Need Help Connecting Uniden BCD396XT to PC

[Cal1ent8]

Purchased a Uniden BCD396XT via ebay. It did not come with the USB-1 cable. I search this forum and online for solutions or alternatives to having to order the actual USB-1 from Uniden. I went to Radioshack and noticed that their cable which connects their 20-107 scanner also fits the BCD396XT. Thought this was going to be compatible, so I purchased it. I have tried installing every driver that I can find and connecting to the BCD396XT via Freescan, to no avail.

Thoughts? Was thinking perhaps that I needed to find the proper driver for the Radioshack USB cable, which is labeled "USB PC Interface Cable fo 20-107....GR-09D-1260.....04A10"

Or shoudl I return this cable to Radioshack and purchase the USB-1 from Uniden?

 

[SCPD]

That cable will not work. Uniden use prolific chipsets and radioshack uses ftdi. Just order the usb-1 if your radio came with the serial/scanner cable than just order a trendnet usb to serial adapter off ebay

trendnet usb to serial | eBay

 

[LordJ]

I use this

 

[garys]

If you have the serial cable that was originally shipped with the scanner, you don't need to buy a USB1 cable. You should be able to use just about any USB to serial adapter. There are plenty of them at reasonable prices on Ebay.

I've had good luck with generic adapters using the FTDI chipset, but you have to be sure to install the drivers for any adapter to work.

 

[Rickgilliam]

save your money

exactly what I did and it works great, I had actually bought it for my 796d since my laptop didn't have a serial port but it works fine for the xt too.