Uniden USB-1

[VA3JWO]

I'm using a uniden bcd396t, and i want to program it on my computer, which is a mac and uniden sends me a SERIAL cord Which is for computers from the STONE AGE....... Come on uniden, wake up and smell the coffee.... Anyways, getting back the the scanner cord, I was searching around quite a bit for the USB- 1 cord and its priced at $44.95 CANADIAN..... What a rip off. What my question is, is it a good idea to get a Serial- USB adapter which is not made by uniden and is approx. $15 at TigerDirect? or does it need to be a special one from uniden?

 

[SCPD]

I ordered the USB cable from Scanner Master and downloaded the firmware for the cable. It was only $29.00. It should be here soon. My 346xt is two firmwares behind, but my 15x is up to date.

Mark

 

[SCPD]

PL2303_windows7.zip is the download. My 346 has 1.01.09 since then 1.04.00 & 1.05.00 have come out. Total for the cable with shipping was $33.70. Hope this helps you.

Mark

 

[VA3JWO]

i would buy it from scanner master, but i will have to pay customs/ duty fees, and lots of other stuff on top of that..... i was just curious if a cheap serial- USB adapter from a local computer store will work

 

[randyf]

works well for me my adapter cost $20.00

 

[ka3jjz]

Yes, several off the shelf USB converters have been known to work - we have a few of them linked in the wiki article below...

Connecting scanners via USB - The RadioReference Wiki

Best Regards...Mike

 

[Al42]

It depends on the chip used in the adapter and the computer you're going to use it on. The Aten UC232 (sold by others as GC-232) has a Mac driver for OSX (and drivers for ealier versions).

If you can't get a driver, the adapter is useless. For instance, the Belkin F409 is one of the better adapters, but Belkin refuses to come out with 64 bit drivers. So I'm using a not-as-good GC-232 and Aten's 64 bit driver. Small company, but they think of the customer.

 

[Clark]

You stated that you are using a MAC, what program do you intend to use to program the scanner after you have a USB adapter or cable?

Clark