Batboard

I received my VHF HT1250 today, and found out that the receiver does suck (at least compared to my GP2000).

At any rate, I've got the tuner running and the only thing I see regarding reception (besides squelch adjustment which helps none) is a RX Filter adjust.

I don't have any real test equipment, but, Does anyone know how I can adjust the radio so that it will receive better? .25uv sensitivity should be advertised more like 1.0uv, because so far the VHF HT1250 is as good as garbage. My 2 years newer UHF model performs excellent and certainly seems up-to-specs.

-Josh

Which antenna do you have on it? There were some issues discussed on this board about the antenna that came with the VHF models. I believe that the best antenna for this model is the GP300 type antenna.

hooknladder wrote:Which antenna do you have on it? There were some issues discussed on this board about the antenna that came with the VHF models. I believe that the best antenna for this model is the GP300 type antenna.

The antenna is not the issue. The tapered antenna, even if it was any good, looks too much like crap for me to want to use it anyway.

This radio came with the taper trash antenna

I understand that there was, beside the antenna, some other modification that made the radio work better. Perhaps that is what is in order.

You need to find out what firmware it has in it. There have been several firmware updates that improve sensitivity. Setting squelch with the tuner software at all frequency points to just above threshold will also help. Use the same antenna as the GP300/P110/P1225 VHF models use. Also check to make sure your bandwidth and mute/unmute settings are correct.

The HT1250 in my experience will generally not receive as well as a HT1000 even when properly tuned and it MUST be properly tuned. However the HT1550 will beat ALL Motorola portables when properly tuned.
I don't know what Motorola did to the 1550 receiver but it is truly amazing.

Charlie wrote: I don't know what Motorola did to the 1550 receiver but it is truly amazing.

I don't know if size has anything to do with it, but the HT1550 is rather large. Must be pretty near the same size as the HT1000.

My experience has shown that the HT1000 kinda sucks too. I've done side-by-side comparisons with the VHF model HT1000s in the past in comparison to the GP350 I had and found that the GP350 worked better than the HT1000. This was a couple of years ago, however.

I will have to look into the HT1550 at some point. Right now, it is a bit too bulky for my taste and a little too expensive as well.

-Josh

Wow, the problem I'm having now, with my radio is that when hooked up to an external antenna, it won't scan even a full cycle without landing on a channel, making a mournful static noise, then moving onto another channel to make the same mournful noise and so on.

This certainly blows. I hope to God that the firmware upgrade will remedy this absolutely disgusting problem. They should never have introduced such a lousy radio line with so many upgrades and changes to "fix" all of the flaws that were not fixed even before the series was introduced.

-Josh

Josh wrote: My experience has shown that the HT1000 kinda sucks too. I've done side-by-side comparisons with the VHF model HT1000s in the past in comparison to the GP350 I had and found that the GP350 worked better than the HT1000. This was a couple of years ago, however.


-Josh

To be fair, you're only comparing a single HT1000 with a single GP350, without knowing the actual tuned state of each, or the state of possible dis-repair. I doubt you'd find anyone on the board who deals with a lot of both of those series on a regular basis that would claim the same results. The HT1000 is most definitely superior, in any real life use I've seen. Not that the GP series receive was bad...it's still better than many other manufacturer's radios, and some current "M" stuff.

Todd

HT750, 1250, 1550 SAME radio receiver. You would need to properly align the soft pot calibration points for the frontend filter in the receiver at the points accros the band simmular to the HT1000/MT2000 ect;. "blowing in " a code plug from another radio can distroy the factory calibration values and affect the receiver sensitivity.
There are several changes made in a few componets in the frontend and antenna matching circuits on Warez radios, and of course, the "firmware/flash" changes too.

I have had radios the the receiver went "sour" for no apparent reason only to find the softpot calibration settings messed up. Sorta like the radio "looses" or "jumps" it's programming requiring recalibration alignment.

Some Warez radio receivers were being desensed by noise from it's own microprocessor, that is what the firmware flash update seems to correct.. measures ok on a signal generator but poor receive with the antenna, especially the tapered antennas.

There are many factors which will affect the reciever sensitivity. Josh, you have an old unit which requires physical upgrading, as well as firmware upgrading, as per SRN1290a. Here's an excerpt below:

TECHNICAL INFORMATION / 8000 W. SUNRISE BLVD. / FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33322

This SRN Supersedes SRN1290

SRN-1290A
APC 672, 749
October 1999
Deadline: 12-31-00


Memo To: SRN Mailing List

From: Radio Product Group / CGISS

Subject: HT750/HT1250 VHF (136 –174MHz) Range Limitation

Symptoms:

1. Radio will not receive or carrier is noisy when receiving a radiated signal in a location that is within the usual coverage area.

2. Radio transmitted signal will not always cover proper range or is noisy when operating within the usual coverage area.

Please note that this is radiated receiver sensitivity and radiated transmitter power effect. It cannot be tested using the conducted receiver sensitivity or conducted transmitter power measurement procedure.

