Looking Back at the Uniden BC780XLT

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Taking a look at a Uniden Classic

After twenty years, this scanner is still highly collectable.  Do you know why?


Today we’re talking about a classic, the Uniden BC780XLT. 

This radio came out in 2000 and it shook up the scanner radio market. 

Learn why the power that was behind it made it a go-to scanner for many people at the time and what was available for this model on the aftermarket.

What You Will Learn in This Week’s Podcast:

  • What can the BC780XLT do right out of the box. 
  • The BC780XLT was strictly analog.
  • You can put a Motorola trunk system in the same bank as conventional frequencies.
  •  You can’t mix two trunk systems in the same bank but you can mix conventional and trunking together.
  • This model allows you to search out CTCSS and DCS tones. 
  • You can program 500 channels in 10 banks.
  • It works well as a weather receiver
  • You can program scan delays that are built-in per channel, and you can have a limit hold on each frequency.
  • This scanner has channel alerts.
  • A very cool feature is this scanner’s versatile RS232 serial port.
  • You have a tape-out on the back of the radio
  • Program searches are built-in.
  • You can pre-program ten search ranges and have selectable step sizes.
  • The display was revolutionary for the time.
  • There were many aftermarket software options for this model.
  • People took this scanner with them and actually used it as a portable radio.
  • Aftermarket Accessories Include:
    • Protective carrying cases for portable use
    • There was a way to have internal battery packs powering the scanner.
    • AM and shortwave broadcasts modification
    • An automatic mute with an RF sensor mod.
    • Remote head kit.

The Uniden BC780XLT Specification

Frequency range:
25-512
806-956
1240-1300 MHz
Tuning steps:
5 KHz
7.5 KHz
10 KHz
12.5 KHz
25 KHz
50 KHz
100 KHz
Modes:
AM
FM
WFM
Channels
500
Banks
10
Channels per Bank
50
Alpha Tags
16 Characters
Power supply
13.8 VDC
Antenna impedance
50 ohm
Antenna Connector
BNC
Trunking Protocols Supported:
Motorola Type I
Motorola Type II
Motorola Type IIi
EDACS
LTR

Links and Sources from this session:

East Coast Pagers

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Scanner School Support

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More Information on the Uniden BC780XLT

Bonus Material:

Are you looking for your first scanner radio?

Download our new e-guide, “5 Thinks You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Scanner”.   This free PDF is about 30 pages long and has 5 things you should look for, plus a few extra bonus items to make sure you make an educated purchase.

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Podcast Transcription:

(Coming Soon)

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