Scanner? $4.00

[Paco-Jerte]

560XLT or a cup of coffee that costs the same?? its no brainer

 

[AB4BF]

Saw this today at a local antiques co-op. Not sure if it works. Don’t see many scanners at the antique places I visit. Didn’t buy it.

Uniden Bearcat BC-560XLT

View attachment 195704

From what I’ve read, it wasn’t a bad little scanner for its day.

https://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/scanners/BC560XLT.html

View attachment 195706

I've got one of those, given to me in a large box of radio junk. I played around with it and quickly discovered that when you turn it off, the programmed channels disappear. I figure its an internal battery or cap that keeps the memory alive.
I got tired of the wire for an antenna, its a Motorola radio plug, and I ordered a MRP to BNC adapter and plugged it in and soldered it in to the internal part of the Motorola plug.
Now I can plug any of my antennas into it.
Anyone know off the top of their head what kind of power source the unit uses inside so I can get one and repair it?

 

[kc2asb]

The 560XLT was essentially a mobile version of my first scanner, the Bearcat 140XLT, which I still have. Clipping a diode in the 140XLT turned it into a 16 channel unit, like the 560XLT.

Having to hit "REVIEW" to see the frequency stored in each channel was a pain, so I wrote down the channel programming on an index card. The 140XLT and a Betty Bearcat guide were a birthday gift from my folks - clunky as it seems now, it was a major upgrade from the Realistic tunable receiver I had been using,

@AB4BF - I believe the 140XLT has a cap which maintains the memory, but unfortunately, I don't have a schematic for it. After an extended period disconnected from the power source, the stored frequencies were lost.

 

[hill]

tossed it along with a bunch of other stuff.

Never would have tossed a scanner radio if was still working. Even if couldn't receive the current digital TRS I would still find a purpose for it on analog. I have one analog scanner right now just parked on VFire21 (154.280) which is used between dispatch centers here in my area and is great to catch big responses in counties near me in which don't monitor 24/7.

Also forgot to add when I had a BC560XLT it had been the Kmart display model in the store I worked receiving in 1980s and 1990s. Still worked great and got very cheap.

 

[mmckenna]

I got tired of the wire for an antenna, its a Motorola radio plug, and I ordered a MRP to BNC adapter and plugged it in and soldered it in to the internal part of the Motorola plug.

I did something similar, never liked those Motorola plugs.
I completely removed the Motorola plug and installed a BNC chassis connector, soldered the center pin to the board where the moto plug used to connect.

Anyone know off the top of their head what kind of power source the unit uses inside so I can get one and repair it?

I recall having the same issue. Somewhere in the back of my brain is the fix for that, as I recall doing it. If/when I remember, I'll post it.

 

[mmckenna]

Anyone know off the top of their head what kind of power source the unit uses inside so I can get one and repair it?

Now it's coming back to me….

From the owners manual at: https://www.rigpix.com/bearcat/bc560xlt_manual.pdf

Memory Backup​

The BC 560XLT has a built-in capacitor type memory backup. When the power switch is in the off position, the programed frequencies will be retained for up to sixty days; however, it's a good idea to keep a list of programmed frequencies.​

So, I'd try plugging it in and leave it turned on for a while to make sure that capacitor is fully charged and see how it does. If that doesn't fix it, open it up and look for the big capacitor that might be leaking its creamy filling out all over the circuit board.

 

[GlobalNorth]

Even just to monitor the NWS, it would be worth twice the price.

 

[AB4BF]

Now it's coming back to me….

From the owners manual at: https://www.rigpix.com/bearcat/bc560xlt_manual.pdf

Memory Backup​

The BC 560XLT has a built-in capacitor type memory backup. When the power switch is in the off position, the programed frequencies will be retained for up to sixty days; however, it's a good idea to keep a list of programmed frequencies.​

So, I'd try plugging it in and leave it turned on for a while to make sure that capacitor is fully charged and see how it does. If that doesn't fix it, open it up and look for the big capacitor that might be leaking its creamy filling out all over the circuit board.

Thank you, sir! I'm going to wait for the snow and/or the grandboys to clear out before I even attempt any repair, lol!!

 

[Omega-TI]

Never would have tossed a scanner radio if was still working. Even if couldn't receive the current digital TRS I would still find a purpose for it on analog. I have one analog scanner right now just parked on VFire21 (154.280) which is used between dispatch centers here in my area and is great to catch big responses in counties near me in which don't monitor 24/7.

Also forgot to add when I had a BC560XLT it had been the Kmart display model in the store I worked receiving in 1980s and 1990s. Still worked great and got very cheap.

I understand, but I've got radio's coming out of my ears and the last thing I needed was more clutter. I mean really, how many radios does a guy REALLY need. I don't know about you, but I've only got two ears and cannot process more than two people talking at one time.

Sixteen analog receivers is more than one guy like me actually needs as I'm not a collector.

 

[N1NCZ]

I understand, but I've got radio's coming out of my ears and the last thing I needed was more clutter. I mean really, how many radios does a guy REALLY need.

I always thought it was atleast one more than you currently have…. Enjoy de Rich /N1NCZ

 

[rgchristy]

I know @trentbob would have jumped in on this thread big time!

I believe that he coined the phrase "You can never have too many radios, antennas, or even bags of antennas"!

RIP Bob. We miss you...

 

[scanman1958]

My dad had two of them. Still work perfectly today.