Quantar Random Power Cycle

[scsttrooper]

Hello Everyone.... I am stumped on this one and don't know where to start. Here is the problem:

I have a high power VHF Quantar that is running in mixed P25/Analogue mode. The repeater has a wire line card installed that is not being used so the station will occasionally show a WL Fail light on the front but other than that it everything works as it should... most of the time.

Recently I have noticed that when someone is transmitting into the station and then un-keys the repeater will have no hang time and you can't key it up for several seconds. The problem is random and I can not seem to find any consistency. While at the site the other day I noticed that when the station seemed to re-boot after someone un-keyed. I now assume that for some reason the station is randomly re-booting when someone un-keys. Any ideas??????

Thank you for your help.

[d119]

Can you post the firmware versions of the station as well as a copy of the status log?

[Astro Spectra]

If you have RDLAP enabled on the Quantar with older firmware then it will reboot if someone sends a call, page, or text. Alternatively your PSU might be faulty, sagging on transmit. As d119 suggests, check the log and firmware revisions. A firmware update might be in order. Lastly check the reflected power at the repeater PA output.

[scsttrooper]

Ok... I checked the firmware and I have the latest and greatest. The error log shows the following:

SC Root 655

What does that mean?

[Astro Spectra]

It's a crash. Is your EEPROM (removable PLCC memory chip) a Xicor or Atmel? If Xicor best replace it.

[KX5MOT]

I have a similar issue with my Quantar, it will randomly reset while in use and it sends out 3 beeps over the air when it came back up. I have replaced the Xicor and the station is still doing the reset occasionally, so I am going to replace the power supply next.

[scsttrooper]

Ok. I finally made it to the site and pulled the card. The PLCC (directly behind the volume up button) is an Xicor. Where do I find the Atmel chip and what is the procedure for changing it?

[scsttrooper]

Where do I find the Atmel chip and what is the procedure for changing it?

Thanks...

[KX5MOT]

I purchased my Atmel from user Mars on P25.ca but you should be able to find them online also.

There are two different methods to choose from when replacing the EEPROM:

Chip programming (complete) method:
- Power down Quantar Station.
- Remove Station Control board.
- Remove XICOR EEPROM.
- Read it in a PLCC-32 adapter/programmer configuration, save the data.(If the XICOR has not already failed).
- Write it to the new AT28C64B EEPROM.
- Install NEW AT28C64B EEPROM to Station Control board.
- Reinstall Station Control board. Reboot.

RSS Method (defaulted tuning data; realignment required):
- Read Quantar Station codeplug with RSS, save codeplug to disk.
- Remove Station Control board.
- Remove XICOR EEPROM
- Install NEW AT28C64B EEPROM to Station Control board.
- Reinstall Station Control board. Power-up station.
- Once Quantar Station has booted, it will show RED light (station fail).
- Write RSS codeplug from disk, to Quantar Station. Reboot.
- Quantar will successfully power-up, but tuning values are DEFAULTED.
- Re-align Quantar Station for proper operation.

[d119]

Just get it on eBay, it'll be considerably cheaper and less hassle.

It's an AT28C64 PLCC. Just search for those terms and you'll be good to go.

I recommend re-writing and realigning using the RSS method, as the "chip copy" method could copy corrupt or contaminated data over to the new chip (potentially).

[scsttrooper]

Does it matter what comes after the AT28C64? When I search in e-bay there are quite a few options?

I appreciate all the help.

Thanks again....

[W8EMX]

I have had MANY MANY of these EEPROMs fail (mostly on Data Base Stations as it happens). Most curious thing about it, when they decide to catastrophically fail, its usually during a PA alignment save.
I can perform a complete PM on station - Full alignment - and make it all the way to saving the PA cal data, then BOOM! station resets. Next time you try to read the thing, RSS will prompt you for a password.
That's it. All she wrote. Stick a fork in it. Drop a New EEPROM in and back off to the races, just write a new CP, realign and roll on.

At least they are a cheap part!
--TS

[d119]

Does it matter what comes after the AT28C64? When I search in e-bay there are quite a few options?

I appreciate all the help.

Thanks again....

I would think -15 or -20 would be fine....