SyntorX SyntorX 9000 Component Issues

[Terry_Glover]

Do any of the SyntorX series of transievers have component issues similar to the Spectras known problem with leaky caps?

What I'd like to know is this, I guess... Are the Syntors known to have failures or degradation due to any particular weakness in any of its internal electronic components?

[Will]

Syntors are old enough that the electrolytic capacitors may have dried out resulting in very low capacitance value.

You may even have electrolytic leakage that is not easy to spot.

Even Maxtrac/Radius mobiles have known electrolytic capacitor problems.

[Terry_Glover]

I've heard it over and over again about Spectras. I kind of suspected it might be a universal issue with most other 20+ year old radios as well.

Thank you kindly for that info.

[George]

I have never heard of a cap problem in an X or X9000. They don't use the same type of crappy caps that the Spectras do.

That having been said, you may want to change the few larger caps that are on the personality board, but I have several X9000 in my car(s) and have NEVER had a problem. That's why I prefer them over the Spectra as well as for other reasons of functionality.

Wake me when it's time to go home.....zzzzzzzzzz.............george...........cpap engaged...z...z.....z.....z..........z....z....

[Terry_Glover]

So they do use a different type of cap than the Spectra? Better quality and no history of common failure?

I am running two old SyntorX VHF in 2 of my vehicles for about 4 years now. 1 is a 45 watt low power and the other is 110 watt high power unit. Both are actually working flawlessly, best receive and audio I've ever heard and clean, strong TX as well.

The drawers are mounted under the seat in the work truck and in the trunk of my older car. Both are used for business and HAM radio daily. These things seem to take all the dust, heat and cold that this climate has to throw at them. I'd hate to think about replacing them with anything less bullet-proof.

That's why I was concerned about component failure. I have never actually heard that cap failure (or any other particular component) was a common problem with SyntorX/X9000 either, but since both of my units are 20+ years old, I was wondering if I should maybe be prepared to expect a known issue to up and bite me and kill my Syntors.

[George]

I personally think the X/X9000 was the best radio built. There was a very early VCO problem that was repaired by a VCO replacement under warranty. Other than that, I even drowned two of mine thanks to Hurricane Hugo and I dried them out and all was fine.

One other great feature is the transformer isolated audio that doesn't have the problems that the Spectra does.

I just don't have problems with my X/X9000 based products. Even at this age of equipment where I have almost twenty-year-old equipment, (other than display dimming because of use but what do you really expect) they keep going and going in my daily use.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................george...........................................zz......

[PETNRDX]

I have a couple of X9000 in use.
And LOTS of Maxtrac, MCX1000, etc.
I too have never had a cap problem with any radio except the Spectra.
That said, it is possible for any old electrolytic to dry out.
But to me it appears the Spectra cap issue is pretty specific to that radio model.

[Terry_Glover]

I personally think the X/X9000 was the best radio built...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................george...........................................zz......

I pretty much agree. The design and build of these is almost legendary now. Housing is so thick and heavy it's basically indestructive. Apparently high quality components lasting reliably for decades without problems. Open one up that's had gear piled up on top of it in the trunk of a cop car for ten or fifteen years, or mud and dirt from underseat mounting in a utility truck and it looks as fresh and new inside as it did the day it left the factory.

Just like the Sherman tank, these have been pushed aside in favor of newer technology. They were the best in their time though.

Since they can be had for next to nothing these days, I think I'll pickup a couple more complete units just to have on hand. I like to get hold of the ones straight out of the police car or fire truck. I don't want any of them that some novice has farted around with and hobbled together...

[Mike B]

The Syntor X 9000 control head capacitors are known to cause problems from time to time.
http://www.onfreq.com/syntorx/syntorx9k ... ml#ch_trbl

It appears Motorola used consumer grade temperature electrolytic capacitors to get ones small enough to fit the cramped spaces inside the head. Now there are industrial rated capacitors that will also fit.