Uniden BCT15x Tedious to program?

[bobruzzo]

OK I will try that right now thank you....I DID miss this post!

OK so I followed your instructions and it SEEMS to be scanning ok....in the display it is saying "ID search" scrolling by as it scans. Every so often under those scrolling words, the "NFM" (narrow FM) the FIRST frequency in the system briefly shows in place of "NFM".....goes away and "NFM" returns. I havent heard anything yet though. I did look at the map of this system on RR and I am right on the fringe of reception. So I may not get perfect signals.

 

[tvengr]

Press the function knob and then the SCAN/SEARCH button. It should switch to ID Scan. If NFM is showing, the scanner is having a problem receiving the control channel. Back down on the squelch and turn it up until it just quiets the noise. Make sure that the attenuator is not turned on. You can try changing the length and orientation of the antenna and moving the scanner around the room. It is possible that you may need an outside antenna for adequate signal strength.

 

[kruser]

Well since I dont have the cable to transfer data from Radio Reference database (radio to computer serial cable) I figured I would try and learn to program this radio manually since I want to use the radio and I would learn something about it. I was able to do the firmware update but it told me I had the latest update anyway. Everything else I programmed manually was easy except for motorola. I still dont have a clear step by step idea how to do it right.

You can use the cable that came with the radio and your computer that has the DB-9 serial port on it. The same setup that you used to check the firmware update with.

Use the front port for this for now until you get the rear port cable. I think you said that computers serial port was on Com 1 so that would be the setting to use in Freescan using the included cable. Just make sure the baud rates match in freescan to the ports speeds in the 15X. Both should be set to the fastest speed for programming.

The Front port must be used for Firmware updates but it can also be used for programming or monitoring with programs like ProScan.

The Rear port was intended for a GPS but with the correct cable, you can use the rear port for programming and monitoring but NOT firmware updates.

There should be a Serial Port menu under the Settings menu where you can set the Baud rate for the front and rear ports individually. You would set them both to the highest speed if you never intend on using a GPS.

If you do this, once you are hooked up, Read your 15X into Freescan and save that file before you start making any changes! I'd save the file twice and just not touch one of them so you can always get it back. Work with the second copy.

 

[bobruzzo]

You can use the cable that came with the radio and your computer that has the DB-9 serial port on it. The same setup that you used to check the firmware update with.

Use the front port for this for now until you get the rear port cable. I think you said that computers serial port was on Com 1 so that would be the setting to use in Freescan using the included cable. Just make sure the baud rates match in freescan to the ports speeds in the 15X. Both should be set to the fastest speed for programming.

The Front port must be used for Firmware updates but it can also be used for programming or monitoring with programs like ProScan.

The Rear port was intended for a GPS but with the correct cable, you can use the rear port for programming and monitoring but NOT firmware updates.

There should be a Serial Port menu under the Settings menu where you can set the Baud rate for the front and rear ports individually. You would set them both to the highest speed if you never intend on using a GPS.

If you do this, once you are hooked up, Read your 15X into Freescan and save that file before you start making any changes! I'd save the file twice and just not touch one of them so you can always get it back. Work with the second copy.

Thank you for this info. I was sitting here wondering why Uniden would make a FRONT PANEL connection (with included cable) to only do firmware updates (which would maybe be done 2 or 3 times at MOST!) And the connections for DATA TRANSFER which would be used MANY MORE TIMES than firmware updates, would be such a PITA to get and configure. You'd think they'd engineer it the other way around! I did reprogram the trunked system I had been having trouble with. It seems to work but I hardly hear anything and if I do its noisy, lots of static. I thought it mighta been my antenna, but I tested it and antenna is fine. I dont know if Mass state police has trouble with their system, or lowered their power but I am not recieving them like I used to. Anyway I will try what you suggested with the cable and front port tomorrow.

 

[kruser]

I think in the long run that you will like using the rear port better, especially if you get into monitoring and controlling the radio with software.
Many people (myself included), don't like the fragile cables sticking out the front all the time.

Either way, it had just hit me that you could have used what you already have to mess with Freescan until the stuff you ordered comes in!

Good luck getting MA State PD coming in. You may need an 800 MHz yagi for to get them clearly. What was your old radio where they came in clearly? I'd break it out and check it if you still have it.
I've never used a 15X for 800 MHz as it is all digital hear so I have no idea how it compares to other radios on the higher bands.

 

[bobruzzo]

I think in the long run that you will like using the rear port better, especially if you get into monitoring and controlling the radio with software.
Many people (myself included), don't like the fragile cables sticking out the front all the time.

Either way, it had just hit me that you could have used what you already have to mess with Freescan until the stuff you ordered comes in!

Good luck getting MA State PD coming in. You may need an 800 MHz yagi for to get them clearly. What was your old radio where they came in clearly? I'd break it out and check it if you still have it.
I've never used a 15X for 800 MHz as it is all digital hear so I have no idea how it compares to other radios on the higher bands.

