Official BC-RH96 Post Release Thread

[bvankl]

How did you attach the unit to the dash? Adhesive or something else?

I used zip ties to the vents to see if I was going to like it there. I found that I didnt like it. We now moved it to the bottom of the dash to see if it is better. So far it is better. Just used some L brackets for now, will mount with screws if I am happy.

Now, what would be the possibility of seeing Uniden making a stripped "black box" version of a P25 scanner. No buttons, no display, no speaker, Just the connections. Then you can use it not only with the remote head but also with a computer. I forgot, make it some unreasonable low price too!!

 

[garys]

Hi I'm new to the board, and I just received the BC-RH96, as WKRR has aske and I will.
What if we wanted to use the BC in the house and not use the CLA but a regular power A/C adaptor. IS that option to order an adptor available?

No specific adapter, but I'm using the one that came with my 996T. Any 12 volt dc supply should do.

Well maybe not any, but certainly any 12 volt power supply that will run a scanner.

Gary

 

[adulmaine]

Thanks garys

thanks so I could just order the 996T adapter and it should work

Thanks
garys

 

[SCPD]

I have a question for UPman.

Does this remote head work with the UBCD996T/UBCD396T? Or is it restricted to the US models only???

 

[UPMan]

I suspect that it will not work, as it looks for the return from the MDL command in order to configure the buttons. It is possible that it included those models, but I have no way to test for that. I handle only UAC product...best to email support for Australia/NZ and ask them.

 

[traumacop]

Is there a limit on extending the remote connection cable?

I have my rigs set up on the 2nd floor of my home and would like to pipe the 996 down to the media room in the basement?

 

[UPMan]

IIRC we only tested to 25 feet. Doesn't mean it won't work, but I can't say for sure. RS232 in general is pretty tolerant, but it might also depend on the cable used, proximity to interference sources, etc.

 

[garys]

thanks so I could just order the 996T adapter and it should work

Thanks
garys

You're welcome. Any 12 volt DC power supply with the correct connector should work. Uniden no doubt would recommend one of their power supplies. The advantage of using a Uniden power supply is that the connector would be the right size and polarity.

Gary

 

[W4KRR]

You're welcome. Any 12 volt DC power supply with the correct connector should work. Uniden no doubt would recommend one of their power supplies. The advantage of using a Uniden power supply is that the connector would be the right size and polarity.

Gary

I'm also using the A/C power adapter that came with the BCD996T to power the remote head, works just fine. I am using mine in a base station configuration to control my BCD396, and it's working great. I basically just plugged everything together and it just worked.

I had a custom stand made to hold all this together (along with an auxiliary speaker); I will post pics when the stand arrives.

 

[garys]

I'm also using the A/C power adapter that came with the BCD996T to power the remote head, works just fine. I am using mine in a base station configuration to control my BCD396, and it's working great. I basically just plugged everything together and it just worked.

I had a custom stand made to hold all this together (along with an auxiliary speaker); I will post pics when the stand arrives.

I've been using the set up at home, but plan to bring it to the office when I have some time to set it up there. I'll also use the RF-96 in my work truck, again I just need the time to set this up.

A stand would be nice. I'd really like to see the pictures when you have them.

Gary

 

[vmishg80]

Hi all -

Here's a simple stand that has a backrest for my 396 & 96. There's a velcro sticking them to the stand so they don't wiggle if I press any buttons. A little slot under the Uniden Head for my 12V power supply - RS 3 amp with the 12V socket + terminals. I'm playing around with the BC-RH96 as a base head and plan to add velcro so I can quickly set it in place in my Durango. The radios are conneced to a wilson yagi w/ lmr400 (the small leads in the picture are 2 foot ends that attached to the lmr for ease of use. In my truck I have the NMO roofmounted Antenex phantom and some VHF stuff.

