Repairing an old Uniden Bearcat BC210XLT

[unexpectedbill]

Hello everyone. I've come to this forum in hopes of finding some repair information for a ~1987 Uniden Bearcat BC210XLT scanner radio. I had need of a scanner with more frequency memories than a much older Bearcat model I'm still using and couldn't find any of the newer ones that ought to be around here. This one would be perfect for what I want to hear, but it's got a problem. Audio isn't making its way through the unit. The most I ever hear out of it is a faint whine that varies somewhat with the volume control's setting.

Here's what I know for sure. The audio amplifier, volume control and speaker are all working. I can inject audio into the amplifier integrated circuit's input and it can be heard from the speaker. Tuned to an active frequency, I can also pick up the received audio off the demodulated output of the IF integrated circuit. I've been able to trace this audio around the main circuit board until it ventures into a dense forest of passive components and two operational amplifiers. I've tried looking at that part of the board with a strong flashlight to get an idea of where the traces all go, and it's more than I can keep track of (or get at with a probe, being largely hidden by the power transformer and its mounting frame). I cannot find any bad solder joints. In fact, compared to the older Bearcat scanners (several of which I have repaired in the past), the soldering quality is top notch.

I searched around for any service literature on this model and have come up empty handed. Service literature for its slightly older "relatives" isn't close enough to be useful. I reached out to Uniden and unfortunately, they were not helpful. I'm hoping someone here might have some service literature for this model or experience to share from reparing this problem in their BC210XLT. I would certainly appreciate any advice offered.

 

[mc48]

Have you looked at Repeater Builder, no listing for 210XLT but they have others?

Uniden Information Index

 

[kc2asb]

The 210XLT is a great scanner, and very hot on VHF low band. I've had mine since 1992 and it's still going strong.

Maybe someone here has a copy of the service manual or a schematic. It's predecessor, the 210XW, might be very similar internally, as it was produced by Uniden. It's 20 channels vs 40 in the 210XLT.

The older Electra models, like the original Bearcat 210, are totally different animals and the service manuals would be useless. The Electras are notorious for cold solder joints, as they were assembled/soldered by hand.

Rig Pix has only the user manual the 210XLT

RigPix Database - Bearcat/Uniden - BC-210XLT (By Uniden)

Bearcat 210XW

RigPix Database - Bearcat/Uniden - BC-210XW (By Uniden)

 

[Nasby]

While it could be a fun project to try to repair one of these, it could make sense to just buy another one.
They are $10-$20 on Marketplace and EBay. Could be worth it on the amount of stress and time saved.

 

[scanman1958]

Not sure if the 210xlt has an extention speaker ug on the back. If so try that.

BTW I notice the on photo, the label has 210XW. I have never seen that before. What does the W stand far?

 

[kc2asb]

Not sure if the 210xlt has an extention speaker ug on the back. If so try that.

BTW I notice the on photo, the label has 210XW. I have never seen that before. What does the W stand far?

It's a seldom-seen model. I'm not sure what the "W" stands for.

The 20 channel 210XW was introduced in 1985, shortly after Uniden bought Bearcat from Electra. It was the successor to the 18 channel Bearcat 210XL and was discontinued in 1987 with the introduction of th 40 channel 210XLT

 

[scanman1958]

I have the 210xlt. Probably had it since around the time it came out. Still works perfectly. Even the keypad is in perfect condition.

I have two BEARCAT 250's (50 ch) scanners. At the time the first one was the best scanner I had ever owned. The keypad gave out and stopped working. I've always wondered if there was someone out there that could take parts from both scanners and make one good one that works. Ha. Good luck, right.

 

[mmckenna]

BTW I notice the on photo, the label has 210XW. I have never seen that before. What does the W stand far?

It's been a long time, but my brother had the 210XL. I believe the "W" added the weather button. Looking at that photo, that appears to be the visible difference between the two.

 

[kc2asb]

I have the 210xlt. Probably had it since around the time it came out. Still works perfectly. Even the keypad is in perfect condition.

Mine is still going strong too, and the keypad looks new also. The plastic buttons seem to wear better than the later rubber kind.

I do have another 210XLT sitting in its original box that I bought on Ebay about 15 years ago. These were new, never sold units that must have been part of an inventory liquidation. I think I paid $100 at the time.

I have two BEARCAT 250's (50 ch) scanners. At the time the first one was the best scanner I had ever owned. The keypad gave out and stopped working. I've always wondered if there was someone out there that could take parts from both scanners and make one good one that works. Ha. Good luck, right.

Haha! There probably is a tech that could do it, but the cost would certainly exceed the value of the radio. Besides cold solder joints, IC's are another major problem with the Electra Bearcats. Replacements can only be obtained by cannibalizing other radios.

I have a number of the old programmable Electra Bearcats, including several of the original 210's, a 210XL two Bearcat 250's, a 220, a 211 and a 300. Only one of the 210's, the 210XL. the 220, and the 211 are functional.