BCD396T/BC996T: BCD996T First time programming.

F6twistersrwindy

New to scanning. Loving it so far 😃
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Nov 4, 2024
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49
Location
Ohio
Hey. I have a BCD996T that has been half reprogrammed No trunking added just local frequencies. I want to start from scratch but I have never programmed a scanner or used one. Ive read the manual. I understood most of it. My question is, I am using windows 11 laptop and I need advice on what programming software to use. I want to be able to add updates easily as they come out. User friendly to because I have never done this. Also I'm having a brain fart understanding Uniden I-Call. The manual said it is to pick up local one on one comunications. What is that? Then I read from google saying I-Call is the same as the CloseCall feature. I thought Closecall was picking up emergencies close to home? I using this as a base unit only. All advice welcome. I'm just starting. 🙂
 

IC-R20

LoBand Nation
Joined
Nov 19, 2018
Messages
648
From what I understand, the original programming cable that came with the 996T will not work on Windows 10/11, and requires purchase of a new compatible cable. Such as the one below.

What city in Ohio, so we can look at the database and see what is available in your area of Ohio.

Not true at all. Computers don’t have serial port anymore but I have a trendnet USB adapter for it and its recognized perfectly fine as if it were native hardware, I actually found it to work more reliably than having to screw with the drivers for the USB program cable. I even program my baofengs that way as well using a kenwood serial cable on the adapter.
 

LJF

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Joined
Apr 15, 2023
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6
Location
Island Park RI
Hey. I have a BCD996T that has been half reprogrammed No trunking added just local frequencies. I want to start from scratch but I have never programmed a scanner or used one. Ive read the manual. I understood most of it. My question is, I am using windows 11 laptop and I need advice on what programming software to use. I want to be able to add updates easily as they come out. User friendly to because I have never done this. Also I'm having a brain fart understanding Uniden I-Call. The manual said it is to pick up local one on one comunications. What is that? Then I read from google saying I-Call is the same as the CloseCall feature. I thought Closecall was picking up emergencies close to home? I using this as a base unit only. All advice welcome. I'm just starting. 🙂
Welcome to scanning.
Getting started can come with a lot of "What do I do now?".
I started with Youtube. There is a lot of info from many presenters. Find one you can follow easily. I looked at different software for my 996XT and went with Freescan, easy to understand. You can always move up to another after you get your feet wet.

Good Luck and enjoy the listening!
Larry
 

F6twistersrwindy

New to scanning. Loving it so far 😃
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Nov 4, 2024
Messages
49
Location
Ohio
Welcome to scanning.
Getting started can come with a lot of "What do I do now?".
I started with Youtube. There is a lot of info from many presenters. Find one you can follow easily. I looked at different software for my 996XT and went with Freescan, easy to understand. You can always move up to another after you get your feet wet.

Good Luck and enjoy the listening!
Larry
Thank you 😃
 

F6twistersrwindy

New to scanning. Loving it so far 😃
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Nov 4, 2024
Messages
49
Location
Ohio
Hey. I have a BCD996T that has been half reprogrammed No trunking added just local frequencies. I want to start from scratch but I have never programmed a scanner or used one. Ive read the manual. I understood most of it. My question is, I am using windows 11 laptop and I need advice on what programming software to use. I want to be able to add updates easily as they come out. User friendly to because I have never done this. Also I'm having a brain fart understanding Uniden I-Call. The manual said it is to pick up local one on one comunications. What is that? Then I read from google saying I-Call is the same as the CloseCall feature. I thought Closecall was picking up emergencies close to home? I using this as a base unit only. All advice welcome. I'm just starting. 🙂
 
Last edited:

F6twistersrwindy

New to scanning. Loving it so far 😃
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Nov 4, 2024
Messages
49
Location
Ohio
Ok, Not sure if im typing where everyone can see the update but I got my scanner connected to the pc. I got proscan software open. There some frequencies already in scanner but I better restart from scratch. Please tell me what to do next.
 

GILLIG40

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Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
197
Location
Northwest, Ohio
Just a heads up as you are programming anything from NWORPSS. A lot of what is listed there is seldom to never used. Open up the link to node 225. Then open all captured talkgroups. That will show you any activity in the past 24 hours. Also you only need to program the Lucas County Simulcast site . The Wood & Fulton County talkgroups will still be available to monitor. The control channel frequency just about never changes is 855.8875. You can try any of these things once you have it programmed and scanning. Just a few things to make scan faster
 

F6twistersrwindy

New to scanning. Loving it so far 😃
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Nov 4, 2024
Messages
49
Location
Ohio
Just a heads up as you are programming anything from NWORPSS. A lot of what is listed there is seldom to never used. Open up the link to node 225. Then open all captured talkgroups. That will show you any activity in the past 24 hours. Also you only need to program the Lucas County Simulcast site . The Wood & Fulton County talkgroups will still be available to monitor. The control channel frequency just about never changes is 855.8875. You can try any of these things once you have it programmed and scanning. Just a few things to make scan faster
Ok Thank you. 🙂
 

GILLIG40

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
197
Location
Northwest, Ohio
If I were you I’d follow @tvengr advice. Post 10 & 48. Sounds like he’s telling you to download FreeScan then use my FreeScan file to program your 996T. After you have it up and scanning he’s saying that you then read your then programmed scanner to Proscan. Disclaimer. I only know enough about computers to get myself in trouble. But I have programmed my 996T, SDS200, and G4. I have Proscan but definitely do not know enough about it to give you advice. The simulcast situation around is a problem. I provided links to FreeScan if you decide to go that route



At the bottom of the FreeScan user guide look at video #1 trunked.
That gentleman will walk you through every step.
 
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