BC346XT Not working. Please help.

[wfrancis16]

I own the BC346XT and use Butel ARC XT pro to program it. I have used the software many times to transfer systems back and forth. I recently transferred data to the scanner and then powered it up. It appears to be operating correctly, but it will not pick up any signals. I brought it to work with me and keyed up a radio right next to it and nothing. I checked the squelch, which is on 2, the setting that I have always had it on.

I tried to use to close call feature to get anything to work. When a radio is keyed up right next to it, the meter will rise to the top, showing that it is picking up the signal, but the it will never set off a close call hit.

I am out of ideas, can anyone help?

 

[fwfdengine2]

Are you using DPL tones?

fwfdengine2

 

[wfrancis16]

The subtones are enabled and I have verified that they are all correct. When I last uploaded my frequency list to the scanner, the only thing I changed were some of the alpha tags. I also brought the scanner to work with me and keyed one of the radios up right next to it while it was in close call only mode. The meter on the screen shows that it is picking up a strong signal but it won't actually set off a close call hit.

When I go to the WX channels, I get the same result. It will go into the mode, but will just remain scanning and not actually pick up any weather channels. I live in an area where the weather channels are very strong.

After this issue started, I tried updating the firmware from version 1.3 to 1.5. The update went fine but the scanner still doesn't pick anything up.

I also tried using a different antenna. That had no change on the performance though.

 

[Kennrth]

I feel your frustration.

Try using headphones. Headphone jack could be stuck open so it bypasses the internal speaker.
If your scanners is not showing signals and not stopping on active channels check your display.
Are the GRP key numbers showing or just asterisks. if numbers are not showing there is your problem . Press Func then key number to turn GRP # to on.
Use fresh batteries. Watch your signal meter – The scanner should be showing some signal strength – easy to see in virtual mode. If you are not receiving any signal on known active channels this is a possible indication of a hardware problem. The vast majority of these problems have NOT been hardware related. Have you download the configuration settings in XT Pro in the past and saved them. Upload them from your hard drive and upload them to your radio. Make sure the global attenuator did not get turned on by accident. Download configuration from radio using ARC XT PRO configuration editor under scanner menu.
In ARC XT make sure the Lock box is not check on – look at the very top page of the group where frequencies are listed.


If you can’t find the problem, I would try this before sending it back for repair.
I see you are a premium subscriber.

Use Fresh Batteries. Reset the radio back to the factory settings – See Wiki for how to do this. You need to hold down a few buttons while turning it on. Disregard the firmware update leave that alone. Delete all the factory systems using ARC XT PRO and download a known good conventional system directly from Radio Reference Data base for your area upload it to the empty radio and hope.

This is a friendly warning
All receivers use input gain transistors usually of very high impedance and gain characteristics with some form of input signal clamping and static protection such as a diode. You should never key a transmitter next to your radio. This could blow the internal electronics. Close call means nearby transmitters not next to your receiver. Even in the Ham shack where both transmitters and receivers are used there are procedures used to keep the receiver deaf while the transmitter is keyed.

 

[wfrancis16]

Thank you for the reply. I have tried pretty much every thing and the scanner doesn't work. I checked all of the settings and there isn't anything that would prevent the scanner from picking up any signals. I think it is coming down to just a hardware issue.

I think this might be my own fault. I have brought it to work with me a few times recently. Our dispatched center is on the third floor and our transmitter on the roof. The crew room is on the second floor. I have been using the scanner there to listen in for calls. I guess all of those powerful signals may have damaged the scanner.

Would putting the attenuator up help to protect the scanner? Or is that just an unsafe environment for it?

 

[AFD94]

I have experienced the same problems. My 346 was working fine and I did not use it for a couple days. When I went to turn it on it just scans and wont receive any channels. I also keyed up my departments frequency on my portable and nothing. When I tried the NOAA freqs it stops but there is no sound. The key press sound works though. Tried to contact Uniden (I know I know) with no reply.

 

[AFD94]

I tried using headphones and I can hear some faint static almost like the sqeulch is stuck. Changed the batteries. Reset the radio back to factory settings and still the same.

 

[Al42]

wfrancis, your best bet, if you haven't done it already, is to call Uniden in Ft. Worth and ask them. They'll probably have you ship it back to them for repair.

As far as operating too close to a transmitter, the attenuator won't help if you pump too much power into the front end - removing the antenna will - but I've operated my Uniden scanners (up to a 396 and 996 non-XT) in the same room (within a couple of feet) as 150 watt transmitters for years with no problems.