I really like this remote head and can't wait to have it in the truck. really no learning curve and the color is absolutley AOK. I do have an amplified speaker hooked to this (out of the picture) and will install it in the truck. Very glad Uniden did not put a speaker in it as it would be nothing Vs. a good amplified external one. well built I would say. One thing I do with all my radios is put a clear PDA screen protector on the displays so in this picture all the radios have them.

Happy scanning....

Pete
__________
396T
BC-RH96
pro2096
pro96
icom R71A
Kenwood TK705-D VHF
Tekk T-8 VHF

 

[W4KRR]

I notice you can (in my setup using a '396) control the volume at least three ways: the volume knob on the radio; the volume knob on the remote head; or by pressing and turning the function knob on the remote head. Does any one of these methods have a priority over the others? I notice if you have the volume knob on the remote head down low, but then if you use the function knob on the head to turn the volume up loud, it will remain loud until you turn the volume knob on the remote head by any amount, then it will revert to the appropriate setting for the volume knob's position on the remote head. Clear?

 

[garys]

I notice you can (in my setup using a '396) control the volume at least three ways: the volume knob on the radio; the volume knob on the remote head; or by pressing and turning the function knob on the remote head. Does any one of these methods have a priority over the others? I notice if you have the volume knob on the remote head down low, but then if you use the function knob on the head to turn the volume up loud, it will remain loud until you turn the volume knob on the remote head by any amount, then it will revert to the appropriate setting for the volume knob's position on the remote head. Clear?

There's a caution in the manual about this. It's probably best to use the "real" volume controls and not the Function knob.

Gary

 

[k6lcs]

Not as Impressed...

Well, I just am not as impressed with my RH96 as i wanted to be...

-Only 10-foot sep cable
-No speaker in the head

I wonder how much longer the sep cable can be made "safely" - before data loss occurs. There aren't many vehicle trunks tha are only a 10-foot cable run.

More to come....

Clint Bradford, K6LCS

 

[scanbc780]

Well, I just am not as impressed with my RH96 as i wanted to be...

-Only 10-foot sep cable
-No speaker in the head

I wonder how much longer the sep cable can be made "safely" - before data loss occurs. There aren't many vehicle trunks tha are only a 10-foot cable run.

More to come....

Clint Bradford, K6LCS

You can use a stereo 1/8" headphone extension cable. Unfortunatly I have been unable to find a right angle extension so it wont protrude out the bottom on the RH.

Above UPMan says they have tested it up to 25' and I plan on testing it up to 50+ tomorrow, I will post my results.

Most, if any mobile ham rigs with a remote face plate don't have a built in speaker and require a extension or the built in speaker. Having a built in speaker would make it heavier and most likely a little more bulkier. We can't have it all but Uniden gave us what we asked for. They are listening as they always have.



Brian

 

[scanbc780]

Is there any reason why the BC-RH96 can't be plugged into the DB-9 in the back of the 996 if someone were to make their own cable? Maybe something for me to experiment with this weekend. If the GPS and RH are using different pins, theoretically I should be able to make my own remote cable and wire it into the unused pins on my GPS plug.

The remote plug on the front of the 996 is a little flimsy and I am afraid of snapping it off accidently.

UPMan, does the DB9 in the back of the 996 allow for the data of the BC-RH96? I am assuming so but we have to use the Front jack for firmware updates and not the back so it does leave me a little sceptical.

 

[W4KRR]

I am curious if there are readily available data cables such as the one supplied with the remote head, or are these cables "custom made" for Uniden as far as the length and types of connectors.

Is there a standard industry name for the little plug that's on one end of the data cable, the end that plugs into the side of the '396, or the front port on the '996?

 

[UPMan]

The scanner end of the cable is not easily sourced. The RH end of the RH cable is a standard 3.5mm stereo plug that can be extended with off-the-shelf headphone cable extension cords..

 

[b52hbuff]

The scanner end of the cable is not easily sourced. .

I know this is a bit O/T, but could you give the rationale for not going with one of many standard connectors?

 

[UPMan]

It fit the design requirements and is readily available to the factory.