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I have just updated my396t with the latest firmware from Uniden.
I think it sounds much better.
Anybody else see a difference.

I updated my 996. I only had a few minutes to test it but audio did sound a little more clear, less of that being in a bathroom sound. Tommorow I'll get some time to test it out for a few hours and see how the audio quality has changed.

Some people are reporting some scary problems updating, with flashing displays, "PROM ERROR" messages and software that refuses to do anything. The upgrade went just fine for me, although it was a royal PIA upgrading to 1.4 first, writing down all the numbers, registering, getting access to the download area and then getting the activation code, redownloading 2.0 and updating again.

I have firmware ver. 1.11.03 how do I go about getting the latest version??

You have to log onto uniden's website and register the scanner. Then you should see a link in there for "My Firmware" to get to the download site. Its a bit of an treasure hunting adventure to get all the files, serial numbers and activation codes you need to do this update. (I guess just making one program to do the job would be way too easy) But all the instructions are on the site.

I didn't have too many problems downloading the firmware updates but I can see why others can get frustrated.
When I first got my scanner I had no clue how to program it. Uniden's owner manual was so complicated it might as well have been written in Chinese.
A friend of mine had arc396 and set me up. Then FreeScan came out and I have been using it ever since. It makes life so much easier.
I think Uniden has made things quite complicated with their instructions and they could have made everything simpler by having just one download.
Getting the ESN/checksum codes was about the only glitch that I had, but after reading some of the posts on RR I figured it out. Clearer instructions are needed to stop some of the griping we read on RR. Maybe have a visual aid each step of the way, to help those of us who are computer challenged.
On the whole, my 396 sounds better this morning. I even heard MTO in Renfrew CTY, I live in Northumberland Cty.

  I went onto the website and got to the section I needed, however it was asking me for a ESN and ESN checksum.

I registered the scanner when I first brought it last year so what do I need to do to download the firmware update? There instructions leave a lot too be desired......
Thanks for all the help.

Login to the myuniden webpage.
Once there click on All My Scanners in the right column.
It should bring up your account page.

 It should look something like this with all your info-

                                                                   ESN                                         
Nickname   Model   Serial Number   ESN   Check   Firmware Ver.
                                                                   sum

Under ESN/Checksum, it should say "get ESN" or something like that.
Once you get that, go back to the myuniden page and update the info. then go from there.

I see from the time I wrote this and sent it, it got screwed up in cyberspace but I hope it helps a little.

Here is a post by mancow on RR that you may find useful:
People seem to be getting confused by the two level firmware update process. It's a foolproof issue since you can never get the newest V2xx.xx. firmware unless you first get the V1_04_12
THE ESN AND CHECKSUM ONLY COME INTO PLAY AFTER THE V1_04_12 HAS BEEN DOWNLOADED AND INSTALLED. DO NOT CONCERN YOURSELF WITH IT YET.



You have to download and instal firmware V1_04_12.scn FIRST. This is the firmware level that enables the ESN function. You DO NOT need to enter an ESN or ESN Checksum yet. You have to install that level of firmware first. Once the radio is registered and in the list you download the firmware from the 3rd link from the bottom of the window that pops up when you click the (Where are my ESN and Checksum link?)

Download the BC VUP updater program as well. Unzip and install that program first. Use that program to install the V1_04_12.scn file that you just downloaded and unzipped to your PC as well.

The radio will be pushed to the Checksum capable firmware level.

Once that is finished and the radio is fully updated to that level you will see additional information in the See Scanne Info > Firmware Version screen when using the menu on the radio itself. Note that information down. That will be your ESN and Checksum.

Go back to the All My Scanners Uniden webpage. Insert the information you just noted from the 996's screen.

A dialogue box will show and you will then be able to get the product key for the firmware. The link to the firmware will be visible on the previous All My Scanners page as well.

Download the new version V2.xx.xx level of firmware by clicking on the link.

Go back to the stand alone BC VUP updater program you used to install version V1_04_12.scn firmware.

Use the find file function to grab the V2.xx.xx firmware you downloaded and installed to the PC. Check the box and insert the product key you got a few steps back.

Let it update......

I updated my 996. I only had a few minutes to test it but audio did sound a little more clear, less of that being in a bathroom sound. Tommorow I'll get some time to test it out for a few hours and see how the audio quality has changed.

Some people are reporting some scary problems updating, with flashing displays, "PROM ERROR" messages and software that refuses to do anything. The upgrade went just fine for me, although it was a royal PIA upgrading to 1.4 first, writing down all the numbers, registering, getting access to the download area and then getting the activation code, redownloading 2.0 and updating again.

Good thing is you should only have to do that ONCE....has to do with ESN and checksum etc from what I understand.

Let's all thank Uniden for making it so difficult to update the firmware...... I'm glad I had a few hours to idle away while downloading this program and that program before I was able to finally upgrade the firmware, and I haven't noticed any difference in the audio  it still sucks......