alcoeddy
Newbie
Failure of ceramic filter FT3 (black; marked LT450DU) in this model is definitely a chronic issue. So far I've purchased FOUR of these radios on eBay with the same set of symptoms; no or very slow scan on FM bands, AM bands scan but do not stop when squelch is opened, and no audio on anything, just white noise. This behavior can be intermittent, going away and then reappearing at random. Apparently Uniden chose poorly when they switched suppliers for these filters. Previous (and perhaps following) models used either SFP450D or SFR450D (yellow; Murata) for this filter (and I've never seen either of these fail in service). SFP450D is a direct pin-for-pin replacement for LT450DU, while SFR450D is the five pin version (but the middle three all go to ground; simply solder the middle three legs to each other, leaving one straight to insert in the PCB; one of the other two legs will line right up if you do this right, while the second will need to be lengthened a bit and bent to shape).
Like the original LT450DU, both of these Murata ceramic filters are near impossible to find on the internet or elsewhere, but EASY to find at tag sales and flea markets. Just look for nonfunctional portable Unidens (usually because the batteries have leaked or the ni-cad pack is no good); I've yet to pay more than $5 for one. The BC100XLT, BC220XLT and BC60XLT-1 all use the SFP450D; doubtless many other Uniden and Radio Shack models use it as well.
Why are BCT-8s worth this kind of effort? Because they (along with the Radio Shack Pro2053) are the cheapest and simplest way to set up an internet scanner feed WITH ALPHA TAGS AND REMOTE CONTROL of the radio. These old timers have serial ports that work with RadioFeed and its channel lookup alpha tag option; both can be located off-premise and controlled over the internet using AnyDesk or Teamviewer remote desktop software. No need to pay $150 plus on eBay for newer, much more sophisticated radios with alpha tags (only to waste them monitoring just the half-dozen channels you want to share with the world). Combine one of these with a cheap Windows mini-computer (do an eBay search for Asus B202) and you can set up an internet scanner feed for less than $100.
See my previous more detailed posts regarding Pro2053 and BCT-8 issues and how to fix them.
Like the original LT450DU, both of these Murata ceramic filters are near impossible to find on the internet or elsewhere, but EASY to find at tag sales and flea markets. Just look for nonfunctional portable Unidens (usually because the batteries have leaked or the ni-cad pack is no good); I've yet to pay more than $5 for one. The BC100XLT, BC220XLT and BC60XLT-1 all use the SFP450D; doubtless many other Uniden and Radio Shack models use it as well.
Why are BCT-8s worth this kind of effort? Because they (along with the Radio Shack Pro2053) are the cheapest and simplest way to set up an internet scanner feed WITH ALPHA TAGS AND REMOTE CONTROL of the radio. These old timers have serial ports that work with RadioFeed and its channel lookup alpha tag option; both can be located off-premise and controlled over the internet using AnyDesk or Teamviewer remote desktop software. No need to pay $150 plus on eBay for newer, much more sophisticated radios with alpha tags (only to waste them monitoring just the half-dozen channels you want to share with the world). Combine one of these with a cheap Windows mini-computer (do an eBay search for Asus B202) and you can set up an internet scanner feed for less than $100.
See my previous more detailed posts regarding Pro2053 and BCT-8 issues and how to fix them.
Last edited:
