BC296D: Squelch Problems

[TangoFox]

I just got my radio back from Uniden repair for this same issue, and now it's acting up again.

Turning the scanner on it will scan, but opening the squelch gate doesn't stop it's scan. If I move the antenna to a direction (push left or right) then the squelch will slowly fade in, but the squelch gate does nothing to control it. Moving the antenna it will slowly fade out again.

I assume there's a bad connection inside the unit. Anyone know which one?

 

[Voyager]

Sounds like external interference from a strong (perhaps broadband) RF source. Moving the antenna reduces the efficiency (hence reception) and eliminates the interference.

Does it do the same thing at another location (preferably miles away)?

 

[XTS3000]

First and foremost, do what Voyager recommends. Go outside, go to a friends house, maybe a park and see if the 296 starts to act properly.

I've seen this exact issue on one of those BearTrackers mobile units. (Can't remember the model number), and there was an SIP dual Op-Amp that had failed. Once the SIP was replaced, squelch operated properly.

 

[TangoFox]

Voyager,

I gave it a shot but still no joy. It's still acting the same way. What's curious is this literally just happened when I sent it back, it returned fixed, and then it started acting up 3 months later.

I'm really thinking it seems like a bad solder connection.

I have a 536HP that acts perfectly fine in the same situation.

 

[Voyager]

OK. If moving the antenna changes it, it may well be the antenna connection in the scanner. Overall I would recommend sending it back for repair again, and make sure to state that it is a recurrence of the previous repair.

 

[TangoFox]

I called tech support, I'm at 120 days so I'm 30 days out of warranty from the last repair. Great. I don't think I'll be sending it back though, as I'm not going to pay another $70 for a scanner potentially worth $200.

I took the unit apart and reassembled it. It seemed to fix my problem. There is a new electrical interference sound, and the APCo card stopped working, but that might have just been the ribbon. I'll play with that.

- Album on Imgur

Pictures above, looks like two capacitors are blown? or is that glue?

 

[KevinC]

I called tech support, I'm at 120 days so I'm 30 days out of warranty from the last repair. Great. I don't think I'll be sending it back though, as I'm not going to pay another $70 for a scanner potentially worth $200.

I took the unit apart and reassembled it. It seemed to fix my problem. There is a new electrical interference sound, and the APCo card stopped working, but that might have just been the ribbon. I'll play with that.

- Album on Imgur

Pictures above, looks like two capacitors are blown? or is that glue?

I see glue on a crystal and what appears to be an inductor.

 

[TangoFox]

Update: took it apart again, reseated all connections, seems to be working 100% minus the card. Seems like the card is intermittent.

 

[Voyager]

Try re-seating the P25 card. That was a common issue in those models.

 

[TangoFox]

I figured out the issue with the card. I unseated it and cleaned the connectors. Seems like it's back to 100%.

Thanks for your help guys.Hopefully this thread helps someone else.

 

[babis3g]

Hi,

newbie here, first well done with your unit & thanks for your time inform us

second, as new user (with an other unit) have questions

re-seating / un-seating what means? needs to re-soldering or just slightly move it?

For my own future reference how did you clean it with out cause problem to the unit board?

Many Thanks

 

[Voyager]

In the case of the P25 module, it means remove it and plug it back in. (it's a removable module much like plugging in the charger on your cellphone)

No soldering is involved. There are many cleaners, but often the simple process of moving the contacts cleans them. For a better fix there are solutions like DeoxIt.

 

[babis3g]

Many Thanks for your reply SIR! I will keep this in mind for my future reference with electronics in general