Uniden BC125AT/UBC125XLT Linux Web Controller

A web-based control and recording interface for the Uniden Bearcat BC125AT/UBC125XLT scanner. This project provides:

• A FastAPI backend for communicating with the scanner over USB
• A real-time web UI for controlling keys, channels, backlight, and automatic recording
• Automatic audio recording based on squelch state
• Recording toggle (enable/disable) via the frontend
• Works on Linux with Python ≥ 3.10

📦 Prerequisites

1. Check Python Version

Ensure your system is running Python 3.10 or later:

python3 --version

If the output shows Python 3.10.x or newer, you're good.

⚙️ Setup

1. Clone the Repository

cd ~/Documents/GitHub
git clone <repo-url>
cd uniden-linux-controller

1.1 Install python venv

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3-venv

1.2 Install system libraries

This project requires PortAudio for audio support. On Ubuntu, you need to install the system libraries before installing Python dependencies:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y portaudio19-dev libasound2-dev

2. Create a Virtual Environment

python3 -m venv venv

Activate it:

source venv/bin/activate

3. Install the Project

pip install -e .

🔌 Connecting the Scanner

1. Turn on the BC125AT/UBC125XLT
2. Ensure it is scanning or idle
3. Plug in the USB cable after the scanner is powered on (helps avoid detection issues)
4. (You can list USB devices with ls /dev/ttyACM*.)
5. Run sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER
6. Restart your computer to make sure the changes take effect.
7. After restarting, verify that your user is in the dialout group by running:groups. You should see dialout listed among the groups.

🚀 Starting the Web API Server

Run:

uvicorn scanner_api:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 5000 --log-level warning

--host 0.0.0.0 allows access from other devices on the network

• Web UI: http://0.0.0.0:5000/ or http://127.0.0.1:5000/

4. Recordings

Before recording, ensure that you have selected the correct audio input for your line-in in Linux sound settings.

For reference, I have configured my system as follows:

Line-in threshold: 20%

Scanner volume: 6

This helps prevent the input from being overdriven and ensures clean recordings.

🐧 Linux USB Note (Important)

If /dev/ttyACM0 does not appear, run:

echo "1965 0017 2 076d 0006" | sudo tee -a /sys/bus/usb/drivers/cdc_acm/new_id

✨ Features

• Real-time scanner status (screen, squelch, mute, frequency, modulation, tone)
• Full keypad emulation
• Channel jumping
• Backlight control
• Automatic audio recording when squelch opens
• Recording toggle via frontend checkbox
• Modular FastAPI backend

🙏 Acknowledgements

Serial communication with the scanner is handled using the excellent Bearcat Python library by fruzyna.