Batboard

I was given a vhf spectra to play with. As it is a range 2 radio it will not work below 146 mhz. It receives fine on 144.39 but will not tx. So I decided to use the lab program to change the byte that says it is a range 2 radio to tell the radio that it is now a range 1 radio. Now it will receive and transmit just fine on 144.39. But, when I program in a frequency of 146.52 I get a Synth Unlock error code when I try to transmit on the 146 freq. Any ideas? Or am I going to have to settle for a 144 mhz only radio? BTW, changing the code back to range 2, 146 works fine and 144 again does not work.

Gale

The stock range 2 VHF Spectra will work down to 142 no problems.

Changing, bitbanging, the range 2 to be seen as a range one will cause the problems you describe.

Step ONE, change it back to a range 2.

The later RSS does allow you to program frequencies down to 142 mHz.

If you radio has FAIL001 below 146 then there is other problems.

No, it is not a fail as such, the radio just doesn't put out any power (maybe 1 watt), though the receiver works just fine. I did put back to its normal seting as a range 2 radio when I saw that it was not going to work. Any ideas on this?

Gale

Is it putting 1 watt out through the entire range?

Jason

no, that is the strange part. 146.52 is normal. But 144.39 is down.

Gale

Gale,

Maybe the harmonic filter is causing the loss of tx power.

Check the control voltage to the first stage in the transmitter PA on both frequencies.

OK, will have to give that a try on Monday (busy busy busy the next few days..). One question, as it did put out full power on 144.39 when I had it thinking it was a range 1 box, would this mean that maybe a full alignment might be a fix. Assuming that I see a major difference in the voltage you said to check.

Gale

i read somewhere that changing the range in the rss changes the electrical path the radio uses to feed the vco and if set wrong the parts a not there to use.

Here is what i read http://www.batlabs.com/moflag.html go to the bottom to Spectra bandsplit.