BCD396XT/BCD996XT: To fix or Not to fix

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3puttbob

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I recently picked up a used bcd996xt. All functions are good except no receive. Gets static on all known active frequencies. Had a local radio guy look at it and he said it's some kind of receive/trans issue. My question is if anyone knows how often Uniden states a unit for repair is UNrepairable. It's $79 +shipping now and UNrefundable if they can't fix it. Don't know if I want to take the chance on a radio I only paid $25 for. It's in nice shape otherwise. If they can fix it I'm ahead of the game. If not, it's an expensive lesson.
 

Whiskey3JMC

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I had one & it was an excellent radio indeed. Only reason I sold it was to help fund my first 536hp. Hope they can fix the issue
 

garys

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Did you try programming in one of the VHF weather channels to see if it receives that?

That's the first test if you think your scanner isn't receiving.
 

hiegtx

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I recently picked up a used bcd996xt. All functions are good except no receive. Gets static on all known active frequencies. Had a local radio guy look at it and he said it's some kind of receive/trans issue. My question is if anyone knows how often Uniden states a unit for repair is UNrepairable. It's $79 +shipping now and UNrefundable if they can't fix it. Don't know if I want to take the chance on a radio I only paid $25 for. It's in nice shape otherwise. If they can fix it I'm ahead of the game. If not, it's an expensive lesson.
I almost never see a comment about someone who sent a supported scanner model to Uniden & it was deemed non-repairable. Unless there was a lot of physical damage (which is apparently not the case for your scanner), if it were my scanner, and I had a use for it, I'd send it in.
 

Ronaldski

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This is a common problem unfortunately with that model, design issue? I personally know of three 996XT's in my area where theirs had the same issue. Its probably as I mentioned in the thread below IC21. Message 13 its mentioned four of them.
 

K4EET

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3puttbob, hello and welcome to Radio Reference!

Are you new to scanners or an old timer in this hobby? When you say:

"All functions are good except no receive."

Was that a thorough test of every function of a Uniden BCD996XT that does not have to do with the receiver receiving clear audio? When you say:

"Gets static on all known active frequencies."

If you are on a frequency that has no known signal activity, is the receiver squelched? In other words, if the receiver is scanning the seven NOAA VHF Weather channels and receiving a signal on at least one of the frequencies and breaking squelch, is the received audio just static instead of NOAA Weather? If you stop the scan on a NOAA VHF Weather channel that is not local to you, does the receiver stay squelched and no noise (static) is heard from the speaker? Trying to determine if you have a RF circuit issue or an audio circuit issue...

As for sending it in for possible repair after a review of the problem for $79... That is one of life's gambles. Fortunately in this case based on comments that have been reported here on Radio Reference, the relative risk involved appears to be less versus more. Good luck to you!

Cheers! Dave K4EET
 

3puttbob

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Thanks guys. Yes, I did try weather freqs and nothing. Had it going next to my bc125at while the 125at received, the 996xt got nothing. No squelch. I am an old CB guy from way back but am scanner stupid. I've flipped through all the menu options and programmed with freescan. Didn't see anything that wasn't textbook fine other than no receive. Checked the internal antenna connections and all appears solid. From your collective comments I think I'll send it in to Uniden. With only $25 invested so far, I'll take the gamble.
 

K4EET

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3puttbob, if you would, please give us an update once you get the scanner back from Uniden. The repair tag will state exactly what components were replaced. Thanks!

By the way, welcome to the wonderful world of scanning! Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Somebody here at Radio Reference is sure to have an answer for you.

Cheers! Dave
 

Firebuff66

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I have seen 2 996XTs and 1 996P2 do this, all 3 were in emergency vehicles and the scanner antenna was within 2 feet of the units 2 way radio antenna and over time it killed the RX on the scanner . I currently have 1 that was in the same boat but it still has enough RX to use but if you sit it side by side to a good one you can see a big difference.
The BCD996P2 was sent back to Uniden (2 years ago) and came back fixed in 2 weeks, I forget the issue but its a very common thing for them to fix according to the person I talked to.

Just for reference the 996P2 was in an ambulance with 4 antennas on the roof in line down the center, in order it went UHF then Scanner then VHF then 800, so the scanner was in-between the UHF & VHF and lost all RX in about 6 months all the antennas had 20" between them
 

MisterLongwire

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Didn't know the 996 can transmit too. Hotdamn! Truthfully speaking, dump that tech and send that unit ASAP to Uniden. Guarantee they can fix it and for 75 bucks that is dirt cheap. If you don't want to, I will be happy to pay postage and handling to my address for you to send me the radio and take it off your hands!
 

3puttbob

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Well, I sent it back and they were backlogged a couple months. But, they got to it and I now have it. Looks brand new and it receives the weather channel now. The report says they replaced the IC21. Don't know what that is (probably a $1.29 chip) but, as soon as I figure out how to program my locals I'll let you know how it works. So far. I think I have a winner.
 

MisterLongwire

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This is a common problem unfortunately with that model, design issue? I personally know of three 996XT's in my area where theirs had the same issue. Its probably as I mentioned in the thread below IC21. Message 13 its mentioned four of them.
Mine still RECEIVES quite well even after 6 years. Not P2 but works awesome on P1 and everything else
 

n1chu

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Uniden repairs or (I believe) offers a refurbished used unit. The flat rate repair cost is $79.95 plus $10 for return shipping. So UNIDEN needs to see $89.95. Total cost for the repair is the Uniden charge of $89.95 PLUS whatever it cost you in shipping to send it to them. Actual TOTAL cost is more like $100 when all is said and done. But if you only paid $25 up front for what was known to be a defective unit and had Uniden repair it you are still ahead of the game. I guess what bothers me is when we think we found a deal, only to learn it’s going to cost another $100 once we got it home! I keep in my truck a set of headphones for checking out those “deals” that have a sign on them stating “No Audio”. Most times I have found it’s just a faulty earphone jack! I need another scanner like I need a hole in my head, but I try the headphones anyways... there’s always someone looking for a scanner on the cheap, or I tell the seller it’s just a jack issue and he should consider pricing it a bit higher.

Unrelated but worth mentioning; I met a guy at a tag sale who paid $5 for an old Regency 8 channel scanner that didn’t receive. But the 8 red indicator lights still sequentially marched across the front panel, and that’s all he was looking for... something to look at!
 

jonwienke

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Unrelated but worth mentioning; I met a guy at a tag sale who paid $5 for an old Regency 8 channel scanner that didn’t receive. But the 8 red indicator lights still sequentially marched across the front panel, and that’s all he was looking for... something to look at!
Maybe he wanted a prop for a movie or TV show.
 
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