Motorola Spectra Programming Trouble

[linkinpark9812]

Ok, this is somewhat of an odd problem, but I will do my best to explain it. While reading this, keep in mind that I WAS able to program this Radio several times before, with the same equipment and cables and same setup.

I have a High powered Spectra with an A9 Head. One day I wanted to program the Radio, and every time I would get a "Serial Bus failure: Power fault" in the RSS. I checked multiple times with the cable and such and everything was fine. I checked the Diodes in the aftermarket RIB, and all was fine. Checked the cable and there were no breaks. The RED data light on the RIB blinked during the COM TEST in the RSS, but PROGRAMMING did not appear on the control head as usual.

Now only two variables changed from when programming did work, and didn't work (that I know of). One was recapping. HOWEVER, I did not recap everything. It was late so I only did 1 capacitor as a test. it was a capacitor on the PA board. Changed it and everything worked fine. The other thing was that I was in the Service Mode on the Radio once or twice (pressing HOME 5 times). I did not change anything in there.

There is one variable that I am not sure applies. I cannot remember if the last programming of the Radio was of adding the new DEK I bought. The DEK was plugged in at once when the radio as not programmed to have it, but that was until I programmed the code plug to add a DEK. I tried the programming with and without the DEK box attached and I still got the same error.

I thought it was a RIB, but the diodes tested fine. When testing the capacitors for a voltage reading, i touched the pads and fried the capacitor and who knows what else on the RIB. So i need to buy a new one. My question is, if I buy a new RIB and it still doesn't work, what the heck is wrong?

If it doesn't work, I am thinking the Radio, but it doesn't make much sense. When the RSS gives you a POWER FAULT error, does that mean it is even getting communication from the radio? If it does mean it isn't getting communication from the Radio, then I am thinking it isn't the Radio. EVERYTHING on the Radio works just fine. I even recapped everything, and the Radio works like it did before getting recapped, but still have the programming problem. I tried the programming after recapping EVERYTHING and still had the same error.

Anyone else have problems like this? Any help is appreciated! Thank You!

[Will]

If at all possible have someone with a known good Motorola RIB try to read your radio.

Someone may be close to you and be able to help.

[linkinpark9812]

If at all possible have someone with a known good Motorola RIB try to read your radio.

Someone may be close to you and be able to help.

Well, atm, I am not sure if that is possible.

What I am kind of asking is if it can be anything on the Radio end. For all I know, I may just buy another RIB and everything will work again. I was wondering if it could be anything with the radio. With the power fault and all, it may just be the RIB.

Why I think it was the RIB was because of a diode. Not I am pretty sure all the diodes checked out when I checked them, but I not only had a 9 Volt battery in the RIB, but the RIB was being powered by the SWB+ PIN on the radio to RIB cable, which is I think 12 volts. So maybe the excessive voltage messed up the diodes after a while or maybe other components?

Anyone with any information would be helpful. Thanks!

[Will]

linkinpark9812 I would be glad to test your RIB and cable.

I still repair Radio Interface Boxes.

[linkinpark9812]

linkinpark9812 I would be glad to test your RIB and cable.

I still repair Radio Interface Boxes.

Well that is the problem. In my original post, I said i accidentally fried a capacitor while testing it (crossed the terminals), and a puff of smoke appeared! Who knows what other IC's it may have fried.

So I have no choice but to just buy another one. Like I said, when I buy one, everything might be fine, but I was wondering if anyone has found out that the radio was the cause of the programming errors (besides capacitors). Maybe I should just buy another one and see if it works before anyone racks there brains. For all I know it may have just been the RIB. I'll post back when I get the extra money to buy another one.

I am still open to any ideas anyone might have about the programming problems! Thanks for the responses!

[Tom in D.C.]

I suggest that you take Will up on his offer to test your RIB. The only worthwhile method of troubleshooting problems is isolation and substitution. Make sure the RIB box is NOT the problem and then you can investigate other items, like the cables, or the radio itself. Having two sources of power connected to your RIB was probably not a good idea to start with, but you're in need of some expert assistance which has been offered.

