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I Sent email to Uniden. Asked them for scanner control protocols (command syntax) Via RS232.
They said they have not released them to the public, Thats NutZ!. Maybe in the future.  Didn't even offer to sell them.  I know the developers at FreeSCAN and butel have them so they could develope their software.  Doesn't seem fair or legal. Restraint of trade issues. Anybody a lawyer out there?  Never bought electronics I couldn't program until now. Never seen anyone sell a radio or electtonics of any kind and not supply rs232 command syntax with it!  I'm an electronic tech / programmer. Every piece of test equipment having gpib or rs232 comes with the protocols in the manuals. I know what I'm talking about I'm 58yrs old been in the business for 40 yrs. This the first time I ever saw anybody sell equipment without protocols info.  HP/Tektronix/Fluke/Yeasu/Kenwood/AOR/Kiethly/Wavetek/ you name they all publish the protocols so the user can remote control the equipment.   Never seen anything like this before.  Thinking of returning it with nasty letter. Got any ideas?    

If you haven't already done so, I suggest that you post in the Uniden forum on RadioReference.com.  The Uniden product manager is a regular there and may be able/willing to provide more info than whoever got your email at Uniden.

In the meanwhile, I'd respectfully suggest that you lighten up a bit before posting there.

BTW, I'm a lawyer.  I don't recall anything in the Constitution guaranteeing a right to rs232 command syntax, but I'll check my sources again just in case.

Dick

Do a google for "uniden complete reference". Think you'll find what you're looking for.

Tom

The complete reference for the 996XT was online for a few weeks, then they took it down and it didn't appear again. I don't think the 15X ever had it online. But you can use the command reference for the 396XT, which is virtually identical except for audio record out not being shown and some key differences.

I have BCD996xt.
The complete reference your talking about is not so complete. Shows you how to program the radio with front panel controls. Has lots of info but there is no rs232 protocols here.

Thank You for your responses.  So far I still can not get protocols.  I've contacted my companies lawyer who said in theory I do have a case.  But in practice could cost 60 times more than the cost of the radio LOL. He said to lighen up too.  I'll Post on Radio Reference see what pops up.

Could not find "uniden complete reference" searching google. Must have been taken down.
Also can't get protocols for 396xt either. I don't own one so I can't get to download area at uniden. 

I'm using Butel XT Pro Build 2 and also have FreeSCAN which I just started looking at. Which is surprisely good.  Both Packages are similar.  Both come up short of quick access approach.
Should be able to change a frequency criteria and attributes without having to delete and reload entire system everytime. Should have Easy settings with one tap control.
I could program so one control button would change objects in settings without having to upload entire configuration or going through menus Ugg.  This requires some fancy programming but is possibble.  I've done this with other Uniden scanners. Dynamic memory access requires a database search and replace approach.  It is a loss to anyone who owns this scanner because without the protocols freeware will not be avaible to you. Which brings me back to FreeSCAN - how did they get the protocols when it is not in the public domain. Also How did Butel get them. I don't understand why they sell an rs232 device without protocols. Still Nutz    
 
                Thanks
                    Ken

 

The protocols are available to anyone.

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BCD396XT/BCD396XT_Complete_Reference.pdf

You can download this and it is virtually the same to the 996XT. I don't have the reference for the 15X at all but with some guess-and-error-and-trial I did manage to get support for it. Your idea of changing one frequency instead of replacing the entire system is interesting and theoretically possible, but in reality I think it would be too complicated and error prone to actually do. If the user has multiple scanners it would be neigh impossible. But the command protocol is there so if you want to give it a shot fill your boots. 

If you have the 996xt, take a look starting on page 220 of the cd that came with the scanner. I'm showing that the reference for the command control is there.

Tom

Kennrth,

For a guy who doesn't seem to know much about what he's posting you sure do seem to have an attitude.  (See, also, post on quick keys.)

As noted, BCD396XT -- The Complete Reference is, and has been, publicly available and contains the complete command set for the 396XT which is almost identical to that of the 996XT.  Just because you couldn't find it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

I'm not sure why you've chosen this site as your place to rant about the supposed unavailability of the command set.  Even if you were right, which you aren't, that wouldn't be a FreeSCAN issue.

With respect to your criticisms of FreeScan, I'd suggest that you devote your immediate energies to finding the easily findable Complete Reference before telling us what you could do.  Perhaps it would be helpful for you to know the command set before deciding what is and isn't possible.  Once you've done that, we will eagerly await your new freeware.  Guys that tell us what they could do are a dime a dozen.  Those that do it--not so much.

Oh, and BTW, maybe you should take your companies (sic) lawyer's advice.

Dick