More Astro problems!

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 12:00 pm

AHH! As if the agony would end, right?

Ok, here's the deal, I've got a problematic Astro W7 control head.

It's running with a high-power drawer unit, directly to the HKN4356 systems9000 remote cable into an HLN6432C interconnect (came with the control head, maybe I'm wrong in it being an Astro Spectra interconnect).

At any rate, Basically, pressing the power button does nothing. I went ahead and did the jumper on the board that forces the control head to automatically power up when power is applied to the radio, I've done this on regular spectra control heads with no problems.

At any rate, I went and hooked it up to my Astro Spectra and the two LEDs (busy/tx) for an extended amount of time, the radio "boops" at me and then maybe 5-10 seconds later, the vaccum fluorescent display shows FAIL 01/90 and shuts off. Hitting the power button again results in the same cycle.

I hooked up a standard spectra control head to the Astro Spectra and got it to power up the radio, it just never gets beyond the "self check" on the display, but I can program the radio and as far as that goes, the drawer unit seems to be fine (this is a new-to-me radio). I've even placed a stock Systems9000 control head to the radio, and it too powers up the radio, gives the garbage on the display (typical).

I almost thought it was the cable, but hooking up an analog A5 remote spectra to the remote cable, with the regular spectra control head, using the same HLN6432 interconnect- powers up the radio fine and it functions properly.

I'm guessing two things. Either the control head is seriously messed up, even though it was sold to me "new and functioning fine" -or- thinking about it more, the cable-to-control head interconnect board is incorrect.

-sigh-

-Josh

Post by **wavetar** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 2:20 pm

I believe you have a regular Spectra interconnect. The part# for the Astro remote interconnect kit is HLN6344. This is why the W7 head can't talk to the drawer at all, giving the 01/90 error. The A heads can talk to it...they just can't understand it.

Todd

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:14 pm

Ok, Well, that sure as hell makes a LOT of sense.

The HLN6401 interconnect is $36 on my MOL account, the HLN6344 Almost $200, so it looks as if I may dash-mount this sucker, which works for me.

I made a post in the wanted/buy/sell/trade forum involving the parts I need want/sell, etc etc etc. in regards to this project.

-Josh

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:34 pm

I got curious so I dug out my spectra control head service manual and compared it to my pdf astro spectra control head book. The difference between the HLN6285 and HLN6401 dashmount boards. HLN6401 has two additional pins connected. Pin 28 on J0103 goes to pin 29 on P0502. Pin24 on J0103 goes to pin 2 on P0502. Otherwise they appear to be the same.

Then I looked at the HLN6432B back housing for the remote mount A5/7 and compared it to the HLN6432D (yes HLN6432D) listed in the ASTRO SPECTRA CONTROL HEAD manual and the pinouts are the same between the spectra and astro spectra though the board layout changed. No mention of the HLN6344 control head board.

Jason

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:48 pm

I found the HLN6344 he refers to. That is the low/mid power interconnect board that goes on the drawer unit. This is only needed for authentic flashport upgrades. A normal remote mount interconnect board works.

My guess is your control head board has issues.

Jason

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:58 pm

Aha, well... I'll see what I can do about that. Damn..

-Josh