califmusicman
Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 9
I switched from Windows to Mac a few months back and had the problem of how to use my Windows-only ARC 396 Pro software to control a BCD396T handheld. Here's the workaround:
- Install Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac on the iMac and get a version of Windows OS 7 on it. The ARC Pro runs on the emulation program without any problems.
- In the case of my radio, it comes with a serial interface that allows you to update or monitor the scanner using the PC software. I use ARC software, not Uniden's software. In either case, you'll need a serial port on your computer and Macs use USB. So you'll want to buy a universal serial-USB converter and have the drivers installed on the Windows side.
I have found no major issues with this set-up and have even done some audio recordings without issues. One suggestion is before loading up the scanner, you should go into the Parallels top menu and: 1) click on Devices, USB, USB HS Serial Converter. Make sure the converter is checker or it won't recognize the radio. You probably will need to click on the this converter in the Parallels menu every time you load it for the first time. It doesn't load automatically, although maybe someone else found a way to do that.
Hope this helps people who are switching to Mac or considering the change.
- Install Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac on the iMac and get a version of Windows OS 7 on it. The ARC Pro runs on the emulation program without any problems.
- In the case of my radio, it comes with a serial interface that allows you to update or monitor the scanner using the PC software. I use ARC software, not Uniden's software. In either case, you'll need a serial port on your computer and Macs use USB. So you'll want to buy a universal serial-USB converter and have the drivers installed on the Windows side.
I have found no major issues with this set-up and have even done some audio recordings without issues. One suggestion is before loading up the scanner, you should go into the Parallels top menu and: 1) click on Devices, USB, USB HS Serial Converter. Make sure the converter is checker or it won't recognize the radio. You probably will need to click on the this converter in the Parallels menu every time you load it for the first time. It doesn't load automatically, although maybe someone else found a way to do that.
Hope this helps people who are switching to Mac or considering the change.