As usual, Mike ka3jjz comes through with some awesome info
All recent current Uniden scanners (including the 396T) have come from the factory with a few accessories packaged with the radio. These include:
~AC Power Adapter/Charger
~Rubber duck antenna
~SMA->BNC Adapter
~Belt Clip
~3 AA Rechargeable Batteries
~Hand Strap
~Serial Data Cable
Of course the one accessory we are interested in is the data cable. It has Uniden's Proprietary radio connector on one end and a 9 pin serial hookup on the other.
Of course most laptops (and alot of desktops) no longer have 9 pin serial port connections so you need to get a USB->9 Pin Serial Cable adapter.
I have an IOGEAR adapter I picked up a long time ago that works good.
And AlphaDelta--I believe you can even find USB->Serial adapters
at pretty much any retail big box. Heck, I think I even bought one at
Walmart one time. I know for a fact you can find them at Best Buy, just
be aware that Best Buy charges an arm & a leg for them.
So you should already have the Serial data cable that should have come
with your radio to begin with and all you should need is an adapter that looks
somewhat like the pic above.
I hope between Mike and myself we have been able to help you out a little.
Happy Monitoring!
Marshall KE4ZNR