BC250 vs 246 vs 898 vs 780 - sensitivity

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I have heard a lot of people talk about how their BC250 is very sensitive. For some reason I find just the opposite, especially in UHF reception. My 246, 898 and 780 will receive distant communications while my BC250 just keeps scanning.

Could I have a bad 250? How do others think the 250 compares to the other 3 scanners?

I wonder if I should send it back to Uniden?? How much would they charge?

I have had my 250 close to transmissions from patrols cars (100 watt VHF-Hi Motorola) - could I have fried the diode?

 

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Anybody??

I am thinking I should send the 250 back to Uniden to be looked at. Any idea where to send it, or how much they might charge fo the repairs?

 

[hiegtx]

Anybody??

I am thinking I should send the 250 back to Uniden to be looked at. Any idea where to send it, or how much they might charge fo the repairs?

Not sure what their rate is now. Last time I sent in one in (a 3000XLT), they had a flat rate of $50.00. Start the process here.

 

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Just curious - what did you send your 3000XLT in for? It wasn't for the same problem I am having, was it?

I would hate to send it in for repair and have it come back not fixed - then I would be out $50.

About how long did it take to get fixed?

 

[hiegtx]

It was several years ago. It was 'off frequency' on certain bands (mostly UHF), so transmissions sounded sort of fuzzy & distorted. I think it was a week, maybe 10 days max turn around. But then the repair center it went to is Fort Worth, which is local to me, so even ground shipping is overnight.

And, by the way, my 250 is very sensitive. So, if yours seems deaf, there may be a problem. I presume you've already ruled out a defective antenna by trying a different one. If you've ruled out the antenna, then overload damage is at least a possibility. The BC246 is a good scanner, but no way should it be more sensitive than a properly working 250.

 

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Yes, the antenna is ruled out..

On several ocassions I have used the BC250D with an external window mount antenna in the same vehicle while I was making transimssions on a Motorola 100 watt VHF hi radio. That is why I believe I may have damaged the scanner. I hope the BC250 has a diode before the front end, and I fried the diode and not the front end.

I wonder if the repair price is a flat rate price. Or do they charge extra if the repairs are more extensive?

It was several years ago. It was 'off frequency' on certain bands (mostly UHF), so transmissions sounded sort of fuzzy & distorted. I think it was a week, maybe 10 days max turn around. But then the repair center it went to is Fort Worth, which is local to me, so even ground shipping is overnight.

And, by the way, my 250 is very sensitive. So, if yours seems deaf, there may be a problem. I presume you've already ruled out a defective antenna by trying a different one. If you've ruled out the antenna, then overload damage is at least a possibility. The BC246 is a good scanner, but no way should it be more sensitive than a properly working 250.