BCD996T New User

[cool1986]

Another new BCD996T user from the "Christmas" deluge of newbies. I've been a scanner enthusiast for the past 19 years and have owned 7 or 8 different scanners. This BCD996T appears to be one complex baby. I've read and read various comments from several forums and find a wealth of info but I'm really getting overwhelmed!

Looks like I need some computer software to get started. BIG QUESTION... are any of the software choices going to be compatible with my Apple Mac computer or am I SOL? Can't find any answer yet... everywhere I look it discusses Microsoft PCs

Also, any BCD996T owners in the Plano/Allen, Texas area willing to tutor me? Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

 

[ka3jjz]

Nothing directly for Macs, I'm afraid. I have seen where folks have recommended that you use Parallel (I think I got that right, Mac folks step up here...) and load up Windows XP.

Once you do that and get a premium subscription you will be on your way. Download a copy of FreeScan (I don't know if it will work in this environment, but it's freeware, so you lose nothing) for programming, and you will be on your way. Jump down to the Texas forum and ask for UASD (Uniden Advanced System Director) or BuTel files (the most recent version of FreeScan imports ARC780 - conventional only - ARC15, ARC246 and others - watch the trunking, though, as the mapping for the trunking is not yet complete)

We have a nice wiki article with lots of links for the 996 - including the Easier to Read manual which is online. In spite of the numerous errors, it will still get you going quicker than reading the Uniden manual.

Links forthcoming... 73 Mike

[edit] As promised - note that both here and the wiki, anything in blue or underlined is a link

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BCD996T

from here, jump to the Related pages section and download the Easier to Read manual, and bookmark (and read) the Uniden DMA FAQ. This will start to get your head around the fact that there are no banks - you define them within systems, sites and groups. FreeScan's link, along with the user manual (which is hosted in our wiki) can be found in the PC programming section.

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/subscription/

Using FreeScan (and other apps), you will be able to download data directly from the database into one of numerous compatible apps.

 

[thewenk]

Another new BCD996T user from the "Christmas" deluge of newbies. I've been a scanner enthusiast for the past 19 years and have owned 7 or 8 different scanners. This BCD996T appears to be one complex baby. I've read and read various comments from several forums and find a wealth of info but I'm really getting overwhelmed!

Looks like I need some computer software to get started. BIG QUESTION... are any of the software choices going to be compatible with my Apple Mac computer or am I SOL? Can't find any answer yet... everywhere I look it discusses Microsoft PCs

Also, any BCD996T owners in the Plano/Allen, Texas area willing to tutor me? Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

Yup, you either need to buy a cheap used PC or get Parallels or VMware for your Mac, or use Bootcamp if your Mac is new enough. Then you have to buy or get a legal copy of xp or Vista. If you are at all PC savvy, it might be about as easy and cost about the same to buy a cheap used PC and use it. I have a Mac with Parallels installed, but I have ended up using my old PC for all my scanner needs. It just seems easier to me, but I had the PC available to use.

Dave