BC125AT: latest BC125AT firmware version?

[laflaone]

I am new to scanning, and this forum. This is my first post. I have just purchased a Uniden BC125AT scanner. When I turn it on, it flashes the firmware version, which is 1.06.06. How do I find out if this is the latest version?

 

[cfsimmont]

Its the latest that I am aware of. Mine is on 1.06.05

 

[fxdscon]

I am new to scanning, and this forum. This is my first post. I have just purchased a Uniden BC125AT scanner. When I turn it on, it flashes the firmware version, which is 1.06.06. How do I find out if this is the latest version?

-
Welcome to the Radio Reference forums.

That would be the very latest version. At this time, that version is only in the newer production scanners. The latest version available for updating older BC125AT scanners is 1.06.05.

Check this link:

BC125ATFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

info.uniden.com

 

[DudleyG]

I just got a second BC125AT this past week with 1.06.06. The one I have owned for a while has 1.06.05 on it.

I am guessing that 1.06.06 is needed for some new hardware chip in the latest version. I strongly recommend that you don’t try to go backward to 1.06.05, it is likely to brick your scanner.

 

[DudleyG]

Welcome to the forum. The BC125AT is fairly easy to program by hand however if you want to use a software package to program your new scanner, I highly recommend SCAN125. It is a free program that runs on Windows and is easy to use. The support is real good, The programmer is in England and updates the program and provides good support.

 

[Icanhearit]

An observation is if you fire up BC-VUP3 without hooking up the scanner, so the software does not know your specific scanner chip, 1.06.05 pops up, not 1.06.06.

This reminds me 1.06.05 had been available from new purchased units, long before it made available online. The fact that this 1.06.06 is for new chip was originated from one post unconfirmed speculation, still cannot rule out it was a repeat of what happened for 1.06.05 -delayed online firmware posting . there is a lack of communications.

According to http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/publish/BC125ATFirmwareUpdate.html, 1.06.06 should also applicable for old model per claim "you can update to this (or newer) version"

If so, it will be make much more sense 1.06.06 be showing up in the software, as it will be applicable to old and current chip.

Uniden, are you listening?

 

[laflaone]

Thanks for all of your prompt and informative replies. My property backs up to the FEC tracks here on the east coast of Florida, and I am interested in listening for the new Brightline passenger rail service which will connect Miami and Orlando.

 

[iMONITOR]

I just got a second BC125AT this past week with 1.06.06. The one I have owned for a while has 1.06.05 on it.

I am guessing that 1.06.06 is needed for some new hardware chip in the latest version. I strongly recommend that you don’t try to go backward to 1.06.05, it is likely to brick your scanner.

It should not accept an older version.

 

[DudleyG]

While I agree it shouldn’t, there are several threads from a year ago when folks updated to a new version and then went back to an older version on a new BC125AT and it bricked the scanner. That is talked about in the above quote WiKi article about not going back to old versions. Apparently it will go back to any old version with no warning messages.

 

[iMONITOR]

While I agree it shouldn’t, there are several threads from a year ago when folks updated to a new version and then went back to an older version on a new BC125AT and it bricked the scanner. That is talked about in the above quote WiKi article about not going back to old versions. Apparently it will go back to any old version with no warning messages.

Ok I thought they fixed that back then.

 

[DudleyG]

FWIW - my original BC125AT has a serial number 370A08xxxxxx which means it was manufactured in 2020 in Vietnam. My latest one that I received from ScanMaster this past Thursday has a serial number of 370A18xxxxxx which means it was manufactured in 2021 in Vietnam.

So the firmware release of 1.06.06 has been available (or installed) for at least 5 or 6 months but apparently is only available to be installed in newly manufactured BC125AT scanners and not available to the general public.

 

[Icanhearit]

@DudleyG, I guess it is really hard to tell, but just in rare case you aware of any behavior difference with the old, after some use, I'd appreciate to know.

 

[DudleyG]

I can't tell any differences. I use SCAN125 to program the original and SCAN125 has a backup feature, so I always use that anytime I make any changes. All I did with the new one is - charge the batteries in an external charger, put them in the scanner, and hooked it up to my computer and had SCAN125 load the "saved" settings and memories from the backup of the original. So they programmed exactly the same in every way.

I use a Watson W-801 antenna on the original plus I had an extra Watson W-801 so it went on the new one. So they are identical in every way possible. All my scanning has been airplanes with some railroads and Ham radio (144-148). Anything one gets, the other gets at the same signal strength. Since they scan memory banks in the exact same order, they seem to stay in sync. I can't find anything in "features" that has changed, you still can't scan military from 380 to 400Mhz.

I have stood outside and inside my house, with a scanner in each hand and switched back and forth between hands. and everything seems the same as far as reception.

I got the second one because scanning airplanes, it is nice to split the load since I can receive air traffic from 3 different ARTCC (Indy, Atlanta, and Memphis) plus the local airport which is 8 miles from my house.

 

[Icanhearit]

Thanks Dudley for sharing, hard to tell the diffs is totally expected, also thanks for letting me know 380-400Mhz still missing. I too use scan125.
I mostly listen to SFO and OAK airports, 12 miles (across the bay, no block buildings) and 4 miles (over land) away respectively, good reception.
I got my last 125AT last Nov from amazon, still 370A0 with .05 firmware.

As owner of both 436HP and SDS100, I still reach the BC125AT daily for the air band and CHP, it is sweat and excellent for those analogue use.

There were some pilot reports last week or 2, on different days, someone(s) laser the pilots around midnight and dawn flights.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Version 1.06.06 is now available in BC_VUP. Even UA HQ was not made aware of it until I asked them about it.

It addresses an issue with open squelch on non-programmed channels.

 

[Ubbe]

It addresses an issue with open squelch on non-programmed channels.

The issue are with channels that the scan process checks and skips and the SQ could then open making a ticking sound for each empty channel during scan? That last digit in the version # are for cosmetic changes so it actually doesn't make a difference under normal use?

/Ubbe

 

[JoeBearcat]

This is all the info I was given:

Fixed a problem that squelch may open on a channel with no assigned frequency (0.0000 MHz) when using '370A' Serial Number units.

There is no change in functionality or performance on '370Z' Serial Number units.