Scanning without receiving

[peteyates]

I have a Uniden 996xt and using it as a base. All of a sudden it stopped receiving everything. It still scans but not receiving. I checked connections and squelch. Any ideas?

 

[tvengr]

What are you scanning and what programming software are you using? If you attach the files, I will check them for problems. Do you have system quick keys enabled and your squelch set to minimum. Check that you didn't turn on the attenuator. Are you using internal or external antenna?

 

[ofd8001]

First step, if possible, move the scanner to a different location to see if something might be de-sensing the scanner.

Second step, do a weather service scan. Most places are close enough to a weather service transmitter. If you get weather, that confirms the scanner is receiving and other causes should be examined. If no weather and you are reasonable close to a weather transmitter, a repair visit is probably your next step.

Some times a transmitter, such as a portable radio, can be operated too close to a scanner and blow a diode in the receiving circuit.

 

[Ronaldski]

Tune in noaa weather, if you should be getting something ... its that IC21 is blown, need to be sent in.
Please read about the repair due to the virus in first message, saying just sitting there, no repairing.
SDS100: - Third time repair - now gone indefinitely

To the deafness, assuming deaf even on noaa weather its an all too common problem. Seen about 4 996xt's personally that people have had same issue and they replace IC21.
see
BCD996XT: - To fix or Not to fix

Here in message 13 says had 4 996xts! Scanner UNIDEN BCD996XT has stopped receiving

 

[darkness975]

Some times a transmitter, such as a portable radio, can be operated too close to a scanner and blow a diode in the receiving circuit.

What about laptops? My base units are within a few inches on the same table as one of my laptops.

 

[RandyKuff]

To close... Should be further away...
Had my SDS100 about a foot away from my tower and was screwing with the reception...

 

[jonwienke]

What about laptops? My base units are within a few inches on the same table as one of my laptops.

That's only an issue if you're using the back-of-the-radio antenna. The separation between the computer and antenna is the important thing. My laptop is right next to my scanners, but I don't have RFI issues, because my antenna is on the opposite side of the room.

 

[darkness975]

That's only an issue if you're using the back-of-the-radio antenna. The separation between the computer and antenna is the important thing. My laptop is right next to my scanners, but I don't have RFI issues, because my antenna is on the opposite side of the room.

I do have back of the radio antennas though.
Its the laptop I use to update the scanners and sometimes surf the web.

Is it going to fry the scanners??

 

[doctordialtone]

Is it going to fry the scanners??

No



The laptop doesn't transmit - just may interfere.

 

[darkness975]

No



The laptop doesn't transmit - just may interfere.

Okay so it won't ruin their ability to receive. That was what scared me for a second there. I don't use that laptop as often as I used to but whenever I do the scanners that are near it in that room are always on too. Never noticed anything odd though.

In another room I have my bcd325p2 and a couple others and I have noticed on rare occasion my 325p2 will randomly make odd sounds and be "stuck" on a couple frequencies. I deduced that it only happens if I am on my Chromebook within a couple foot distance of the scanner (it sits on a ledge behind that couch). Didn't think much of it at the time, but I would rather not take chances of ruining my unit. We all know how great the 325p2 is after all, I'd hate to have to buy a new one because I did something dumb and fried it. So in that case I'll just sit another foot or two away.

 

[wtp]

• 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiation. These are the radio waves given off by the WIFI antenna in the laptop, which are used to connect to a wireless network.
• 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiation. These are the radio waves given off by the Bluetooth antenna in the laptop, which are used to connect wirelessly to peripheral devices such as a cordless mouse.

the laptop talks back to the router to send info to the internet.
and bluetooth goes both ways.
i wold worry more about a cell phone.
the cell phone communicates for thousands of feet to a tower, the laptop seems to have trouble in the next room.

 

[darkness975]

• 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiation. These are the radio waves given off by the WIFI antenna in the laptop, which are used to connect to a wireless network.
• 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiation. These are the radio waves given off by the Bluetooth antenna in the laptop, which are used to connect wirelessly to peripheral devices such as a cordless mouse.

the laptop talks back to the router to send info to the internet.
and bluetooth goes both ways.
i wold worry more about a cell phone.
the cell phone communicates for thousands of feet to a tower, the laptop seems to have trouble in the next room.

I dont usually have my phone that close except at night when my phone and sds100 are on my night stand.

 

[wtp]

i used to keep my cell in the same pocket as my uniden 396T and sometimes still do.
no problems.