I'm not quite clear on your goal (testing?). You can load, analyze and use UEI codes without any physical remote at all simply by using Remote Master and IRScrutinizer and possibly the Simpleset website. Scrutinizer will convert UEI codes to/from almost any other format you can imagine.

An FTDI RS-232 cable from ebay is essentially a JP1.1/2/3/4/JP2 cable compatible with most JP1 remotes made in the past 10 years or so (about 50 models to choose from). The old Radio Shack remotes were JP1. That requires an additional adapter with the above cable. Many newer JP1 remotes don't require a JP1 cable at all but use a standard USB cable, usually included with the remote.

The best of these new USB JP1 remotes would be the Nevo C2 (can't miss it on ebay) or OARUSB04G (found many places). A traditional JP1.3 or later remote would be any of most cable remotes, like a silver Comcast or Atlas from other cable companies. If you want to pick one up off the shelf at Best Buy, get the Insignia NS-RMT415.

Here's a JP1.3 cable I've bought in the past: [Link: ebay.com]

One Nevo C2: [Link: ebay.com]

OARUSB04G: [Link: ebay.com]

Insignia: [Link: bestbuy.com]

Comcast: [Link: ebay.com]

Atlas: [Link: ebay.com]

Here's the complete list of JP1 remotes by type:
[Link: hifi-remote.com]
(All 6-pin and 5-hole remotes in the first list use the cable linked above. All USB ones use a standard USB cable)