BCD536HP USB Keeps Disconnecting

[davenlr]

It disconnects on a 32bit windows 7 laptop too.

 

[WaveJam]

An interesting tidbit. Well, at least for me it is. I received my replacement scanner from the recall. As I was hooking it up to program it I noted quickly that the USB cable seated into the front USB port further and a lot more snug than my original 536. I didn't think much of it because I knew the disconnect problem would still exist. Well, its been 24 hours (knocking on wood) and it hasn't dropped into Mass Storage yet. Previously my record length of uptime was 2hrs.

Now obviously, the scanner is probably going to drop to Mass Storage mode right after I post this. But hey, at least I got to enjoy it for 24hrs without mishap.

 

[AA6IO]

Pete,
Same thing here. My two replacements units have much more snug fits. Also been running ARC536 logging for last 24 hours without problems on one of the 536HPs. I will see what happens during day today while I am gone.
This kind of suggests to me that it is a USB port thing, rather than firmware (I am using latest 1.03.03), Still hope Uniden can do some firmware update to use the rear serial port (as alternative like on 99XT). But maybe that's a hardware issue. I don't know. Anyway, hope this gets straightened out because a lot of us want to have a reliable serial connection. Right now, it seems like a crap shoot.

Steve AA6IO

 

[mrkelso]

My 536 has not been returned for repairs and i am running the same old cable it came with and ARC536 VC has been running fine for 2 days now logging away.

 

[nr2d]

I posted this reply in another thread so if the moderators want to delete it go ahead.

I have set my BCD536HP up so that I am not plugging and unplugging the mini-USB connector when ever I want to use VC in ARC536 beta. I do all of the plugging and unplugging on the computer side. I have not sent mine back yet for the headphone recall. Until this last update of ACR536 beta 0.89 build 11 I would still have disconnects 3 or 4 times over a several hour period where the scanner went back into the USB Mass Storage mode. I ran ARC536 beta 0.89 build 11 for about 4 hours last night without 1 instance of reverting to USB Mass Storage mode.

It didn't even bother ARC536 when I was adding unit IDs in Sentinal with ARC536 running in the background.

BTW I am using a new USB cable between my computer and scanner. The fit of the mini-USB with this new cable seems identical to the fit with the Uniden provided USB cable.

The only computer problem I had last night was trying to download IOS 7.1 from Apple on my iMac. I kept getting knocked off of the server.

I'll be running ARC536 and Sentinal together tonight as I update more unit IDs.

 

[ofd8001]

I've got two 536s, both of which went through the replacement process for the headphone issue. After receiving them, the latest firmware was applied.

I'm still seeing the issue with the scanner changing itself from Serial Port to Mass Storage modes. I have the ARC 536 Beta which I use for logging so having the scanner stay in Serial Port mode is important to me.

So from my perspective, the latest firmware update has not resolved the issue.

Unfortunately this is a random happening with no rhyme or reason to its occurrence. Sometimes it jumps from Serial to Mass Storage in just a few minutes, sometimes it will run for hours without doing so.

Noting that Upman is traveling this week and his access to these forums is limited, nevertheless I'd like for them to say "We're still looking into this". Of course dealing with this bug may be something that will be addressed with the Siren App when they finish it.

 

[WaveJam]

Unfortunately this is a random happening with no rhyme or reason to its occurrence. Sometimes it jumps from Serial to Mass Storage in just a few minutes, sometimes it will run for hours without doing so.

I'm convinced that this is a scanner hardware issue in which a number of scanners have a bad USB port. My original 536 disconnected with no rhyme or reason also and the USB cable felt loose when plugged in. My replacement scanner is very different. Cable goes in very snug and its been running non stop for 48hrs. I think some scanner jacks are worse than others and this is something that needs to be looked into by Uniden. I also fully believe that at some point my scanner will drop into mass storage mode again. Just not as often as my original scanner.

It would have been great (for everyone) if this was just a firmware issue. But my bet is a scanner hardware problem.

Noting that Upman is traveling this week and his access to these forums is limited, nevertheless I'd like for them to say "We're still looking into this".

Couldn't agree more. I feel like I have been jumping up and down in UPMans face trying to get a response, but no luck thus far. An acknowledgement would be great.

 

[davenlr]

I wish I could prove it, but my returned from recall scanner seems to have a much better fitting USB port than the one I sent in. I plugged the cable in the front, and had to use some force on this one. Im not TOUCHING it. Ill unplug the computer end from now on. So far, 2 hrs and counting with no issues.

Its not the serial driver either, since I used it for over a week on my 436 without a single disconnect.

 

[an39511]

This problem has already been proven in the http://forums.radioreference.com/uniden-bug-reports/286491-problem-usb-mini-jack.html thread, at least for my radios. The video I made clearly demonstrates the problem however as other are reporting here there seems to be a consistency issue with the USB jack. The two radios I got back have very sloppy jacks and both of them have connectivity issues. All that does is add to the randomness of what people are reporting.

I have modified a USB cable which allows for a better physical connection and for 4 days now it is rock solid with no drop outs.

