Bearcat old scanner

[kc2asb]

I bought a used 300 that had to go back to the factory. It was fine after repair, but I didn't hold on to it for too long. I saw only one 350 and that was a long defunct ham radio/electronics store in MA. Over the years I had a lot of both Bearcat/Uniden and Regency scanners. A couple of Fanons as well.

Good stuff. Never owned any Fanons. I have a basket case Bearcat 300 which is complete and in the box. Dim display, noise out of the speaker, but no receive.

I've collected a fair amount of vintage scanners over the years: BCH, BC II, BC III, 101, 210, 250, 220, 211, 300. My first scanner was a Uniden Bearcat 140XLT.

I have a few early Radio Shack crystal scanners and early programmables, like the COMP-100, PRO-2001 and PRO-2002, plus scanners from Regency, Sonar, Heathkit, and SBE.

Might be time to move some of this stuff along.

 

[kc2asb]

Found a reference to the BCL and BCU models on Rigpix. These were single-band models, introduced in 1969 and only produced until 1970, according to the site. The Bearcat II was introduced in 1970 (2nd link) and it appears the only change was the introduction of the lockout switches for each channel.

RigPix Database - Bearcat/Uniden - Bearcat / Bearcat I (By Electra)

RigPix Database - Bearcat/Uniden - Bearcat series 2 / Bearcat II (By Electra)

Type:	VHF/UHF receiver/scanner
Frequency range depending on version:	BCL: 30-50 MHz BCH: 150-174 MHz BCU: 450-470 MHz

 

[markp1424]

Maybe it was a Bearcat II like this one I bought in 1970.

View attachment 145352

My first scanner!

 

[garys]

I remember when UHF-T was opened to public safety in some markets. That was a big thing at the time.

 

[markp1424]

Before scanners you just needed this and an AM radio!

 

[hamstang]

Before scanners you just needed this and an AM radio!

Or something similar called a Tunaverter.

 

[Computrguy]

I still have the 200XLT but it is on it's last days IMO. I am the original owner form the 1980's if my memory serves me right.
The battery replacement has been tough to get and it is about due for another.
The dc adapter cord is failing right at the rubber connection to the adapter. So I use a 12v plug to charge it and I guess that work ok.
Finally the keyboard is failing on some of the keys.
Anyone know if Uniden repairs the keyboard? And maybe a decent source for a replacement battery?

 

[kc2asb]

Before scanners you just needed this and an AM radio!

Nice, and you still have the box! I have two of those. One has a crystal for my local PD old dispatch channel, before they went digital. Using a pocket AM radio, I was able to listen to them.

A sophisticated hobbyist in the pre-scanner era might have had one of these:

 

[mule1075]

And maybe a decent source for a replacement battery?

I bought these easy to solder in and I can't solder at all.

BP-200/205i : 7.2v 700mAHr battery insert for Uniden (BT049)

BP-200/205i : 7.2 volt 700mAh replacement Ni-Cd insert, Bearcat-Uniden BP-200, BP-205, BC200XL, BC-205XL,

batteriesamerica.com

Or this if you don't want to solder

BP200 Replacement Radio Battery 7.5V 1800mAh Nimh | Battery Universe

Replacement Icom BP200 radio battery available from Battery Universe. Compatible with Uniden two-way-radio models.

batteryuniverse.com

 

[Omega-TI]

The 200XLT brings back many good memories of the old days. That rig was my first portable programmable scanner and it went quite literally everywhere I went. That scanner and FidoNet with the SCAN17 and SCANZ1 echo threads will always have a special place in the nostalgic corner of my heart. I even used that scanner to monitor AX.25 with a device that plugged into one the old style RS-232 ports on my computer. For it's time it was an awesome radio.

 

[kc2asb]

The 200XLT brings back many good memories of the old days. That rig was my first portable programmable scanner and it went quite literally everywhere I went. That scanner and FidoNet with the SCAN17 and SCANZ1 echo threads will always have a special place in the nostalgic corner of my heart. I even used that scanner to monitor AX.25 with a device that plugged into one the old style RS-232 ports on my computer. For it's time it was an awesome radio.

Same for me on the 200XLT. I had a PRO-2006 in those days, and a buddy of mine had the 200XLT. He took it everywhere. I remember being impressed with its sensitivity, pulling in low band skip on the stock antenna. It was one of Uniden's gems.

Discussions on frequencies, equipment, etc was on Usenet, rec.radio.scanner.

 

[K9KLC]

Man a LOT of great memories here on this thread. Wish I still had all the ones I had. Even though crystals are hard to find now a days, still would be fun. I had the weather Chanel in a couple of those that did VHF HI and honestly they received better than some of what I have now or so it seemed at the time. Thanks for all the great posts.

 

[Bob1955]

Man a LOT of great memories here on this thread. Wish I still had all the ones I had. Even though crystals are hard to find now a days, still would be fun. I had the weather Chanel in a couple of those that did VHF HI and honestly they received better than some of what I have now or so it seemed at the time. Thanks for all the great posts.

Monitor Crystal Service (Cliff) 815-432-5296 and they are out of Watseka, IL and they still cut 10.7/10.8 IF crystals if anyone needs them.

 

[kc2asb]

Man a LOT of great memories here on this thread. Wish I still had all the ones I had. Even though crystals are hard to find now a days, still would be fun. I had the weather Chanel in a couple of those that did VHF HI and honestly they received better than some of what I have now or so it seemed at the time. Thanks for all the great posts.

Back in the early 90's, I used a Bearcat III to monitor some local agencies on VHF and UHF. Just using the stock antenna, the reception was fantastic. On an external antenna, it did not exhibit any intermod issues, despite my being next door to NYC.

 

[GlobalNorth]

The nostalgia of basic scanners... no TGs, no waterfall displays, no weekly updates...
Plug the crystals in, turn it on, set the volume and squelch, only to watch the sequential LEDs until something happened.

I miss those days.

 

[kc2asb]

The nostalgia of basic scanners... no TGs, no waterfall displays, no weekly updates...
Plug the crystals in, turn it on, set the volume and squelch, only to watch the sequential LEDs until something happened.

I miss those days.

Even the programmable scanners were pretty basic when I received my first scanner in 1988. 10 channels, a Betty Bearcat frequency guide, and I had everything I wanted to monitor covered.

 

[Omega-TI]

The nostalgia of basic scanners... no TGs, no waterfall displays, no weekly updates...
Plug the crystals in, turn it on, set the volume and squelch, only to watch the sequential LEDs until something happened.

I miss those days.

YEAH!
... after all isn't the point to listen not have to eff around with a ton of bovine doo doo just to accomplish the same thing.

 

[kc2asb]

YEAH!
... after all isn't the point to listen not have to eff around with a ton of bovine doo doo just to accomplish the same thing.

I agree. Great video, BTW. 'Stealing the Enterprise" was one of the best sequences in Star Trek history

 

[Omega-TI]

I agree. Great video, BTW. 'Stealing the Enterprise" was one of the best sequences in Star Trek history

I rather like this one...

 

[pmtchr]

Cleaning out the garage I found a bin labeled "Radio MISC". A bunch of connectors, speakers, antenna mounts and parts from projects over the years. And my old BC245XLT and AR8000! Of course I had to start playing with each, only to find the limitations of each.