I have two scanners, a Uniden Home Patrol 2, and a Uniden BCD436HP. They have the following in common:
- Both made in 2014
- Both GPS compatible
- Both use the same Mini B 4 pin connector for the GPS connection
BUT, THE GPS 4 PIN CONNECTORS TO THE SCANNERS CAN BE WIRED DIFFERENTLY.
To make your own GPS cable you need:
- ProMaster #3696 6′ cable – The first people to do this hack used a Rosewill RCW-109 cable. Good luck finding one of them these days. What you need is a USB 2.0 Type A Male to Type Mini-B 4-Pin Male. Make sure it is a 4 pin. I found some other branded cables on eBay as well
- BR-355S4 GPS Puck
Take your 6′ cable with the Mini B 4 pin connector and cut it in half. Prepare the ends as such:
- USB 2.0 A cable – Red and Black wires only
- 4 pin Mini B cable – Red, Black, Green
On the GPS puck, cut off the 9 pin serial connector and prepare all four wires. Red, black, green, white.
Now wire together as per this table:
WORKS ON BCD436HP AND HOME PATROL 2 WIRING
| Signal | GPS | RCW-109 | USB Cable | Uniden Connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPS RX | WHITE | RED | 1 | |
| 2 | ||||
| GPS TX | GREEN | GREEN | 3 | |
| Ground | BLACK | BLACk | BLACK | 4 |
| +5V | RED | RED |
If you own the Home Patrol 2, with the RCW-109 cable it can also be wired as in this diagram made by RadioReference forum user Jasonyohon from this post. USE THE TABLE IN POST #4 IN THAT THREAD.
HOME PATROL 2 GPS WIRING ONLY
After wiring for each scanner I confirmed it worked by setting the zip code for each scanner to 47715 (Indiana) and pulling in the Full Database for that area. Then I plugged in the GPS. Both scanners immediately pulled in the North Carolina Full Database and began working perfectly. Each wiring diagram for each specific scanner is confirmed to be working.
Here it is in action. Even printed a fancy junction box for it. I got the box file from here and downsized it to 65%. I didn’t mess with the hole size but some 3/16″ x 5/16″ grommets from this kit fit pretty well. I had to slip a piece of heat shrink on each cable to tighten things up. I wouldn’t call this case water resistant but then again, neither is the scanner.
So essentially, if you own both scanners as I do, you need to wire it up as my first example. If you own a Home Patrol 2 you can wire it either way.
“BUT, THE GPS 4 PIN CONNECTORS ON THE SCANNERS ARE WIRED DIFFERENTLY.”
That’s messed up!
Hi John
I have just purchased a cable and puck (not the same puck, but still one that sends nmea messages)
I’m curious – could one use a jumper wire from 5v+ from the mini usb port on the scanner to pin 2 on the 4 pin mini b connector. Therefore eliminating the need to pug both the scanner and puck in to two usb ports? I realize the puck would only work when the radio is on usb power and not on battery power, but for my application, if the scanner is in the vehicle, it is plugged in.
Scanner is also well out of warranty so that is not a concern.
I have a hp436, I’d love to somehow hook it up to a Rand McNally truck gps. I read somewhere someone claimed to have done it, but that was years ago and I can’t find it. I have an old r.mcnally 730 but I’m gonna get a newer one soon. I don’t think the 730 has any outs to accomplish this. Anyone else familiar with car/truck gps that works with this?