This one is stumping me, my tech just put 6 low band maratrac 44.400 mhz and 47.5 in 2002 crown vic police cars and they work great as long as the vehicle is not running, but start the car and transmit, it causes the alternator light to come on ad drag down the alternator so much it seems to bind it up, it made the serpentine belt in one car break and it seems to stop it from turning??
We are totally stumped on this one. VSWR is good 105/F 2/R we are using the antennex cw40 wide band antenna. When we hooked up a micor it didn't happen, and that is really causing ne to loose the last bit of hair I have.
ANYONE got any idea's on this??
Stan
Maratrac Low Band killing alternator with RF????
Moderator: Queue Moderator
Hi:
Well to give you a few of my trade secrets.
1st. When dealing with " high power " radio
systems one MUST do a perfect install.
NO EXCEPTIONS
That means a good antenna cable ( I perfere RG142-B/U ) and a well matched antenna.
2. Make sure you use the GROUND WIRE from
the radio, and find a Good Chassis Ground
in the Trunk or close to where the radio is
located. DO NOT RUN THE GROUND WIRE FROM THE
T-R Package to the battery
3.Make sure you use the Proper heavy duty fuse ass'y that came with the Cable set.
Try to avoid " Splices " in the main B+ cable, and insure that cable is the proper
size for the radio in question.
4. Also, sometimes, the Heavy Duty Alternators are removed from High-performace
vehicals, and a small 40 Amp replacemnt Alternator just will not handle the current demand from the radio.
It may be OK for the Car Stereo and headlights, and charging the battery,
but I would not use a 40 amp alternator
when using high power radios
It would be advisable to insure you have a good 60-100 Amp Alternator package, and also
have it checked to make sure it will deleiver
the current as specified.
I have seen many that still work, but fail
on high current demands due to faulty diodes.
Another issue is the " Battery " and battery Posts....Make sure they are not cluttered up
with corrosion or debrie.....If so, do a major cleaning of the Post and battery terminals.
If you vehical is sluggish upon start up, the battery might need attention too.
If your radio is alighned properly, and all
is funtional, you might try ( as the other
person already stated ) lower the power to
50-60 watts and see what happens.
Also, make sure the Metal Ground Strap from the Engine Block is not damaged, and is securely attached to the body of the car.
If it has been removed / or was never installed, ( get one )
If all else fails, I do have some other hints
that have work well in the years of installations I have done.
Monty
Well to give you a few of my trade secrets.
1st. When dealing with " high power " radio
systems one MUST do a perfect install.
NO EXCEPTIONS
That means a good antenna cable ( I perfere RG142-B/U ) and a well matched antenna.
2. Make sure you use the GROUND WIRE from
the radio, and find a Good Chassis Ground
in the Trunk or close to where the radio is
located. DO NOT RUN THE GROUND WIRE FROM THE
T-R Package to the battery
3.Make sure you use the Proper heavy duty fuse ass'y that came with the Cable set.
Try to avoid " Splices " in the main B+ cable, and insure that cable is the proper
size for the radio in question.
4. Also, sometimes, the Heavy Duty Alternators are removed from High-performace
vehicals, and a small 40 Amp replacemnt Alternator just will not handle the current demand from the radio.
It may be OK for the Car Stereo and headlights, and charging the battery,
but I would not use a 40 amp alternator
when using high power radios
It would be advisable to insure you have a good 60-100 Amp Alternator package, and also
have it checked to make sure it will deleiver
the current as specified.
I have seen many that still work, but fail
on high current demands due to faulty diodes.
Another issue is the " Battery " and battery Posts....Make sure they are not cluttered up
with corrosion or debrie.....If so, do a major cleaning of the Post and battery terminals.
If you vehical is sluggish upon start up, the battery might need attention too.
If your radio is alighned properly, and all
is funtional, you might try ( as the other
person already stated ) lower the power to
50-60 watts and see what happens.
Also, make sure the Metal Ground Strap from the Engine Block is not damaged, and is securely attached to the body of the car.
If it has been removed / or was never installed, ( get one )
If all else fails, I do have some other hints
that have work well in the years of installations I have done.
