R1225 dead PA : advise needed for repair or replace

[Carl]

after 2km of snowmobile to get to my site, i found that the final PA of my r1225 is flat dead. It was working only within 10-15ft near the repeater with a ht. I put a spare repeater online but now i' considering replace/repair the PA. I know these repeater have issues with the PA so my next step is to put a TPL amplifier instead the r1225 blows the full 40w. Should i send the PA to a local shop and get it repair or simply find a new/used one and don't waste any money on repair ?

[Bill_G]

It may be better if you purchase a replacement rfpa, and then rework the failed one to have as a spare for the next time. We've had limited success turning them down to extend their service life. They last longer than a Maxtrac rfpa, but are still not rated for continuous duty. Not the hardiest product ever made.

[Carl]

yeah i know they're not that tough, but for my little radio rental company for now it's the only thing i can buy. I just called my MSS dealer and here's the deal : Complete rf PA assembly : 250$CAN, the final transistor is 132.75$CAN and the final driver 61.75$CAN.... without labor to do the job... i think my solution is to buy a new one.. and fix the other one for later spare...

[Bill_G]

That's what we discovered too. The economics aren't there to repair a final, but most times they can be reworked and salvaged. A cap burns up and they quit working, or solder crystallizes and they quit working. The xters seem to be okay. But, YMMV.

[Will]

We have had fairly good results repairing them here. If you want to, I would be glad to look at it and give an estimate for repairs.

Most are repaired for less than what it costs for a new one.

[Motoboy]

Just got done repairing one. (I fix one or two every week, and the ones I fix don't come back for years! ) I suck all of the solder off the driver and the final, and reflow. I also replace the chip caps on the final, making sure they are as close to the transistor as possible. I don't mess with the underwoods as they are pretty hardy, just don't soak them in alcohol or flux remover. I usually reflow the driver too if I have time. I have never, ever needed to replace a transistor.

I can usually completely disassemble a GR1225 with a dead PA and have it up and running in about half an hour, and charge our shop's minimum rate.

Of course, if it is being used continuously, an investment in a MTR might be worth it in the long run.

[Bat2way]

As stated above, a simple fix, replacing the caps on the final input PA. Always turn the power down to 25-30 Watts or less and you have the option to use it as a driver for a TPL-type PA replacement if you need the extra Watts.

[Jay G.]

I have one thats been on the air for 14 years which blew the PA last year. I sent it to Motorola for flat rate, and they refurbished the whole thing. It wasnt too bad $$ either... Working great now!

[com501]

NEVER let it put out more than 25watts and make that fan run all the time.