BCD436HP/BCD536HP: UHF Reception Issues due to Noise from Battery Compartment

[k3fs]

The original boards did not have the pads for the parts that would later be added. These boards are marked as v01.01.01See picture on post 661.

The repair campaign was a board switch out. These new boards now had the components marked on it, but the capacitor was not put in. These same boards were used in production after that. It was not until sometime in 2016 production that the capacitor was added. This is also true for units repaired under the repair campaign. See post 654 for picture of board with capacitor missing. These boards are marked as v01.09.02. There are some earlier versions of this board as well. See post 727 for picture of board with capacitor installed.

The number after the Z is the year of manufacture. The last four digits are the serial number. Uniden serial numbers are based on manufacture year. For example we have seen 2016 production units with lower numbers on the end than a unit produced in 2015. So you cannot go solely on the last few numbers. Not sure at what point in 2016 production the capacitor was added.

When there is a problem, admit it as soon as possible.

Customers are not stupid. Ignoring or denying a legitimate problem is not the way to handle it.

 

[SteveSimpkin]

K3FS, Thank you for the detailed information and the references to the posts. I have been following this long thread for a long time but couldn't quite remember these details and didn't have the time right now to try and find them.

 

[rbrtklamp2]

For real thanks for breaking down into a time line like that for us. It answered alot of questions I had. Just a real shame Uniden won't acknowledge and repair the damn things. This is a major defect they should recall all radios produced before serial number 68XXXXXXX or when ever they implemented the fix and repair them immediately. This isn't just a few units it's a whole line of scanners that are messed up.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[325xia]

Not if my Mine is way before that Serial Number and have experienced Zero problems. 40 Plus years of Scanner Experience. The Best of all the scanners I've owned. Very Happy.

 

[rbrtklamp2]

Well we got a problem then because mine is in the serial number series above and it is definetly missing the capaciotor. You can see a spot for it on the board but it's not there. Maybe you got lucky and got a good unit. Look at the board and find out. And if it is fixed what's your serial number sequnce?

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[325xia]

My Serial Number starts with 36 and I'm sure it's missing the capacitor. But, it works perfectly fine without it or with it. Must have gotten a very good one. Bought it new May of 2014. I really don't want/need to open it up.

 

[ChrisABQ]

Just for some reference, 6800106x here, new board and no capacitor.

 

[vannossc]

Close Call Defeated?

In theory, wouldn't this issue essentially defeat most of the Close Call functionality in the 436? I wonder if I've been wasting my time scanning for some activity I'm interested in...

Scott

 

[k3fs]

Yes, this does affect close call. I hardly ever had close call hits on the 436. The 396XT would get some while the 436 would not. With the capacitor in place there is definitely an improvement in close call captures. This was especially true on UHF for me. Not saying you won't get any, but it does affect it.

 

[dcisive]

yeah for what it's worth mine is a 680021xx. Got it mid January from ScannerMaster. I did apply the aluminum as in a previous post on this thread mentioned. It supercharged it in every way. Now tons more sensitive and virtually noise free, so I'm not looking to improve upon that. It matches the performance of my newer 536 so it's all I need.

 

[bearcat]

For real thanks for breaking down into a time line like that for us. It answered alot of questions I had. Just a real shame Uniden won't acknowledge and repair the damn things. This is a major defect they should recall all radios produced before serial number 68XXXXXXX or when ever they implemented the fix and repair them immediately. This isn't just a few units it's a whole line of scanners that are messed up.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

There does not seem to be any relationship between the cap missing or installed and serial numbers. At least from what folks have reported. The only way to know is to open it and look.

 

[rbrtklamp2]

Mine is 680049XX bought from scanner master in April of this year. We'll I had to send the first one I got back due to the screen failing right out of the box. Then that night I went to hook up the 536 I bought with it and there were LEDs out behind the keypad. I had to return both radios back to scanner master in exchange for new radios. That should have been sign I guess. My 436 works good I have about 5 or 6 pieces of copper tape on the battery door and it seems to be working well and my 536 is just a great radio wouldn't trade it for the world. I just wish they had done better quality assurance testing on this line of scanners. A whole lot of problems could have been avoided had the product been tested better before release.

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[Poonwart]

First post.

For what its worth:
6800624X
V:1.09.02
C1 installed

 

[Fidgety9996]

Any news on this? Have anyone received the scanner from repair at Uniden and can tell any differences?

Have they admitted the problem?

 

[kc5igh]

Any news on this? Have anyone received the scanner from repair at Uniden and can tell any differences?

Have they admitted the problem?

I finally sent my early-production 436 to Uniden for repairs a couple of weeks ago.

It's got the clock battery problem, but I requested that they install the "missing capacitor" that I believe is affecting my scanner's sensitivity to weak signals.

We'll see what, if anything, has happened when it comes back.

-Johnnie

 

[jonwienke]

Have they admitted the problem?

They redesigned the circuit board to add a capacitor. If Uniden didin't think it was a problem they wouldn't have done that.

 

[k3fs]

Have they admitted the problem?

Nope. Will not admit to it, but fixed it....sort of. Those who had boards swapped out early on received boards back without C1. Unidens silence, gives the impression they are not too interested in fixing this for those people. Good customer service.

There have also been reports of people sending radios in under the repair campaign having them sent back saying they didn't have the issue. They had newer boards, but they may have been missing C1. That does not seem to be looked at with the newer boards.

When there is a problem, admit it as soon as possible.
Customers are not stupid. Ignoring or denying a legitimate problem is not the way to handle it.

 

[INDY72]

Uniden will never admit any problem. They go the sneaky behind scenes route. Always have always will. The firmware DMR fix was this way. Uniden never openly admitted a problem but had to look like they really cared finally so did the investigation thing and fixed it as best they could. There are still issues with capacity plus systems being handled but that can't be fixed by Uniden so oh well. Look at history here. Siren app. Tap point output. Many other things. I love the 2 Uniden scanners I own but dayum time for them to learn lessons about openness and honesty.

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[dave3825]

And now there seems to be this to add to the list

DMR details different in Quick Search vs Custom Search ?

 

[dave3825]

When there is a problem, admit it as soon as possible.
Customers are not stupid. Ignoring or denying a legitimate problem is not the way to handle it.

Ah, a snip from number 5 on Paul's rules of conduct.

The rest of #5 reads .
If necessary, check with legal or senior management before commenting.
Never promise a fix you cannot deliver.

Guess the legal dept and or the senior management are you ones to be mad at for the absence of a response. They probably told Paul not to comment on this issue so his hands must be tied. To bad for Uniden because people will remember this next time they purchase anything that Uniden's competitors manufacture... I know I will.