Monty
These are 2002 police package P71 Crown Vics, all are the same. We have made sure about the power and the ground and that is not the problem, the antenna on one of the cars is a AS big bertha ball and spring cut correctly and sets at vertually no reflected at 105w/F. Like I said I put a micor at 120 watts in and it works just fine but the maratrac seems to load the alternator. with a amp meter the micor was pulling 32 and the maratrac was pulling 26 so that is not the problem, I think that maybe the radio's are causing the alternator problems with the RF flying around. I use belden 9311 dual shield cable. it seems like it is the radio's, all 6 do it and the micors don't. same freq. go figure. I have talked to a few guys with the CHP in Sacramento and they have had that problem with a few radio's with replacement alternators and it was not radio selective. these cars also have Astro Spectra VHF and UHF 110 watt radios also and they work just fine, it just is the lo band radios that are causing this trouble. Maybe we need to go back to crystal radios.
Oh I did not mention I checked all the Maratrac's on the spectrum and they are just fine.
HHEELLPP
Thanks
Stan
Oh I did not mention I checked all the Maratrac's on the spectrum and they are just fine.
HHEELLPP
Thanks
Stan
Hi:
With respects to your issue and you have
have the " Same " problem in all vehicals,
you may have a serious problem.
If you infact can detrmine the " RF " Energy
Field is causing the problem, you may wish
to address the " Computer " in the vehical.
It is a possibility that the RF Emmissions
are causing the computer in the car to become
unsatble, and the Alternator is reflecting
the cause.
Try running the Vehical Radio system though
a " External Antenna" and at least 50' away
from the car....That will definately tell you
if its the " RF Radiation " or a Electrical
Problem....
Once that has been established, then you can
proceed ahead with the proper approch to the
solution.
MS
With respects to your issue and you have
have the " Same " problem in all vehicals,
you may have a serious problem.
If you infact can detrmine the " RF " Energy
Field is causing the problem, you may wish
to address the " Computer " in the vehical.
It is a possibility that the RF Emmissions
are causing the computer in the car to become
unsatble, and the Alternator is reflecting
the cause.
Try running the Vehical Radio system though
a " External Antenna" and at least 50' away
from the car....That will definately tell you
if its the " RF Radiation " or a Electrical
Problem....
Once that has been established, then you can
proceed ahead with the proper approch to the
solution.
MS
One thing to consider is the new multiplex wiring that Ford is starting to use. I was down at Whelen the other day and they told me that many of the new Explorers have this, and its a pain in the ass for new installs. Not that I think it may help you in this case (never know), but try running the power from somewhere else.
Another possiblity, you got a bad batch of cars. All of our 2001 cars have had some major problems (engine, trans, electrical etc)... Check with your Ford dealer about possible recalls, and also check the National Hightway Trans site for recalls that are not always publizied.
Another possiblity, you got a bad batch of cars. All of our 2001 cars have had some major problems (engine, trans, electrical etc)... Check with your Ford dealer about possible recalls, and also check the National Hightway Trans site for recalls that are not always publizied.
Well guys, I have been up all night working on this one, I pulled my vehicle up next to these and I put the radio in my car, and guess what it causes the same problem in the crown vics. My car is a 96 caprice police and it works fine in it, I used the same antenna as the crown vic, then I went to the radio I have installed a (GE Orion) same freq. and no problem, so this is getting weirder by the posting,
Now to recap, the maratrac screws it up in the car or next to it, the micor works fine, the Orion works fine all low band on same freq, and putting out 100+ watts. The Astro spectra VHF and UHF work fine both putting out 100+ watts. The antenna has been a base load and a full 1/4 wave. The problem with the car seems to be eliminated by the use of other radios, and the radio seems to be eliminated but the use of other cars, Amps drawn are the lowest on the maratrac, all radios pass spectrum fine.
Like I said I'm loosing hair on this one.
I called another friend out west with LA County and he has encountered this problem before with Syntors and it was a ground problem.
I have made sure all supply lines are good and gounds also,
I have tried lowering the power to 43 watts not difference.
I am tempted to just get rid of the maratracs and buy someone else's low band unless I can find a fix soon, these are not the primary radio's for this dept. they are so they can communicate with the highway patrol but they still need them.
