BCT15X: Squelch & Static Issue

[wski]

Hey guys,

My BCT15X recently started to make this awful static noise when the scanner is tuned to a frequency without CTCSS or DCS. Even when the unit's volume is set to zero it emits a faint humming, static sound. Turning up the squelch has little to no effect. When tuned to frequencies with CTCSS or DCS enabled there is no static sounds, however, when the squelch is set to open there is no static either.

I have tried different power supplies, antennas, coaxial cable, connectors, firmware update, and factory reset.

If anyone has any ideas how to fix this or experience with this problem help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[K4EET]

<snip>
My BCT15X recently started to make this awful static noise when the scanner is tuned to a frequency without CTCSS or DCS. Even when the unit's volume is set to zero it emits a faint humming, static sound. Turning up the squelch has little to no effect. When tuned to frequencies with CTCSS or DCS enabled there is no static sounds, however, when the squelch is set to open there is no static either. <snip>

With you being in the Sacramento Metro Area, some specifics on what system/frequency you are experiencing this on might be helpful. When you say that “Turning up the squelch has little to no effect” sounds like you are on a frequency that has full time data on it and is a fairly strong signal that you cannot “squelch out.” That is where some specifics on exactly what you are doing might help us to help you.

 

[Ubbe]

Even when the unit's volume is set to zero it emits a faint humming, static sound. Turning up the squelch has little to no effect. When tuned to frequencies with CTCSS or DCS enabled there is no static sounds, however, when the squelch is set to open there is no static either.

If it's a 60Hz humming then there's still a power supply problem. But if it's static then it's the volume control that let some audio pass and are probably normal.

CTCSS/DCS will mute the audio if it doesn't see the correct subtone so that's normal. But for a channel without programmed subtones the squelch set to fully clockwise should also mute the audio. If that doesn't work then a component have failed and needs to be repaired.

If you have used a computer program to control the scanner then it can happen that the audio circuit have been put into a state that disables the squelch. It happened to my UBC780 and doing factory reset did not help. I had to send a command to it to get out of that state, I believe I sent MUA, but that's probably for a UBC780 and not BCT15X. But this is only if you had the BCT15X under remote control.

/Ubbe

 

[wski]

With you being in the Sacramento Metro Area, some specifics on what system/frequency you are experiencing this on might be helpful. When you say that “Turning up the squelch has little to no effect” sounds like you are on a frequency that has full time data on it and is a fairly strong signal that you cannot “squelch out.” That is where some specifics on exactly what you are doing might help us to help you.

Thanks for the help K4EET. I disassembled the unit and noticed a defect where the bnc terminates to the pcb. I just bit the bullet and sent the unit to the Uniden repair shop. Coincidentally, these problems started when I was in close proximity to military electronic countermeasure aircraft.