 396. In the 'related pages' section, go to the 'Easier to Read' link and download it. The manual Uniden gives you is not really the best - this is far better.
As for software that can connect to the database...it's probably easier to say which does not connect. RadioCtl, Scancat Lite Plus, and the Uniden Advanced System Director (UASD) don't. However, you should know that most of the better software packages can import UASD files as an import source. Scan Control doesn't connect, however it has a copy/paste tool designed to work with the database. I've heard very little about Trunkstar Elite. IDTracker II is not a programming package - it is basically set up to capture activity logs and audio; however it can use the database to add tags to your hits (it uses a plugin that you would need to get seperately). The BCD396T Manager (which I understand is a bit rough in it's implementation), BcTool and FreeScan are all freeware. You may find file(s) for your areas in the Files section of the BCD396 Yahoo group. They may well need some updates from the database, but at least you have a template to get started.
73 Mike
[edit] I mentioned we have a cross ref in our Wiki of scanning related Yahoo groups - here it is..
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/US_Scanning_Mailing_Lists
and for definitions of terminology - it's far from complete, of course, but it should serve for most all of the basic terms you are likely to see thrown around in this hobby -
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Category:RR_Glossary