Got any more idea's????? Help
If not who else makes a decent low band radio, in January there will be 9 more of these problems coming.
Now to recap, the maratrac screws it up in the car or next to it, the micor works fine, the Orion works fine all low band on same freq, and putting out 100+ watts. The Astro spectra VHF and UHF work fine both putting out 100+ watts. The antenna has been a base load and a full 1/4 wave. The problem with the car seems to be eliminated by the use of other radios, and the radio seems to be eliminated but the use of other cars, Amps drawn are the lowest on the maratrac, all radios pass spectrum fine.
Like I said I'm loosing hair on this one.
I called another friend out west with LA County and he has encountered this problem before with Syntors and it was a ground problem.
I have made sure all supply lines are good and gounds also,
I have tried lowering the power to 43 watts not difference.
I am tempted to just get rid of the maratracs and buy someone else's low band unless I can find a fix soon, these are not the primary radio's for this dept. they are so they can communicate with the highway patrol but they still need them.
Got any more idea's????? Help
If not who else makes a decent low band radio, in January there will be 9 more of these problems coming.
-
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I have had similar problems only exclusivley with the Maratrac but only on VHF. It was for a Oil company (name I cannot disclose due to confidentiality agreement) on a remote island in the carribiean. They had mitsubishi (older) cars and it would somehow shut them down or make the battery die. They sent the unit to us to be checked out and it tested just fine. I think you may be on to something here, because they only had a few "New" Maratracs, and the rest were Mocom 30's and the funny thing is the only thing we ever had complaints with were the fact that only the cars with Maratracs were having these problems. You guys could be be on to something here.
This is a very interesting phenomenon. I have had a similar problem with a 42-50 Maratrac while tuning the radio in a 2001 Ford Expedition. I was in the Tx power screen in the RSS and I toggled the PTT via the computer keyboard. The radio began transmitting and locked up the laptop. I was unable to dekey the radio. The computer wouldn't do anything at all. Finally I had to pull a fuse to cut the radio and ended up with a dead radio when I reapplied power. The Maratrac makes a constant beeping sound on power-up when its corrupted, but then for some reason reboots and works fine. Once I new that the radio wouldn't turn into a "brick," I attempted the same thing again and again - AND THE COMPUTER LOCKED UP EVERY TIME. We have obviously stumbled onto something here and it appears related to RF energy. This does not happen with high power UHF radios.
Chris
Chris
Hi:
As before,you really should determine if the
Source vehical is suffering from RFI from
either a similar Vehical set up, or from the
local antenna.
If you wish to take a little risk, try transmitting near your computer with a
Astro-Saber or some other radio. You might
be surprised at how your desktop computer
may respond, and if the cover is off, it may
be worse.
I have found these Cheap-Ass FRS radios and the like are great RFI generators.
I trully suspect " Elements " of TX Noise
is effecting your cars computer. Untill that
can be ruled out, even the saftey of the vehical can be in question.
"If" the RF Energy Noise is getting down the B+ Line to the computer, you will have to employ a RF Choke, Coil , and Cap going to the Computer....The TX Main B+ Line in the Maratrac is being shared with the Compter B+
so give that some serious consideration.
I have seen some weird problems with computers and RF Radiation, and even power
surges. When the fellow next door decides to
run a Vacum, my UPS running the local Desktop
computer sees the Surge, and kicks in.
According to a local chart ( voltage ) recorder, all is OK, however, it happens with
any UPS ( and I have tried several ) So I just live with it.
Since your Maratrac is programmable,, you can
try and even program a few other Freqs into it, and see if the results are the same.
Depending on some finer details, you probably
are going to have some sleepless nights, but
again, RF can get into the Cables throughout
the Vehical, and you still could have a loose
or poor ground, and you should follow the issue up with the mfg, as who knows, there could be a special glich you have found and
they are not even aware of it.
Most cases I have seen have always been electrical in nature, but from time to time
" Noise " from some solid state transcivers
can be a hassle to address, and can not be
seen with a reflectometer, or a cheap-ass spectrum display.
