Batboard

One XTS5000 out of the numerous that have crossed my path has exhibited this problem, and despite SEARCH, I ain't found an answer. Is it a software/flash/programming combo thing or is it something I have just obviously overlooked? Emergency and hot mic options are OFF in the CPS, BTW, and digital, analog, or receive only enable make no difference.

Model H18KEH9PW7AN, Host R14.00.03, DSP R14.00.00, mfg date CGB, Flash 560001-001307. The internal mic is apparently hot all the time. This is not a problem when the radio is not receiving, or when using the external audio accessories, but when the radio is unmuted with the volume turned up over 25%, there is a loud FULL volume squeal of feedback when anything within a couple of inches from the surface of the speaker grill (like my face for instance!) reflects the speaker audio back toward the mic port. Another prime example of when the feedback problem occurs is when the radio unmutes while you pick up the radio with your hand cupped across the speaker. This always makes things exciting in a public place.

Yes, you can turn the mic gain down (it's currently at +3) and somewhat reduce the effect, but that suggestion is a hack solution and doesn't at all address the real problem. No, I'm not interested in any other band-aid suggestions either, like "use the speaker/mic" or "turn the volume down." I can get that kind of advice on RR, ha ha! The radio was designed to be operated without any audio accessories, and audio accessories are a radio option, not a requisite. I know there's a solution, and it's probably very simple and something I have just stupidly overlooked. C'mon XTS5K gurus, gimme some real info.

It's not a programmable option, so you're left with a hardware issue. There's a transistor/gate/etc somewhere shorting out & giving biasing voltage to the internal mic when it shouldn't be.

I was pretty sure it wasn't an intentional software combo thing, but there have been some glitches and unintentional "options" and conflicts in Mother's software over the years requiring revisions and updates, and I figured if this had occurred before, someone here would know something about it.

In doing some further checking, I disassembled the radio and gave it a hard look with a magnifier lamp hoping for a chance that it would be a simple mechanical or physical defect that could be easily remedied in the field. I found what looked like a tiny shard of metal flashing stuck between two of the side connector pins and which probably came from the chassis casting. After some further disassembly and several attempts at getting the shard to stick to a Q-tip wetted with tuner cleaner, it was finally captured, and the radio was reassembled. Everything works as it should now, so whatever else can happen in the real world, this radio is fixed.