BC780XLT: Anyone still using a BC780xlt?

[N6RDC]

I recently picked up one of these classic units, I had one years ago and reception was always great.
This issue I'm having is that it won't trunk scan..I program in a single group of Motorola frequencies and a few talk groups but when I scan it only displays "SCANNING" not "ID SCANNING". It's set for trunk and all the channels have been set for "M"....motorola. The select button is supposed to toggle between BANK and LIST while scanning but it doesnt..I even did a factory reset and only try one group of frequencies to keep it simple but no luck.
How can I get it to display my talk group LIST numbers while scanning? While scanning the display shows
"M" and "TRUNK". But no way to toggle the lists and no reception....if I turn off trunk while scanning it receives transmissions...but I want to ID scan.
I've owned dozens of scanners.....this one in the past as well as the BC785XLT and never had an issue.
I've been through the owners manual step by step over and over but no luck.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[cellphone]

The BC780XLT is a great radio that I have used for many years. I still use it today, but only for VHF and UHF Aircraft monitoring as it does a little better than current models with AM.

I think you are running into issues as this radio does not support rebanding on Motorola systems. See this link for more info.

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Rebanding#Uniden_Scanners

Read through the article. You can potentially monitor a system if the frequencies fit the criteria where rebanding was not needed. If you can provide a link to the system and site that you are trying to monitor, we can help you make that determination.

 

[Ubbe]

Can you actually hear the data from the control channel when you turn off trunk? It seems as you don't so check that you have all control channels programmed and also not locked out.

/Ubbe

 

[N6RDC]

Thanks for the replies. Here's a link to one of the systems that I'm trying to monitor:

https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=336

I have all the frequencies programmed in and I can hear the noise from the control channel when I go through the channels manually.
If I turn off trunking by pressing "trunk" while scanning and let it scan normally it will stop on all transmissions. But when I try to "ID SCAN" my list of groups it just says "SCANNING" and doesn't stop on anything. What's odd is that when I received it a week ago it initially worked....ID SCAN and only the groups I wanted but then I turned it on one day and all it displayed is "SCANNING" and hasn't id scanned since....I did a full reset and started from scratch but no difference.....and I can't get the LIST numbers on the display to toggle with the BANK numbers with the SELECT button.
I have a BCD536HP I'm going to sell because the 780xlt will monitor what I want and the reception of the 536 is pitifully bad, especially on VHF hi and low is terrible......the 780 receives much better! (same antenna, etc.). I'll let the 536 go for the deal of the century I'm so dissatisfied with it. Ok...rant off....

One last note, the county sheriff in my area is now encrypted but fire, EMS are not. But the 780 was working fine a week ago.

Thanks to everyone for the help, I appreciate the assistance!

 

[kruser]

Make sure TRUNK is lit in the display.
When it says "SCANNING", simply press the SCAN button and it should change to ID SCANNING providing you are receiving a valid control channel signal.

If you press the SRCH button at this point, the bottom line should show the system name you programmed and the little word, "Search" will be lit in the top line indicating you are searching for talkgroups, even those you may not have programmed.
Hit the SCAN button again and it should go back to ID SCANNING mode.

Once you get it back to ID SCANNING mode, the Select button should also work again and allow toggling between LIST and BANK modes.

If this does not work, It sounds like the control channel may be entered incorrectly, out of range or was accidently locked out.

Good Luck!

edit: make sure you do have some talkgroups programmed. If none are programmed, I don't think it will let you enter ID SCAN mode as there is nothing it can scan.