BC72XLT: Scanner not picking up anything

[Luptona]

Greetings,

I am new to this forum. After a few years of happy scanning railroad frequencies in the Toronto area with my Uniden handheld scanner, it's appears to be no longer working properly (though this might be a case of user error).

After a few months of no use, I turned on the scanner and found that it wasn't picking up anything. It appeared to be scanning but wasn't picking anything up (it never stops at a channel, just searches and searches).

I've reset and reprogrammed the frequencies, I've played with squelch, I've double checked the frequencies. I've tried it in different areas outside I've tried it plugged in and with fresh batteries.

The only other thing that doesn't appear to be working is the manual entry. I push hold, punch in the signal, press hold again and it says "error."

The scanner is only 3 years old. It's been well cared for. Never been dropped.

Not sure if it's just defective now or if there's something simple I'm doing wrong.

It's out of warranty so if it is faulty, I will have to replace it, which is a pain!

Anyway thanks in advance for any help that you experts can offer.

I'm no scanning expert but I'm not a luddite either! I've wracked my brain to try and fix the problem. Any help would be great.

-Luptona

 

[Nasby]

I would take a look at the owner's manual (they are online if you lost the original) and follow the programming instructions step by step.

Try programming the local weather radio transmitter to see if you get a signal.

If that fails, Uniden has a repair facility that has pretty reasonable rates.

Good Luck!

 

[N8IAA]

What scanner??
Are you using fresh batteries, or the same batteries that have sat in the scanner for a few months?
Maybe reset the scanner back to default.
Larry

 

[marksmith]

I would take a look at the owner's manual (they are online if you lost the original) and follow the programming instructions step by step.

Try programming the local weather radio transmitter to see if you get a signal.

If that fails, Uniden has a repair facility that has pretty reasonable rates.

Good Luck!

You could buy another scanner for the cost of shipping and Uniden repair.

Mark
536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/
396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

 

[Luptona]

The scanner in question is the BC72XLT

Looks like I'm going to just order a new one. The cost of fixing it won't be worth it. I've been through the entire manual five times. It won't even pick up anything from a known WX frequency.

Strange that it would just die like that. I was lightly used and well taken care of.

 

[Nasby]

You could buy another scanner for the cost of shipping and Uniden repair.

Mark
536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/
396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

Yes I guess that's true.

 

[mikepdx]

the model number remains a mystery...

I push hold, punch in the signal, press hold again and it says "error."

Also very curious what you mean by 'punch in the signal'.

 

[mule1075]

the model number remains a mystery...

The heading on the thread clearly states BC72xlt

Sent from my Z750C using Tapatalk

 

[SCPD]

Take back cover off see if the antenna bnc needs resoldered to board.

 

[Luptona]

Good news. With nothing to lose, I took the cover off to check if the antenna solder had failed. It hadn't. But when I put the scanner back together and turned it on again, it worked.

Here's my theory as to why. The mother board is separated into two halves. When pressed together, a series of copper strips connects the two (like a plug). I think by pulling the two sides apart and reconnecting them, I inadvertently cleaned up some corrosion, oxidation or whatever that had built up on the copper strips.

It makes sense, because one side is connected to the antenna. I think the scanner was working, it just wasn't getting information from the antenna side of the board.

I'm going to pull it apart again and clean between the strips with some isopropyl alcohol to make sure it doesn't stop working again.

Anyway, thanks for your help everyone.


So thanks for your input everyone.