XTS3k Recieve

[WV8VFD]

Time once again to get some help from my fellow Batlabbers. I have an XTS3000 and if you squeeze the case the RX light will start flashing, and it will open squelch with what sounds like a carrier. I think I have narrowed it down to the header connecter between the RF board and the controller board. If I squeeze down on the case over it, it does this. Does anyone have one the want to get rid of? Or does anyone know the PN? Or does anyone have any thoughts as to what else it might be? If you push too hard it will work normal, if you dont have any pressure on it, it *usually* wont do it. You have to put just enough on there, which leads me to believe it is a short somewhere in the connector. I have cleaned the contacts where all the header connectors seat, and it seems to do it less, but it still does it.

On another note, the thermal paste between the finals and the chassis is gone. Could this cause this? I doubt it, but I've seen stranger things happen.

Thanks!

[AEC]

First problem appears to be improper flex seating, causing TX/RX issues..
The heatsink usually has a tiny pad under the PA module that is designed to be used without silicone grease.
Adding more may increase the resistance to the heatsink, and create more heat in the area than should be.
More does not always translate to better, and in the case of this, less is more.

I've had failures of PA assemblies caused by adding too much silicone, causing heat failure in a 900 mHz. STL.
The silicone under the flange of the PA module caused pockets to form, which localized heat leading to failure.
Silicone compound can create an insulating effect, doing the opposite of what you expect it to provide- heat transfer.

[WV8VFD]

First problem appears to be improper flex seating, causing TX/RX issues...

The only flex in the radio that I see is going from the electronics in the case to the controller board. I replaced the case, as the other one I had was cracked at the bottom from *someone* trying to open it with a screwdriver. When I had it at my friend's bench, I had the flex from the case plugged in, and the radio assembled, except the case on it, and when I pushed down over the header connector between the RF board and the controller, and it does it then. Same thing with the case on, if you push over where the connector is, it does it. I also noticed that it takes a certain pressure to make it do this. Too much, and it works normal, no pressure, it works fine. But if you put just enough on, it does this. Looking at the outside of the header connector it looks fine, but since it is glued together, I cant check the routes on the inside.

[AEC]

From the outward 'appearance' of this problem, I would guess your header, or a trace is either not soldered correctly, or at all, or a pin/trace has lifted from the board.
I'd use a 4X or greater loupe to peek around the header assembly and look for problems there, as you stated, that's the point you notice your problem arising from.

[WV8VFD]

From the outward 'appearance' of this problem, I would guess your header, or a trace is either not soldered correctly, or at all, or a pin/trace has lifted from the board.
I'd use a 4X or greater loupe to peek around the header assembly and look for problems there, as you stated, that's the point you notice your problem arising from.

Is there any way you can get the PN for the header? I'm going to see how much one is before I try to find a shop that knows enough to work on it.

Thanks

Ty

[WV8VFD]

Got a copy of the detailed service manual. FWIW the PNs for the 20 pin compression connector is 2805216Z03 and the 50 pin is 2805214Z03. Going to order new ones and see what that does.

[WV8VFD]

Well darnit! The connectors didnt fix it

It is going to get sent out, since I don't have the equipment readily available to use, but here is a video of what it is doing if anyone has any last minute thoughts before I send it off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgaFdR6nDLg

Thanks

[WV8VFD]

Bump....I know this is REALLY old, but I got to messing around with the radio the other day, and Im wanting to get it back into working shape. Any other ideas? Maybe try to get a new controller board with close to the same firmware and dump this radio's s-rec into it? Or should I look for a VHF RF board?

Thanks