 

[nr2d]

I am running beta 0.89 build 11 and my BCD3536HP is at firmware rev 1.02.03.

I ran ARC536 in the VC mode for over an hour with no problems. I then put the scanner into USB Mass storage mode and up dated the scanner.

After the update I rebooted the scanner and found all of my favorites were enabled. I use the ARC536 VC mode to shut off all but 1 favorite. With in a minute the scanner went back to USB Mass Storage mode.

I restarted the scanner again but this time turned off all but 1 favorite via the scanner's front panel and after 15 minutes it is still working fine.

 

[davenlr]

I wish I could prove it, but my returned from recall scanner seems to have a much better fitting USB port than the one I sent in. I plugged the cable in the front, and had to use some force on this one. Im not TOUCHING it. Ill unplug the computer end from now on. So far, 2 hrs and counting with no issues.

Its not the serial driver either, since I used it for over a week on my 436 without a single disconnect.

Sorry to quote my own message....

After a week of solid use, and NOT disconnecting the plug from the jack once (I use the other end at the computer), the scanner has started doing the Mass Storage mode disconnect. This is a new scanner received from the recall program.

Really wish they could get a handle on this, and fix it. My 436 ran over a week while the 536 was recalled, and did not have this problem one time.

 

[LIScanner101]

The randomness of this phenomenon screams hardware, not firmware.

All frustrated users of this scanner should band together and demand that Uniden make this right,

Or are you all OK with paying $600 to be a guinea pig?

It's your money.

 

[fxdscon]

The randomness of this phenomenon screams hardware, not firmware.

All frustrated users of this scanner should band together and demand that Uniden make this right,

Or are you all OK with paying $600 to be a guinea pig?

It's your money.

From the description of this new forum:

"Please use the Uniden Tavern forum for rants about deficiencies or flaws in hardware."

 

[LIScanner101]

Sorry. Oopsies.

 

[SCPD]

The randomness of this phenomenon screams hardware, not firmware.

All frustrated users of this scanner should band together and demand that Uniden make this right,

Or are you all OK with paying $600 to be a guinea pig?

It's your money.

What makes you the Leader of this Leach Mob???????????????????????????

YOU NOT EVEN OWN ONE.

 

[UPMan]

There are a couple of inherent problems with using the USB port for a constant serial connection, under the current operation. At this time, we really recommend you use the actual serial ports. For the 536, serial commands work through the 9-pin RS232 (GPS) port, as well as through the USB port in serial mode. For the 436, serial commands can be sent through its GPS port, as well (using the same cables as used with the BCD396XT). The advantage of this over the USB port is that the USB port is currently set to go directly to Mass Storage mode if it is connected when the scanner reboots (as could happen either when the scanner loses power momentarily or if there is some memory fault that causes a reboot).

Note: This will only work for people who actually have the scanner. For the rest, we have no solution.

 

[phask]

There are a couple of inherent problems with using the USB port for a constant serial connection, under the current operation. At this time

Note: This will only work for people who actually have the scanner. For the rest, we have no solution.

Those must use the truly virtual - USB connection

 

[ofd8001]

There are a couple of inherent problems with using the USB port for a constant serial connection, under the current operation. At this time, we really recommend you use the actual serial ports. For the 536, serial commands work through the 9-pin RS232 (GPS) port, as well as through the USB port in serial mode. For the 436, serial commands can be sent through its GPS port, as well (using the same cables as used with the BCD396XT). The advantage of this over the USB port is that the USB port is currently set to go directly to Mass Storage mode if it is connected when the scanner reboots (as could happen either when the scanner loses power momentarily or if there is some memory fault that causes a reboot).

Note: This will only work for people who actually have the scanner. For the rest, we have no solution.

A couple of follow-up questions:

If I connect to the rear serial port and it looks like I need a gender changer to make this happen, will there also be a need for a null modem adapter somewhere along the cabling?

If I leave the the rear serial port connected to my computer constantly connected, will there be any issues when I connect the USB cable to the front port for programming purposes? (As in can two cables be connected without a problem, or is one at a time best).

 

[nr2d]

There are a couple of inherent problems with using the USB port for a constant serial connection, under the current operation. At this time, we really recommend you use the actual serial ports. For the 536, serial commands work through the 9-pin RS232 (GPS) port, as well as through the USB port in serial mode. For the 436, serial commands can be sent through its GPS port, as well (using the same cables as used with the BCD396XT). The advantage of this over the USB port is that the USB port is currently set to go directly to Mass Storage mode if it is connected when the scanner reboots (as could happen either when the scanner loses power momentarily or if there is some memory fault that causes a reboot).

Note: This will only work for people who actually have the scanner. For the rest, we have no solution.

I thought that I saw someone ask about the rear serial port and they were told, not by you UPMan, that it was for the GPS only. Also in the latest owner's manual the serial port is only mentioned for use by the GPS. From your statement then do I need to use a null modem cable vs. a straight serial cable?

 

[UPMan]

a) Gender changer/null modem is needed.
b) Should be any problem also connecting USB for programming (but scanner will be in Mass Storage mode at that point, so likely serial port will not respond or will not respond the same way).