I finally broke down and bought a new desktop computer about a month ago. It is in the same area as my Uniden BCD996XT. I have Butel ARC-XT software on the old computer that has been moved to the basement. In fact, as we speak it is connected to my Uniden 396XT. Anyway, I am trying to decide if I ant to even both adding a serial port to the new computer. About the only thing I ever used it for is:
-Butel ARC-XT PRO With The Uniden BCD996XT, and
-Programming My Yaesu FT-8800 with FTB8800 Software
On the one hand, I think I can add a serial port fairly reasonably. That would allow me to use the cable that came with the 996XT with it and the basement computer can be connected to the 396XT with its serial cable. On the other hand, I can spring for a USB cable for the new computer to work with the 996XT and not bother with a serial cable. I guess for the few times that I use FTB8800 to program the Yaesu FT-8800, I can use the basement computer. Also, I will probably get a Uniden Home Patrol at some point in the future, but I think that USB cable for the Home Patrol is different than the USB cable for the 396XT/996XT. Can anybody confirm that? Anyway, for those of you that have bought newer computers in the last few years, does anybody still bother adding a serial port or are those so old school that it is not worth bothering with these?
Also, the Uniden Home Patrol HP-1 comes with a USB cable, correct?
I guess I am leaning towards buying a USB-1 cable for the new desktop. That way I can use either the BCD396XT or BCD996XT with any of the computers around the house. It seems pretty hard for me to justify adding a serial port at this point.
-Butel ARC-XT PRO With The Uniden BCD996XT, and
-Programming My Yaesu FT-8800 with FTB8800 Software
On the one hand, I think I can add a serial port fairly reasonably. That would allow me to use the cable that came with the 996XT with it and the basement computer can be connected to the 396XT with its serial cable. On the other hand, I can spring for a USB cable for the new computer to work with the 996XT and not bother with a serial cable. I guess for the few times that I use FTB8800 to program the Yaesu FT-8800, I can use the basement computer. Also, I will probably get a Uniden Home Patrol at some point in the future, but I think that USB cable for the Home Patrol is different than the USB cable for the 396XT/996XT. Can anybody confirm that? Anyway, for those of you that have bought newer computers in the last few years, does anybody still bother adding a serial port or are those so old school that it is not worth bothering with these?
Also, the Uniden Home Patrol HP-1 comes with a USB cable, correct?
I guess I am leaning towards buying a USB-1 cable for the new desktop. That way I can use either the BCD396XT or BCD996XT with any of the computers around the house. It seems pretty hard for me to justify adding a serial port at this point.
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