Slow running HT1250

[dispatcher7586]

I have a ht1250. Its running very slow w/ the display, sounds, programming. When you turn it on the tone and the display stay on for 2 or three seconds. The MDC is slow and sound wierd. The firmware is something like 01.00. Is this way to old? How much does it cost to upgrade it if thats the problem?

[HumHead]

That firmware is past old. Ancient would be a better term. A firmware uplift is definitely long overdue.

The biggest catch is that you cannot jump directly from R01.xx.xx to the current version. There is a special uplift from R01.xx.xx to R02.xx.xx (or is it R03.xx.xx? It's been a while since I had to update a R01 radio.). After that upgrade is done, you can upgrade directly to the current version.

The firmware updates are available as a free download on MOL to current CPS subscribers. Assuming that you don't have a subscription, you friendly neighborhood dealer would probably do the work for a 1/2 to 1 hour labor charge.

[wavetar]

I've seen that issue before. Almost guaranteed the 16.8MHz reference oscillator is defective & has drifted way off frequency. It provides the microprocessor it's clocking, so when it drifts, the radio does weird things like slow display & weird sounding tones. If it drifts far enough, the radio appears dead. Sometimes you can confirm it's the crystal by either heating it (usually makes it worse), or using cold spray on it (usually makes it better). It requires replacement if defective, there are no adjustments.

Todd