BCT15X: BCT15X programming cable

[Ret_Batt_Chief]

Just ordered a new BCT15X. Going to use for monitoring and streaming VHF Hi and a some UHF. All Analog. Currently use a SDS200 and BCD436HP for Digital Trunk systems in adjacent county.
Running Proscan. My question is what type of programming cable does it come with. It looks like from the pictures the front and rear port are serial connections. Is the other end of the cable a USB? Just want to make sure I have everything before scanner arrives tomorrow.

 

[jeepsandradios]

Mine came with a serial cable with a DB9 but I got mine a while ago.

 

[iMONITOR]

Mine came with a serial cable with a DB9 but I got mine a while ago.

I think the newer ones are coming with a serial-to-USB cable.

 

[KevinC]

I think the newer ones are coming with a serial-to-USB cable.

I don’t know, but I doubt Uniden would include that at no extra cost. But I could be wrong.

 

[iMONITOR]

I don’t know, but I doubt Uniden would include that at no extra cost. But I could be wrong.

I'm pretty sure the last one I had, about a year ago came with a serial-to-USB cable and no DB9 RS232 cable. Unless it was one that someone returned but it definitely looked new and untouched. Maybe Rich might chime in. Maybe Uniden had too many returned due to people no longer having serial ports on their PC's?

 

[KevinC]

I'm pretty sure the last one I had, about a year ago came with a serial-to-USB cable and no DB9 RS232 cable. Unless it was one that someone returned but it definitely looked new and untouched. Maybe Rich might chime in. Maybe Uniden had too many returned due to people no longer having serial ports on their PC's?

Ok. The current “what’s in the box” indicates a serial cable.

 

[Ret_Batt_Chief]

Ok. The current “what’s in the box” indicates a serial cable.

So does the serial cable have a USB connection on one end?

 

[jeepsandradios]

Serial Cable is not normally USB. Its Serial aka 9 Pin

 

[JoeBearcat]

I don’t know, but I doubt Uniden would include that at no extra cost. But I could be wrong.

I suspect he meant 'newer models'. (like the SDS series)

USB-serial adapters are cheap.

 

[KevinC]

I suspect he meant 'newer models'. (like the SDS series)

USB-serial adapters are cheap.

Ok, but those don’t come with one either. 😁

 

[ProScan]

So does the serial cable have a USB connection on one end?

I bought a BCT15X 1 year ago. I reopened the box just now and the accessories were still inside. The serial cable has a DB-9 female connector on one end and the other end connects to the scanner front panel.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Ok, but those don’t come with one either. 😁

True, but they are coming with a USB cable. (not serial-USB necessarily but that depends on your definition, as it does convert to serial within the scanner.) But yes, the cable itself is a standard USB to Mini (SDS100) or Micro (SDS200) cable.

 

[KevinC]

I bought a BCT15X 1 year ago. I reopened the box just now and the accessories were still inside. The serial cable has a DB-9 female connector on one end and the other end connects to the scanner front panel.

As I expected. Uniden isn’t about to give away USB-to-serial adapters.

 

[iMONITOR]

I've probably had about six of the BCT15X scanners over the years. I agree, all but one came with the stock RS-232 DB-9 cable that plugs into the small connector on the front of the scanner. It was only the last one that did come with a cable that had that special micro-serial plug on one end and the standard USB plug on the other. So as I said it's possible I got one that someone returned and they forgot to remove the USB cable they bought for it. The scanner was mint, and worked perfectly. I didn't complain.

 

[KevinC]

I've probably had about six of the BCT15X scanners over the years. I agree, all but one came with the stock RS-232 DB-9 cable that plugs into the small connector on the front of the scanner. It was only the last one that did come with a cable that had that special micro-serial plug on one end and the standard USB plug on the other. So as I said it's possible I got one that someone returned and they forgot to remove the USB cable they bought for it. The scanner was mint, and worked perfectly. I didn't complain.

Then it was probably a 996P2. Different animal.

 

[JoeBearcat]

It's one of those things that not everyone needs. It wasn't until a year or two ago that new PCs (at least the ones I buy) stopped coming with serial ports. And those adapters can be used with much more than just scanners. Personally I would like them all to be USB-C, too, but that also costs money (money for the parts, money to change the manuals, etc)

I also have no idea why the Micro was chosen for the SDS200 when everything else in recent design as a Mini.

 

[iMONITOR]

Then it was probably a 996P2. Different animal.

No, it wasn't. I have two 996P2's sitting in front of me right now. It was a BCT15X that I purchased to dedicate to VHF/UHF aircraft monitoring. They don't look quite the same. The front panel on the 15X has a different color. The BCT15X only had the orange screen, no color choices.

BCT15X

BCD996P2


This is the cable that it came with:

USB-1 USB-to-RS232 Cable for Scanners

USB-to-RS232 Cable for BCD 160DN, BC & BCT Series

USB to RS232 Cable for Uniden scanners. Product Overview Compatible with the following models: BCT15 BCT15X Front Port BC95XLT SC230 BC246XT BR330T BC346XT BC346C BCD396T BCD396XT BCD996T BCD996XT Front Port The Uniden scanner cable, USB-1, is suitable for personal or professional use. 3.9 L x...

uniden.com

• Compatible with the following models:
• BCT15
• BCT15X Front Port
• BC95XLT
• SC230
• BC246XT
• BR330T
• BC346XT
• BC346C
• BCD396T
• BCD396XT
• BCD996T
• BCD996XT Front Port

 

[KevinC]

So to answer the original question. The BCT-15X comes with a serial cable (DB-9 to whatever you call the old style Uniden connector), correct?

 

[KevinC]

No, it wasn't. I have two 996P2's sitting in front of me right now. It was a BCT15X that I purchased to dedicate to VHF/UHF aircraft monitoring. They don't look quite the same. The front panel on the 15X has a different color. The BCT15X only had the orange screen, no color choices.

BCT15X
View attachment 140058
BCD996P2
View attachment 140059

This is the cable that it came with:

USB-1 USB-to-RS232 Cable for Scanners

USB-to-RS232 Cable for BCD 160DN, BC & BCT Series

USB to RS232 Cable for Uniden scanners. Product Overview Compatible with the following models: BCT15 BCT15X Front Port BC95XLT SC230 BC246XT BR330T BC346XT BC346C BCD396T BCD396XT BCD996T BCD996XT Front Port The Uniden scanner cable, USB-1, is suitable for personal or professional use. 3.9 L x...

uniden.com

• Compatible with the following models:
• BCT15
• BCT15X Front Port
• BC95XLT
• SC230
• BC246XT
• BR330T
• BC346XT
• BC346C
• BCD396T
• BCD396XT
• BCD996T
• BCD996XT Front Port

Understood.

 

[Kiniutech]

not that complicated
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb+to+rs232&crid=2CCEWPJNM59SW&sprefix=usb+to+rs232,aps,561&ref=nb_sb_noss_1