BCD325P2/BCD996P2: Re: programing my scanner

[hiegtx]

I can't find freeSCAN anywhere when it comes to a program like Scancat. I have found many programs related to a flat bed scanner or a scanner built into a printer or a fax machine.

FreeSCAN is not a "scanner" for documents or pictures. It is software that can be used to program your scanner.

iMonitor just posted the link to download, and I also had that link, along with a user guide for the software in my post 11 above.

 

[iMONITOR]

Scancat software is not a very good choice, and many users have reported issues with it. FreeSCAN will work for your 996P2 once you install the serial port driver.

You are correct hiegtx.

Friends don't let friends use Scancat!

 

[danesgs]

I have Scancat-Lite Plus installed. But Scancat can only see com ports, not USB ports. Plus Scancat only see's BCD996XT, not 996P2 that I have. Also as you know most laptops have no com ports now. How do I connect the USB cable so Scancat will see my scanner?

Get Freescan off the internet, its your best bet. Go slow and learn the program and you can import what you want directly from Radio reference's database for your area.

 

[steve-kc7byp]

Hope this helps Steve!

FREEscan Download

Sixspot Software - Downloads

FreeSCAN To install FreeSCAN, download and install the .MSI file. For differences between versions and important operating information, see the release notes. This version supports the the SC230, BC246T, BR330T, BCD396T, UBC3500XLT, BCT15, BCD996T, BC346XT(C), BCD396XT, BCT15X, and BCD996XT

sites.google.com

FREEscan User Guide

FreeScan User Guide - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

I downloaded FreeScan and the user guide. And I am going slightly mad. the instructions in the user guide for the BCD996P2 for setting up the comm port and the baud rate and it don't match my scanner. I can't find the sub menu in the scanner for the comm port or the baud rate. Bellow is the page from the guide at Freescan - Connecting Scanner to PC - The RadioReference Wiki with the instructions for my scanner.

In all cases, The First & Second Step is to access the MENU and scroll to Settings, then for the BCD996P2:

• BCT15, BCT15X, BCD996T, BCD996XT and BCD996P2

Notes :You typically set the ports as shown directly below and it's "Highly Recommended" that you don't change this setup, as Firmware updates CANNOT be done via Rear Port, and will be used only for GPS connected devices.

• Front Port to match the speed used to communicate with a PC, default is 115200bps.
• Rear Port to the speed used to communicate with a GPS device, default is 4800bps.

1. Scroll to Set Serial Port and press E/yes.
2. At Set Baud Rate press E/yes.
3. Scroll to Set Front Port and press E/yes.
   1. Scroll to Off, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, or 115200 and press E/yes to save.
4. Scroll to Set Rear Portand press E/Yes.
   1. Scroll to Off, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, or 115200 and press E/yes to save.

I can't find 1 through 3 to connect the scanner to my laptop.

 

[tvengr]

On FreeSCAN go to the Scanner tab. Scanner/Control Scanner/COM Port Setup/Start Auto. That will auto detect the scanner.

 

[steve-kc7byp]

On FreeSCAN go to the Scanner tab. Scanner/Control Scanner/COM Port Setup/Start Auto. That will auto detect the scanner.

I did what you said above to do. Freescan still isn't connecting to the scanner. I managed to manually input the output freq of 1 of the local repeaters. The scanner is receiving the signal when the repeater is keyed up and used. But that freq, channel and group isn't been loaded up to Freescan. I must be doing something wrong.

 

[tvengr]

To use the USB port on the front of the scanner, you must have this driver installed.

Serial Drivers for USB

• uniden_usbser.zip

If you are having problems installing the drivers, see the following general instructions (some steps might differ slightly, depending on your specific operating system).

1. Download and unzip the above driver.
2. Plug in the scanner using a USB cable.
3. Right click on the Windows Launch icon (bottom left corner) and select "Device Manager."
4. The device shows up with a yellow triangle.
5. Right click on device and select "Update Driver Software."
6. Select "Browse My Computer for Driver Software."
7. Navigate to the folder where you have unzipped the above driver.

The driver installed and is assigned as: Uniden Serial Port (COMx)
(x) will be replaced with the actual port number.

 

[ProScan]

steve-kc7byp,
Are you using the front or rear port?
If using the front port, the baud rate is fixed at 115200 so there is no baud rate setting.
If using the rear port then the baud rate should be changed to 115200. The default is Off or 4800. To change it, go to the menu Settings -> Set GPS Baudrate. A null modem adapter or cable is needed when using the rear port. A null modem is nothing more than swapping pins 2 and 3.

