New BCD536HP fails receive using functioning BCD436HP programming. Why?

[knavarre]

Hello everyone. I am an experienced scanner listener but some aspects of the digital world still escape me. I have numerous programs in my SDS-100 and BCD436HP scanners that are working perfectly. I recently used the Sentinel program to update the firmware and database in all radios including the New Out of Box 536HP. I loaded the same program in all the radios. It works perfectly in the SDS100 and BCD436HP. The 536HP fails to receive trunked or conventional channels from this program and I'm left wondering why. Suggestions, Comments... I have gone thru the Site listings and Frequencies used in the different radios and learned that in the new 536HP the band plan was empty so I manually entered the data in it from the working 436HP. Nada... still not working. Also wondering why the band plan didn't upload in the 536 from Sentinel when it was copied from the 436. Also, the proper Target Model was selected in Sentinel prior to the upload. Any suggestions appreciated...
73. Ken (KC6IFF)

 

[tvengr]

Are you using the same profile? Check the squelch setting. It usually should be 2. Are you able to receive NOAA weather?

 

[buddrousa]

Did you buy the 536 new?
Did it hear the national weather service?

 

[knavarre]

Are you using the same profile? Check the squelch setting. It usually should be 2. Are you able to receive NOAA weather?

Yes, Same profile is used in all three radios (SDS100, BCD436HP, and BCD536HP). Squelch is 2. Even open squelch no reception on NOAA on the 536 but good copy from my location on the other two radios. Service option is set properly as well for the NOAA channels.

 

[knavarre]

Did you buy the 536 new?
Did it hear the national weather service?

Nothing heard on the 536 but clear copy on 436. Service Option set to Other and turned on as defined in software.

 

[buddrousa]

So it needs to be sent back to the seller if bought used or sent back to Uniden if bought new.

 

[maus92]

Berfore you return the radio, I would post your programming to this thread. Somebody will come along and check it.

 

[knavarre]

Additional Info: Deleted all Favorites from the BCD536 and reloaded just the analog NOAA weather channels using the BUTEL ARC536PRO software. Still no success receiving with the 536. And yes, it was new from the box however I have had the radio for a couple years and had not set it up as I was moving and didn't need it. Had some time today and thought I'd get it going. Surprise, I guess the radio is having the last laugh...

 

[maus92]

I would try a direct entry of a known active frequency. Also check if your 3.5mm jacks are outputting signal. Depending on how it was stored, it may have been subjected to thermal cycles or moisture that may require reseating of board connectors.

 

[knavarre]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Looks like I have a dead radio that needs to go back to Uniden. I had another new in the box BCD536 in a storage container so I went and retrieved it. Loaded the same profile in both radios and one worked and the other didn't. When I switched SD cards between radios the problem did NOT follow the cards so the issue is with the radio rather than the programming.

 

[Ubbe]

When you pick up a Uniden scanner from the box it will have a very old firmware on it, not compatible with scanners using the latest firmware. The bandplan being empty seems like a huge incompatible issue. Update the 536's firmware to the latest and use the 436's file to program it.

/Ubbe

 

[KevinC]

Before you send it off check the coax between the BNC and the circuit board. I seem to remember it's connected to the PCB via a coax and a connector (MCX?). Maybe in the process of moving it got jostled loose. May not be it but it's worth a try.