And just because a Micor, Mocom, ect works well, does not mean a Maratrac will
As you may have seen on TV, some law enforcement groups have been playing
with a Electo-staic Discharge to disable
the vehicals ingnition. It does work ! and
kills the computer with a High-Energy EMP
I did in one case wrap a Vehical Computer ( and the wires leading into the Computer with
Foil, and it seem to help reduce the effects
on a Electronic Dash board when a Older Analog phone was being used inside a car.
Again, if you can mount a Antenna on a movable metal Surface, you can then move the
antenna in and around the vehical ( while transmitting ) , and as you get closer to the item being affected, it should show up as you get close.
Sorta like a RF snifer in reverse. Take the
Transmitt Elements to the item being effected.
The Dummy load is a good idea too, as that can have a general check on the Vehical capabilities of running the Radio, but as you
have alrerady indicated, other radios work OK. So The Maratrac ( and its associated )
issues are the focus of your problem if your
assesment is correct and well documented.
MS
Monty
As before,you really should determine if the
Source vehical is suffering from RFI from
either a similar Vehical set up, or from the
local antenna.
If you wish to take a little risk, try transmitting near your computer with a
Astro-Saber or some other radio. You might
be surprised at how your desktop computer
may respond, and if the cover is off, it may
be worse.
I have found these Cheap-Ass FRS radios and the like are great RFI generators.
I trully suspect " Elements " of TX Noise
is effecting your cars computer. Untill that
can be ruled out, even the saftey of the vehical can be in question.
"If" the RF Energy Noise is getting down the B+ Line to the computer, you will have to employ a RF Choke, Coil , and Cap going to the Computer....The TX Main B+ Line in the Maratrac is being shared with the Compter B+
so give that some serious consideration.
I have seen some weird problems with computers and RF Radiation, and even power
surges. When the fellow next door decides to
run a Vacum, my UPS running the local Desktop
computer sees the Surge, and kicks in.
According to a local chart ( voltage ) recorder, all is OK, however, it happens with
any UPS ( and I have tried several ) So I just live with it.
Since your Maratrac is programmable,, you can
try and even program a few other Freqs into it, and see if the results are the same.
Depending on some finer details, you probably
are going to have some sleepless nights, but
again, RF can get into the Cables throughout
the Vehical, and you still could have a loose
or poor ground, and you should follow the issue up with the mfg, as who knows, there could be a special glich you have found and
they are not even aware of it.
Most cases I have seen have always been electrical in nature, but from time to time
" Noise " from some solid state transcivers
can be a hassle to address, and can not be
seen with a reflectometer, or a cheap-ass spectrum display.
And just because a Micor, Mocom, ect works well, does not mean a Maratrac will
As you may have seen on TV, some law enforcement groups have been playing
with a Electo-staic Discharge to disable
the vehicals ingnition. It does work ! and
kills the computer with a High-Energy EMP
I did in one case wrap a Vehical Computer ( and the wires leading into the Computer with
Foil, and it seem to help reduce the effects
on a Electronic Dash board when a Older Analog phone was being used inside a car.
Again, if you can mount a Antenna on a movable metal Surface, you can then move the
antenna in and around the vehical ( while transmitting ) , and as you get closer to the item being affected, it should show up as you get close.
Sorta like a RF snifer in reverse. Take the
Transmitt Elements to the item being effected.
The Dummy load is a good idea too, as that can have a general check on the Vehical capabilities of running the Radio, but as you
have alrerady indicated, other radios work OK. So The Maratrac ( and its associated )
issues are the focus of your problem if your
assesment is correct and well documented.
MS
Monty
Well I do not have a cheap ass spectrum, it is an IFR com120 and also have a 1200S, have used both on this one LOL
I have tried using a mag mount antenna, and like I said put the whole thing in another vehicle and it still made all the crown vics go whacky. All other radios do nothing, so we unhooked the alternator and can see no effect on the vehicle when it is hooked back it loads heavy on transmit. No unusual high power loads from the radio it is at 24 amps.
I do believe that these maratracs are putting out something that we can't see. Also we put the antenna on a HP 8753C network analyzer on the car and it is FLAT where we want it so that is not the problem.
