Spectra Consolette power up problem

[rhess1]

I have a Spectra VHF Consolette which had been working until a couple of days ago. I reprogrammed it for a couple of local repeaters and have had a problem with power up since. The dip switch #1 on the control board is set to ON which is suppose to disable the front power button if memory serves. With this switch in the ON position the unit should power up when the AC power is applied.

When AC is applied, nothing happens; the unit will not power up even though the power indicator LED on the fount of the unit is illuminated. If I press and hold the power on button on the front of the control head the unit will power on and stay on as long as I hold the power button in. When I release the unit powers down, or some times will go through a quick power down, power up, self check, then power down cycle usually 2 or 3 times then powers down and never powers up again unless I press and hold the power button in again.

There is a black wire running from the control head near the power button to the main control board connecting to J9. I have searched and have not found any information on what this wire is for all though I presume it's ignition sense to power the unit up.

How should I trouble shoot this issue, and where can I find a service manual for the control board which would tell me what the ubiquitous J9 plug does?

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

[kcbooboo]

The black wire from J9 (either pin; they're wired together) goes to the control head MIC connector, pin 3, the Hang-Up Box (HUB) line. Looking into the front of the control head, the upper left pin is #1, the one below it is #2, the next one on the top row is #3.

All this would do is affect your ability to remotely disable the coded squelch decode and put the radio into carrier squelch mode. It probably has nothing to do with the power up problem.

Bob M.

[rhess1]

Kcbooboo thanks, that makes sense. Thanks for that knowledge. I really want to get this radio into service so I hope someone out there has an answer. Thanks again!

[Jim202]

I have a Spectra VHF Consolette which had been working until a couple of days ago. I reprogrammed it for a couple of local repeaters and have had a problem with power up since. The dip switch #1 on the control board is set to ON which is suppose to disable the front power button if memory serves. With this switch in the ON position the unit should power up when the AC power is applied.

When AC is applied, nothing happens; the unit will not power up even though the power indicator LED on the fount of the unit is illuminated. If I press and hold the power on button on the front of the control head the unit will power on and stay on as long as I hold the power button in. When I release the unit powers down, or some times will go through a quick power down, power up, self check, then power down cycle usually 2 or 3 times then powers down and never powers up again unless I press and hold the power button in again.

There is a black wire running from the control head near the power button to the main control board connecting to J9. I have searched and have not found any information on what this wire is for all though I presume it's ignition sense to power the unit up.

How should I trouble shoot this issue, and where can I find a service manual for the control board which would tell me what the ubiquitous J9 plug does?

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

By any chance is there a power wire from the DB15 connector on the back of the radio? This is the ignition feed to the radio. if the radio was programmed for ignition sense, you will need to make sure there is 12 volts on this line.

There should be an in line 4 amp or so fuse on this wire. I would check that this fuse is good and you have 12 volts on where that wire goes.

Depending on the jumpers inside the control head, you may or may not have to press the power on button on the control head.

Jim

[rhess1]

No 15 pin plug on the back of the radio. There never has been one. This radio has been working before in it's current configuration. I will check for the programming possibility, but all I did was add 2 modes.If it is ignition sense then shouldn't it not power up at all if that pin is not powered? Once in a while it will come on but doesn't stay on for very long when I plug the AC cord in.

Thanks for the suggestion.