BC125AT: BC125AT Firmware warning!

[dispatchgeek]

I've made an unpleasant discovery this morning. I was a big dope, and didn't check the firmware on my BC125AT before updating. It appears that the newest ones ship with a 1.06 version firmware, and the latest file published by Uniden on their website is 1.03.01. The scanner happily takes the firmware downgrade, but it now literally deaf as a stump. I've been in contact with Uniden support this morning. They advised they are reaching out to support to see if they can obtain a newer firmware file.

Don't be a dope like me. CHECK YOUR VERSION BEFORE YOU DO A FIRMWARE UPDATE!!

 

[Scan125]

I think Uniden are the dumb dopes and not you.

They should be checking "old" and "new" version numbers and highlighting that the version you are about to install/update with is and OLD DOWN LEVEL VERSION! that could be incompatible with your hardware version.

Typical school boy error that any/every professional company should not be making unless they manufacture "bricks".

 

[dispatchgeek]

I would agree with that. Most everything else I have ever worked with in my life from cheap radios to P25 trunking radios made darn sure that you know what you are doing, especially if you are about to downgrade a firmware. I guess I became too trusting in the process, but it's a shame they are several firmware versions behind on their published firmware updates.

I think Uniden are the dumb dopes and not you.

They should be checking "old" and "new" version numbers and highlighting that the version you are about to install/update with is and OLD DOWN LEVEL VERSION! that could be incompatible with your hardware version.

Typical school boy error that any/every professional company should not be making unless they manufacture "bricks".

 

[vagrant]

What exactly is the difference between the latest firmware and the one before it?

 

[pro92b]

Uniden Firmware Updater
BC VUP 3.03

BC125AT 1.01.05 1.02.05 1.03.01


In the post linked below UpMan explains what 1.04.02 firmware changes.

BC125AT Firmware Update Released

I just received my 125 and figuring things out... I'll be patient. Only question for now is regarding the firmware. On startup, I get "Version 1.04.02" displayed, and I can't find details on that release anywhere. The BC125ATFirmwareUpdate page has 1.03.01 (Sept 5, 2012) as the latest. Can...

forums.radioreference.com

1.04.02 drops the max charge time from 16 to 14 hours to make the scanner compliant with CEC mandate (a California thing). Doesn't do anything else, so no real need to spend time publishing an update.

Uniden never provided a way for users to update to 1.04.02.

The 1.06 firmware appeared on late production units without explanation. There is also no way for users to update to 1.06 at this point.

To kc8krl, please encourage Uniden to update their firmware program BC VUP 3.03. If Uniden sends you a 1.06 firmware file, please make it available to the forum for the benefit of all.

 

[dispatchgeek]

Will do. I haven't heard back from them yet. I have noticed the Twiki page has been down multiple times today, not sure if they are changing things or what.

 

[dispatchgeek]

I'm going to make an educated guess that the 1.06 addresses some sort of internal engineering change on the device. The scanner powers up and appears like it's functioning normally, but does not receive a darn thing. I'm guessing a rollback to 1.06 and all will be right again. We just need to be able to obtain it.

 

[pro92b]

From the FCC files, on June 10, 2020, Uniden sent a letter to their certification lab requesting a permissive change to their FCC certification. The change was for phase locked loop IC's to be sourced from Texas Instruments instead of Fujitsu. It is possible the Texas Instruments parts prompted a firmware change but there is no public information to that effect.

Further thoughts: If the new parts prompted the firmware 1.06 update, it may be that applying 1.06 to an old BC125 would render it inoperable. It's speculative since we don't know why 1.06 was released...

 

[dispatchgeek]

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. Old firmware will render a newer scanner inoperable and vice versa.

From the FCC files, on June 10, 2020, Uniden sent a letter to their certification lab requesting a permissive change to their FCC certification. The change was for phase locked loop IC's to be sourced from Texas Instruments instead of Fujitsu. It is possible the Texas Instruments parts prompted a firmware change but there is no public information to that effect.

Further thoughts: If the new parts prompted the firmware 1.06 update, it may be that applying 1.06 to an old BC125 would render it inoperable. It's speculative since we don't know why 1.06 was released...

