Batboard

Ok, I have a Spectra T84 radio, and when I apply power to it the wonderful Fail 01/90 occurs...I happened to have an old D43 spectra laying around so I decided to switch out the mlm(v1.05) and command boards...and low and behold the t84 exited the fail loop...I then took the original T84 MLM (v5.23) into the new command board and the fail loop returns...my question is: Is the MLM smoked? Anything I can do to fix the fail 01/90 syndrome? Hopefully someone here has figured this out already. Thanks.

Mike

What was done to the unit to cause the 01/90, or did you get it that way?

Got it that way...have no clue if it worked before or not...will assume it was working proir to being shipped to me.

Sounds like a corrupt codeplug. Do a search on here for fail 01/90 for numerous tips on how to fix it.

I knew of one with the same problem, and it was stuck in a loop cycling power on and off, so you barely saw the FL 01/90 error message.

Replacing the MLM was the only way we could get it usable again.

Eventually the command board got replaced, but for other reasons which were probably unrelated to the MLM corruption.

No known cure (yet) for resurrecting a 01/90 MLM but I'm working on it.

Bob M.

I cant read or write to the radio as it gives me the busy line locked message in rss...the control head and cable are good, hooked them up to a diff radio and thigns worked great...changed command boards, same fail loop...how can I uncorrupt the codeplug if I cant even get it to read?

The short answer is, you can't.

That's the symptom - Bus Busy error messages and the radio displays FL 01/90 and might keep cycling.

Replace the MLM and do lots of bit-banging. Try to get a 6.15 revision MLM. It CAN be done. There were some on eBay recently.

It would be a lot easier if you also had a saved codeplug from that radio or another similar one. And you will need the appropriate program to let you do hex-editing of the data in the MLM and on the command board.

Basically, you replace the MLM, then change the model number, band split, control head type, and serial number to be correct for the radio you have. This will likely give you a FAIL 999 error, but at least you'll be able to get into it. Then change both serial numbers so it matches the saved codeplug, and load the saved codeplug into the radio. This should get rid of ALL the errors. Then go back in and make the serial numbers match the sticker on the back of the radio. You should be in good shape from that point on.

Note that I'm relating this info second-hand. A friend did it to his 900 MHz radio and told me basically what he did. I'm giving you an even simpler rendition.

Bob M.

Ok well I guess I now need someone who will work on this thing for a reasonable price...if anyone on here is able to work on it and get me going again let me know please. Thanks.

1 last thing to try (no guarantees) is hitting the home button 5 times while it is attempting to power up. Sometimes you can 'pause' the power loop by doing this, in which case you might be able to read the radio.

tried the home button thingy too...a9 head...no change...so i am in the market for a mlm...thanks for the help though

just to make sure the hln1073a head is compatable with the spectra right...

I have seen this busy locked problem be caused by the computer serial port. Tried a different computer and the problem went away. Just make sure your using a slow computer. On another occasion this problem was overcom by doing what everyone says not to do. I tried running the RSS under a windows DOS prompt. Had no problem using the RSS to program this one radio that way. Still haven't figured why this strange set of issues crop up.

Once your able to get past the busy locked problem once, the radio will program normally the next time. Almost like something got messed up with the interface inside the radio.

Jim

ffemt1764 wrote:I cant read or write to the radio as it gives me the busy line locked message in rss...the control head and cable are good, hooked them up to a diff radio and thigns worked great...changed command boards, same fail loop...how can I uncorrupt the codeplug if I cant even get it to read?

i have tried several different things, different machines, etc, and it still is in the fail reset loop...I really do believe that its just this MLM is bad...plan on getting a new one and bitbanging it to my radio needs.

ffemt1764 wrote:i have tried several different things, different machines, etc, and it still is in the fail reset loop...I really do believe that its just this MLM is bad...plan on getting a new one and bitbanging it to my radio needs.

If you go that route, be sure to seek out an MLM that is from a conventional radio, and I would also suggest looking out for a firmware version of at least 5.x or higher. 6.x would be highly desirable. 6.16 was the last and latest to be released for the conventional Spectras.

FWIW: I've still got it in the queue on this end to get set up for surface-mount IC work here so I can actually try to fix memory modules that behave badly, as yours apparently does. Probably be ready for that sometime around the fourth quarter, this year.

Happy hunting.

ffemt1764 wrote:i have tried several different things, different machines, etc, and it still is in the fail reset loop...I really do believe that its just this MLM is bad...plan on getting a new one and bitbanging it to my radio needs.

I got same problem with a VHF unit error 1/90. according with service manual I followed the step on error 1/90 and get me to test the vocom board, that was it. I swap it with another unit vocom board and the problem went away.

interestingly enought i had the same problem with a dash mount unit. The MLM was smoked! i replaced it and the FL 1/90 went away. I have a MLM if you need it! let me know

Problem has been solved, thanks for all the help!