New User (MN) BCD396XT

[deeridge]

My first question is where do you get the correct cable interface for use with a Windows 7 Laptop that has no serial port? I have been reading this forum now for 2 days and still have not been able to figure out a simple way to make this scanner work. I have not even tried to turn scanner on yet. I'm finding myself very frustrated. I sorta do get the difference between the older analog and the digital scanners. That is what I've been reading, but still have not figured out how to get even a few police, fire etc channels into the scanner.

Thanks

 

[deeridge]

Anyone seeing this post? Pretty scarry for a newbie to the forum to find the site blocked by a virus threat this morning. But trust everything is OK now.

 

[fxdscon]

This is the Uniden programming cable:

Uniden USB Cable

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[hiegtx]

My first question is where do you get the correct cable interface for use with a Windows 7 Laptop that has no serial port? I have been reading this forum now for 2 days and still have not been able to figure out a simple way to make this scanner work. I have not even tried to turn scanner on yet. I'm finding myself very frustrated. I sorta do get the difference between the older analog and the digital scanners. That is what I've been reading, but still have not figured out how to get even a few police, fire etc channels into the scanner.

Thanks

The Uniden USB-1 cable that fxdscon linked is one option. You can also use a USB to serial converter, which is what I use on my laptop, which also does not have a serial port. See this Wiki article.

If this is your first Uniden DMA scanner, start with this page, and the links on it.

Also see Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki
and
the Easier to Read Manual for your 396XT.

 

[deeridge]

What USB to serial converter will work best with the serial cable that came with the BCD396XT? Where do you buy it? I would like to be able to just go to a store and pick one up. How much will it cost?

 

[vindictive42]

bcd396xt serial to usb converter

if you go to the shack.........try this

StarTech.com USB to RS-232 Serial DB9 Adapter : Adapters | RadioShack.com

I have a bcd396xt and have had one for over a year.....everyday i learn something new with scanner.
I will help you as much as I can.....but be prepared to read and push buttons. The more buttons you push with this scanner the more you learn.

 

[deeridge]

Have you used this adapter with your own setup to make sure it is compatable?

if you go to the shack.........try this

StarTech.com USB to RS-232 Serial DB9 Adapter : Adapters | RadioShack.com

I have a bcd396xt and have had one for over a year.....everyday i learn something new with scanner.
I will help you as much as I can.....but be prepared to read and push buttons. The more buttons you push with this scanner the more you learn.

 

[vindictive42]

nope mine came with a usb. But I would bring it into radio shack and show them what u need......they will most likely help out.

 

[deeridge]

nope mine came with a usb. But I would bring it into radio shack and show them what u need......they will most likely help out.

You mean that your BCD396XT came with the cable that did not have to be attached to a serial port on your computer? You could just plug it into your computer USB port?

 

[hiegtx]

You mean that your BCD396XT came with the cable that did not have to be attached to a serial port on your computer? You could just plug it into your computer USB port?

Probably ordered it with the USB cable as an extra cost option, unless it was bought used, and that cable was included with the deal. The default cable for "new in box" units is the serial cable. That's what both of my 396XT's came with (the serial cable), bought bought new, from two different dealers.

 

[W8RMH]

You can program that scanner through the onboard keyboard. You should know how that works anyway. Create a system, enter the conventional or control channels into a site and that will get you started. If you don't turn it on and start using it you will never learn. It's like learning to drive with your car parked in the garage. You won't learn anything reading the forums. Read the sites that hiegtx posted.

 

[deeridge]

You can program that scanner through the onboard keyboard. You should know how that works anyway. Create a system, enter the conventional or control channels into a site and that will get you started. If you don't turn it on and start using it you will never learn. It's like learning to drive with your car parked in the garage. You won't learn anything reading the forums. Read the sites that hiegtx posted.

Thanks for the tips. The reason that I have not turned it on yet - I'm still learning - I don't even know yet how to 'create a system' so why turn it on yet. I feel I need to do a lot more reading (and understanding what I'm reading) before I want to play with it and mess it up. None of the preprograming is from my state (MN) so I cannot even listen to anything.

 

[fxdscon]

Thanks for the tips. The reason that I have not turned it on yet - I'm still learning - I don't even know yet how to 'create a system' so why turn it on yet. I feel I need to do a lot more reading (and understanding what I'm reading) before I want to play with it and mess it up. None of the preprograming is from my state (MN) so I cannot even listen to anything.

You can't permanently "mess up" the radio by experimenting with programming... in fact, that is the best way to learn.

Have the scanner on and in front of you as you go. It's a much better way of figuring it out.

If you make a mistake or you don't think something is right, a few key strokes will return everything to factory defaults and erase all of the programming, and you can start over with a blank slate just the way it was out of the box.

In a previous post, someone gave you a link to the "Easier to Read" manual for your scanner.... just look under "Scanner Reset".

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