Some Maxtrac Questions?

Bail · Post by **Bail** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:34 pm

I just bought a Maxtrac on Ebay and I have received it today. Well to my NOT So surprise, It's diffrent then what they have listed.
They listed model #D43MJA7JA5AK 32ch radio and I've got model no. D43MJA7DA5CK 16ch Radio. Both have the 16pin board

The Model Number Is
D43MJA7DA5CK

I've got it to go to 32ch but when I was looking up info in the radio I saw this board.

So does this mean that If I clear the board and reprogram it according to
http://www.repeater-builder.com/maxtrac ... grade.html
And Just choose 144-174 it would be okay?

Another thing I noticed was the firmware chip
I tried to look it up but found no matches

Is it a misprint or does anyone know the diffrence if any?

And there is a label on the bottom of the heatsink that I have no idea what it means.

Does it mean I have some kind of option installed or it's just another tag?

Thanks for looking
N1BMX

Bail · Post by **Bail** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:16 pm

I just noticed the the RSS does not have an option for 144-174.
Hmm now I'm stuck

Woody_99 · Post by **Woody_99** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:21 pm

So are you saying you want it to BE a 32ch radio or that they sold you a 16ch radio that's already been hacked to 32ch??

If the former, then yes, it should channel expand fine, with the proper procedure.

If the latter, then please email me the seller ID so I can avoid them!

On the firmware, that label isn't exactly right... looks like it's been cut on one side or something.. It looks to be the current version if memory serves. Either way, it's good if they upgraded it for you, bad that they're lying in their ads.

So did ya email them back for a partial refund then plan on leaving negative when they refuse?

thanks,

Bail · Post by **Bail** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:31 pm

I was going into the auction thinking I was getting

32ch, 146mhz-174mhz (rf board)

But what I got is
16ch 144mhz-162mhz (rf board)

I did hack it for 32 channels. But according to the RF board I got 144mhz-162mhz which I want because I am using it for HAM radio.

But I noticed in the RSS soft (R07.02.00a) it does not have an option for 144mhz.

Just 136-162 and 146-172
I wondering if I can get away using the 136-162 option
Not sure

(Edit: If I choose the 136-162 option I could only have 25w so I'm still stuck)

kb0nly · Post by **kb0nly** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:36 pm

The latest firmware, 32ch, is HLN5569A Version 5.34.

HLN5699A as shown on your Eprom, also shows 5.34 so maybe it's just a later part number? I can't find any info on HLN5699A.

The RSS splits are either 136-150 or 146-174, what was it they told you it was??

However, it will easily program down to 144. Just use the shift key when entering the frequency.

For example to enter 144.0000 you would enter !$$.)))) instead. Just hold the shift key and type the numbers, release the shift key when entering the period and make sure you fill the entry field with all the trailing zeros until it's full then hit enter.

It will jump to the next entry and the characters you entered will switch to the actual frequency numbers. It will flash a warning up in the top right corner about it being out of band, etc. No big deal! If you experience problems with the VCO not locking, rare on the VHF since it will normally go down to 144 without a problem, you can always tweak the VCO. On the Repeater Builder website there is an article on adjusting the VCO for the UHF Maxtrac, same procedure for any VHF or UHF Maxtrac, but the VHF rarely needs this done unless your trying to really push the limits of the radios range.

hooknladder · Post by **hooknladder** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:39 pm

Did you try the shift method to get it out of band. Not sure if this is what you are looking for but if you want 144.000 in a Maxtrac that won't go down that low just hold down the shift key when entering the numbers. For example 144.000 will look like this: !$$.))) I have done this with the UHF version to get to the bottom of the 70cm band without any problems.

Woody_99 · Post by **Woody_99** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:42 pm

Yeah... what Scott said...

And another idea is to try and reinitialize it with older rss versions... they might have slightly different bandsplits that what you used.
Not sure, but an option to look at.
However; just using the shift method is the easiest way to go about it on any radio. Did you check the maxtrac pages here, under model specific info? Should have lots of helpful info!

Bail · Post by **Bail** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:47 pm

Thanks for the info.

I did try the Shift method.
For some reason my power meter would jump over 60W
and I couldn't key the repeater (I Could access it on my HT w/ 5watts)

So I might have to adjust the VFO then?

Woody_99 · Post by **Woody_99** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:55 pm

Uh-OH.... you very well may have lost your tuning data.....
THAT is a whole new ballgame.

Bail · Post by **Bail** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:04 pm

Ive Recorded it (I think)

F2: Crystal data (####/####) , Tuning Data (###,####) (It have the numbers but I wasn't sure if they were to be posted)
F3: Rv = 63
F4: Rv = 102

F5:
(Point)/(Value)
1: 84
2: 85
3: 82
4: 80
-
5: 77
6: 73
7: 70
8: 68
-
9: 65
10: 63
11: 64
12: 64
-
13: 65
14: 67
15: 70
16: 72

F6:
(Point)/(Value)
1: 43
2: 43
3: 43
4: 42
-
5: 40
6: 39
7: 37
8: 36
-
9: 34
10: 35
11: 32
12: 31
-
13: 29
14: 28
15: 27
16: 26

F7: Rv=8
F8: Rv=8

(Is that the data?)

Woody_99 · Post by **Woody_99** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:08 pm

Yeah, there is a tuning sequence you have to complete under F2- Service menu, I believe... and make sure those numbers match what they're supposed to be, before you expanded the channels.
Otherwise it'll have to be run through the entire sequence on a monitor.
It's an extensive process indeed...
Tell ya what email me with the email button below and I'll find my tuning sheet and send it to you, goes over the procedure and tuning sequences, etc.

Max-trac · Post by **Max-trac** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:41 pm

You can initialize a high split as a low split.
You will only see a 25 watt version to pick, but it will still put out high power.
You may not be able to enter the tuning data (the 2 splits have different range limits).
But you should still fully align it.
This should give you power control below 146 since yours is running wide open at 60 watts!
Or just keep your transmissions BRIEF below 146!

Woody_99 · Post by **Woody_99** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:15 am

Best advice I'd say, is to get it back to hi-split, align it for the low end of that split and shift-key the freqs in, before something smokes.....

Bail · Post by **Bail** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:10 pm

Woody_99 wrote:Best advice I'd say, is to get it back to hi-split, align it for the low end of that split and shift-key the freqs in, before something smokes.....

That is the current status of my radio right now with exception for the Low-End Alignment. So If I adjust the VCO like stated ealier It could be alright?

Woody_99 · Post by **Woody_99** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:42 pm

It should be...? Always get another opinion, but the point to it is to make SURE you're not pushing anything over 43-45 watts on any programmed frequency or you'll really shorten your final's life expectancy.

Some Maxtrac Questions?

Some Maxtrac Questions?

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