Using the cable to program the scanner requires programming software. Otherwise, you have to program the scanner manually using its menus (no cable required). Using the cable, you can also use a standalone firmware updater (programming software not required) from the Whistler downloads site to update or reload the CPU firmware in the scanner. You have 3 choices of programming software: ARC500, Win500, and PSREdit500. All have a 30 day free trial period to determine which one you like best. Some members have had problems getting the key for Win500. I use Butel ARC500 Basic which is all you need for programming the scanner. The Pro version provides logging.
It has been a long time since I programmed one of those scanners manually. I would have to pull out my old scanner to refamiliarize myself. I programmed a large trunked system manually on a Radio Shack Pro-197 which is an older mobile version of your scanner. I wish I hadn't. If you have a limited number of talkgroups or frequencies to program, it is feasible to do it manually. The one thing that really consumes time is that you have to enter a 2 digit code for each character of alpha tags. It is so much faster and easier using software. You can type the characters directly from the keyboard. The software also allows you to view everything in the system at a glance. You don't have to step through menus to view each item one at a time. It definitely reduces the number of programming errors. It helps to know how to program manually if you are caught without your computer, but programming a large system can take forever.
OP does not have software. Programming the scanner manually.
