BCT15X will not pick up and signals and will not scan properly

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tbogs

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My BCT15X has been working perfectly up until the other day. All of a sudden, no reception. I thought it was my antenna. I replaced the supplied antenna with another one and still no reception. I even noticed when I scan in the Service Search - Public Safety category, the scanner stops scanning around the frequency 42.6800Mhz and will not scan past this frequency.

I have tried a hard reset and still nothing. I have even re-installed firmware (and older version 1.03.00) and still no luck. I have no clue on what happened or what to do. Anyone have ideas, suggestions or am I just simply out of luck?
 

jonwienke

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It could be that there is a strong local signal near 42.6800 that is desensing your scanner's receiver. Try running the scanner in another location and see if the problem persists.
 

tbogs

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Thanks for the reply. I've tried that and still same problem. I was on my way to Salt Lake a few days ago and this problem started. I'm now back home (about 100 miles or so away) and still the same problem. Everything has been running fine for months.
 

jonwienke

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Sounds like a trip to Uniden repair is in order. My condolences.
 

W8RMH

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Have you used a CB radio or other transmitter near the scanner, or used a mobile power source which could have experienced a surge?

This has been known to damage circuitry inside the scanner.
 
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tbogs

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Thanks for the reply guys. W8RMH, I do not have any other transmitter near it or a mobile power source that I am aware of that had a surge. Its been working fine for the past few months and all of a sudden, nothing. Nothing has changed. The only things I have near it when in my truck is my cell phone and GPS (All three devices are powered by the cigarette lighter). I have shipped it to Uniden to see if it can be repaired.
 

iMONITOR

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Have you tried manually entering a known working frequency in your area, ie; weather, Ham, etc? Does that work?
 

tbogs

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Yes iMONITOR, I tried local conventional frequencies in the Price area where I live and also local conventional and the 800 Mhz UCAN system in Utah County and Salt Lake County and could not get any reception. Was also unable to get any weather channel as well. Did not try any Ham or other type of group.
 

cg

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If you can test with a close signal, that might indicate an antenna connector issue or something worse. Use a portable about 10 feet away or get within a couple hundred yards of a known base transmitter. You would be trying to get a close signal that would be heard without an antenna.
I have seen bad solder joints on antenna connections, especially one that gets antennas swapped out often.

chris
 

tbogs

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Helper, UT
I wanted to do a follow-up. I sent this back to Uniden for repair and they did replace a part...I'm not sure what part but it was replaced. The scanner now works. Thank you to everyone for your responses.
 
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