800MHz Astro Spectra

[KI4RGV]

Hey guys,

I have a 800MHz Astro Saber. It appears to have been made in 1999 (from looking under the hood). I had a very reliable friend of mine who knows his Motorola's tell me the caps look fine. I am still concerned that it may have leaky caps. Are the Astros just as likely to have the bad caps installed in them to? The reason I ask is I believe I'm hearing the dreaded popping sound in the speaker audio. I've never heard the pop noise before in a bad radio, so I have nothing to compare it to. The pop only happens when the audio transmission first starts and when it ends. Never during the audio. I hope I'm just being paranoid.

Thanks in advance,

Peter, W4PRP
Fort Lauderdale, FL

[Tom in D.C.]

Okay, I give up. Which one is it? Your caption says Spectra but your message says Saber.
Spectras have capacitor problems, but Sabers don't.

[N4KVE]

If you actually do have an Astro Spectra,[not saber] they do suffer from the "leaky caps syndrome" like their older cousins. The caps can look fine & yet still be leaking. At some point in the radio's life they will need changing, so you might as well do it now. GARY N4KVE

[KI4RGV]

I'm sorry guys - It is an Astro Spectra. I wrote that thread late at night. LOL

Gary - Jared is my "Moto" guy who checked out the radio. He said it looks fine. I hate to doubt him, but I have a funny feeling there might be something wrong with the radio. I'm trying to get some feedback before I spend money getting it looked at.

Peter.

[Will]

The poping sound in the speaker most likely is caused by a leaking capacitor or a bad audio amplifier chip.
There are two simple tests to make if you have a DC voltmeter.