I think that with the others stating that they have had some problems similar to this it may be a radio problem. I have a frend with a 3 yr old maratrac that is going to bring it over today and we will see if it works.
WOW, I need some sleep
Thanks everyone
Stan
I have tried using a mag mount antenna, and like I said put the whole thing in another vehicle and it still made all the crown vics go whacky. All other radios do nothing, so we unhooked the alternator and can see no effect on the vehicle when it is hooked back it loads heavy on transmit. No unusual high power loads from the radio it is at 24 amps.
I do believe that these maratracs are putting out something that we can't see. Also we put the antenna on a HP 8753C network analyzer on the car and it is FLAT where we want it so that is not the problem.
I think that with the others stating that they have had some problems similar to this it may be a radio problem. I have a frend with a 3 yr old maratrac that is going to bring it over today and we will see if it works.
WOW, I need some sleep
Thanks everyone
Stan
Stan,
How old are your radios?
We have a commercial fleet here that is mostly Maratracs 42 - 50 our radios are on the average 4-6 years old and have yet to have a problem with the 2001 P71 CVs We did however have a problem with a 1999 CV similar to what you are describing it took us a few sleepless nights but we finally found the problem which was a loose chassis ground
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: vcaruso on 2001-11-17 10:54 ]</font>
How old are your radios?
We have a commercial fleet here that is mostly Maratracs 42 - 50 our radios are on the average 4-6 years old and have yet to have a problem with the 2001 P71 CVs We did however have a problem with a 1999 CV similar to what you are describing it took us a few sleepless nights but we finally found the problem which was a loose chassis ground
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: vcaruso on 2001-11-17 10:54 ]</font>
These are brand new radio's, the dept. bought them on state contract, we just put the older maratrac in and programmed it, guess what it works just fine, so there is something with the new maratrac??????
Anyone got an idea on that one???
We used same cables and control head, tried 2 cars and both were just fine, put the new one back and guess what, problems.
Stan
Anyone got an idea on that one???
We used same cables and control head, tried 2 cars and both were just fine, put the new one back and guess what, problems.
Stan
First off, if the car is a TRUE Interceptor package, there should be braided ground straps connecting the hood and trunklid panels to the main body of the car. Without these, you can have problems with RF entering the engine bay and interfering with OEM electronics. If they are not there, go to Ford before anything else and get them (don't forget the ones for the exhaust system!!!) The alternator on the '98 and new Vics is indirectly controlled by the "lighting control module" which is a black plastic box under the dash. If sitting in the driver's seat, it would be above your right shin. If this box "sees" anything such as RF, it can make the alternator do weird things. RF induced in the LCM can make the module "think" that the battery voltage is actually low and crank the heck out of things to make it charge harder- maybe even hard enough to smoke a belt. It's also possible that RF is getting into the alternator either externally or through the 6 gauge power lead coming from the battery.
In the auto electric half of my business, I see many strange problems on the newer Ford alternators.
If the cable connecting the Maratrac head to the "suitcase" is carrying any RF, it may be radiating to OEM wiring or mudules and causing this. Try re-routing this cable. Where, exectly, are you getting power and ground from on the car? Where did you connect the radio's IGNITION sense wire to the car's OEM system??
A Mag-mount antenna on lowband usually has a worse SWR than a body mount. I use the Antenex lowbands and have no problem. I usually use their best quality coax assembly too.
As for these radios drawing to much current- nope. There's nothing that this radio can do to draw too much current to hurt a newer Vic alternator. These things will put out over 150 amps (even the non-police package will) and there's no replacing these with a smaller unit unless somebody fabricated a new upper front accessory drive cradle on the engine. The whole bottom line is that there is RF leaking out of this Maratrac and into the OEM system.
FIrst thing is to try a GOOD dummy load. IF the alternator is fine with the dummy and the antenna/SWR is okay, you probably have a poor quality coax or need to relocate the antenna. Try the roof loaction for best results on this band.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bat Wing on 2001-11-23 19:58 ]</font>
In the auto electric half of my business, I see many strange problems on the newer Ford alternators.
If the cable connecting the Maratrac head to the "suitcase" is carrying any RF, it may be radiating to OEM wiring or mudules and causing this. Try re-routing this cable. Where, exectly, are you getting power and ground from on the car? Where did you connect the radio's IGNITION sense wire to the car's OEM system??
