InterceptRadio.com Forums

Hey all,

I'm new to the scanner community and I picked up a Uniden BCD396XT. I am still working on getting it all configured and want to utilize the GPS features. I have a Garmin GPSMAP60CSx.

So the question is... what type of cable do I need to connect these? And where can I get one? Also, any tips on getting the two to communicate would be cool!

Thanks for the help!

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KF7EFG

At the risk of answering my own question:
* BCD396XT (check)
* Scanner Serial Cable (check)
* GPSMAP 60CSx (check)
* GPS Serial Cable (missing)
* Null Modem (missing)

Looks like I need 2 more pieces of equipment. Once I get that, it's just a matter of configuring the settings? Sound right?

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KF7EFG

Sounds about right. We also have an article on the GPS setup:

http://www.interceptradio.com/wiki/inde ... _GPS_Setup

Excellent! I have the cables on order! :-)

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KF7EFG

Just curious, but what is the null modem cable for?

It's essentially a gender changer that flips some pins (actually a bit more complicated than that) to allow two like-type devices to talk to each other.

Yeah, it goes back to the basics of how serial connections work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem

"Null modem is a communication method to connect two DTEs (computer, terminal, printer etc.) directly using an RS-232 serial cable. The RS-232 standard is asymmetrical as to the definitions of the two ends of the communications link so it assumes that one end is a DTE and the other is a DCE e.g. a modem. With a null modem connection the transmit and receive lines are crosslinked. Depending on the purpose, sometimes also one or more handshake lines are crosslinked. Several wiring layouts are in use because the null modem connection is not covered by a standard."

In short, DTE->DCE is expected, so you can't just connect DTE->DTE. The null model crosslinks the transmit/receive effectively turning the DTE into a DCE for receive purposes.

Makes sense? :-D We used to connect to PCs together using a null modem to play network games (before we got LAN adapters with CAT5).

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KF7EFG

Nevermind, I didn't look at the GPS setup picture. I know what a null-modem cable is... I just wasn't sure how it was being used in the GPS scenario. The picture said it all.

This is a great, respectable hobie welcome aboard.

Heh, dating yourself I see. I remember those days well. Not long after the null modem were the pre-TCP/IP network games using IPX broadcast. Very brutal to large bridged networks but it worked.

Anyhow, back on the subject, note how the wiki mentions you don't need the null modem if connecting to the back panel of the 996 with the GlobalSat cable. Apparently the Uniden cable for the 996 front panel (also fits the 396) swaps the TX/RX so the null modem is required when connecting with the Uniden cable.

No worries. I have most of the stuff I need... just waiting for the cables in the mail. Seems like it'll make scanning easier when there are multiple simulcast control channels (Snohomish County E/W). As the GPS will tell it which one to used based on GPS locations.

Also, we travel to Vancouver, WA a lot, and it'll be awesome to have the channels scanned follow the route we take.

I'll report back in a few weeks when I set it up.

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KF7EFG

CSU/DSU and you too!

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Interoperability is an attitude, not a technology.

check out the group meetup at the bellevue library next month post

welcome to the hobby and the site :)

yea .. I remember serial port network gaming ... rise of the triad, but a lot of hours into that game.

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

FWIW: I got all the parts today. I just need a USB cable (due in the next day or two), so I can use FreeSCAN to dump the location filled data for the entire west coast into the scanner! Woot.

I did a "manual entry" test to ensure it was working and it seems to do exactly what it should do. I do have one question:

Say, I have 95% of my channels with GPS enabled, and I'm driving around... will it also scan the not GPS stuff? (GMRS, CB, HAM, etc?) If it does, does that mean I'll possibly miss stuff on the emergency services channels while it checks those?

And, if I understand correctly, if that bugs me... I should just "lock out" those non-GPS channels?

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KF7EFG

I don't know a darn thing about your scanner,
but what a COOL call sign!