BCD436HP/BCD536HP: When did RTC issue get fixed in the BCD436

[w0kgb]

I'm looking at getting a used BCD436HP, supposedly bought about summer 2016. Was the RTC issue fixed on radios of that date, and if not, at what point in production did the problem get fixed?

It may not be a major problem as I doubt I'd be recording that much, but better if it worked than not to work.

Also..... how bad is the issue with the RF noise internally generated and decreasing sensitivity on VHF & UHF.
Does this noise interfere with the 800mhz band?

What production models fixed this problem?

Thanks.

 

[ofd8001]

Going back through the Repair Campaign post, Upman first posted this on October 6, 2015. So I'd say any scanner manufactured after that date should not have the issue.

The big question is even though the scanner was purchased in summer 2016, when was it made, as in did it sit on the vendor's shelf for a year or more?

With that said, I bought my 436 in August 2016 and have not experienced the RTC issue.

 

[hiegtx]

My original 436HP, purchased when they were first released, had both the dimming display as well as developing the clock (RTC) issue. No problems since it went in for repair last October (2016). My second 436HP, purchased last fall, has had zero problems at all.

 

[jonwienke]

The digit after the Z in the serial number is the last digit of the year of manufacture. Z6 = 2016, etc.

Uniden switched to the board with the updated display and RTC in 2015. The fix for the internal UHF noise (adding C1) was implemented in 2016. Late 2015 and early 2016 boards will have the display/RTC fix, but C1 will not be installed. Boards manufactured in late 2016 and on have the display/RTC fix and C1 installed from the factory.

If your scanner was manufactured in 2016, it will have the display/RTC fix, but may or may not have C1.

 

[rs16]

The digit after the Z in the serial number is the last digit of the year of manufacture. Z6 = 2016, etc.

Uniden switched to the board with the updated display and RTC in 2015. The fix for the internal UHF noise (adding C1) was implemented in 2016. Late 2015 and early 2016 boards will have the display/RTC fix, but C1 will not be installed. Boards manufactured in late 2016 and on have the display/RTC fix and C1 installed from the factory.

If your scanner was manufactured in 2016, it will have the display/RTC fix, but may or may not have C1.

Great summary of info. Thanks for this. I think I'm going to give the 436 another chance soon.

 

[jonwienke]

Want a GPS in it?

 

[rs16]

I don't want a GPS, but I am thinking about changing the display color/background as was described in another thread. I'm not sure if I can do it myself though.

 

[rcool101]

My 436 is a week old....From Amazon....The number to the right of Z is 7 which should mean 2017 if anybody is wondering about buying from there

 

[jonwienke]

Amazon sells enough scanners that their stock is reasonably fresh.

 

[Ubbe]

Doesn't Amazon warehouse also sell returns as new and sometimes a 10 year old scanner was in the box instead of the proper one
or SD card where missing or already programmed from the person who returned it?

/Ubbe

 

[jonwienke]

Very rarely. If the box has obviously been opened, the item is usually sold through "Amazon Warehouse Deals" at a discount. I have been an Amazon customer for over a decade, and have only had one or two issues out of hundreds of orders, and Amazon’s customer service has always corrected the problem.