A Mag-mount antenna on lowband usually has a worse SWR than a body mount. I use the Antenex lowbands and have no problem. I usually use their best quality coax assembly too.
As for these radios drawing to much current- nope. There's nothing that this radio can do to draw too much current to hurt a newer Vic alternator. These things will put out over 150 amps (even the non-police package will) and there's no replacing these with a smaller unit unless somebody fabricated a new upper front accessory drive cradle on the engine. The whole bottom line is that there is RF leaking out of this Maratrac and into the OEM system.
FIrst thing is to try a GOOD dummy load. IF the alternator is fine with the dummy and the antenna/SWR is okay, you probably have a poor quality coax or need to relocate the antenna. Try the roof loaction for best results on this band.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bat Wing on 2001-11-23 19:58 ]</font>
Unfortunatly, I am stuck with these cars, they were purchased by the dept. and they are not going to do anything like that. I did find out that the 3 yr old maratracs do not cause any problems, it's just the new stuff.
I talked with a friend at NC Highway Patrol today and he is having the same problem with about 11 of his new ones, he also had the problem last year, and he went to Kenwoods, no problems, Tennessee HP also went to Kenwoods when they had trouble with their cars.
I think Motorola may have done sone changes in the new maratracs, and I will be on the phone with them tomm. morning I assure you.
If anyone else has any ideas, please speak...
Thanks
Stan
I talked with a friend at NC Highway Patrol today and he is having the same problem with about 11 of his new ones, he also had the problem last year, and he went to Kenwoods, no problems, Tennessee HP also went to Kenwoods when they had trouble with their cars.
I think Motorola may have done sone changes in the new maratracs, and I will be on the phone with them tomm. morning I assure you.
If anyone else has any ideas, please speak...
Thanks
Stan
Stan,
Just fo S**ts & Giggles I was in our shop today and programmed up one of the New maratracs we have as spares and installed it in one of the new CVs. I started the car up, keyed the Mic and the car acted as though it had a dead short across the alternator so it seems as though the problem is not isolated to your group of radios only.
Guess who elese is going to call motorola on Monday.
Thanks for bringing this problem to the board or I would not have noticed the problem until we needed the new radios.
Just fo S**ts & Giggles I was in our shop today and programmed up one of the New maratracs we have as spares and installed it in one of the new CVs. I started the car up, keyed the Mic and the car acted as though it had a dead short across the alternator so it seems as though the problem is not isolated to your group of radios only.
Guess who elese is going to call motorola on Monday.
Thanks for bringing this problem to the board or I would not have noticed the problem until we needed the new radios.
Use a high bandwidth oscilloscope to check the Maratrac power leads for any "electronic hash" that might be feeding back into the vehicles power system from the radio. The scope should have at least as wide a bandwidth as your operating frequency.
If you find anything that looks unusual, check your Micor with the scope for comparison.
If you find anything that looks unusual, check your Micor with the scope for comparison.
Instead of just running the power wires as usual, run the black and red power wires from the radio to the power juntion block (on the OEM relay/fuse block) in twisted pair style. Don't use a ground at the radio this time- use a ground close to the power point. TIGHTLY and EVENLY, make a twisted pair out of the power leads. This may cancel out any RFI going back through to the OEM system. Wrap tightly with black tape to keep the shape.
Did you try the dummy load yet?
Did you try the dummy load yet?
Gentlemen, we have tried the twisted cable, the dummy load, and about everything else, but since I have talked to Motorola, they suggest that the radios be sent back to them for repair, when asked what type of repair they said they could not discuss it but it is a known problem and will be corrected ASAP. Still elusive as to the radio problem they said it is just a problem with a batch and they will replace all the components ASAP.
I think that it only happens on some vehicles and the CV is a problem, they said it was not our problem but theirs. So at least we did what we were supposed to do.
And thank everyone.
Stan
I think that it only happens on some vehicles and the CV is a problem, they said it was not our problem but theirs. So at least we did what we were supposed to do.
And thank everyone.
