Help setting up my Uniden BCD396XT

[dylandckr]

I bought a Uniden BCD396XT for my mom for her birthday because she likes listening to the local scanner feeds around town, but I haven't the first idea on how to program this thing. It's definitely different than an analog scanner, and quite intimidating if I may be honest. I'm looking for the scanner frequencies for Cleburne, TX. We used to have an analog scanner and their frequency was 155.01000, but they've since gone digital and I have no idea what their frequency is now.

Myquestion is could someone please help me get my mom's birthday present up and running by kind of giving me a step by step of what to do and get Cleburne's frequencies programmed into this scanner? Any help is sincerely appreciated.

 

[dylandckr]

I'm still looking for any help I can get if anyone has the time. Thanks again.

 

[n4yek]

First you need to download Freescan, a program used for programming that scanner. It is free to use and here is the link:
http://www.sixspotsoftware.com/fssetup-217.zip?attredirects=0 (click on the word 'here' to download it.)

1) Install Freescan on your computer.
2) Hook your scanner to your computer and turn it on.
3) Open Freescan and click on 'scanner' then click on 'upload programming'. In the center of that window look for the 'com port' button and click on it.
4) In the lower left corner of that window, click on 'Start Auto'. This will attempt to locate your scanner connected to your computer. Once it finds your scanner, you are ready to program it.
5) Click on 'close' to close both windows for now.

Once you get this done, let me know and I will create a file for you to upload to your scanner that will get your scanner going.

Here is an online manual for Freescan for your scanner:
http://marksscanners.com/396XT/396xt.shtml#display mode

 

[dylandckr]

Alrighty, I followed your steps and I'm now connected and ready to go!

 

[n4yek]

Attached is a .zip file for your county
Click on it and download it to your computer, remember where you download it too.
Unzip this file so it can be used with Freescan

Connect your scanner to your computer and turn it on

1) Open Freescan
2) Click on 'File'
3) Click on 'Open'
4) Locate the file called 'Johnson County TX', (or 'Johnson County Tx.996' depending on how your computer displays it)
5) Click on 'Johnson County TX' and select 'Open'
6) It should load up into Freescan.
7) On the top bar in Freescan click on 'Scanner'
8) Click on 'Upload Programming'
9) Johnson County should be listed and have a check mark next to it, if not check it.
10) To the right of the box in red letters, select 'Erase ALL Systems & Settings'
11) (Make sure your com port is correct)
12) Click on 'Start Upload'

Once the upload is complete, your scanner will be set to scan Johnson County.
If the scanner should ever say Nothing to Scan just press the number 1 on your keypad to re-activate Johnson County.

Just a note: Your county is using a P25 simulcast system meaning all transmissions are coming from multiple tower locations at the same time and the 396XT is prone to what is called simulcast distortion. What happens is the scanner is receiving multiple signals from multiple towers and this can cause the audio to cut in and out. If you experience this, there isn't a whole lot you can do. I have turned on the 'Attenuation' on your scanner as this can help in situations like this. You can move the scanner around to try and find the best reception or even use a beam antenna to point to the closest tower, trying to eliminate other tower receptions.

 

[dylandckr]

Thank you so much, sir. It now works perfectly. I wish any of the manuals made it as easy as you just did.I can't thank you enough!

 

[n4yek]

Use this attached file, I made a change to it to make it better.

 

[wtp]

use marksscanners to set up a p-25 system

Fort Worth Regional Radio System Trunking System, Tarrant, Johnson Counties, Texas - Scanner Frequencies
the red one for your county has to be put in and it won't hurt to put in the blue ones, and while you are at it might put in the black ones. a trunked system changes frequencies at almost every call and the radio listens to the data channel and works accordingly. they talkgroup numbers is how it separates everyone.
i usually send step by step in a personal message, and will when you can get one if you want or have to.

 

[dylandckr]

Thank you, sir! Will do!

 

[n4yek]

Glad I could help, hope your mom enjoys her scanner.

 

[Mojomanny]

Danny -

That was awesome of you to help him get it set up, going to as much detail as you did.

With the newer, more challenging to wrap your head around DMA, we need more member to member support like yours to help keep people interested in the hobby

Thanks for helping!

 

[n4yek]

Thanks for the compliment, I treat others as I hope I would be treated if I needed help. I know these new scanners can be a little overwhelming if you have not bought a new scanner in the last 10 years.

 

[Nasby]

Thanks for the compliment, I treat others as I hope I would be treated if I needed help. I know these new scanners can be a little overwhelming if you have not bought a new scanner in the last 10 years.

Two thumbs up for you Danny!!

Very generous of you to help out with the file.

 

[n4yek]

Thanks

 

[JGuzman208]

Uniden BCD396xt

Alrighty, I followed your steps and I'm now connected and ready to go!

Hi I just purchased this scanner and if I may ask how did you connect yours to the computer because mine came with a VGA cord that does not fit anywhere?

 

[hiegtx]

Hi I just purchased this scanner and if I may ask how did you connect yours to the computer because mine came with a VGA cord that does not fit anywhere?

The cord that comes with the 396XT is not a VGA cord. It's a serial cable. If your pc has a serial port (usually labeled as 'COM1'), that's where it connects.

However, if you only have USB ports, which is common on newer pc's & especially laptops, then you need to either use a USB->Serial converter cable to create a port for the Uniden cable, or else use Uniden's USB-1 cable.

See this Wiki article for more information.
Connecting scanners via USB - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[JGuzman208]

HELP with my BCD 396XT

First you need to download Freescan, a program used for programming that scanner. It is free to use and here is the link:
http://www.sixspotsoftware.com/fssetup-217.zip?attredirects=0 (click on the word 'here' to download it.)

1) Install Freescan on your computer.
2) Hook your scanner to your computer and turn it on.
3) Open Freescan and click on 'scanner' then click on 'upload programming'. In the center of that window look for the 'com port' button and click on it.
4) In the lower left corner of that window, click on 'Start Auto'. This will attempt to locate your scanner connected to your computer. Once it finds your scanner, you are ready to program it.
5) Click on 'close' to close both windows for now.

Once you get this done, let me know and I will create a file for you to upload to your scanner that will get your scanner going.

Here is an online manual for Freescan for your scanner:
Easier to Read BCD396XT Digital Scanner Manual mode

I am trying to set up and program my Uniden BCD 396xt scanner, I have connected it to the PC and did the free scan software but its not showing anything after its completed. I can't hear anything. Please help.

 

[JGuzman208]

The cord that comes with the 396XT is not a VGA cord. It's a serial cable. If your pc has a serial port (usually labeled as 'COM1'), that's where it connects.

However, if you only have USB ports, which is common on newer pc's & especially laptops, then you need to either use a USB->Serial converter cable to create a port for the Uniden cable, or else use Uniden's USB-1 cable.

See this Wiki article for more information.
Connecting scanners via USB - The RadioReference Wiki

I have bought the serial converter that you suggested now what do I do? I have downloaded the software and tried to program it and nothing is showing up on the scanner.