BC296D: I'm looking for BC296 programming cable.

[epka_pol]

Hi guy.
I'm looking for BC250D/BC296D programming cable.
I bought 3 different cable, but they fit all other Uniden scanner accept BC250D/BC296D.

This popular cable fit BCT15 BCT15X BC346XT BC346XTC BCD996T BCD996XT BC95XLT,
but it's NOT compatible with Uniden BC250D/BC296D Scanner

Programming Cable for Uniden BC250D BC296D


This cable does not fit Uniden BC250D/BC296D Scanner

 

[tvengr]

You need to be careful which cable you buy. Cables listed on Amazon which claim to be for the BC296D do not fit. They also list later scanners which use the Uniden USB-1 cable. The later Uniden scanners use a Hirose connector which does not fit the BC296D. I have a BC296D cable left over from a scanner I programmed for our news department many years ago and the connector is definitely different from the Uniden USB-1 Hirose connector. You probably will have a better chance purchasing the cable from a private party who knows it fits. I am going to hold onto my cable since it is so rare. The original cable has a female DB9 connector for connection to your computer. There may be other cables with a built-in USB to serial adapter which will fit. If you find a cable with the DB9 connector, you will need a USB to serial adapter between your computer and cable unless you have an old computer with a serial output. Here is the USB to serial adapter I use: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insign...Vp0hHAR3hljROEAQYASABEgJKe_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[fxdscon]

This cable does not fit Uniden BC250D/BC296D Scanner

The Uniden BC250D/BC296D programming cable has been impossible to find for years now, except for very rare listings on Ebay etc.

There was a listing on Ebay a few years ago that listed a BC296D scanner for sale including the cable, but I haven't seen anything else since then. As far as I know, the BC250D and the BC296D were the only scanners that used that cable, and those scanners are over 20 years old now.

As @tvengr mentioned above, most all ads online for that cable incorrectly state that it's the same cable that all the other listed scanners use.

The photos below show the scanner end of the correct cable for the Uniden BC296D:

The BC296D connector plug shown above is longer than the Hirose connector used on the other listed scanners.

Also, it's rectangular shaped with 90° corners rather than "D" shaped, and does not have any keyway in the plug like the Hirose connector does.

 

[Ronaldski]

What I use and still works on windows 10. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0758B6MK6

Be advised as shown, epka_pol is in Poland. Bestbuy doesnt ship International.

If its a desktop, you could add a serial port card, https://www.amazon.pl/s?k=serial+po...ref=sr_nr_p_36_0_0&low-price=&high-price=2300

Or if there's a computer fix it shop they might have some serial cards laying around on the cheap.

 

[epka_pol]

I don't need DB9 (serial) to USB, I have 5 of those, CH340, profilic and FTDI chip




I need the one that is connecting to the scanner

 

[Ronaldski]

I have programmed I think two of those vintage scanners using the adapter cable.

They should work, since what your doing is plugging the usb end of the adapter into the pc, leaving the serial connector on the other end.
Plug in your *original cable's serial port end into the adapter cable serial end and other end of the original cable to the radio.
Just a matter of getting the cable driver to make the adapter cable work.

I will say the one I listed above that I have is my third one over 10 years or so. Either the other cables went bad or more likely windows updates made them not work as they made any counterfeit ftdi not work years ago. Have had that current one since 2019.

Also should work, https://www.amazon.pl/DIGITUS-Adapter-port-szeregowy-Typ/dp/B00CI63N6C/ref=sr_1_12?__mk_pl_PL=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&crid=1GOKF91330PWY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OLCM-wqNV5xyhVHtmasLe7Ek3o-5uEXrpxSm5lqlokmxpr48t0pqh6T8ncjfPHwh8tf_dW2HgLtSKdSTJT6hKNywsXIa2uivnpcrRpDxuPG4DZJ052lUvvy8kCy8uc8muMqhesKlMSDfB2wCdrEaQ2pWoSjuEwOhlIWwo5KeYimrg3Ea7BPB44xJrNZGW4Z494hfecL_YpKSOw3dn0yiuXEldwYMMpfuaz9cbz9iZBHwXHH51CRTEdNwOrskG69BTp8n18LdV6C5JOC_Zs38pDoBjqHQ9S-l1twENwTwbKA.iydBxRZmP-k2F4otS4dKJ5dkabqYiTTNdMaMAxyf4W4&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb+serial+port&qid=1732378912&sprefix=usb+serial+port,aps,167&sr=8-12&th=1

 

[epka_pol]

I have programmed I think two of those vintage scanners using the adapter cable.