Stan
Another fine Motorola product. It seems that everything they build today is a real piece of 
anymore. Maybe someday they will bring back their quality from the past. It's sad to see a company that, at one time, built THE best commercial radio available build junk like this. The HT/CDMs, Minitor IIIs, XT series and now the Mratrac?
It seems that they wanted to cease production of everything that works fine- HT1000, MT1000, Radius, Maxtrac, GM/GP series.
If they keep doing this, we may just see somebody like Icom or Kenwood take the market. I just got to see the new Icom that will compete with the HT1250. If this radio had MDC in it, I would no longer even sell the 1250 with all of it's problems.
Please come back, "M" !!!
anymore. Maybe someday they will bring back their quality from the past. It's sad to see a company that, at one time, built THE best commercial radio available build junk like this. The HT/CDMs, Minitor IIIs, XT series and now the Mratrac? It seems that they wanted to cease production of everything that works fine- HT1000, MT1000, Radius, Maxtrac, GM/GP series.
If they keep doing this, we may just see somebody like Icom or Kenwood take the market. I just got to see the new Icom that will compete with the HT1250. If this radio had MDC in it, I would no longer even sell the 1250 with all of it's problems.
Please come back, "M" !!!
Has Motorola redesigned the Low Band Maratrac lately? I know that sounds silly, but electronic products that have been on the market a long time routinely need to be partially- or wholly-redesigned as the life cycle of electronic components has dramatically been shortened. i.e. Parts that were leading-edge technology when the device was first designed are now obsolete and no longer available. It's possible the folks in Schaumburg missed something in a redesign... It seems odd that they would be having problems now given that the radio has been out so long...
Also, GE, ahem, I mean M/A Com, still makes a Low Band Orion. I know that option isn't attractive to a lot of people on this board, but the Orion is a pretty nice rugged radio... However, they have had component and production problems of their own, so I'm not sure how viable this option is...
--z
Also, GE, ahem, I mean M/A Com, still makes a Low Band Orion. I know that option isn't attractive to a lot of people on this board, but the Orion is a pretty nice rugged radio... However, they have had component and production problems of their own, so I'm not sure how viable this option is...
--z
Check, Double check, triple check your harmonic output from the PA. I have rebuilt some 1999,2000, and 2001 Ford alternators for Police vehicles. The voltage regulator leaves a littel left to be desired. They will not take any low frequency RFI . I believe that when they designed these new regs, they figured into the bill that whe theses units were going into public safety vehicles that the course of lo-band at the tiem of engineering was long gone and faded away. Of course I could be wrong. I had a dodge 600 4 banger years ago that had a problem with high powered UHF, Beilieve it or not. When the P.O's would use their UHF HT inside the vehicle it would stall the car, and was even the same when using an amp and external antenna. Lo-band , VHF and 800 would not affect it. Good luck in the endeavors. RCVMO
One question I dont recall if I read or not - Where is the antenna located?? Is it a roof mount, trunk mount, hood lip mount?? Perhaps try a different type or location of an antenna. Maybe that would cut down on the RF field.
Jay Goldmark, EMT
Ex-Captain, Woodmere Vol. Fire Dept.
Fire District Communications Supv.
KC2ZHI Amateur Radio Operator
Licensed Master Electrician
Owner, Top Class Electric, LLC.
Woodmere, Long Island, NY
"Enjoy Life, it's not a dress rehearsal !!!"
************************************************************
Ex-Captain, Woodmere Vol. Fire Dept.
Fire District Communications Supv.
KC2ZHI Amateur Radio Operator
Licensed Master Electrician
Owner, Top Class Electric, LLC.
Woodmere, Long Island, NY
"Enjoy Life, it's not a dress rehearsal !!!"
************************************************************
Hi, the antenna is located on the drivers side rear quater panel, it is antennex cw40 and it tunes up fine, have 23 2001, 2000, and 1999 running same package without problems, Motorola has the radios and I should have some info this week,
Thanks
Stan
Also I will be relocating my company to So. Calif. in the next few weeks so anyone out there let me know so I might get some friends.
Thanks
Stan
Also I will be relocating my company to So. Calif. in the next few weeks so anyone out there let me know so I might get some friends.