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I was using my VHF spectra today in my vehicle and noticed it had been quiet for a while. I tried to transmit and it wouldn't and flashed "FAIL 001". No RX no TX.... it was working fine prior to this. Anyone shed some light on this for me and what I can do if anything to fix the problem?
True the "Fail 001" indicates a VCO failure but it probally is the synth section on the RF board. I had eleven of them in my little shop in the past couple of months, and all of them had the same basic problem. I fixed them and they went back to the BatBoard members fully functional at full factory specs.
This is a common problem now that the radios are getting up there in age. Most often the caps leak and distroy the traces under the chip.
I'd go the shop route, or to someone like Will with experience making the repairs. The boards have very fine traces and multiple layers. And I'd move pretty fast...if the caps have failed, the damage may still be going on...
Anyone have an idea on how involved this repair will be and an estimate of the repair costs (ballpark)? Obiviously worth it to repair I would hope for this radio, but just don't want to drop dead at a service quote if I am forwarned.
I know what other shops charge, and are you sitting down?? Even if the shop can work on or even know anything about Spectras, $125 to $400.
The last several with the Fail 001 I repaired (for BatBoard members) were in the range of $35 to $65. And that included certifying them to factory specifications.
Squelch adjustment thru the Alignment menu in the control head.
Setting the squelch using the press MON until the radio beeps, may not stay set when radio is powered off and back on.