They should work, since what your doing is plugging the usb end of the adapter into the pc, leaving the serial connector on the other end.
Plug in your *original cable's serial port end into the adapter cable serial end and other end of the original cable to the radio.
Just a matter of getting the cable driver to make the adapter cable work.

I don't need DB9 (serial) to USB cable.
I need Uniden *original cable*

 

[fxdscon]

Plug in your *original cable's serial port end into the adapter cable serial end and other end of the original cable to the radio.

He doesn't have an original cable.... that's what he is trying to find.

 

[Ronaldski]

He doesn't have an original cable.... that's what he is trying to find.

I'm not seeing where he stated specifically before reply in #7 not having the original cable, based on how the replies are worded suggest he may not, but it's not certain exactly.
========================================
So assuming you dont have the original cable, just keep looking and of course will be awhile, but in the mean time I would program the scanner(s) manually, assuming they can be. Tedious, but would work.

If someone knows or can be found is the name of that connector on the radio as that could be an assist for a cable search.... potentially.

 

[tvengr]

The BC296D can be programmed manually. I didn't have software when I programmed one for a large trunked system. I wore out the scroll control selecting characters for alpha tags.

 

[epka_pol]

The BC296D can be programmed manually. I didn't have software when I programmed one for a large trunked system. I wore out the scroll control selecting characters for alpha tags.

but it's much easier with a software

 

[tvengr]

but it's much easier with a software

Believe me, I know! I use ARC250 for my BC796D's, the base/mobile version of the BC296D.

 

[garys]

I think everybody else understood what he was looking for .

I'm not seeing where he stated specifically before reply in #7 not having the original cable, based on how the replies are worded suggest he may not, but it's not certain exactly.
========================================
So assuming you dont have the original cable, just keep looking and of course will be awhile, but in the mean time I would program the scanner(s) manually, assuming they can be. Tedious, but would work.

If someone knows or can be found is the name of that connector on the radio as that could be an assist for a cable search.... potentially.

 

[garys]

When I bought my 780, there was no software available. I spent eight hours over three days programming it by hand. I think that's where my Carpel Tunnel problems originated.

The BC296D can be programmed manually. I didn't have software when I programmed one for a large trunked system. I wore out the scroll control selecting characters for alpha tags.

 

[cmjonesinc]

Should be the same cable as some of the old Fuji cameras

Pardon Our Interruption...

Or

USB-2.0-Camera-Cable-for-Fuji-Finepix-Digital-Cameras-4Pin-D3

www.pccables.com

 

[garys]

I had a similar cable for an old Cannon camera and while it physically fit, it wouldn't work. I Anull modem might have been required, but I never got that far.

Should be the same cable as some of the old Fuji cameras

Pardon Our Interruption...

Or

USB-2.0-Camera-Cable-for-Fuji-Finepix-Digital-Cameras-4Pin-D3

www.pccables.com

 

[cmjonesinc]

I suppose the db9 one could be easily repinned if all 4 wires are present.

 

[tvengr]

I had a similar cable for an old Cannon camera and while it physically fit, it wouldn't work. I Anull modem might have been required, but I never got that far.

A null modem adapter in not required for the BC296D cable with a DB9 connector. Only needs a USB to serial adapter.

 

[cmjonesinc]

A null modem adapter in not required for the BC296D cable with a DB9 connector. Only needs a USB to serial adapter.

Not for an original cable. Garys was commenting on the non oem cables I posted with the same type connector which could have a different pinout.

 

[garys]

I was thinking if a non original cable was attempted. Since the originals no longer seem to be in existence that might be the only viable option.

A null modem adapter in not required for the BC296D cable with a DB9 connector. Only needs a USB to serial adapter.