Potential Problem Radios:

Models Affected: AAH25KDC9AA2AN, AAH25KDC9AA3AN, AAH25KDG9AA4AN,

AAH25KDF9AA5AN, AAH25KDH9AA6AN

Serial Numbers: 672TYWxxxx through 672TZRxxxx

749TYWxxxx through 749TZRxxxx

Cause:

The radio is exhibiting excessive processor noise. The antenna matching circuit needed to be optimized.

Corrective Action:

Two radio design improvements have occurred.

1. Improve the radio code to decrease processor noise.

2. Improve the antenna matching circuit to provide a better power transfer from the antenna to the harmonic filter.

HT750/HT1250 VHF radios with the serial numbers above may exhibit poor range symptoms. This depends on the range of operation.

HT750/HT1250 radios that exhibit poor range must be sent to the Radio Support Center for repair.

Also, there's a "new" antenna for the VHF Waris series that is supposed to help range, once the other issues are addressed, as per SRN1356. Excerpt below:

SERVICE AND REPAIR NOTES
Bulletin TECHNICAL INFORMATION /COMMERCIAL, GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS SECTOR
8000 W. SUNRISE BLVD. / PLANTATION, FL 33322 /

SRN - 1356
APC - 672
February 2002
Memo To: SRN Mailing List
From: Radio Products Division, Plantation, FL
Subject: VHF Professional Series Radios / Enhanced Performance Antenna Now Available
Symptom
Customers operating in poor coverage areas at frequencies between 148MHZ to 161MHZ may find a need for a gain antenna.
Radios Enhanced by new antenna:
VHF Professional Series radios operating from 148 MHz to 161 MHz and using remote speaker microphones.
Models: AAH25Kxxxxxx
Names: HT750, HT1250, HT1550摯瑬敳獩XLS, CT250, CT450, EX500, EX600
Antenna Description:
Style: Whip
Length: 7.5 inches
Frequency Range: 148 MHz – 161 MHz
Actions:
This new antenna can be ordered as a radio antenna option (Q46), or as an accessory (NAD6579).
Note:
HT750 and HT1250 radios between Serial Numbers: 672TYWxxxx through 672TZRxxxx
or 749TYWxxxx through 749TZRxxxx should reference SRN-1290B prior to considering
the NAD6579 gain antenna.
This is an informational bulletin only – No warranty claims will be accepted

Todd

Well, if that just doesn't bite my balls.

The radio model I have (unfortunately) is one of the f'd up models.

No wonder RX sucks on 160-161 where I listen most. No wonder it can't scan many channels before obvious processor noise causes it to stop scanning while it receives a 'groan' and proceeds 3 more channels to do it again.

I purchased a POS.

How do I get it to the service center, and how much is Motorola's mistake going to cost me?

(M) sure made a bunch of bastard mistakes in these radio lines.

Pardon my bitterness, but this type of crap is absurd and gives me the clear vision that Motorola's HT series is as bad as [almost] everyone says.

-Josh

Lesson to be learned here folks: Never buy an HT1250 on the used market unless you can be positive of its pedigree.

Josh-You may have a recourse here. Look in your local yellow pages for a Motorola service center. Take the radio to them, and tell them you situation. Then, ask them pretty please if they will call this number:

800-927-2744. This is Motorola's dealer support hotline. If your newfound tech friend is very nice, he will ask them for an SP authorization to send the radio in to Rockford to have it upgraded, at no cost to you, maybe a shipping fee. It's worth a shot.

Tony

Josh wrote:Well, if that just doesn't bite my balls.

The radio model I have (unfortunately) is one of the f'd up models.

No wonder RX sucks on 160-161 where I listen most. No wonder it can't scan many channels before obvious processor noise causes it to stop scanning while it receives a 'groan' and proceeds 3 more channels to do it again.

I purchased a POS.

How do I get it to the service center, and how much is Motorola's mistake going to cost me?

(M) sure made a bunch of bastard mistakes in these radio lines.

Pardon my bitterness, but this type of crap is absurd and gives me the clear vision that Motorola's HT series is as bad as [almost] everyone says.

-Josh

Josh, if you want to send it to me....I'll see if I can help you.....I can't promise you that the Depot will do the SRN free but I will do everything I can to TRY. You should already have the info on how to reach me.

Tony Soprano wrote:Lesson to be learned here folks: Never buy an HT1250 on the used market unless you can be positive of its pedigree.

Josh-You may have a recourse here. Look in your local yellow pages for a Motorola service center. Take the radio to them, and tell them you situation. Then, ask them pretty please if they will call this number:

800-927-2744. This is Motorola's dealer support hotline. If your newfound tech friend is very nice, he will ask them for an SP authorization to send the radio in to Rockford to have it upgraded, at no cost to you, maybe a shipping fee. It's worth a shot.

Tony

Lucky me, I live within an earshot of a Motorola dealer, although they mostly work with Radius equipment. Of course, they also recently merged with the Herkimer Radio Service out of Monroe, MI and they handle all Moto gear including cell phones, frs, and crap like that.

I'll see what they can do come Monday, if not, I'll be contacting you definitly, Charlie.

-Josh