Beartracker 885 zero scanner reception

[kjhutto]

Basically the title. I can't even get static to play using any scanner functionality on the beartracker 885.
SD card is updated. Scanner squelch is at L1. RF gain turned all the way up.
And I can't even get a transmission from the local NWS radio to come through. Which also eliminates any GPS/Zip code and timing issues since its on a 24 hour loop and doesn't depend on your location.

I tried the included wire antenna. I then tried switching it out for a cheap magnetic mount 25-1300MHz antenna. Still absolutely nothing. Not one peep.
This is the antenna for reference

Amazon.com: SignalPlus Police Scanner Antenna for Home, 25-1300MHz VHF UHF GMRS FM, 2m 70cm Mobile Ham Radio Antennas with Magnetic Base/BNC Male/UHF Male, for Police Scanner/Amateur Mobile Ham Two Way Radio : Electronics

Buy SignalPlus Police Scanner Antenna for Home, 25-1300MHz VHF UHF GMRS FM, 2m 70cm Mobile Ham Radio Antennas with Magnetic Base/BNC Male/UHF Male, for Police Scanner/Amateur Mobile Ham Two Way Radio: Radio Antennas - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

At my whits end of what to try next. Really hoping I don't have a DOA scanner out of the box. CB works great, no problem.

 

[tvengr]

There are 2 antenna connectors, one for CB and the other for the scanner. Are you connected to the scanner antenna input?

 

[dave3825]

The scanner came out nine years ago. Is this brand new or something you have had for a while? Definitely check the 2 connectors as @tvengr stated above.

 

[kjhutto]

Yup. I also had a CB antenna. Made sure it was connected to the correct port and the scanner antenna was connected to the correct port. As well as running the scanner antenna only, and even trying the CB antenna on the scanner port (I know its not designed for that wavelength but if I could even get static that would show me the unit was responding to input from the antenna in some capacity. ) and this is to try to get the weather station I can get with my SDS100 with no antenna at all.

But I cant even get static from the beartracker 885 in any capacity as a scanner.

 

[slowmover]

Beartracker 885 - have to plug in Mic or bad audio?

So got a used Beartracker 885 - updated the sd card. Got it wired in via cigarette plug for now. Hooked up GPS antenna and a BNC telescopic. Heard transmissions on scanner but were very faint and garbled like speaker was blown. Couldn't figure it out - then plugged in the Mic and all started...

forums.radioreference.com

Is mic attached?

Is Scanner Mute engaged? (See diagram above)

Will external speaker help?

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/BEARTRACKER%20885om.pdf

It’s an expensive radio, but with nice features I’d hate to give up. I’ve had mine since initial release.

Bearcat 885 CB, Tech question

I need to replace a On/Off switch to a Bearcat 885. Does anyone know of a parts supplier? Any link to their website? I added a picture.

forums.radioreference.com

.

 

[kjhutto]

Beartracker 885 - have to plug in Mic or bad audio?

So got a used Beartracker 885 - updated the sd card. Got it wired in via cigarette plug for now. Hooked up GPS antenna and a BNC telescopic. Heard transmissions on scanner but were very faint and garbled like speaker was blown. Couldn't figure it out - then plugged in the Mic and all started...

forums.radioreference.com

View attachment 198375

View attachment 198376

Is mic attached?

Is Scanner Mute engaged? (See diagram above)

Will external speaker help?

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/BEARTRACKER%20885om.pdf

It’s an expensive radio, but with nice features I’d hate to give up. I’ve had mine since initial release.

Bearcat 885 CB, Tech question

I need to replace a On/Off switch to a Bearcat 885. Does anyone know of a parts supplier? Any link to their website? I added a picture.

forums.radioreference.com

.

Nope, no scanner mute.
I could try an external speaker but I dont think it will make a difference because the display on both WX and CB shows scan all the time (Unless I hold a channel on WX). So the system itself doesnt think anything is being transmitted therefore I don't think its trying to put anything through the speakers.
I have an email started with Uniden already because everything is pointing to having to send it for warranty.

 

[dave3825]

What antenna are you using and what connector is it plugged into on the back of that radio?

 

[wtp]

still under warranty...send it back.
or as one guy had a signature around here,
if it ain't broke, fix it until it is.

 

[kjhutto]

What antenna are you using and what connector is it plugged into on the back of that radio?

I tried both the included wire antenna and the one I linked in the thread for the scanner antenna. Using a little 10 inch whip CB antenna for the CB side.
Today I got the first audio out of the scanner. I was sitting in my car cleaning it with the power on and suddenly the weather lit up crystal clear. 100% strength on the reception meter. For like 5 seconds. Then went back to nothing. I tried jiggling a few connections but I couldnt get it to peep again.
The only thing I can think is maybe because Im using a cigarette lighter adapter to power it - maybe something about the ground is off and made contact for a few seconds?

