Batboard

I have a XTS2500i with dirt old firmware (R07.00.00), that on transmit audio has a puttering noise on it ... transmit audio is clear otherwise, this only seems to occur on analog, digital is crystal clear. Is this noise a alignment problem?

No one? I don't have the time to take a recording..but it literally sounds like "pit .... pit ... pit .. pit .. pit ..." when the mic is open (i.e. no one is talking ...). I'm going to have a local shop look at it but I was wondering if anyone on here had any ideas?

gatekeep wrote:No one? I don't have the time to take a recording..but it literally sounds like "pit .... pit ... pit .. pit .. pit ..." when the mic is open (i.e. no one is talking ...). I'm going to have a local shop look at it but I was wondering if anyone on here had any ideas?

I've only heard of this behavior on RX in analog. I don't know what caused it but it was timed at .5 second intervals. The radio I used was an XTS2500 with old (R4.80.00) firmware.

Yea, Rx on the radio is or seems to be perfect. Like I said I brought the radio to the local shop to have them look at it. But that is an interesting thing, firmware related maybe?

Mine did the same thing. Was sent to the depot. Will let you know waht the problem was when it returns.

eng12ine wrote:Mine did the same thing. Was sent to the depot. Will let you know waht the problem was when it returns.

Please that would be nice thank you. I sent it to someone on this board to have the firmware updated, and he said the problem only occurs on the lower portion of the split in my case 450-460 range, and is gone 470+ when using the test frequencies.

Ok mines a 450-512 radio only 2 years old. It just started one night on a call when i was transmitting. I should have it back soon.

Digital, Analog or Both? When you spoke was the noise still prevalent or did it only seem to occur on an open mic?

I only ask because, this problem only seems to occur on analog and easily disappears with audio being transmitted. Although I'm sure its transmitted in digital too. Due to the fact that it doesn't appear on the receiving radio in digital, points to the fact it could be a RF problem and not a audio path problem.

Anyway, let me know when you get your radio back. Thanks.

Analog. It happened when i transmitted

Correct antenna? Did you try swapping batteries? I've had batteries that were on their way out that caused this on a VHF radio.

Typically firmware would not cause this to happen.

What split radio? 380-470 or 450-520?

Your not hearing this on digital do to the way digital works, but in some way, I bet that it is happening. Error correction just isn't letting you hear it.

Pj wrote:Correct antenna? Did you try swapping batteries? I've had batteries that were on their way out that caused this on a VHF radio.

Yes its the correct antenna UHF wide band antenna. Yes, tried swapping the batteries.

Pj wrote:What split radio? 380-470 or 450-520?

450-520. I sent the radio for some work on it, and they noted that when stepping through the test frequencies the noise only occurs on the lower end of the frequency range.

Pj wrote:Your not hearing this on digital do to the way digital works, but in some way, I bet that it is happening. Error correction just isn't letting you hear it.

I figured as much, as far as digital is concerned.

eng12ine,

Get your radio back from /\/\ yet? Anyone else have any ideas, I've been using this radio thus far, and aside from the annoyance with an open mic, this does not seem to cause any other issues. (i.e. No unreadable messages, No range issues (that I can detect), etc.)

This is just a guess, but it is possible that the transmit VCO (aka synthisizer) was/is on the verge of becoming unlocked. Was it at the upper or lower frequency range? Reprogramm it to the middle of the range and see if the clicking noise goes away.
There are a couple of things to try. Temperature really affects VCO's. Put the rig in the freezer for an hour, take it out and see what happens. If it's the VCO, I would expect that it will maintain lock and you won't hear the clicking noise.
Take it to the other extreme; leave it in a car for a while, or (*carefully*) heat it with heat gun or get it hot by some other means. I would expect it to remain unlocked and the radio will not transmit.
I don't have a direct fix action, but it will give an idea what's wrong with the radio.

Lower frequency range. This is a 450-520 split radio, from what I was told, the clicking occurs only at frequencies below 465 or so. No the cold does not effect the radio AT ALL. Haven't tested heat, but, I would expect it to unlock at high temperatures. Again, the clicking is not all that noticable if your not listening for it, but, it IS there.

Got the radio back today> The said they replaced the RX board and reloaded the firmware

They replaced the RF board?

thats what it said om the paperwork that came back with it

Did this solve your clicking problem?