Need help with my grandfather’s scanner!

[Broadturn]

Hey there! I’m not sure this is the right place to ask this question but I’m looking for assistance. My grandfather had a Bearcat 210 scanner that he had going constantly at our family camp - he passed a few years back but listening to that scanner is one of my favorite memories of him.

I recently came into possession of the scanner and I’m trying to get it to run correctly. It receives power, the screen works, buttons work and I bought a replacement antenna. I found an original manual for it and have programmed the local PD frequency. I have it placed by a window on my home. I understand how the volume and squelch work and have adjusted (as accurately as I believe) correctly. However - I still can’t receive calls.

Any insight this community would have to get it to 100% would be incredible. I’ve been dying to get this thing going going again and relive those memories. Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[a417]

Knowing your location will allow the hive mind to provide the most help to you.

There is the distinct possibility that the hardware you may have cannot physically decode/deal with the radio systems near you now. Times change, that scanner hasn't. That 210 is antique, and the systems in place now are lightyears beyond what you can recieve in most instances.

You can try the NOAA weather frequencies to see if it's still kickin'.

 

[Broadturn]

Thank you! Bridgewater, MA. A moment ago I was able to program the weather and it played, but only for a second. I messed with the antenna and it went away.

 

[dave3825]

I have a 220. Even tho they are quite old, they will still scan stuff like your local fd if they are analog as well as air traffic control tower if near one.

I still have one of these

 

[chief21]

I still have one of these

That's an oldie but a goodie. Regency had a tunable MonitioRadio "family"... this one for VHF low (30-50), one for VHF high (152-174), and one for Air Band (108-136). I don't recall if UHF was a "thing" back then. My very first VHF radio was a first-generation (I think) Regency MR-10 VHF high.

 

[ladn]

Thank you! Bridgewater, MA. A moment ago I was able to program the weather and it played, but only for a second. I messed with the antenna and it went away.

What antenna are you using? Is it firmly seated/screwed in?
You might also try moving the radio temporarily to a different location, like outside, for testing.

Volume setting is self explanatory, but setting the squelch is a bit different. Put the radio on any channel in HOLD or MANUAL so it doesn't scan. Back the squelch control off by turning the knob counterclockwise. You'll hear static or hissing. Now, slowly turn the squelch clockwise until the static/hissing stops and your squelch is set. If you find the static returning, just turn it a bit more clockwise. Setting the squelch too high will desensitize the radio and prevent it from hearing weak signals.

 

[N9JIG]

Thank you! Bridgewater, MA. A moment ago I was able to program the weather and it played, but only for a second. I messed with the antenna and it went away.

The police are digital so will not be heard on a vintage scanner like that. Program in 460.625 for the FD and 37.18 for PW.

See Plymouth County, Massachusetts (MA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for more frequencies. You will be able to hear most channels listed as "NFM" or "FM" in the Mode column.

 

[ecps92]

Thank you! Bridgewater, MA. A moment ago I was able to program the weather and it played, but only for a second. I messed with the antenna and it went away.

keep in mind, a lot of your neighbors are going P25, so your selection of what to listen to, will slowly become more limited.

 

[wtp]

the squelch is set by going clockwise until you hear the static and then counter-clockwise
file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/Bearcat_BC210_(Manual)1%20(2).pdf

 

[StoliRaz]

Thank you! Bridgewater, MA. A moment ago I was able to program the weather and it played, but only for a second. I messed with the antenna and it went away.

Your PD is digital but you should still be able to get the FD. Bridgewater, East and West PDs are all digital. You can still listen to Brockton PD, there's always "stuff" going down there. Aviation band as well, especially when runways 4R and 4L are in use at Logan

If you're losing reception when fiddling with the antenna it could be a connection issue.

 

[bob550]

You may have a bad connection on the main antenna port. On the rear panel of the 210, there appears to be a Motorola-style external antenna input. This type of antenna would plug directly into that port on the rear and bypass the main antenna.

 

[wtp]

https://www.rigpix.com/bearcat/bc210_manual.pdf

if i recall correctly the antennas are just connected together.

 

[RandyKuff]

Bearcat 210 manual...

https://www.repeater-builder.com/uniden/pdf/bc210-owners-man.pdf