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| New to the scanning hobby http://www.interceptradio.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5314 |
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| Author: | Tyren [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | New to the scanning hobby |
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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| Author: | Tyren [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
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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| Author: | Atomic Taco [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
Sounds about right. We also have an article on the GPS setup: http://www.interceptradio.com/wiki/inde ... _GPS_Setup |
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| Author: | Tyren [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
Excellent! I have the cables on order! :-) |
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| Author: | nickcarr [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
Just curious, but what is the null modem cable for? |
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| Author: | Atomic Taco [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
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. |
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| Author: | Tyren [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
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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| Author: | nickcarr [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
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. |
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| Author: | commstar [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
This is a great, respectable hobie welcome aboard. |
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| Author: | Rich [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
Tyren wrote: We used to connect to PCs together using a null modem to play network games (before we got LAN adapters with CAT5). 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. |
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| Author: | Tyren [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
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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| Author: | jrw14493 [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
CSU/DSU and you too! |
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| Author: | SpudGunMan [ Thu Apr 28, 2011 8:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
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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| Author: | Tyren [ Tue May 03, 2011 9:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
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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| Author: | N7QOR [ Tue May 03, 2011 10:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New to the scanning hobby |
Tyren wrote: ...KF7EFG I don't know a darn thing about your scanner, but what a COOL call sign! |
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