796D Serious issue

[ISP911]

I purchased a 796D a few months ago from Grove and it's worked great up until about three days ago. I programmed two more banks using BuTel's software and since then I can't get the radio to copy anything below 800mHz. It locks on to the local SAFE-T control channel but won't decode any talkgroups. I've tried service searches of the weather and air bands and it won't lock on anything. I've tried side by side tests with my 780XLT both with stock back of the set antennas on the local NOAA freq. The 780 has it full quieting while the 796 won't even break squelch, I even cranked it all the way open. I've already done the factory (Manual, 2,9) reset and it's still tit's up. Anyone else having problems with this? I placed a call to Uniden this morning but I'm waiting on a tech to call me back.

Ed
Indiana

 

[Dougie]

I HATE UNIDEN SCANNERS NOW .... I HAVE THE 296D AND ITS GARBAGE AND IVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLES WITH IT SINCE DAY 1.....I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A UNIDEN DIGITAL AGAIN EVEN IF THEY GO ON SALE FOR 35 DOLLARS.....THE REASON YOUR HAVING TROUBLE IS CAUSE THERE SCANNERS ARE JUNK...GET A GRE R.S.!!!
THEY SOUND A WHOLE LOT BETTER AND IM SURE NOBODY HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH EM UP TO NOW...

 

[Dubbin]

I HATE UNIDEN SCANNERS NOW .... I HAVE THE 296D AND ITS GARBAGE AND IVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLES WITH IT SINCE DAY 1.....I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A UNIDEN DIGITAL AGAIN EVEN IF THEY GO ON SALE FOR 35 DOLLARS.....THE REASON YOUR HAVING TROUBLE IS CAUSE THERE SCANNERS ARE JUNK...GET A GRE R.S.!!!
THEY SOUND A WHOLE LOT BETTER AND IM SURE NOBODY HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH EM UP TO NOW...

:roll:

 

[jpm]

i have the 250d, 785d, and the 796d and all uniden units i owe sound great. I know that there was a issue with the towers that northwest central digital dispatch has on the most northhernly tower. It was replaced several years ago. Maybe its something with the system your monitoring. Bottom line I think the uniden scanners are a very good scanner and will support the future scanners as well. Unfortunately thanks to nextels interference two maybe a paper weight, but my understanding is that they will work on a uhf and vhf trunked system...for when chicago goes up on their uhf trunked system. Hey chicago you picked a very good choice for a trunked system.

 

[rick521]

I HATE UNIDEN SCANNERS NOW .... I HAVE THE 296D AND ITS GARBAGE AND IVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLES WITH IT SINCE DAY 1.....I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A UNIDEN DIGITAL AGAIN EVEN IF THEY GO ON SALE FOR 35 DOLLARS.....THE REASON YOUR HAVING TROUBLE IS CAUSE THERE SCANNERS ARE JUNK...GET A GRE R.S.!!!
THEY SOUND A WHOLE LOT BETTER AND IM SURE NOBODY HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH EM UP TO NOW...

:roll:

If it is garbage, can I have it. I am willing to try to get it to work.

 

[KB8UYC]

I purchased a 796D a few months ago from Grove and it's worked great up until about three days ago. I programmed two more banks using BuTel's software and since then I can't get the radio to copy anything below 800mHz. It locks on to the local SAFE-T control channel but won't decode any talkgroups. I've tried service searches of the weather and air bands and it won't lock on anything. I've tried side by side tests with my 780XLT both with stock back of the set antennas on the local NOAA freq. The 780 has it full quieting while the 796 won't even break squelch, I even cranked it all the way open. I've already done the factory (Manual, 2,9) reset and it's still tit's up. Anyone else having problems with this? I placed a call to Uniden this morning but I'm waiting on a tech to call me back.

Ed
Indiana

I had a problem with mine the other day. We went to the Toledo Hamfest last week. I programmed the local CC in is was an 800 MHz system, but the 796 would not trunktrack the analog CC!! Not sure why, but that was pretty fustrating!

Eric

 

[LarrySC]

I think the botton line is operator error. I PGM for 3 TV sta's, 2 traffic watch media groups, newspaper, and security co's. On 1 traffic system the video and audio of three [3] 796's is streamed 150miles to another studio and they do local traffic from there. They all work to factory spec. This is a total of appx 17 BC-796's

 

[ISP911]

Well figured it out folks. Operator headspace! Seems I put the scanner antenna too close to the transmit antenna on the trunk of my commission. Keyed up my mobile and blew the front end out of the scanner. Hopefully Uniden will have mercy on my soul and not charge me an arm and a leg for the fix.

Thanks for all replies (good and bad).

 

[Hoot]

bummer. sorry to hear that. got a few questions though that might help the rest of us avoid doing that...

1) what type of scanner antenna?
2) what type of transmitter antenna?
3) what band were you transmitting on?
4) what is the power output of the transmitter?
5) how close were the antennas?

I've heard that it's generally good practice to NOT scan frequencies that you will transmit on for just that reason, but accidents/oversights are sure to happen. the more info you can provide about your particular situation might help somebody decide on antenna placement and spacing. thanks.

hoot

 

[ISP911]

bummer. sorry to hear that. got a few questions though that might help the rest of us avoid doing that...

1) what type of scanner antenna?
2) what type of transmitter antenna?
3) what band were you transmitting on?
4) what is the power output of the transmitter?
5) how close were the antennas?

A:
1) Rat Shack magnet mount
2) not sure came with the car
3) 155MHz
4) 100W ?? don't quote me on that, mobile is a Motorola SyntorX-9000
5) obviously too close actually they were about 2-3 inches, in retrospect I've worked around radios most of my adult life (military 13 yrs, law enforcement 5 yrs) and should have known better. Costly lesson.

 

[jpm]

hmmm.... word of thought. operater error.

 

[epfdtracktrunker]

I HATE UNIDEN SCANNERS NOW .... I HAVE THE 296D AND ITS GARBAGE AND IVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLES WITH IT SINCE DAY 1.....I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A UNIDEN DIGITAL AGAIN EVEN IF THEY GO ON SALE FOR 35 DOLLARS.....THE REASON YOUR HAVING TROUBLE IS CAUSE THERE SCANNERS ARE JUNK...GET A GRE R.S.!!!
THEY SOUND A WHOLE LOT BETTER AND IM SURE NOBODY HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH EM UP TO NOW...

:roll: :roll: :roll:

Ill take your 296D. Seems to me like you dont know how to use it. Mine Works FINE. :wink:

 

[Voyager]

i have the 250d, 785d, and the 796d and all uniden units i owe sound great.

That really doesn't mean much unless you've compared them with a PRO-96.

My truck is really fast, I told the Ferrari owner. :lol:

Joe M.

 

[Dubbin]

My truck is really fast, I told the Ferrari owner. :lol:

:lol: