Recently my Maxtrac (VHF) stopped receiving. It transmits fine and the speaker works, because it beeps when i press the channel up/dn arrows, etc.
Whats happened? Did the receiver take a crap? And how much should it cost to fix it...or should I just unload it?
Thx
Maxtrac audio probs
Moderator: Queue Moderator
There are probably a dozen things that need to be checked, and some require test equipment.
The most common failure is the 2nd oscillator crystal. You'd need a general-purpose receiver or a frequency counter to see if that component is working.
The receive VCO could be unlocked; that would mute the receiver. Can you open the squelch by holding the MON button in for a few seconds? If so, do you hear plenty of noise coming through the speaker? Is the receiver still unable to hear anything with the squelch opened? If so, it could be a simple adjustment; if not, I'd go back to the crystal.
If you send it to a shop, they'll just send it to Motorola for a flat fee, if that's even a possibility. They'd rather sell you a new radio. Some parts are still available. In general, these radios are easy to fix if you have the service manual, some test equipment, and are good at repairing things. A competent person should be able to fix it for under $75; you've got to determine if you could buy another working radio for about the same amount of money.
Bob M.
The most common failure is the 2nd oscillator crystal. You'd need a general-purpose receiver or a frequency counter to see if that component is working.
The receive VCO could be unlocked; that would mute the receiver. Can you open the squelch by holding the MON button in for a few seconds? If so, do you hear plenty of noise coming through the speaker? Is the receiver still unable to hear anything with the squelch opened? If so, it could be a simple adjustment; if not, I'd go back to the crystal.
If you send it to a shop, they'll just send it to Motorola for a flat fee, if that's even a possibility. They'd rather sell you a new radio. Some parts are still available. In general, these radios are easy to fix if you have the service manual, some test equipment, and are good at repairing things. A competent person should be able to fix it for under $75; you've got to determine if you could buy another working radio for about the same amount of money.
Bob M.
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jackhackett
- Posts: 1518
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2003 8:52 am
If it's stopped receiving completely, even with a very strong signal, most likely the 2nd oscillator crystal has failed. I've also seen the receiver IC go bad, and there are probably a few other possibilities, but that's the usual cause.
To check it you would use a sensitive service monitor or freq counter to check for 44.645MHz signal around the crystal.
To check it you would use a sensitive service monitor or freq counter to check for 44.645MHz signal around the crystal.
"The receive VCO could be unlocked; that would mute the receiver. Can you open the squelch by holding the MON button in for a few seconds? If so, do you hear plenty of noise coming through the speaker? Is the receiver still unable to hear anything with the squelch opened? If so, it could be a simple adjustment; if not, I'd go back to the crystal. "
This could be it, kcbooboo...
The problems started intermittently. Now the problem wont go away. I held the monitor button down until i heard open squelch. I then transmitted on another radio...
...nothing...
but now i have an idea where to start. Thanks Guys!!
This could be it, kcbooboo...
The problems started intermittently. Now the problem wont go away. I held the monitor button down until i heard open squelch. I then transmitted on another radio...
...nothing...
but now i have an idea where to start. Thanks Guys!!
You know, some dealers actually have service manuals, IFRs, and soldering irons! *cough* Not all of us make all of our money selling radioskcbooboo wrote:If you send it to a shop, they'll just send it to Motorola for a flat fee, if that's even a possibility. They'd rather sell you a new radio. Some parts are still available. In general, these radios are easy to fix if you have the service manual, some test equipment, and are good at repairing things. A competent person should be able to fix it for under $75; you've got to determine if you could buy another working radio for about the same amount of money.
Sorry. I was being just a bit sarcastic with that comment, but it seems that many shops (not necessarily MSS) just take the easy way out with some radios. An individual could spend a lot of time fixing something that makes it not economical to do so in the business sense. Not to mention all the surface-mount stuff that you really can't fix with just a soldering iron.
Those of us who don't make a living repairing radios might spend hours trying to fix something for ourselves, especially if it's being thrown out by another place or person. If it worked once, it can probably be repaired to work again, as long as you can get parts for it. That's becoming harder and harder, especially for products that are 10 or more years old. In that sense, Motorola would rather sell you a new radio, which would last for three years until its replacement came out, then the cycle repeats.
Bob M.
Those of us who don't make a living repairing radios might spend hours trying to fix something for ourselves, especially if it's being thrown out by another place or person. If it worked once, it can probably be repaired to work again, as long as you can get parts for it. That's becoming harder and harder, especially for products that are 10 or more years old. In that sense, Motorola would rather sell you a new radio, which would last for three years until its replacement came out, then the cycle repeats.
Bob M.