Butel ARC396 vs. UASD

[W4KRR]

I see on the Butel website that their ARC396 software is scheduled for release on September 8th.

I have not used it, I have used only the Uniden UASD software. Many people have said they prefer the Butel software.

My question for those who have been using the "demo" ARC396 software: Will it allow you to download the contents of the scanner and save it, and can you create a new system and upload it to the scanner without erasing or disturbing the existing contents of the scanner?

 

[pfish]

I see no use for paying for arc396. I used UASD to program my 396t, then I use BCD396T Advanced Virtual Control (http://scannerbase.blogspot.com/2005/07/free-scannerbase-bcd396t-advanced.html) to log active frequencies/talkgroups and for virtual control. Just for a quick backup I grabbed butel's free copy of clone396 and backed up all of my systems incase UASD was to have some kind of weird problem.

Everything arc396 does and not a cent spent.

 

[MarkWestin]

Arc396

Hello,

I don't currently own ARC396, but I am thinking about buying it for the following reasons:

Just before I bought my BC246T, I downloaded the Demo versions of both ARC246 and the USAD for the BC246T. I used both programs to build test systems for the scanners and found the ARC246 program much easier to use (for me). When I received my BC246T(and the full version of ARC246), I loaded the system I had made into the unit and quickly discovered that I didn't understand how the scanner worked before I received it. I was able to modify the systems to work the way I wanted them to.

Since I am used to the way that ARC246 works, I am having some difficulties getting used to the USAD software. The WEB/Trunk Catcher is also a powerful feature which ARC246 and ARC396 have. I have found a way around the problem for now: I program everything into my ARC246 program, Load it into the BC246T, Read the BC246T with USAD (unregistered) for 246, and copy the files to the USAD for 396 directory. I can then load them into my 396 with USAD396 with no problem.

I think the USAD software is good enough to do any programming for the 396 but it isn't the easiest to use. If you haven't used ARC software, it may be just as easy to learn to use USAD software.

I understand that Mr. Buysen made some comments in the Yahoo BCD396T group about Uniden's software that may have upset several people, but that doesn't mean his software is any less good than it would be if he hadn't made those comments.

When I have asked Mr. Buysen questions about the problems I was having with his software, he has always been polite and helpful.

Mark

 

[jpm]

I myself had the same issue after using the ARC250 software and using the BCD396T software. I did in fact have the id number before the alpha tag of each talk group and freaked out when the scanner wasn't picking up the programmed ids and alpha tags. I was able to see what the issue was and corrected such. I myself purchased the ARC250 due to one being able to aplha tag banks and sub banks. I will solely use the uniden software on my BCD396T as it is sufficient for me.

 

[W4KRR]

Lots of people seem to believe the ARC396 is easier to use, but can it do what I asked about in my OP?

 

[USAPatriot]

JPM,

Just a hair off topic: Have you had problems with Uniden's native software for the 796D? For whatever reason, if I try to open any file other than an .ssd file, I get a warning that there's no file open. Duh...not that it matter much, just curious. -Rod-

 

[MarkWestin]

Hello,

Since I haven't used ARC396, I can't say absolutely, but since ARC246 will allow you to replace 1 or more systems without doing anything to the remaining systems or the scanner's parameters, I believe that ARC396 will do the same.

Here is a quote from the ARC396 Web Page" 'intelli upload': Replaces systems that are stored in your scanner without having to reset your scanner first! ARC396 will never reset your scanner! "

It sounds like it will upload a new system to your scanner without disturbing what is in your scanner.

Mark

 

[jpm]

I recently just replaced one database file on the uniden BCD396T software without replacing all that was uploaded in the scanner. I just had to make another reconfiguration and applied the added groups and new trunked ids. You have to pay attention if the clear scanner box is checked before uploading to scanner so as not to erase the databases currently in place.

 

[Al42]

JPM,

Just a hair off topic: Have you had problems with Uniden's native software for the 796D? For whatever reason, if I try to open any file other than an .ssd file, I get a warning that there's no file open. Duh...not that it matter much, just curious. -Rod-

If the program can't open a .txt file (or whatever type you're tryhing to open), then no file is open. Maybe the error message could be different, but opening a non-.ssd file wouldn't make much sense.

 

[garys]

To answer your original questions. Yes, you can read the radio and save the resulting files. It will read each system and group within each system. It will allow you save each system individually and you can save the who file as a profile. As with the UASD, you can choose to over write the existing profile or just add new systems to it.

I originally used UASD to program my scanner and had a lot of systems saved in .usd format. When I got ARC396, I loaded everything onto the scanner using UASD and then read it using ARC396. Worked very well.

Gary