RH96 serial port question.

[ICP963]

I am curious if anyone that has a RH96 has ever tried connecting more than one 996 to it thru a serial switch box?

If this works, what happens when you switch from one to the other?

I have an application where more than one 996 is needed, but space for even one is marginal at best. The RH96 head would fit well and a serial switch box could be incorporated between the 996's mounted away from the operating position.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[garys]

I am curious if anyone that has a RH96 has ever tried connecting more than one 996 to it thru a serial switch box?

If this works, what happens when you switch from one to the other?

I have an application where more than one 996 is needed, but space for even one is marginal at best. The RH96 head would fit well and a serial switch box could be incorporated between the 996's mounted away from the operating position.

Any thoughts on this?

The RH96 uses a proprietary connector on one end and a 1/8 " stereo connector on the other. I don't know how you'd connect a serial switch box to that. The RH96 does not use the rear serial port on the X or XT scanners.

If you can use a netbook or laptop to control the scanners could use BCTool+ (or maybe free scan) with either the Uniden USB-1 cable or the supplied serial cable with USB adapters. I know that BCTool+ will control up to four X or XT scanners simultaneously and will display all of the scanners at the same time. Again, I don't know if that will work in your situation or not, but it is possible.

 

[ICP963]

The RH96 uses a proprietary connector on one end and a 1/8 " stereo connector on the other. I don't know how you'd connect a serial switch box to that. The RH96 does not use the rear serial port on the X or XT scanners.

If you can use a netbook or laptop to control the scanners could use BCTool+ (or maybe free scan) with either the Uniden USB-1 cable or the supplied serial cable with USB adapters. I know that BCTool+ will control up to four X or XT scanners simultaneously and will display all of the scanners at the same time. Again, I don't know if that will work in your situation or not, but it is possible.

Rats, I forgot the RH96 used a different connector. I had thought it used the same one the 996 did. Oh well.

The netbook/laptop idea will not work due to size limitations. May have to look into something on a small android or palm top. Unfortunately helicopters have very little room sometimes.

 

[kruser]

The RH96 uses a proprietary connector on one end and a 1/8 " stereo connector on the other. I don't know how you'd connect a serial switch box to that. The RH96 does not use the rear serial port on the X or XT scanners.

If you can use a netbook or laptop to control the scanners could use BCTool+ (or maybe free scan) with either the Uniden USB-1 cable or the supplied serial cable with USB adapters. I know that BCTool+ will control up to four X or XT scanners simultaneously and will display all of the scanners at the same time. Again, I don't know if that will work in your situation or not, but it is possible.

You can use the front or the rear port for the RH96.
You just need to build an adapter to go from an 1/8th inch stereo plug/jack back to DB-9.
I actually prefer to use the rear port for programming and for RH96 or software control use as I hate having the fragile cable hanging out the front of the radio. I think the only time you ever need the front port is for firmware and if you need to run a GPS AND a software app or the RH96.
Building a switchbox is also very easy as the RH only needs three signals so you can do it with a DPDT switch if you do not need to switch the ground. I myself have always used a plastic box so the jacks are isolated and then I use a 3 pole rotary switch to switch TX, RX and signal ground amongst the ports.
I have done what the OP is asking and it worked fine but I think I had to power cycle the RH96 when I switched from one 996 to the other.
Mine are the "T" and "XT" models though so it may work without a power cycle if both models are the same.
I built my switchbox to accomadate the two 996's and a 396XT but I never tried the 396. I see no reason it would not work though.

 

[richk107]

The connector that goes to the scanner is a 4pin mini usb connector, but it isn't a USB connection. Just serial. The connector is not popular but can be found on Ebay. 4Pin Mini USB Data/Charger Cable/Lead of MP3/MP4 Player | eBay

Here is a another site that describes the cable and pin out needed to make your own cable.
» Uniden BCD396XT non-standard “USB” cable and a source of connectors. > FPCoA.

Rich

 

[kruser]

The connector that goes to the scanner is a 4pin mini usb connector, but it isn't a USB connection. Just serial. The connector is not popular but can be found on Ebay. 4Pin Mini USB Data/Charger Cable/Lead of MP3/MP4 Player | eBay

Here is a another site that describes the cable and pin out needed to make your own cable.
» Uniden BCD396XT non-standard “USB” cable and a source of connectors. > FPCoA.

Rich

Thanks for that link! Always good to keep some of these oddball connectors laying around! And at under a buck each, with free shipping, wow!
Even though I rarely use my front connectors, I'm going to order some spares and cut the USB plug off so I don't accidently plug one into a USB port on a computer. I wonder if the Uniden's have any type of circuit protection at that port for this reason? USB is only 5 volts so I'd think it should handle it depending on what pin the 5 volts is on. If not, I could see people frying their front ports with this cable so be careful people.


I'm glad you also pointed out that this connector is NOT usb. That is a wrong assumption that many make. At least Uniden did not use the mini usb jack for the front port! I have seen reports of people trying to force a mini usb into the socket though. Not sure if any succeded or not but Whoops! if they did.

 

[CoolCat]

You can use a 4PDT mini toggle switch with a center-OFF position. You can use the 4th switch "pole" to cut power to the RH96 while you switch between scanners. You may need to leave the switch in the "OFF" position for a couple seconds to allow the RH96 to power down while switching between scanners.

I attached a quick schematic to illustrate. You could probably get away with using a 3PDT switch as well (by not switching the serial ground), but personally I would switch all 3 serial wires to keep the scanners separated.

 

[kruser]

Nice drawing.

This would also make it easy to add a couple LED's so you could visually see which scanner you are switched too using the power toggle wires.

I had to use rotary only because I planned for three radios. Using a toggle is much simpler.

 

[garys]

That's pretty neat. I don't anticipate having to use one of these, but if I ever do it's nice to know that it's possible.

 

[CoolCat]

Nice drawing.

This would also make it easy to add a couple LED's so you could visually see which scanner you are switched too using the power toggle wires.

Yes, LED indicators would be a nice addition.

Here is an updated schematic; essentially the same circuit, but with LED indicators (powered from the +12V power line, isolated by diodes).