Uniden BC278CLT?

[K7CAR]

I found a Uniden BC278CLT at Goodwill today for $2. It was missing the power supply adapter (10 volt a/c) so I don't know if it's works, but couldn't pass up the opportunity. Anyone have anything positive to say about this scanner? WTH was Uniden thinking with 10 v a/c? I've dug through all my adapters and can't find anything close that will work. I did a Google search and see I can still order the a/c adapter, so I guess I'm stuck with that. Anyone have an extra they are willing to let go for cheap?

 

[CoolCat]

That is very odd that it runs on 10v AC. While 10vac adapters are available, they are very uncommon (which makes them hard to find and very expensive). Most 10vac adapters are for laptops and go for around $50+. I only found one 'wall wart'; a refurbished ZEBRA UCN72 that sells for $36+. Either way, those adapters are quite expensive to buy for a scanner that you don't even know works yet (the adapter will be useless to you if it doesn't).

The wall adapter probably is just a simple step down transformer (no other circuitry inside it). The scanner itself must have a rectifier circuit inside to convert it to DC. If you have any 9vdc [transformer-based] adapters you could try using the transformer from that to power up the scanner (open up the adapter and bypass the rectifier, connect the adapter output wires directly to the transformer's 9v output winding). alternatively, you could buy a doorbell transformer with a 10v output (here is an example).

P.S. I don't know why, but for some reason that old scanner model is currently selling on eBay for $40-$50. You might want to just sell it as-is and see what you can get for it (you might find a buyer who already has the correct adapter from a previous scanner).

Good Luck

 

[K7CAR]

Thanks for the info. CC. I ran down to RS today and picked up an a/c adapter that's listed as 10.2 v and the 278 fired right up and is working like a champ. There's 100's of analog frequencies still being used around here, so this scanner will work well as a backup and bedside radio.

 

[Squelchtone]

That radio is one of the better looking AM/FM/scanner/alarm clock radios Uniden has made in the last few years, the only thing lacking was 800Mhz. I had one for a while and ended up giving it to a friend who lived in a town where they used VHF for their police and fire dispatch. Easy to use, big display, and I've been eyeballing it lately on ebay as well; looking for something to put on the kitchen counter that looks nice.

Squelchtone

 

[K7CAR]

My 278 receives 800 mhz, 12 bands 800 mhz. Won't do the trunking though as far as I know? I have a BCT15x and a 346 xt that will do the trunking, so I don't need that. I've had it running for 24 hrs and it's working great. Nice display and sound, so I'm a happy camper.

I see you have a Pro 50. I found one of those too at Goodwill for $3.99 with the adapter, so that's working great. I have to quit going to Goodwill I keep finding radio gear.

 

[Squelchtone]

My 278 receives 800 mhz, 12 bands 800 mhz. Won't do the trunking though as far as I know? I have a BCT15x and a 346 xt that will do the trunking, so I don't need that. I've had it running for 24 hrs and it's working great. Nice display and sound, so I'm a happy camper.

I see you have a Pro 50. I found one of those too at Goodwill for $3.99 with the adapter, so that's working great. I have to quit going to Goodwill I keep finding radio gear.

You are correct, I was thinking of the 248 which does not have 800Mhz. Now I have yet another radio on my to buy list =)

Nice score the the Goodwill, I'll have to check my local stores for radio gear.

Squelchtone

 

[K7CAR]

My 278CLT is rapidly becoming my fav. analog scanner. Large easy to read LCD with great sound. I found another gem at Goodwill several days after finding the 278. BC178XLT 100 chnl ($6.00) with matching power adapter! The 10 v adapter I needed for the 278. I returned the RS AC adapter and just for kicks tried out a 9 v adapter I found at Goodwill for .99 cents. Both scanners work perfectly fine on 9 volts, so the voltage requirements aren't as critical as I thought. Many of the phone answering machines/cordless phones are 9 v a/c, so there's tons of those adapters filling the thrift stores.