BC125AT Poor Performance

[CStarr59]

Just purchased a new bc125at and got it all set up and running. This is one of the worst performing scanners I have ever seen. I have all the channels and codes in correctly and the radio refuses to pick up certain channels that my other scanners are grabbing on to. I have a bc75xlt with the exact same channels and antenna as the bc125at, and the 75xlt is performing way better. When the 125at does pick something up it's 2 seconds behind, like a lag time. I have the squelch set on 2 and no close call or priority or weather enabled. I have a GRE 100 and 300 that are leaving it in the dust. I really want to like this radio, but it is not off to a good start at all. I even tried a diamond RH77CA antenna and the performance is worse, no overloading...just silence. It's quickly becoming a paper weight. Can anyone help or have similar issues?

 

[N8IAA]

I, too, was not impressed. Will be returning mine. Liked the display and the alphatags. That was it
Larry

 

[aprswatcher]

I purchased a BC 125AT about 45 days ago and really like it. I use it for civilian & military
Aviation. I also have the same frequencies in a GRE 310 & 410. They all receive about the same.
I have the RH 77 antenna on the 125.
The only thing that I don't like about the 125 is it eats batteries pretty fast!
Not sure why your having receive problems maybe a bad unit?

73, Rex

 

[nanZor]

A signal-to-noise ratio issue was dealt with when firmware updates became available. Make sure you are not running the initial early factory firmware identified by NOT seeing any firmware version number in the bottom of the display when first powering on.

It may also be the case you got a dud - I imagine that the 75xlt and 125at share much the same rf-decks design internally (minus some different band coverage and options), so to have such a huge difference in performance might indicate a repair issue.

I'd try loading the latest firmware to ensure that you get the SNR improvement if you got hold of a very early unit.

 

[CStarr59]

Ok, I'm not seeing any firmware version when powering up. Any other way I can check? Also my computer won't recognize the supplied PC cable that came with the scanner. I downloaded the driver from Unidens sight and it still won't work, I'm running windows 7. I programed my 125at by hand even the text tags, it was a good learning experience and not really all that hard. I'm going to need help with the PC cable if anyone could help walk me through the correct way to get it to work with windows 7 so I can update the firmware.

 

[MOTORHEAD27]

I got mine for xmass and it works great, but it does eat batteries.:lol:

 

[CStarr59]

I changed the modulation on all my channels from auto to fm and it seemed to help somewhat. Still not as good as other scanners running in the same area. I have started a separate thread asking for help with the firmware update help. If anyone can help please use the new thread "125at firmware update help" thread.

 

[bigcam406]

ive had mine for over a year and I love it.it outperforms my PSR500 on conventional freqs.i don't know why yours isn't performing properly,maybe UPMAN can chime in here.

 

[CStarr59]

I got the firmware updated and modulation set correctly and the scanner is performing good now. Thanks for all the replies and help.

 

[nanZor]

Thanks for letting us know that it worked! I had the same experience and went on the hunt to track it down.

Once the problem was identified, Uniden took care of it with a firmware update, and is a testament to the value of having a rep (thanks UPman!) being a member of RR.

Just to reiterate for lurkers: the initial factory loaded firmware does not show any version when first powering the unit on. Once the firmware updates became available, one of the features was that it would actually show the version number temporarily upon power-up. So if you don't see any version, that means you are running the early initial factory load.

 

[N8IAA]

Did the firmware update when I got the scanner two weeks ago. I don't use auto for any scanner. It just doesn't work like all had talked about. Just my opinion. It's going back to fund another radio.
Larry

 

[nanZor]

Was there a specific performance issue that is prompting the funding? Maybe I shouldn't ask so I don't go looking for it.

I can say that like bigcam406 with his psr500, my Pro106 is less sensitive on milair than the 125 post firmware-update. Although I use tuned antennas like telescopic whips for each band which can cover a lot of sins - the oem 158 mhz ducks stay in the drawer for the most part.

 

[nanZor]

I got mine for xmass and it works great, but it does eat batteries.:lol:

Battery life can be extended by not having that sexy display backlight on all the time. Perhaps Uniden would consider throwing in a few screen-protectors as well....

Even so, I'm amazed that the 2 AA's last as long as they do on a modern radio such as this. Since the power button is a "soft button", that is polled for activity, I wonder just how much it pulls when powered off doing that.

At any rate, not a deal breaker for me..

 

[dmg1969]

I'm happy with the performance of my 125AT. I use it mainly in my vehicle with the radio shack magnetic mount scanner antenna. I just bought a Diamond RH77CA to use when i take it into my office. Today will be the first day I get to really try it out.

 

[safetyobc]

My 125AT is a good performer as well. Glad the OP got it working!

 

[gunmasternd]

good to hear your 125at is working! im still debating about getting one.

I always run a audio amplifier
The Boostaroo Audio Amplifier & Splitter

this takes two aa's other versions available! I have my audio on level 2-3 on my 396xt. alot longer scanning time plus your not using the internal speaker.

 

[CStarr59]

Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that the scanner is running perfect for me. I deleted everything I had programmed into it and started over. My main gripe in the very beginning was the first second or two of a transmission was being skipped. So setting the modulation from "auto" to " FM" cured that. Also several local channels were being totally skipped over and not being picked up at all. Removing the CTCSS tones solved this issue for me. I only installed the CTCSS tones on a few select channels that I needed, all the others I left turned "off". The scanner is performing great with a RS 800mhz antenna and the diamond RH77. Just wanted to thank everyone who helped me solve these problems and getting the scanner up and running. The BC125AT is a fantastic scanner.

 

[N8IAA]

I, too, decided to keep my 125. Initialized the scanner and uploaded the same frequencies. It seems to run better. I should always remember to reset a brand new radio.
Larry