XTL2500 Intermittent Power-Off Problem

[JeffFireRadio]

We have a fleet of public safety XTL2500s (700-800, remote mount, firmware 14.xx.xx, all manufactured in June 2010, ignition sense "required") where about half a dozen of them are suddenly experiencing occasional uncommanded power-off situations. The users are having to manually power the unit back up, which is their complaint. They don't always recognize immediately when this has occurred, so they are missing traffic until they notice that the control head is no longer live and have to power it back on. This may happen once a day, one a week, or once a month. There is no other common thread (different installers, different makes/models/types of vehicles, etc.) I have checked all power and ground sources to no avail. Haven't had enough bench time lately to attempt to reinact the problem in the shop. We have even run through every permutation of head, drawer, cable, cable, cable, mic, speaker, antenna swaps in the worst offending vehicle and still no fix (yes, the brand new mx spare radio does it, too). I haven't been able to find any FSBs on the issue. Any firmware issues during that time that might cause this? Any other thoughts? Thanks.


- Jeff

[Bigfella237]

How about the most obvious... is there a momentary voltage drop/spike in the vehicle's electrical system when this occurs, it may have nothing to do with the radio at all?

Andrew

[Jim202]

We have a fleet of public safety XTL2500s (700-800, remote mount, firmware 14.xx.xx, all manufactured in June 2010, ignition sense "required") where about half a dozen of them are suddenly experiencing occasional uncommanded power-off situations. The users are having to manually power the unit back up, which is their complaint. They don't always recognize immediately when this has occurred, so they are missing traffic until they notice that the control head is no longer live and have to power it back on. This may happen once a day, one a week, or once a month. There is no other common thread (different installers, different makes/models/types of vehicles, etc.) I have checked all power and ground sources to no avail. Haven't had enough bench time lately to attempt to reinact the problem in the shop. We have even run through every permutation of head, drawer, cable, cable, cable, mic, speaker, antenna swaps in the worst offending vehicle and still no fix (yes, the brand new mx spare radio does it, too). I haven't been able to find any FSBs on the issue. Any firmware issues during that time that might cause this? Any other thoughts? Thanks.


- Jeff

You should call MOL and get with the tech service people. There was several issues way back, but I don't recall the time frame or what the issues are.

One comment I will make is what king of vehicle are the radios in and is the problem during the normal operation with the engine running or during a start the engine time frame? The MOL people will ask you that also.

Next question, does this happen in a police vehicle or fire vehicle with all the lights going? As one person said, it could be a low voltage problem. Need to limit the issues before you make the call to MOL and have at least done some homework with a volt meter under different conditions.

You could have a poor connection on the ground of the radio and control head. You could have a poor connection on the ignition control going to the control head.

You may or may not know about supplying constant +12 volts to the red wire going to the control head. If not, the rad can draw a good amount of current with the ignition shut off and draw down the vehicle battery if everything is not run through a disconnect switch. This means the heavy 30 amp fuse for the transmitter 12 volt feed. Have been there and killed a couple of vehicle batteries over the weekend this way myself.

Jim

[Dorf411]

There is this FSB from Oct 2011

FSB10569


SUBJECT: XTL5000/2500 VHF/UHF - Radio may reset while transmitting.

MODEL / SYSTEM AFFECTED:
All models of VHF and UHF XTL2500/5000 mobile radios using a Universal Crypto Module (UCM – option G159)
manufactured prior to February 2011, denoted by serial numbers of xxxCMBxxxx and earlier.
and
VHF/UHF high power models of XTL2500/5000 mobile radios using a Universal Crypto Module (UCM – option
G159) manufactured prior to September 2011, denoted by serial numbers of xxxCMRxxxx and earlier.

SYMPTOM:
While transmitting, the radio may reset or power cycle without the user pressing or actuating the power switch.

CAUSE:
When high levels of RF are radiated into the radio enclosure while transmitting, it may cause the radio to reset or
appear to power cycle. This reset could be the result of numerous causes including, but not limited to:
 UCM in the unit becoming unresponsive due to a desense condition when a high level of RF is present
 Use of a glass-mount, deck-mount or other covert style antennas causing high level of RF in the radio

NOTE: Mobiles radios may also reset for a number of other reasons. Vehicle engine starting, excessive loss in the DC supply
cabling, improper antenna proximity (3 foot minimum distance per installation manual) can all cause voltage drops and other
conditions that may result in radio resets. As a precaution, it is strongly recommended to confirm that that these factors are
eliminated as the cause of the radio reset prior to exercising the resolution listed in this bulletin.

RESOLUTION:
NOTE: For any radios that do not exhibit the above listed symptom, no corrective action is needed or required.

The following two options are available for any units that do exhibit a reset while transmitting condition:
1. Replacement, in the field, of the Secure Interface Board or SIB (and Transceiver Interface Board (TIB)
Flex assembly on high power models) as outlined in Appendix B
2. Return of the radio to the regional Motorola Solutions Repair Center/Depot for rework as outlined in
Appendix A

[escomm]

700/800MHz XTL are not available in high power.