Minitor IV - no decode problem

Bootman · Post by **Bootman** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 8:25 am

We have a 30-40% failure rate with Minitor III and now IV pagers. The pager stops decoding select calls. The decoder IC is directly behind the belt clip and pins 23 and 24 on this chip, upper right hand corner, crack the solder joint. Motorola now puts extra solder on these legs. We still experience the problem but not as often after this fix.
We currently have Motorola looking into the problem but they claim that we are the only shop in North America to experience such high failure rates with this product.
Will any one come forward and send me a statement that they are also experiencing these high failure rates? I need more ammo to support our claims of a wide spread problem.
Any notes of your experience on this topic are appreciated.
Keith Sheppard
Nova Communications
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada

Tony Soprano · Post by **Tony Soprano** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 10:14 am

Keith-I have also experienced a failure rate of at least what you are describing, if not more. It seems that all units will eventually have this failure, given the nature of the problem. It is a fundamental design flaw, which is probably why they won't try to fix it. With the placement of the decoder, and the inherent flex of the logic board, it would take a complete re-engineering of the unit, which is what they will likely do with the Minitor 5. With the Minitor 3 out of production and service drop projected at 6/30/05, all you can do is just keep fixing them. Motorola is stonewalling you because they would just as soon forget about the whole thing. Believe me, they are well aware of this problem, it has been around for years.

Tony

Post by **wavetar** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 5:04 pm

Hi Keith! Were the techs at A.W.S. able to give you any further info in regards to this problem? Anybody here on the board have a current or past GCC (Global Customer Care) number open on this issue?

Todd

Tron · Post by **Tron** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 7:36 pm

I've had higher than normal failure rates with these units too.......some almost brand new. What a mess! Wasted time, effort and expense and customer dissatisfaction.
Motorola, spoken like a true manufacturer....."Its the first we,ve heard about the problem". Ya right.

Tron

Ett1033 · Post by **Ett1033** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:32 am

I have had the problem with about 3 of my minitor 3/4 pagers. Most recently they replaced a minitor 4 with a new one, and then 2 weeks later, it stopped decoding. They replaced that pager with another new one. It seems to be happening with people who carry a Nextel, and keep the two together on their belt. Ideas on this?

Bootman · Post by **Bootman** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 9:37 am

I have heard from a tech at AWS and we think that it the belt clip causing the problem. The belt clip is anchored at the top edge of the rear housing, directly over the decoder IC. The belt clip appears to put undue flex on the board. Jason at AWS suggested to use nylon cases to eliminate the flex from the belt clip. I have seen alot of rear housings breaking lately and this is the conclusion i am coming to.

Todd, Jason was helpful. He mentioned that there was an SRN on this extending the warranty but he through it out a week ago. Anyone have a copy of that SRN?

Would anyone know of a conversion to make a Privacy Plus GTX do LTR trunking?
Thanks!

Post by **wavetar** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:00 pm

Keith, I tried to find that SRN on MOL, it isn't there. But, that doesn't mean much. There were only 3 SRN's for Minitor III/IV in total on MOL...I'm sure there must've been more than that issued. It's too bad Jason doesn't have it anymore, that would have proved Motorola knew of the problem. The nylon case is a good suggestion, but I'm sure your client isn't interested in purchasing a thousand or so cases to fix a problem they didn't cause.

I believe I can help you with the GTX conversion. I've never tried it, but I think I can do it, as well as extending the bandsplit. Call me if you need to.

Todd