UBC 780HLT Trunktracker III or Aerial problem?

[eamonn58]

Hi

I have bought a used Uniden UBC 780HLT Trunktracker III with an aerial(not the orriginalicture attached).

I cannot get any brodcasts except the channels I would pick up on a normal FM radio. This is VHF from 87.5 to 108.0 MHz.

If I press the SRCH button it seems to go through the frequency range OK and does stop on some frequencies but I only get noise.

I've tried it with the squelch from high to low.

I don't know if its the areial or the scanner or how to check if these are working OK. Or maybe my location which is UK, Essex. Basildon.

I am scanning in a two story building from the second floor, with the aerial in the same room as high as I can get it,.

As you may have gathered, I'm new to this and would be greatfull for any help.

I have attached a picture of the areial and the scanner.

The aerial has seven bars attached midway up the center pointing down and out at an angle. There is one missing ie. should be eight in total.
There is no makers mark that I can see and the base is magnetic.

Regards
Eamonn58

 

[nick1427d]

Although there are no frequencies listed under essex county, and Airwave system is noted. Airwave as far as I know is an LTR trunking network that is encrypted. Which means that you won't be able to monitor.

Hope this isn't the case for you.

Maybe someone else from your area will chime in.

 

[eamonn58]

Thanks nick1427d all the way from St Louie

Cheers nick1427d

I do have a local airport near me I thought I'd at least get some brodcast from that but as you say it might be encrypted.

I just don't want to keep trying if my aerial is the problem.

 

[W8RMH]

Hello.

In "search" it is scanning every frequency through the spectrum. It will stop on data channels (sounds like a diesel engine), RF interference, weak/distant stations, or even "birdies", which is interference generated by the radio itself. You may be able to "lockout" the noisy frequencies on that model to aid in searching.

Click Here for the Wiki page for the US version of that radio, it may be of help.

Uniden UBC-780XLT Product Reviews

The antenna looks like a home made combination of several different units.

 

[n4yek]

Although there are no frequencies listed under essex county, and Airwave system is noted. Airwave as far as I know is an LTR trunking network that is encrypted. Which means that you won't be able to monitor.

Hope this isn't the case for you.

Maybe someone else from your area will chime in.

That is the case, everything that is Public Safety is on the Tetra Network and no scanner made can decode it.

 

[Violation]

Eamonn, could it be some of the Banks could be locked out? I think the radio has the option of locking out 9 of the 10 banks (you can't lockout 10 at one time). It's possible the previous owner listened to only to FM broadcast on this active bank, and had the othes locked out. Don't know if you received a operating manual with this radio, but there are plenty of sources on the internet. I think that the banks can be locked out or unlocked by pressing the number buttons on the keypad while in the "scan" mode. Hope this helps.......PW

 

[nick1427d]

Cheers nick1427d

I do have a local airport near me I thought I'd at least get some brodcast from that but as you say it might be encrypted.

I just don't want to keep trying if my aerial is the problem.

As far as air traffic is concerned I don't think that would be encrypted. I don't monitor the air band but I don't think any of the commercial airlines are using encryption and I'm pretty sure air traffic control towers aren't either.

If I was you, I would find a stock antenna similar to one that came with the scanner originally and see if that helps.

I would also do a reset

Hold: 2, 9, and manual while turning radio on

 

[N8IAA]

I would follow Nick1427d's advice and reset the radio. As stated, you will not be able to receive any public service in your area
I have a question about buying the radio used, did you demo the radio before the purchase? If so, did it work?
As far as the airport frequencies, you should be able to hear some air traffic fine with that antenna. Don't expect to hear the tower frequencies though, they are running at low power.
You may want to go to the UK forum further down the forums page for someone in your area to assist you with the scanner

HTH,
Larry