BCT15- front port question

[rc2050a]

What type of connector feeds into the front port on the bct15? I have the included cable that came with the scanner-- but I'll need to purchase the UBS adaptor since my laptop doesn't accommodate a serial port. So far I've programmed everything manually, but I'd also like to try programming via the PC.
I found the necessary adaptors --- but I also came across a product that was a UBS adaptor with several different connectors -- i.e. it included the one that you would plug into a digital camera to download pictures. And it included about four others in which one looked like it might fit into the front port on the scanner. And even though I had the cable that came with the scanner with me in the store, I couldn't tell for sure if there was a match (due to the packaging)-- but they were labled (for instance, "5 pin ..." -- so, what type of connector does the front port actually take?

 

[davidmc36]

-- so, what type of connector does the front port actually take?

I do actually have a USB cable from a cheap digital camera that will fit the front port but it is obviously useless since you can't plug it straight into a USB port. It is a bit of an obscure four pin connector, but not totally unique to Uniden. Of all the devices that I have had, the scanner and that cheap digital camera is the only place I have seen that connector.

 

[rc2050a]

OK- So even if the USB adaptor that I saw had a matching connector for the scanner, I couldn't use it anyway since you can''t go directly into a usb port?

And I just found the post that gives the link to Monoprice for the serial - usb adaptor at a very good price.

 

[davidmc36]

OK- So even if the USB adaptor that I saw had a matching connector for the scanner, I couldn't use it anyway since you can''t go directly into a usb port?

And I just found the post that gives the link to Monoprice for the serial - usb adaptor at a very good price.

If you had a cord with built in Serial to USB adapter that had the plug to go into the scanner (which is what Uniden's USB-1 is) you are golden. Just the cord that I have does not have an adapter, it is just wires and happens to fit the front port.

Most any of the Serial to USB adapters should work for you. You just neen to plug your cable that came with your scanner into the 9 pin end of it and the other end into you conputer's USB. I didn't see anything on Monoprice that had a four pin that fits your scanner on one end with USB to fit your computer on the other in the line of Serial to USB adapters.

 

[rc2050a]

Thanks David. I will be using the cable that came with the scanner along with this:
For only $5.76 each when QTY 50+ purchased - USB to Serial Convert Cable(DB9M/USB B female converter and USB A/B cable)[SYB] | USB to Serial/Parallel Converter

I was glad I learned how to manually program -- but realize using software and PC will obviously be much easier.

 

[dagwag77]

I use a serial to USB (by belkin was $15 at Staples), and it works like a charm. I've never seen this type of port before, but I said the same thing when I got my new blackberry storm and saw its USB port....

 

[davidmc36]

Thanks David. I will be using the cable that came with the scanner along with this:
For only $5.76 each when QTY 50+ purchased - USB to Serial Convert Cable(DB9M/USB B female converter and USB A/B cable)[SYB] | USB to Serial/Parallel Converter

I was glad I learned how to manually program -- but realize using software and PC will obviously be much easier.

That cable should work fine for you. One important note is to be sure and install the drivers before you plug the adapter into your computer. And use the proper ones for your operating system. Many people have had problems connecting and it often turns out to be wrong dirvers or plugging in the adapter before installing the drivers and ending up with an "unknown device" in System Manager" and the computer still often has issues even if you install the proper drivers later. Drivers first is very important.

 

[petey_racer]

I felt it was worth the extra few $$ to get the real USB-1 cable.
There are NO compatibility issues like with a lot of serial adapters, and it is even Vista64 compatible.

I also got it to leave routed from my computer to BCT-15 location. If I need to re-program or PC control my BC246T I can just unplug the 15 and plug in the 246 with the slack that is right at the radio.

I use my USB adapter to program other radios so I did not want to leave that hooked up all the time.