spectra problem

N9CZV · Post by **N9CZV** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:50 am

I dug out my remote mount 900 spectra to install it yesterday and after I got it installed it comes up with a fail 001 on the display. This unit worked a year ago when i took it out. if i take the control head and mount it directly to the radio it works fine. It fails when i use the remote mount cable. I tried a couple other radios with the same results. Does anyone have an idea where I can look for the problem?

David N9CZV

kb0nly · Post by **kb0nly** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:17 am

Sounds like a bad cable or the remote mount front for the radio, or the remote mount back for the control head if its an A5/A7.

You tried more than one radio with that cable and the same thing happens? Time to start ohming out the cable from one end to the other, pin for pin, maybe a bad connection to the remote front on the radio.

N9CZV · Post by **N9CZV** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:28 am

When the radio powers up i get the display with all my modes displayed but no rx or tx and it flashes fail 001 every few seconds. I will start ohming out the cable tonight

motorola_otaku · Post by **motorola_otaku** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:45 am

"Fail 001" indicates the VCO being out of lock. I wouldn't think a faulty remote-mount setup would cause that.

You might want to leave it set up on the bench as a dashmount radio for awhile and make sure it doesn't flash "Fail 001" at you anymore.. might be a little more wrong with it than the remote-mount kit.

N9CZV · Post by **N9CZV** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:53 am

I have already done that I can repeat the problem every time. It works as a dash mount. I agree I can't see how a cable could make the VCO not lock.

Mike B · Post by **Mike B** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 4:23 pm

This is one of the classic symptoms of leaking electrolytic capacitors. There is a particular one on the RF board that is responsible for the VCO lock problem. However, if one has gone then you should replace all of them. If it has not leaked for too long of a time the PC board traces may still be intact. Since it seems to be at the very beginning of failing, it probably has not leaked for very long or very much yet. It probably has very little to do with the remote mount cable. When its not stable to begin with who can say what will set it off.

If you cannot do the work yourself post a want for some help. Several people here on Batlabs do this type of repair work (I'll let them identify themselves to avoid playing favorites).

N9CZV · Post by **N9CZV** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:47 am

I changed the radio out with one that works as a dash mount with the same results. Faill 001 when using the remote control cable.

N9CZV · Post by **N9CZV** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:12 am

I have changed the 4 caps near the audio pa with no results are there any more I need to change?

Post by **batdude** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:39 am

get another remote cable and try again... and while ur at it - which style remote cable are you using?

HKN4356?

that seems to be your problem based upon what you've stated.

doug

N9CZV · Post by **N9CZV** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:11 pm

The cable and radio was working together for over a year. I have tried multible heads and radios but no success. I have ohmed out the pins and made sure none were bent.

jackhackett · Post by **jackhackett** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:28 pm

When you say you tried a couple of other radios, did you also try different control heads, or did you just swap out the radio part?

N9CZV · Post by **N9CZV** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:31 pm

completely different heads and radios