Batboard

I'm working on a uhf maxtrac with a low power problem..8 watts....is there a common problem that would cause this? Programming the softpots won't help.

First, check the available current and voltage at the main PA. If all is good, check the PA's drive signal. If it's good, you may just have a failing PA.

This is typical of an overheated PA, they only make half power output. You need some test equipment to realy check it out. But pull the PA off the back of the radio, remove the sheild and look carfully at the PA circuit board for burned or overheated solder joints, especially arround the chip caps on the PA transistor.
Also there have been several radios turn up with low power PA's put on them and still have the original serial tag and model number. Check the part number on the PA board. And I have done this to a few radios that are LPI (low power industrial) 2 watt channels, but I add a tag inside the radio to let the service tech know what was done.