 

[Scan125]

Over here in the UK / EU / Australia / Newzealand wehe have no firmware updates avaialble, not even the version shipped with your scanner for backup safety.

Some have complained but I think we are actually better off as there is less to go wrong and to be honest Uniden Support in the UK is zero.

 

[Butelsoftware]

Uniden updated the RF circuit and that required a firmware update. US is now at 1.06 and EU at 1.02 for the latest production models.
So this may explain the issue OP is having.


Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

 

[N0JVY]

I haver two newer 125's and one has version 1.04.02 and the last one is 1.05.01. It would ne nice to update if it would work.

 

[Scan125]

My thanks to Gommert / Butel for a little more info on the US / EU situation.

I think what is the real problem is Support AND Clarity from Uniden across all national boundaries.

I see the likes of Yaesu, ICOM, etc. being very open, supportive and up to date with all their current and old model comms kit. I'm not going to say these guys are perfect across all world regions but they are certainly possibly??? streaks ahead of Uniden???

I'm not trying to knock Uniden (or any other company) but they all have to live up to other International companies and realise they are in a Global competition and their BRAND name is measured World Wide and not just in the US/other location.

 

[pro92b]

I haver two newer 125's and one has version 1.04.02 and the last one is 1.05.01. It would ne nice to update if it would work.

Why? You don't know what 1.05.01 does vs. 1.04.02 and 1.06 seems to disable older BC125AT's. From information on the FCC site the radio serial number originally began with 370Z while the June 2020 release changed it to 370A. So that's how you can tell if a given radio is old or new production. The BC125AT is going on 10 years in production so the series change from 370Z to 370A is also needed to make unique serial numbers for the next decade of production.

 

[vagrant]

1. I have two BC125AT scanners.
2. One has product code 370A and the other has a product code of 370Z. Both were made in 2020 per the serial numbers.
3. The 370A has firmware 1.06.05. The 370Z has 1.05.01. Both were made in Vietnam.
4. They both work to the same spec and I am unable to discern any difference between the two during use.
5. If I needed another BC125AT and it was made in 2016, I would purchase and use it...because it works to specification.

I have no intention of updating the firmware on either one, as they both work fine. I definitely have no intention of downgrading the firmware either. Neither of these scanners will start to decode P25, nor suddenly receive more spectrum, nor make me a ham and cheese sandwich. I do think Uniden should remove the old firmware to protect end users from themselves.

Looking at the bigger picture, the conditioning of people to blindly accept or expect firmware updates, is that a good thing? This is not Uniden that caused this behavioral response either. Please think critically and reduce risk when possible.

P.S. Nick, your programs for the 125AT are fantastic as well as your interaction with end users. Thank you very much. A donation was made via PayPal.

 

[Scan125]

P.S. Nick, your programs for the 125AT are fantastic as well as your interaction with end users. Thank you very much. A donation was made via PayPal.

"BLUSH" ...... and thank you from me for DEBRA. Nick.

 

[B4ndr3]

Hi i install accidentally the wrong update for my uniden BC125AT.. I install the version 1.03.01 when i have 1.06.03... Can someone help me ?

 

[dpunter]

Thanks for discovering this issue! I have 3 bricked units right now, sent one in for repair, explained situation in depth, never mentioned this issue. Repair notes said....."IF UNIT IS NEXT TO A TRANSMITTER, MAKE SURE SCANNER IS NOT RECEIVING THE SAME FREQUENCY BEING TRANSMITTED". Any ideas on how to get 1.06???

 

[dpunter]

I attempted to use an older firmware version to see if it might "UN-BRICK" my units, but no luck. Frustrating that UNIDEN must know about this issue but does not offer a solution!

 

[majoco]

I don't think you can blame Uniden for this problem. They made changes to the hardware which required a change to the operating system. If they had made a world-wide announcement that this new firmware was recommended to all users and was to be installed - then I'd go ahead and install it - but if I had to go digging and find that new models had this different firmware and I just jumped in and installed it onto my older model and it bricked my radio - then who's fault is it?