 

[dave3825]

I tried both the included wire antenna and the one I linked in the thread for the scanner antenna. Using a little 10 inch whip CB antenna for the CB side.

Yeah, a wire suction cup antenna is not that great. As Paul (R.I.P) mentions, the scanner portion of the unit is really made for local signals and not distant.

Something better than the wire antenna (bnc port) could improve reception on the scanner side.

The antenna you linked, that you plugged into the cb antenna connector is a wideband antenna not really designed for cb specifically. Ideally you would want a cb antenna for that and a scanner antenna for the range of interest your scanning. If your scanning vhf/uhf a dual band or triband antenna would be better.

From the 885 faq

Today I got the first audio out of the scanner. I was sitting in my car cleaning it with the power on and suddenly the weather lit up crystal clear. 100% strength on the reception meter. For like 5 seconds. Then went back to nothing. I tried jiggling a few connections but I couldnt get it to peep again.

I would think if there was a bad connection, the whole unit would power on and off. Did you get the cable below with the unit? Maybe try running the red to a switched and fused source and the black to a better ground point.

Uniden 12V DC Hardwire Power Cord for Bearcat & PC-Series CB Radios

Genuine Uniden 12V DC hardwire power cord for Bearcat 880, PC68, and PC78 series CB radios. Direct vehicle electrical connection for clean installation.

uniden.com

 

[kjhutto]

Yeah, a wire suction cup antenna is not that great. As Paul (R.I.P) mentions, the scanner portion of the unit is really made for local signals and not distant.

Something better than the wire antenna (bnc port) could improve reception on the scanner side.

The antenna you linked, that you plugged into the cb antenna connector is a wideband antenna not really designed for cb specifically. Ideally you would want a cb antenna for that and a scanner antenna for the range of interest your scanning. If your scanning vhf/uhf a dual band or triband antenna would be better.

From the 885 faq

View attachment 198532






I would think if there was a bad connection, the whole unit would power on and off. Did you get the cable below with the unit? Maybe try running the red to a switched and fused source and the black to a better ground point.

Uniden 12V DC Hardwire Power Cord for Bearcat & PC-Series CB Radios

Genuine Uniden 12V DC hardwire power cord for Bearcat 880, PC68, and PC78 series CB radios. Direct vehicle electrical connection for clean installation.

uniden.com

To clarify - I tried the antenna I linked and the wire antenna in the scanner port. I used a dedicated 27MHz antenna for CB.

And Im currently powering the unit using a cigarette lighter to 3 pin adapter as I dont really want to run wires through my floorboard/firewall

When the (weather radio) audio did come on, it was crystal clear and showed full power/reception on the display. It came through perfectly. For 5 seconds lol.

 

[dave3825]

And Im currently powering the unit using a cigarette lighter to 3 pin adapter as I dont really want to run wires through my floorboard/firewall

Your vehicle does not have a fuse box inside the cabin? If you wiggled something and got loud and clear reception, that would sound more like an antenna connection not making a great connection. Power connection should be fine. If not, you will know when you try to transmit on cb as it will draw some more power.

Where are you located and is cb in use there? Are you in a densely populated area or the boonies?

I tried the antenna I linked and the wire antenna in the scanner port.

I generally try to stay away from brands I never heard of especially when there are not a lot of reviews. That antenna only has 2. Since its amazon with free returns, if it were me, I would return that and get something better. Its sad that all that's on amazon is binfu garbage. But for 18 bucks, and some positive reviews, you could try this Tram. Tram is not best out there, but they are a name brand and probably a better antenna than binfu and signal plus. .

https://a.co/d/022Zqkud

 

[mmckenna]

And Im currently powering the unit using a cigarette lighter to 3 pin adapter as I dont really want to run wires through my floorboard/firewall

So, how's that working out for you?

To get radios to work properly, you have to put a bit of effort into the installation. Shortcuts lead to poor performance.

Not sure how you antennas are set up, but a poor ground can be an issue.
Also, cigarette lighter sockets are not really designed for this. The wiring is often bundled in with other vehicle wiring, and things like CAN buss circuits. Interference from those can cause issues for the radio.
There's a good reason while every radio manufacturer will tell you to run power directly off the battery.

Not trying to give you a hard time here, but taking shortcuts on the installation will lead to issues. It's up to you how much effort you want to put into this, but the effort will pay off in the long run with a reliable and properly functioning radio.

When the (weather radio) audio did come on, it was crystal clear and showed full power/reception on the display. It came through perfectly. For 5 seconds lol.

You need to work through every connection, every inch of wire (both power and antenna) until you find the issue. Antenna jack on the radio may be damaged. If you are using any adapters, suspect those.

A link to the antennas being used, as well as anything else involved, would be helpful.