Astro Saber noise squelch problem

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N9LLO
Posts: 788
Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2001 4:00 pm

Astro Saber noise squelch problem

Post by N9LLO »

Got an AS1 403-470. Noise squelch wont open till about 68uv. Sensitivity checks good across the band at .25 but I have to push the monitor button to check it. The RSSI indicator on the reciever maintenance screen does not work either. Got this radio that way, could there be something messed up in the lab2 screen where there are settings for rssi and the DSP IF?
If you operate is strictly tone squelch it works OK. I think the RSSI may be the indicator of the problem. Looking at the RF board it looks like everything is digitized as it leaves there so the RSSI info must be already encoded in the bit stream as it leaves the RF board.

So Im thinking a bad RF board. Does the lab (F9) settings go with the codeplug or they programmed in the radio once and stay? It may still be something screwed up with those settings but I dont know, this is my first opportunity to work on an ASTRO radio. Also will an XTS3000 RF board work in the AS radio?


Chris
N9LLO
Hightower
Posts: 976
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by Hightower »

What value is your squelch fine tune at in the CPS?
Are you having this problem in digital or analog mode?

I had to turn the fine tune down to 1, and that solved my problem like your having. Also I have the Unmute/Mute Type set to "Unmute, Std Mute" - this helps when signals are real weak and prevents the squelch from prematuring muting the squelch

I would not be messing with Lab to solve this squelch issue. Tuner is what you should be using. Make sure you write down ALL softpot valuse before changing ANYThing!!!

Good luck :)

HT
N9LLO
Posts: 788
Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by N9LLO »

This is in the analog mode. Squelch is set to 1. At 0 its open, at 1 it takes about 70uv to open. I think the radio has already been hacked around with thats why I asked about the settings in LAB. I am using RSS9.05
and a seemlingly good codeplug a fellow sent me.

I would like to try mabey another 403-470 IMBE codeplug if anyone has one. But since the RSSI in the RX service dosen't work I am leaning toward a problem in the ABACUS IC on the RF board.

Do you know if I can try an XTS3000 RF board in it? There is a fellow on here that has one with a power out problem that may be easier to fix.

Chris
N9LLO
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