Hi Kruser, Yeah stupid me! It didn't occur to me to try the front port first before rambling on and on about this! Well I do have a usb to db9 cable on the way, and yes I noticed that with plug sticking out of front port, one wrong move and it could damage radio. I was surprised how fast Freescan works copying data to radio. I sure coulda saved a lot of time. I spent about 4 hours Saturday night programming this radio manually! Well at least I know how to do it. I really like this radio. Audio is good and display is very nice. I have set up about 5 systems of stuff I normally listen to. I heard Boston fire dispatch last night. I live just about 7 miles south of Providence (RI).
The other radio I had been using is a Radio Shack pro 2055. Its a pretty good rig. But I noticed the last week or two the reception of the trunked 800 mhz Bristol County (MASS) state PD was steadily weakening. Then it seemed like transmissions were only once in a while. Normally that system is busy. Something I cant explain is the 2055 is hooked up to a vertical dipole cut for aircraft band. That dipole up about 20'. I can hear the trunked system on that radio just a bit better, and thats using an antenna WAY out of band. Plus I am using "F" connectors and 50' of TV coax! Now the new radio is connected to 50' of LMR 400 to diamond discone up about 25'.......cant figure it out.

 

[kruser]

Glad you got Freescan working for now. It is nice doing it that way!

I was reading you other thread but forget if you said you tried the 15X with the aircraft band dipole and RG-6 coax on the MA State Police system.
That would be a test to try if you did not.

Hopefully you will get it all going! It sounds like you are getting the hang of programming the 15X especially being as you did it by hand at first.
That's really a good thing to know as you never do know when you may not have a computer available.

Good luck with the MA state PD system.

 

[bobruzzo]

Glad you got Freescan working for now. It is nice doing it that way!

I was reading you other thread but forget if you said you tried the 15X with the aircraft band dipole and RG-6 coax on the MA State Police system.
That would be a test to try if you did not.

Hopefully you will get it all going! It sounds like you are getting the hang of programming the 15X especially being as you did it by hand at first.
That's really a good thing to know as you never do know when you may not have a computer available.

Good luck with the MA state PD system.

OK thank you. Great support on here. There are a few freqs I have to program manually that are not listed in RR database. I plan this summer to replace that dipole with an all-band antenna. I am tempted to try a yagi but not sure which one is any good. I am thinking maybe someday getting into sdr but a little costly and we gotta remodel kitchen! I have about 1/2 the cost saved from selling a guitar so maybe next year!

 

[Errol]

HI All,
Where can I download the latest version for the BCT15x my current version is Version 1.03.00 - Also do I need to update - what are the enhancements.
Greetings From South Africa.
73 and stay safe.

 

[ProScan]

HI All,
Where can I download the latest version for the BCT15x my current version is Version 1.03.00 - Also do I need to update - what are the enhancements.
Greetings From South Africa.
73 and stay safe.

You have the latest firmware version according to this link

BCT15XFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

info.uniden.com

 

[Errol]

Hi Bob,
Thanks for your reply .... I have just been reading some of the various mail or comments out there and saw this "1.05.03 is the latest BCT15X firmware, this is what I have running." - quoted from a JamesO, who is also a member of this forum, i must admit it's kinda old .... but thanks for the information ........ I guess if it an't broke, dont fix it ... hi hi
vry 73 to you and your family ...
Keep well God bless.

 

[ProScan]

Hi Bob,
Thanks for your reply .... I have just been reading some of the various mail or comments out there and saw this "1.05.03 is the latest BCT15X firmware, this is what I have running." - quoted from a JamesO, who is also a member of this forum, i must admit it's kinda old .... but thanks for the information ........ I guess if it an't broke, dont fix it ... hi hi
vry 73 to you and your family ...
Keep well God bless.

I see now. The TWIKI wasn't updated. Looks like the 1.05.03 is the latest.

BCT15X Latest Firmware?

The wiki as well as other searches show the latest 15X firmware as 1.03.0, however, I recently purchased one with 1.05.03 and would like to bring the second scanner up to the same. From the wiki: What are the most current firmware releases for the trunktracking radios? Model Firmware Version...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[Errol]

Oh, well still thanks for your input …. Now that I tried to run it looks for NET Frame version 2 - I have NET Frame version 4.8 install on my Windows 10 - the updated file just won't move on …… So I guess there might be a message in this all and is "Leave the working unit alone".
22h40 - in South Africa now …. at my age I best get off to bed.
Have a wonderful day
Errol

 

[ProScan]

Oh, well still thanks for your input …. Now that I tried to run it looks for NET Frame version 2 - I have NET Frame version 4.8 install on my Windows 10 - the updated file just won't move on …… So I guess there might be a message in this all and is "Leave the working unit alone".
22h40 - in South Africa now …. at my age I best get off to bed.
Have a wonderful day
Errol

This will help. Don't let the word "Sentinel" throw you off. Thread is on how to enable .Net Framework 2.0.

Loading Sentinel on newly updated Windows 10 PC

Went to RR website and downloaded the current versions for Sentinel for both Homepatrol and SD100/200. Attempted to load them on a recently repaired computer that now has Windows 10 1903 installed and received an error message that says: "This setup requires the .NET Framework version 2.0...

forums.radioreference.com