AS3 Overheating/Locks Up in TX

[AL7OC]

Anyone ever hear of, or see this?

I have had my AS3 lock up in TX after a prolonged conversation. TX duty cycle about 50%, and TX time around 60 sec. The radio case gets warm to the touch, and the TX light stays on after releasing the PTT button. Switching the radio off doesn't shut it down - you have to remove the battery. Re-installing the battery causes the radio to boot normally. No error codes displayed. The problem will repeat until the radio cools down

Trying to figure out if it is a heat problem, or RF induced problem... Normally not a problem, unless the conversation is prolonged more than 5 minutes.

Thanks for reading.

Pierre

[d119]

PA failing.

[com501]

Yup, PA.

[Will]

Missing heatsink pad on the PA. PA not making contact with the frame.

[AL7OC]

Haven't had an AS3 apart yet. Hate to dink with things while they work. Is it fairly simple to get to the PA to repair this?

Thanks!

Pierre

[AL7OC]

Okey-dokey... Carefully took apart the radio and noted that there is no pad between the PA module and the frame. I presume that the pad is some sort of compressible material that goes in between the PA and frame? I applied a very light coating of heat sink compound to the mating components and re-assembled, making sure that the RF assemble was firmly seated.

I don't have an AS3 SM, so set me straight if the should be something between the PA and chassis. A part number would be great.

Thanks again for the suggestions. The AS3 seems to have the best receiver when compared to the XTS 3000 and 5000. Like a lot of my older radios, they may have less bells and whistles, but better receiver characteristics.

Pierre

[K8TEK]

Okey-dokey... Carefully took apart the radio and noted that there is no pad between the PA module and the frame. I presume that the pad is some sort of compressible material that goes in between the PA and frame? I applied a very light coating of heat sink compound to the mating components and re-assembled, making sure that the RF assemble was firmly seated.

I don't have an AS3 SM, so set me straight if the should be something between the PA and chassis. A part number would be great.

Thanks again for the suggestions. The AS3 seems to have the best receiver when compared to the XTS 3000 and 5000. Like a lot of my older radios, they may have less bells and whistles, but better receiver characteristics.

Pierre

The 3000 and the Astro Saber are almost identical electrically. Minus the ABC switch, the XTS3000 has the exact same features as an Astro Saber.

Heat sink compound should work fine. If you need service manuals, visit P25.ca. Most are posted there.

https://www.p25.ca/threads/70-Astro-Saber-AVA-Manuals

[AL7OC]

Thanks for the link to the service manual. Hopefully, the cleaning and fresh heatsink compound will solve the problem.

[Will]

" Carefully took apart the radio and noted that there is no pad between the PA module and the frame"

There IS your problem. There is a gap that MUST be filled. The pad looks like a piece of course cloth soaked in grey heat sink compound.

We use a sil pad. and Artic Silver.

[d119]

Not to mention the PA needs to be replaced!