BC296D: Programming cable

[seedtick]

I need to find the correct cable for a 296d uniden,can someone help me,programming cable

 

[doctordialtone]

I need to find the correct cable for a 296d uniden,can someone help me,programming cable

Call scannermaster .

See scànnermaster.com

 

[doctordialtone]

Uniden Accessories for Police Scanner Radios | ScannerMaster.com

Uniden Accessories for Police Scanner Radios.

www.scannermaster.com

 

[JoeBearcat]

Last I heard, I think they were out of those cables, but by all means contact them to verify.

 

[tvengr]

Last I heard, I think they were out of those cables, but by all means contact them to verify.

Joe, how about this cable? Amazon.com: USB Serial Programming Cable for Uniden Bearcat BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT BC246T BR330T BCD396T BC346XT : Electronics The serial plug photo looks correct. The thing that concerns me is that the ad mentions scanners which I know do not use the same plug as the BC296D..

ftdi ft231 rs232 to mini usb 4p cable for Uniden Scanner cable,uniden bearcat BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT BC246T BR330T BCD396T BC346XT BCD396XT BCT15 BCD996T

 

[seedtick]

I ORDERED THE 17.00 DOLLAR ONE,STRAIGHT FROM CHINA, GET IT SOMETIME IN JANUARY

 

[JoeBearcat]

Joe, how about this cable? Amazon.com: USB Serial Programming Cable for Uniden Bearcat BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT BC246T BR330T BCD396T BC346XT : Electronics The serial plug photo looks correct. The thing that concerns me is that the ad mentions scanners which I know do not use the same plug as the BC296D..

ftdi ft231 rs232 to mini usb 4p cable for Uniden Scanner cable,uniden bearcat BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT BC246T BR330T BCD396T BC346XT BCD396XT BCT15 BCD996T

To be blunt, the 296 is before 'my time', but are you sure it is not the hirose connector? I don't have one to look. (the 250/296/3300 might be the only models I don't have)

 

[tvengr]

To be blunt, the 296 is before 'my time', but are you sure it is not the hirose connector?

To be blunt, I don't know what a Hirose connector is. The 296 connector is much closer to being square compared to the RS232 rectangular shaped connectors used by the other scanners. I have a 296 cable left over from programming a news department scanner many years ago.

 

[JoeBearcat]

The hirose is the connector used on the 246T/396/BCT15/BCD996 and several others.

There are some good pics here: (ignore the references to USB, as it is not USB at all)
https://danreetz.com/blog/2010/03/0...tandard-usb-cable-and-a-source-of-connectors/

 

[ka3jjz]

That's right - the standard 296 cable is a straight serial cable, as that what was common in those days. Of course now, I think now you would need both the serial cable AND a USB cable to connect to most PCs now....

Could you possibly use the very old 245 cable? I seem to recall that the cables were pretty close....

Mike

 

[tvengr]

ftdi ft231 rs232 to mini usb 4p cable for Uniden Scanner cable,uniden bearcat BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT BC246T BR330T BCD396T BC346XT BCD396XT BCT15 BCD996T

The 396T, 996T, 396XT, and 996XT all use the same cable which is definitely different from the 296. My 296 cable does not fit any of them. Whoever created the ad for the other cable needs to do better research. I seem to remember that at one time Scanner Master carried the cable for the 296.

 

[tvengr]

Joe, how about this cable? Amazon.com: USB Serial Programming Cable for Uniden Bearcat BC250D BC296D UBC3300XLT BC246T BR330T BCD396T BC346XT : Electronics The thing that concerns me is that the ad mentions scanners which I know do not use the same plug as the BC296D.

The 396T, 996T, 396XT, and 996XT all use the same cable which is definitely different from the 296. My 296 cable does not fit any of them. Whoever created the ad for the other cable needs to do better research. I seem to remember that at one time Scanner Master carried the cable for the 296.

Found these reviews for the cable advertised:


Michael Martin
1.0 out of 5 stars Does NOT fit BC296D or UBC3300XLT
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
Headline says it all. The connector is too big, won't fit in the programming slot. Had to return.
Helpful
Report abuse

PaulieP
1.0 out of 5 stars does not work
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
cable does not fit the radio model number advertised

 

[paulsp]

I have recently retired and working to get my old BCT 15 set up with local frequencies. I found the original remote control programming cable but my current laptop does not have a serial port. Scannermaster shows a replacement cable is out of stock. Would this cable work?
https://www.amazon.ca/Washinglee-Programming-Uniden-Scanner-Interface/dp/B07X4XY6W9

 

[seedtick]

I bought one ,not this one,and it said it would work but it doesn't.i called scanner master and talk to a human,and they told me they do not have one and said they couldn't order one.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Google USB Serial Port adapter. You should find many. Any quality one should work fine. Beware of older fake chipsets.

 

[tvengr]

If you have the original BC296D or BCT15 programming cable with the DB9 connector, this USB to serial converter adapter cable will work very well. I have never had problems with any scanner or software using this adapter. Insignia™ 1.3' USB-to-RS-232 (DB9) PDA/Serial Adapter Cable Black NS-PU99501 - Best Buy

 

[ka3jjz]

As for software, don't walk, run and get ProScan. It supports the 296...

ProScan

Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD160DN UBCD260DN...

proscan.org

The author is here, and the support thread can be found here...

ProScan: - Official Software Thread

ProScan Version 1.7 Build 2 includes the RadioReference Imports feature, improved Scanner Over IP, and bug fixes. Supported scanners are the BCD996T, BC796D, BC785D, BC780XLT, BC296D, and the BC250D. I'm thriving to make this the best Computer Aided Scanning program and suggestions are very...

forums.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[seedtick]

Google USB Serial Port adapter. You should find many. Any quality one should work fine. Beware of older fake chipsets.

It's not the serial port that's my problem,it's the bc296d end I can't find.

 

[JoeBearcat]

It's not the serial port that's my problem,it's the bc296d end I can't find.

That is a completely different issue. I was responding to "I found the original remote control programming cable but my current laptop does not have a serial port. " which does not mention a 296.

Yes, a 296 cable is going to be very hard to find these days.

 

[tvengr]

I have recently retired and working to get my old BCT 15 set up with local frequencies. I found the original remote control programming cable but my current laptop does not have a serial port. Scannermaster shows a replacement cable is out of stock. Would this cable work?

Use this USB to serial converter adapter cable along with your original BCT15 programming cable with the DB9 connector. It goes between the computer and your cable and works very well. Insignia™ 1.3' USB-to-RS-232 (DB9) PDA/Serial Adapter Cable Black NS-PU99501 - Best Buy