Uniden BC796D - RS USB-to-Serial Adapter

[CoryCooper]

Just a note:

I just purchased a Radio Shack USB-to-Serial Adapter (RS #26-183). I have connected my BC796D via USB to a Mac running OS X 10.4.1 w/Virtual PC 7.0.1 running Windows XP SP2. After installing the RS software and connecting the scanner, I am happy to report it is working flawlessly using BuTel's ARC250 V1.12PRO.

I know some folks have been looking for a USB solution...this one works...and, I must say, mine is not the normal config either!

We're talking serious emulation and adaptation here!

C

 

[MacombMonitor]

Wow...that's pushing the envelope :!: :shock:

 

[CoryCooper]

I know, huh!

 

[ronmicha]

Radio Shack USB-Serial Adapter on a Mac

Cory--
I'm a Mac man also still trying to get the ARC780 and 796 software to work on my Mac with Virtual PC 6 or 7. Did you, by any chance, ever try to run the software with Win 2000 Pro and VPC 6 or 7 w/ OS 10.3.9? Just curious. I haven't upgraded to OS 10.4 yet but might now consider it since you've apparently found something that works. But would be curious to know if you used anything else that worked prior to now.
Thanks.
Ron

 

[MacombMonitor]

Re: Radio Shack USB-Serial Adapter on a Mac

Cory--
I'm a Mac man also still trying to get the ARC780 and 796 software to work on my Mac with Virtual PC 6 or 7. Did you, by any chance, ever try to run the software with Win 2000 Pro and VPC 6 or 7 w/ OS 10.3.9? Just curious. I haven't upgraded to OS 10.4 yet but might now consider it since you've apparently found something that works. But would be curious to know if you used anything else that worked prior to now.
Thanks.
Ron

I would think you would have an even better chance of it working under Win2k, than WinXP. Are you certain you have the COM port set to one that Windows is activating? To find out, right click on My Computer, left click on Manage, left click on Device Manager, left click on + Ports (COM & LPT), then see what Com port is being established, ie; COM5. The you need to configure ARC780 to the same Com port. Also, the Baud Rate needs to be correct, and the same in the software, as well as the radio. Start with 5700 in the software, and if it doesn't work, work your way down with lower settings, matching the software, to the radio's baud rate each time. I'm a die-hard PC guy, but I did play around with a MAC Dual G5, and Virtual PC for awhile. Long enough to realized it wasn't for me, :? and quickly returned to the PC platform. It will be interesting to see, now that Apple is abandoning the Power PC, for Intel, what will happen! Maybe we'll see OS X running on PC's before too long.

 

[ronmicha]

Thanks!

Thanks Bill. I'll try this. I wasn't sure exactly how to check the COM ports, etc.
ron

 

[MacombMonitor]

Re: Thanks!

Thanks Bill. I'll try this. I wasn't sure exactly how to check the COM ports, etc.
ron

You're welcome! I did make an error in my previous post. You should start with a baud rate of 57600, not 5700 (typo)

 

[CoryCooper]

Re: Radio Shack USB-Serial Adapter on a Mac

Cory--
I'm a Mac man also still trying to get the ARC780 and 796 software to work on my Mac with Virtual PC 6 or 7. Did you, by any chance, ever try to run the software with Win 2000 Pro and VPC 6 or 7 w/ OS 10.3.9? Just curious. I haven't upgraded to OS 10.4 yet but might now consider it since you've apparently found something that works. But would be curious to know if you used anything else that worked prior to now.
Thanks.
Ron

Ron,

Unfortunately, I never tried until I bought this adapter. I actually ahd a similarly complex setup:

An old PC running Win98SE via Pentium II 233MHz, 64MB RAM.

I have the Radio Shack 6' RS-232C Serial Cable (RS #26-117). I connected it between the BC796D and the PC. I then connected to the PC via Timbuktu Pro via my Ethernet Switch. I ran the PC headless, and controlled it from within TB Pro. It worked fine that way too, but the new setup is much faster.

If I get some time, I will try it with Win 2K in VPC 7 for you...

C

 

[CoryCooper]

UPDATE:

Just to let you know, this setup doesn't allow firmware updating. You need an actual PC running with a serial cable.

C

 

[UPMan]

Or PC with USB --> Serial adapter.