MAXTRAC HELP

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jmr061
was KB9KST
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Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by jmr061 »

I have a mid power vhf maxtrac that I put a 16 pin HLN9313B logic board in and the 32 channel ROM chip. I programmed it for 32 channel with signalling capability. I get an short error beep after initial power up. The codeplug is 320 blocks long when programming it and reading it but it doesn't seem to take all the info. If I re-initialize it for 16 channel standard then the error beep disappears and the radio works fine but it only reads 64 blocks when programming and reading it. The eeprom (U805) is a 24 pin 2816 chip. I see there are for more pin holes in the board for a 28 pin eeprom. Do the 32 channel and 16 channel radios use the same eeprom or are they different? This chip is soldered right to the board.

Thanks

Jason
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Monty
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Post by Monty »

HI:

Sounds like you have a EEprom problem.

The 32 ch Version Maxtracs MUST have the
Version 5.34 Firmware.

Only other problem I have see similar to yours is one may be using a computer faster than a 386-486-25, clone Rib Box, or you may have a Bad Logic Board.....But I suspect the Firmware is the problem.

If it has a small sticker on the top of the
IC which plugs into the board showing 5.34 you should be OK, if its a copy, well, those are OK too if the copy is OK.

Also, keep in mind, the entire radio ( all the softpot values ) will have to be realighned as well.

Hopefully you save the Old Code Plug to
reclaim the values.
MS
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alex
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Post by alex »

I'm wondering - Does it make a normal beep, and then a very short lower sounding tone?

If so, go into Radio wide setup, and change the accessory setting so that it reads channel 1 revert, or AVIL I believe. The sort tone might be because there isn't things hooked up to the 16 pin connector in the back (emergency switch, etc...)

That might do it if i'm right on the sound. If it turns on, and gives you a long tone, then well, this probably won't help.

Hey Monty -

You figure out those prices on those new 32 channel chips? My maxtracs are 5.04, and I wouldn't mind going to 5.23.

-Alex
jmr061
was KB9KST
Posts: 3176
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by jmr061 »

Yes it is 5.34 firmware. It produces the short power chirp and then a short low tone error beep when turned on. And I am using a 386 laptop 25mhz.

Jason


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: JMR964 on 2001-12-29 13:56 ]</font>
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Monty
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Post by Monty »

Hi:

Assumming the Firmware is OK, and you have
a Properly initiliazed Blank Board, I am
sorry to report, you may have a Bad Logic
Board.

Manytimes, these boards can be damaged by
ESD ( Electro-Static Damage ) or sometimes
called a " Soft Failure " Which means the
board could have worked OK , then when you
made some changes, those changes enable what
ever area of the board which maybe damaged.

THIS IS VERY RARE !, but out of 100's of Maxtracs that I have serviced over the years,
I have seen 4-5 cases where a board was damaged by ESD....Really not worth tracking
the problem down unless you are on a learning
binge. I still have a few that even I have not got the sligtest clue as to where / why /
and how the dam thing works fine, then goes
totally unstable

Funny backward numbers on the display, Funny
beeps and low tones on power up, funny freqs,
and all of a sudden, everything returns to normal.

Anyhow, make sure the Logic Boards shows no
signs of corrosion, and all hardware is secure.

If you give up, I can fix it for 1/2 of what
the Factory Service Depot charges,

MS
jmr061
was KB9KST
Posts: 3176
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by jmr061 »

The error beep was caused because the emergency alarm jumper on the 16 pin plug was not present. Works fine now. Question: would not having this jumper installed cause it not to alert on a proper QCII tone alert?


Jason
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