High power spectra vco out of lock

Richard Collier · Post by **Richard Collier** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:13 am

Looking for some one to set this radio in the right direction. shows the dreaded 001 code. I was told the vco will not lock up, Radio is UHF and dam near brand new. Can someone recommend a repair person, Will? You can PM or email me please.

N4KVE · Post by **N4KVE** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:18 am

What is the bandsplit of this radio & what freq are you trying to put in? GARY N4KVE

OCSD117 · Post by **OCSD117** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:10 pm

You have freq that is out of range or the dreaded leaky cap problem!

Richard Collier · Post by **Richard Collier** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:48 am

if it is a cap what board do I look at the VCO board?

d119 · Post by **d119** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:56 am

Richard,

Send a Private Message to "Will" (no quotes) and let him know the trouble. He can help you.

N4KVE · Post by **N4KVE** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:30 am

Will is the man. He just made my Spectra as good as new. GARY N4KVE

Wile E. Coyote · Post by **Wile E. Coyote** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:25 am

Here is a link to an excellent article in relation to spectra caps, and is a great read for those who have spectras and have not had any problems with this yet... because you will.

http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorol ... -caps.html

Good Luck,
~WEC

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:39 pm

Here is an update on Richard's Spectra.

Indeed the dammage was caused by leaking caps, two in paticular. Just replacing the caps would not have saved his Spectra. Dammage to several other componets in two areas was found. It took a bit of surface mount rework to get it back to like new......... One cap wiped out four other parts in the Synth section that controls the VCO resulting in the Lock FAIL001.

Note: The VCO was just fine, working correctly at full range.

N4KVE · Post by **N4KVE** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:24 am

Another Spectra is saved from the junkpile, repaired by Will to lead a usefull 2nd life. GARY N4KVE

kbmp0992 · Post by **kbmp0992** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:28 pm

I looked through the information here and at the linked site. One of my 110w Spectra drawers is exhibiting the "popping speaker" symptom when I change the volume or whatever. At least there are no other symptoms. Yet. I guess I should take it out of service before anything blows. I'll open it up and look at it in the next few days, based on the pictures shown. I'm fairly incompetent with a soldering iron (or anything small, for that matter), so I'll probably have to send it out. I wouldn't have any confidence in my work. Luckily, I have some spare radios.

Thanks for the info.

High power spectra vco out of lock

High power spectra vco out of lock

cap

ANOTHER SPECTRA SAVED