[linkinpark9812]

I suggest that you take Will up on his offer to test your RIB. The only worthwhile method of troubleshooting problems is isolation and substitution. Make sure the RIB box is NOT the problem and then you can investigate other items, like the cables, or the radio itself. Having two sources of power connected to your RIB was probably not a good idea to start with, but you're in need of some expert assistance which has been offered.

Ya, I totally forgot about how the Spectra is one of the radios that can power the RIB. I forgot to check the RIB-to-Radio cable to see if that pin was there. Then i figured it out and stopped using the 9V battery.

I am not sure if I mentioned this, but it was NOT a Motorola RIB (the one I fried), but it looked like it was a good quality aftermarket one. So that is why I figure it is probably the RIB being that it is aftermarket.

Like I said, when I but a new aftermarket RIB, then I will know. If I can program, then it was the RIB all along. If I can't, then I can almost guarantee it is the Radio as the cables (and computer) check out.

I'll post back when I find out. Thanks for all of the help and information you have all provided!

[N4RPD]

Ya, I totally forgot about how the Spectra is one of the radios that can power the RIB. I forgot to check the RIB-to-Radio cable to see if that pin was there. Then i figured it out and stopped using the 9V battery.

I am not sure if I mentioned this, but it was NOT a Motorola RIB (the one I fried), but it looked like it was a good quality aftermarket one. So that is why I figure it is probably the RIB being that it is aftermarket.

If the aftermarket RIB is not wired to accept the 12V input from the SPECTRA then you could have overloaded a diode or resister. My aftermarket RIB could not use the 12V and needed to be powered from the 9V battery, so I just disconnected the wire to pin 4 on the Radio side of the RIB to Radio cable. Seems to work just fine with no issues with the 9V battery powering the RIB.

[linkinpark9812]

Ya, I totally forgot about how the Spectra is one of the radios that can power the RIB. I forgot to check the RIB-to-Radio cable to see if that pin was there. Then i figured it out and stopped using the 9V battery.

I am not sure if I mentioned this, but it was NOT a Motorola RIB (the one I fried), but it looked like it was a good quality aftermarket one. So that is why I figure it is probably the RIB being that it is aftermarket.

If the aftermarket RIB is not wired to accept the 12V input from the SPECTRA then you could have overloaded a diode or resister. My aftermarket RIB could not use the 12V and needed to be powered from the 9V battery, so I just disconnected the wire to pin 4 on the Radio side of the RIB to Radio cable. Seems to work just fine with no issues with the 9V battery powering the RIB.

Maybe we have the same type. Who did you order yours from or did you make it yourself? I ordered mine off of eBay from "kawaglow", which many people have said good things about. The RIB was being powered by the 12V without the 9V battery, but like you said, it may have slowly killed it.

Thanks, never really thought about that. I guess when I get a new RIB, I will get rid of that Pin to be safe.

[N4RPD]

Maybe we have the same type. Who did you order yours from or did you make it yourself? I ordered mine off of eBay from "kawaglow", which many people have said good things about. The RIB was being powered by the 12V without the 9V battery, but like you said, it may have slowly killed it.

Thanks, never really thought about that. I guess when I get a new RIB, I will get rid of that Pin to be safe.

I got mine from www.wiscomm.com and it has been very reliable for the past 5 years. Good luck.

[linkinpark9812]

UPDATE: Well, i bought another RIB (Same RIB and same seller as the one that died) and it works. The Radio programs, reads and writes!

So I thought about what the heck went wrong in the RIB and I came up with two things.

ONE: The double power source, having the Spectra Power the RIB AND the 9 Volt battery.
TWO: Me not doing the correct plugging in of the cables. Sometimes I plugged and unplugged the RIB from the Spectra while the spectra was on or plugged in main power. That could have caused a voltage spike and did something to the RIB possibly. So Now I always do the correct sequence.

Sorry for bugging you about a problem that was easily fixable. But I hope this helps others if they have the same problem.

Thanks for all of the help and info. I really appreciate it!