 

[tvengr]

To use the USB port on the front of the scanner, you must have this driver installed.

To update firmware, you must use the front USB port,

 

[steve-kc7byp]

I download the driver at uniden_usbser.zip and followed the instructions bellow. Freescan still doesn't want to talk to the scanner. Also the USB cable is pluged into the front port. I must be doing something wrong.

1. Download and unzip the above driver.
2. Plug in the scanner using a USB cable.
3. Right click on the Windows Launch icon (bottom left corner) and select "Device Manager."
4. The device shows up with a yellow triangle.
5. Right click on device and select "Update Driver Software."
6. Select "Browse My Computer for Driver Software."
7. Navigate to the folder where you have unzipped the above driver.

The driver installed and is assigned as: Uniden Serial Port (COMx)
(x) will be replaced with the actual port number.

PS. I tried a different USB cable, no change.

 

[lu81fitter]

I have not used Freescan for quite a while, but still have it on my computer. This may help.... Maybe....
When you are on the screen in Freescan building your programming, click on the icon to upload to scanner. A smaller screen will appear asking you what you want to upload. There should be boxes that say "all", "none", "auto", and "start upload" AND in between "start upload" and "auto" there is one that should say "COM" or something of that sort. (Mine says "COM115200"). Click on that and another box will open. Make sure your radio is connected to your computer and powered on. On that new screen titled "COM port settings", click the "refresh" icon/block to connect. If that fails, then try the options below that to attempt to auto detect the correct port.
Hope that helps.
P.S. ---> Make sure that you use the programming cable that came with the scanner. Some of the cables do not have all the pins connected to support radio programming. They will just support charging or other functions for various other devices.

 

[RMason]

Don't know if it will help, but you may want to review:

Freescan - Connecting Scanner to PC - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[wtp]

1 (1)	001 (1)	Simulcast	Benton	854.4125	854.5125	856.9375	856.9625	857.9375	857.9625	858.9375a
				858.9625a	859.9375a	859.9625c

that simulcast thing might give you a problem even if you get it right.

 

[lu81fitter]

1 (1)	001 (1)	Simulcast	Benton	854.4125	854.5125	856.9375	856.9625	857.9375	857.9625	858.9375a
				858.9625a	859.9375a	859.9625c

that simulcast thing might give you a problem even if you get it right.

I didn't even look at what he was programming. Just opened up my old Freescan program and did some research. Hopefully he'll be able to program the radio to something he can listen to if the "Simulcast" bug has him blocked.

 

[tvengr]

On FreeSCAN go to the Scanner tab. Scanner/Control Scanner/COM Port Setup/Start Auto. That will auto detect the scanner.

After installing the driver, did you try to auto detect the scanner again?

 

[JoeBearcat]

I assumed that the 996p2 was a SDR type scanner.

Only the SDS series are SDR-based scanners.

There are models being designed today that are still non-SDR.

 

[steve-kc7byp]

I finely figured out what the problem is, via an email with Uniden tech support. I don't have the right USB cable. Bellow is what Uniden tech support emailed me. I am ordering the cable on eBay tonight.

-----
Please make sure the cord you are using is a Data Transfer cable. This cable allows the computer to talk to the scanner and the scanner to talk to the computer. Most electronic stores have them in stock they are used a lot to transfer pictures from cameras to computers. It's going to be a USB to a Mini B connection.

 

[Ubbe]

I got it new direct from Uniden using part of my 3rd stimulus check.

It should have come with the correct USB cable.

Included in the box

• BCD996P2 Scanner
• AD-1009 AC Adapter
• Cigarette Lighter Adapter Power Cord
• Three-Wire Harness
• Mounting Bracket and Hardware
• Telescopic Antenna with BNC
• USB Cable - DRIVERS Download
• Owner's Manual
• Misc Printed Literature

/Ubbe

 

[steve-kc7byp]

It should have come with the correct USB cable.

Included in the box

• BCD996P2 Scanner
• AD-1009 AC Adapter
• Cigarette Lighter Adapter Power Cord
• Three-Wire Harness
• Mounting Bracket and Hardware
• Telescopic Antenna with BNC
• USB Cable - DRIVERS Download
• Owner's Manual
• Misc Printed Literature

/Ubbe

Everything on the list above was there in the box except for the USB cable and the instructions as to where to download the driver software. Now I don't know where the receipt is.

 

[fxdscon]

Everything on the list above was there in the box except for the USB cable

-
Check all of the packing material very carefully that was in the box with your scanner. The cable was most likely hidden in one of the folds of the cardboard packing material.