BCT15X: two USB cables to two BCT15x Scanners, Only seeing one cable

[kb7gjy]

Having an issue and I'm sure it is something stupid or simple I'm missing.

I added two BCT15X to my shack. Planning on splitting my feed so one feed doesn't have as much to monitor and miss other things.

So, I purchased two USB Audio Dongles, and two USB to Mini 4-Pin Programming Cables (USB-1).

I got the first one up and running. But the second cable isn't shown as a port. I swapped the cables and run into the same problem. It sees one of the cables but not the other. Scan for hardware changes, shows nothing new when the second cable is plugged in under ports. Under USB controller, it shows two USB serial Converters when both cables are plugged in.

Windows 7 machine.

Tried with a USB hub, Tried the USB ports on the computer, tried a mix between the hub and the computer ports. No Joy getting both to work at the same time.

I have not tried the second USB sound card dongle yet, so I may run into problems there too.

Thank you for your time.

Allen ------ KB7GJY

 

[ChrisABQ]

Each USB dongle will have it's own unique name when plugged in, is it possible the machine is seeing the USB cables and assigning them the same name and only seeing one of them? Try giving each cable a different name and verify they're on different ports using "Device Manager".

 

[kb7gjy]

What I am seeing is only one cable brings up a port so I can assign a different comport to it.
If I use the other cable, same thing happens. If I plug in the second cable, it does not show an additional serial port. BUT, it does show in the USB Controller a second USB serial converter.

I cant rename anything.

Hope that better explains what I am seeing.

 

[n9mxq]

If you're using a desktop, add a PCI serial card (on a laptop use 2 USB/serial cables) and use 2 null modem cables to the port on the back of the 15x. You can do everything but update firmware through the GPS port.

I have a 996p2 and 15x set up this way and can see each. When my feeds were up, the cables also fed the metadata (Talkgroup info) to the feed software. Much less worry about bumping a cable and possibly damaging the front ports this way also.

 

[jonwienke]

USB devices are supposed to have unique ID's similar to the MAC address on network devices. If two have the same ID, it could confuse the computer and make it unable to distinguish between them.

 

[iMONITOR]

Having an issue and I'm sure it is something stupid or simple I'm missing.

I added two BCT15X to my shack.

If you have a desktop the best and easy solution is to buy a dual RS232 serial port PCI card from Ebay for $6.00+. They have four port ones available too.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PCI-E-Expr...968556?hash=item33d36560ac:g:6AUAAOSwjyxZcdhn

They give you two DB9 true serial ports, no adapters, converters, or problems! I run BCT15X's, 996XT's, and 996P2, and everything coexist perfectly.

 

[kb7gjy]

Unfortunately, I'm using a hybrid wanna be desktop laptop. (HP Touchsmart IQ816 ((Now if I could make the ATSC tuner work as a SDR, lol))) No way to add PCI cards to it. So with this system I am stuck using the USB ports. I'll order two USB to Serial port adapters and see if that works.

The USB cables I ordered off amazon are from the AYAGroup with True FTDI chips.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0755R5C9N/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So I am guessing they are showing up as the same ID to the computer.

I have a old USB to Serial DB9 adapter that I bought XX years ago and looked to see if I could find a driver for it, no joy and it has no markings on it. I would also venture to guess it has a counterfeit FTDI chip from way back when.

 

[n9mxq]

Just remember, if you use the rear ports, the serial cable must be a null modem cable, or have a null modem adapter...