XTS3000 audio woes

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Fri May 27, 2005 8:26 pm

I've got a low-split UHF XTS3000 with some audio issues. Before anyone asks, this is a 100% legit, with tags, non-Nick-whored-out radio. Looks good on a service monitor.

The issue is intermittent noise, especially when the radio is moved, when keyed up with either the speaker mic or the inbuilt PTT. Swapping out to another front cover fixes the issue. Is this a known problem?

Suggestions to repair? Or do I just need to look for a new front panel assembly?

Thanks!

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Sat May 28, 2005 4:33 pm

Bump?

kb3jkp · Post by **kb3jkp** » Sat May 28, 2005 4:56 pm

I've had the same issue..turned out to be the mic not seated properly and "floating" around... gluing it in place solved that problem.....

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Sat May 28, 2005 7:33 pm

kb3jkp wrote:I've had the same issue..turned out to be the mic not seated properly and "floating" around... gluing it in place solved that problem.....

That'd fit. I'll check it out - thanks!

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Mon May 30, 2005 3:06 pm

I know there was a Motorola service bulletin issued covering intermittent transmit audio problems on the XTS 3000. There were several problems, and Motorola addressed all of them by issuing a single service bulletin that covered all of these audio TX problems. There were several symptoms, and associated fixes. It was an excellent service bulletin as it was extremely thorough and it had pictures, etc. to cover the details of the fixes. I know it was a very effective service bulletin as we had several intermittent problems with some of our XTS-3000's, and this bulletin addressed all of our issues. I'll try to find it, as I don't recall the bulletin number.

RKG · Post by **RKG** » Tue May 31, 2005 12:55 pm

I'd be very interested in seeing a .pdf of that SB, if you are successful in locating it.

Post by **wavetar** » Tue May 31, 2005 2:26 pm

Here's the link to the pdf file...you need a valid user/pass for MOL to view it:

https://businessonline.motorola.com/DOC ... 0Noise.pdf

For those of you who don't have access, here's the text of the SRN:

SERVICE AND REPAIR NOTES
Bulletin
TECHNICAL INFORMATION /COMMERCIAL, GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS SECTOR
If applicable, enter this information or note this bulletin number and subject material in the appropriate equipment instruction manuals and
make necessary schematic diagram changes. Enter this bulletin in the correct MASTER and CLASSIFIED INDICES for future reference.
Labor and/or parts warranty reference is limited to products sold and in use in the United States. For products sold
and in use Internationally, this bulletin is for informational purposes only. Radios that are Agency Approved must
follow designated agency guidelines.
SRN-ISO
SRN - 1473
APC - 620
November 2004
Distribution: MOL: Service/Bulletins: Two-Way Portable Deadline: March 31, 2006
From: XTS3000 Subscriber Product Group
Subject: XTS3000 UHF Portable Radio – Background Noise in Transmit
Symptoms:
Users may report a high level of background noise (scratching or clicking noises) when receiving from a UHF XTS3000 radio.
This issue is a function of the transmitting radio.
Potential Problem Radios:
Although, any UHF XTS3000 may exhibit the above symptom, it is expected that the symptom will be observed in only a
small percentage of radios.
Corrective Action:
If a user reports the above symptom on a particular radio, see page 2 for statement of work instructions.
Note: This symptom is not expected on most radios. If excessive background noise is not experienced, Do Not perform the
rework. If a radio has been previously reworked under SRN1397, no action is necessary.
Note: FM and/or Rugged radios must be sent to the Motorola Radio Service Center Depot* for rework.

Statement of Work
For
XTS3000 UHF R1 or R2
Page 2 of 3
List of required parts:
NLE 4249G, UHF Range 1 RF Board, Qty: 1
Or
NLE 4250H, UHF Range 2 RF Board, Qty: 1 Note: Only 1 RF board is needed
2605343Z08, RF shield, Qty: 1
Front Cover Qty: 1 (see table below for specific part number)
Front Cover Table
Part Number Description
NTN8272H FRT COVER KIT, MODEL I, 41 pin connector
NTN8273G FRT COVER KIT, MODEL III, 41 pin connector
NTN8495F FRT COVER KIT, MODEL II, 41 pin connector
NTN8650F HSNG MODEL I RUGG
NTN8651F HSNG MODEL II RUGGED
NTN8652F HSNG MODEL III RUGGED
NTN8669F HSNG MODEL I RUGG YEL
NTN8670F HSNG MODEL II RUGGED YELLOW
NTN8671F HSNG MODEL III RUGGED YELLOW
NTN8751F HOUSING MODEL I STANDARD
NTN8752F HOUSING MODEL II STANDARD
NTN8753F HOUSING MODEL III STANDARD
Follow the instructions below for replacement of the RF board, RF shield, and front cover.
1. In Chapter 8 (Disassembly/Assembly Section) of the Astro XTS 3000 Digital Portable Radio Detailed Service
Manual 6881083C90-B follow steps 1 thru 17 to disassemble/assemble the radio.
2. Mark the old RF board, the old RF shield and the old front cover and set them apart.
3. Install new RF board, new RF shield, and new front cover to replace those in the radio. (Follow Step 1 for Assembly)
4. Retune radio per Basic Service manual 6881083C85-A (Chapters 6 and 7).
Radio alignments requirement after board replacement:
Radio alignments must be performed after transceiver board replacement. Follow radio alignment procedures documented in
Basic Service Manual (6881083C85-A) in Chapter 6 and 7.
The following alignment parameters must be performed: Reference Oscillator, Transmit power, Transmit Deviation
Balance, Transmit Deviation Limit, and Front End Filter alignments.

Statement of Work
For
XTS3000 UHF R1 or R2
Page 3 of 3
Follow Standard Radio Checks before putting radios back into service:
Check the radio per procedure documented in the Basic Service Manual
1) At a minimum, Sensitivity (SINAD) from section 5.4 (Receiver Performance Checks) and RF Power
from section 5.5 (Transmitter Performance Checks) should be performed.
2) Talk and listen tests should be performed also before returning the radio back to service. If the radio is Secure
Equipped, talk and listen test shall be done on a secure talkaround channel.
3) Vacuum test is required on ruggedized radios. See SRN1404 for suggestions on preventive maintenance
for ruggedized radios.
4) Radios labeled Factory Mutual must be serviced by an agency-approved service facility.
5) RX Audio Distortion, RX Hum & Noise and verify compliance to specifications.

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Tue May 31, 2005 2:34 pm

The bulletin I recall included more info, and many pictures. It may have been something we had to order, in conjunction with the bulletin. We'll keep looking, and I'll post anything relevant we can find.

Post by **wavetar** » Tue May 31, 2005 3:02 pm

I have yet to see an SRN with detailed pictures, and few give more info than you'll find in the one above. I'd say you were correct in that it was something you either ordered, or was included with whatever kit was put together to fix the noise issue.

Todd

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Tue May 31, 2005 3:13 pm

My tec tells me he thinks he had ordered some kits, as a result of the bulletin, and included with these revision kits were detailed booklets, including photos. His recollection was that there was definitely a kit involved, and it shotgunned several audio noise issues, so that you could be sure that once implemented, the radios would check out fine, in all cases. I thought the photos were in the actual service bulletin, but my tec is the one who did the actual work, so I'll defer to his memory on this. We had several XTS-3000's that were retrofitted due to this same audio problem, or variations thereof.