Astro Spectra won't turn on

[KB8YGX]

I have a W7 high power astro spectra that I cannot get to power on. I have 12vdc applied to both the green and orange wires coming off the control head. I cannot read the radio and I am not sure what the problem is.

[jmr061]

Do you have other radios to help troubleshoot. IE determine if it is the head, drawer or cable?

Jason

[KB8YGX]

Unfortunately I do not. I suspect it may be the control cable.

Does the control head have a fuse in it?

[jmr061]

You can jumper pin 20 and 22 (A+ to SW B+) (do so at your own risk, make sure you have the correct ones) on the control head DB25 connector on the radio. This will turn the radio on and you can read and write to it. If it powers on and reads/writes you know the head is probably to blame. I wouldn't suspect the cable unless you see some physical damage to it.

Jason

[KB8YGX]

Thanks,

I'll go out and buy a male db25 connecter and solder them up so I don't mess it up.

[KB8YGX]

This may seem like a really stupid question. The DB25 under the power connecter goes to the control head, correct?

[KB8YGX]

I installed a jumper on the control head DB25 and was able to read the radio. I suspect it is the control cable.

The ignition sense line doesn't even need to be hooked up, I installed a jumper on JU1 in the control head, so according to the service manual that should disable the ignition sense circuit.

[Jim202]

I installed a jumper on the control head DB25 and was able to read the radio. I suspect it is the control cable.

The ignition sense line doesn't even need to be hooked up, I installed a jumper on JU1 in the control head, so according to the service manual that should disable the ignition sense circuit.

With JU1 in and JU2 out, the ignition cable will turn the radio on and off without playing with the power switch.

You should be able to find the page with this information on the repeater builders site under the Spectra - ignition.

Jim

[KB8YGX]

no go with the new control cable.

[jmr061]

Its the head more than likely, get a diff one to try. Even a W9 just to power it on.

Jason

[KB8YGX]

Control head is good as well. Works on a dash mount radio.

JU1 was installed on the control head, disabling ignition sense.
Checked with brand new control cable, no go.
Control head works on another radio.
Able to turn on the radio itself by jumping pins 20 and 22 on the radio. Can read radio.

Anybody else have suggestions?

[Jim202]

By any chance are you missing the high current feed to the rear of the radio? You need to make
sure that you have the +12 volts to the dual pin connector on the rear of the radio. In reading
the thread here, I have not seen anyone making comment about this power feed point.

Jim

[KB8YGX]

By any chance are you missing the high current feed to the rear of the radio? You need to make
sure that you have the +12 volts to the dual pin connector on the rear of the radio. In reading
the thread here, I have not seen anyone making comment about this power feed point.

Jim

Ran 8 gauge wire to the radio. It will turn on when I short the control interface pins 20 and 22.

[Jim202]

Where did you get the control cable from? Is there any chance this is a rear control cable and not
a standard cable? They are not the same and don't cary the ignition control wires and a couple of
other power control lines. You might want to take an Ohm meter and check the green and orange
wires. Normally the rear cables don't have the green and orange wires on them.

Let us know if the W9 head at least turns on the radio. You will get an error from the radio as it
is looking for a different head. But it will at least tell you if it will power up.

Jim

[KB8YGX]

It is the correct control cable. JU1 was installed, which disables the ignition sense line. I didn't try it with another control head, the current control head works on another radio.