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Difference between revisions of "DMA Scanners and Software"

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===Programming and Virtual Control===
 
===Programming and Virtual Control===
 
'''I don't have a serial port on my PC. How do I connect the scanner?'''
 
'''I don't have a serial port on my PC. How do I connect the scanner?'''
* See our [[Connecting scanners via USB]] article for specific hints and tips. Uniden sells their own USB-1, and other distributors (such as Keyspan products) have also been known to work well. Be sure to download the most up to date drivers for your OS, regardless of from whom you buy it.
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* See our [[Connecting scanners via USB]] article for specific hints and tips. Uniden sells their own USB-1, and other distributors (such as Keyspan products) have also been known to work well. Be sure to download and install the most up to date drivers for your OS. Be aware that there have been several reports of drivers for 64 bit Win7 being very hard to find and sometimes just don't work well.
** Uniden's USB-1 is available direct, or can be purchased from Scanner Master at this [http://www.scannermaster.com/USB_Cable_p/01-551038.htm page] Be sure to download the correct driver for your OS. If those drivers aren't working (there are older ones floating around), try the ones found in the FreeScan downloads area.
 
  
 
'''Ive loaded the drivers and hooked up the cable, but the scanner doesnt connect'''
 
'''Ive loaded the drivers and hooked up the cable, but the scanner doesnt connect'''

Revision as of 20:29, 9 January 2011

Software and Connections

Programming and Virtual Control

I don't have a serial port on my PC. How do I connect the scanner?

  • See our Connecting scanners via USB article for specific hints and tips. Uniden sells their own USB-1, and other distributors (such as Keyspan products) have also been known to work well. Be sure to download and install the most up to date drivers for your OS. Be aware that there have been several reports of drivers for 64 bit Win7 being very hard to find and sometimes just don't work well.

Ive loaded the drivers and hooked up the cable, but the scanner doesnt connect

  • You must go into the scanner's menu system and select the proper speed (and in some cases, the port on the scanner). The instructions can be found on each of the scanner's Easier to Read manuals, and a summary can be found here

I Want to Program My Scanner via Software. What Packages are Available?

  • Each scanner's article linked in our wiki has a listing for supporting software. See the Uniden DMA Software Support article for the most popular packages.

Is there any freeware to program/control my scanner? I cant find the UASD for the XT Models?
Unfortunately Uniden never supplied the UASD (or Uniden Advanced System Director) for the XT models. However, FreeScan works with both the T and XT models and is freeware. The FreeScan User Guide is hosted on our site. BcTool is also popular; however the Professional (paid) version is required to use the RR Web import.

Where can I get a file for the program I'm using?

  • Programming files for these packages can often be had from several different sources;
    • Make a request for a file on your state's forum;
    • Check the Yahoo group(s) for your state;
    • Check the Yahoo group for your scanner. This is listed in every article (usually toward the bottom);
    • Check to see if someone has set up a web page with file(s) for your scanner and area. Look at the Programming Files article to see a selection of known sites;
    • Many programs now have either dedicated forums on their website, or on Yahoo groups
    • Download data from the RadioReference database.

Some of these packages support connecting directly to, and downloading data from, the RadioReference database. This is often the easiest way to get started.

To use this service, you must be a paid subscriber. The list of applications that are known to be compatible with the Web service can be found here.

If you make a request for a file, be sure to specify which software package you are using. For example, ARC396 can read UASD files as an input source; the UASD cannot directly read ARC396 data.

Audio Recording

How do I set up my PC and software to record what I am hearing?

  • The first thing to do is to get a shielded cable that goes from the earphone or line out jack of the scanner to the proper input of the PC. This can be a bit tricky, particularly with laptops. See our Connecting Radios to Soundcards article for more information.

What software has the capability of recording audio?

  • Many of the BuTel ARC PRO versions (ARC330, ARC396, ARC996, ARC15. ARC-XT)
    • Support for these packages is supplied by the offer, and found on our Software forum.
  • Also see the listings found on the Uniden DMA Software Support article. Items in blue or green can record.

Return to the Uniden DMA FAQ