I need to have my BC396D scanner reprogrammed. Help?

[Ronaldski]

Far as software,- FREE and has a link for the firmware updater is at Uniden Support - Downloads and Manuals

 

[tvengr]

The other ad link picture, either a bad picture or they used the wrong cable for the ad.
Better look at the connector, I recall doing a 296d years ago and I didn't have to use a special cable that I didn't already have.
All had to use was the serial-usb adapter and the serial cable that came with the 396T/396XT's. I used the cable for the 396's and I also recently did a 796D and used just the serial-usb adapter cable only to plug into that 796D.
This ad even mentions 396.

There have been errors in several ads that say the cable fits the BC296D when it does not. I have seen numerous reports where people who ordered the cables say they do not fit. I have a BC296D cable and it does not fit the BCD396T, BCD996T, BCD396XT, or BCD996XT. The plug is closer to being a square shape than the other Uniden RS232 serial cables. Take this ad for example: Amazon.com: USB to RS232 Mini 4P Serial Adapter Cable for Uniden Bearcat BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT Scanner PC Programming Cable FTDI Chip : Electronics Stated in this ad:

USB to RS232 Mini 4P Serial Adapter Cable for Uniden Bearcat BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT Scanner PC Programming Cable FTDI Chip

About this item
Supported BC246T BR330T BCD396T BC346XT BCD396XT BCT15 BCD996T.

Question:
Does it have the correct end for the bc250d scanner
Answer:
No. That's the scanner I have with the p-25 digital card add-on and had to return it.

Review: This did not fit the uniden BC296D.

 

[fxdscon]

I have a BC296D cable and it does not fit the BCD396T, BCD996T, BCD396XT, or BCD996XT.

tvenger is again correct.

The cable connector that is required for the BC296D is NOT the same as the Hirose connector on the scanner end of cable for the BCD396 or BCD996 series of scanners.

There is currently a BC296D scanner for sale on Ebay with all the accessories at this link:

Uniden BC296D P25 Phase 1 Digital Trunking scanner w/ BCi96D digital card | eBay

One BC296D scanner with BCi96D card (receives both 3600 & 9600 baud P25 systems). One Uniden BC296D handheld scanner. Included with this sale is the following This scanner was used for the past 15 years out in the field and has been well cared for.

www.ebay.com

This is a close up of the scanner end for the BC296D scanner cable shown in that scanner ad:

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and this is the Hirose connector used for the BCDx96T and XT cables.



As can be seen in those pics, the BC296D connector plug is longer than the Hirose connector, and it's rectangular shaped with 90° corners, and does not have any keyway in the plug.

The Hirose connector has rounded corners on the top of the connectors ("D" shaped) with mating keyways in the plug and it's socket, and the connector plug is shorter than the BC296D connector.

 

[Ronaldski]

In TVenggr's quote of mine in message #22 was something I wrote, but had deleted as I was doing research. If you go back in this thread you wont find that message from me.

 

[N0MTY]

Older USB cables are not compatible with Windows 10. In fact, many of the older USB to serial adapters aren't compatible. I had to get a newer USB to serial adapter to use with the cable that came with the radio to get ProScan to talk to my BCT15, 996T, 996XT, 396T and 396XT. This might be the answer to get the computer to talk to your radio.

I bought a cable from a dealer that allegedly oughta work. My scanner's a -BC796D- with the APCO P25-II gizmo in it.

It's not a BC396D, that was my mistake. I'm old, it happens. I initially did a search for BC396D scanner programming, and saw many references to BC396D. Had I not seen any I would, I hope, have checked again before posting and proving myself a fool.

I tried the reputable scanner-programming progs, downloaded from reputable sources, and none would talk to it through the cable. My PC is a common Win10 machine, and I can't be sure if it's a PC, cable, or scanner issue. The PC 'devices' didn't like it, and I couldn't find my 'official' Uniden-issued cable. I'd divide the problem by replacing the replacement cable with a known-good one otherwise. So, all I know with any certainty is that it doesn't connect.

I'm just proving myself to be a dumba$$, even claimed my 796 was a 396. I paid someone to program this thing when I got it, after I found the documentation that attempted to explain the scanner programming left me even more baffled than before I read it. I chose then to just pay to have it done, and it worked adequately when I got it back. It's somewhat gimped now, since someone I loaned it to has fiddled with it, but it's ~mostly working. I don't know anyone locally in the Twin Cities(MN) to ask. This is just too much PITA for my patience level. I may simply settle for what it does, and what it doesn't. Sorta like my ancient noggin, perhaps.

Thanks for your kind reply, be well.

 

[Ronaldski]

When I used the software from uniden and butel for the 796/296 they sorta bury the communications setups for them. In the Butel, its in one of the drop down menus where you set the baud rate and then the comm port.

In the Uniden, on the first time it asks for the communications setup plus which select model it is. Then after on startup it shows the options screen. To the left of the firefighters, one to work the database and another to setup the baud rates and comm port.

It took me awhile to find these as I too had difficulty getting it communicating until I found the cable setups in the software's.

Either way I would suggest you read the scanner into the software, then edit it. Likely less hassle.

 

[tvengr]

This is a close up of the scanner end for the BC296D scanner cable shown in that scanner ad:

That looks exactly like the plug on my BC296D cable.

I bought a cable from a dealer that allegedly oughta work. My scanner's a -BC796D- with the APCO P25-II gizmo in it.
I tried the reputable scanner-programming progs, downloaded from reputable sources, and none would talk to it through the cable. My PC is a common Win10 machine, and I can't be sure if it's a PC, cable, or scanner issue.

The BC796D has a DB9 female connector on the rear for programming. The digital card gizmo is behind the cover labelled EXPANSION SLOT. If your computer does not have a serial port, you will need a USB to serial adapter cable. This is the one I use for programming my BC796D scanners: Insignia™ 1.3' USB-to-RS-232 (DB9) PDA/Serial Adapter Cable Black NS-PU99501 - Best Buy It will connect directly from the USB port on your computer to the DB9 connector on the rear of the scanner. You can use a short DB9 extension cable if desired. Please let me know if you have any questions about the scanner. I use Butel ARC250 Basic software to do my programming. With the software, I would be happy to do a file for you. You can try this to check if your present cable works: In your scanner, press MENU. Using the CHAN/FREQ knob, scroll to SYSTEM OPTION and press E. Scroll to PC CONTROL and press E. Select 57600 bps and press E. Press SCAN to exit the menus. With the scanner connected to your computer, go the tab in the ARC250 software with the scanner model (BC250D, BC296D, BC785D, or BC796D) and click on RS232 Communication and Scanner Model Setup. Select a Baudrate of 57600 and the scanner model of BC796D. If you click on AutoDetect, the software will find the computer port for you. Click on OK to exit RS232 Setup.