Saber Assistance

EMS Geek · Post by **EMS Geek** » Thu Nov 01, 2001 6:36 pm

Hi,
I am venturing into Saber territory as a new hobby and it is quickly turning into a headache.
I have two DES XL secure VHF Saber II with 8k, they appear to have been programmed correctly - in band and nothing unusual. Unfortunately as soon as I goto to key up or press a front key, a continuous high pitched tone is emitted.
It has been programmed as both secure and clear without success. Key Fail appropriately appears when keyed in secure mode.
No error codes are present and the guts seem to be the right parts (NLD8210B, NLD8773A, NLD8180A).
The display shows as programmed, but will neither transmit or receive.
Unfortunately my test equipment is limited to a multimeter and I have yet to delve into tuning.
Any help or redirection would be appreciated.

Thanks, Eric

EMS Geek · Post by **EMS Geek** » Fri Nov 02, 2001 6:33 am

I have tried the high power/low power hack also.

I do not need the encryption, but I have no bypass modules to replace them with.

Eric

Post by **HumHead** » Fri Nov 02, 2001 12:00 pm

Eric-

Are you sure that the radios have all of the modules?

There has been a flood of government surplus Sabers on eBay lately (I got two of them myself) which were apparently "decomissioned" prior to auction by having their crystal oscilator module removed.

My radios exhibited pretty much exactly the problem you are describing prior to a trip to my local service center to have the missing module replaced.

Good luck!

10-95 · Post by **10-95** » Fri Nov 02, 2001 4:02 pm

Hey Eric, don't panic! This is common when a Saber has been programmed with an incorrect bandsplit. I would recommend archiving whats in it now and then go in and create a file, since it is a saber 2 vhf create this model: H43QXJ7139CN, TRY THE VARIOUS BANDSPLITS BEGINING WITH THE 136-150MHZ SPLIT. Any questions , send me a private message, I have worked with Sabers since I was in the army back in 1987.

Frank

ltec123 · Post by **ltec123** » Sat Nov 03, 2001 4:24 pm

Hi,

Also bought 2 Sbaer VHF, guess govmt surplus.

1 powers up had keyfail, 2 just stayes lit up display.

Noticed the 2 osc modules missing when compared to my UHF, called Mot, they had no idea what I was taking about.

Just my 2 cents!

Lazy T.

EMS Geek · Post by **EMS Geek** » Sat Nov 03, 2001 7:59 pm

Thanks for the help, I have sent each of you private messages but not sure if they got thru.

The parts I have are:
NLD8210B Hybrid IC Synth,
NLD8773A VHF Hi Pwr PA, and
NLD8180A Hybrid Receiver F/E

Are there more, it appears full of components? At present I have no other reference than this site.

Eric

N4UMJ · Post by **N4UMJ** » Sat Nov 03, 2001 11:51 pm

Hello EMS Geek,

I too am a newcomer to the Saber Line and am learning along the way. My initial problem was parts id'ing. Digging around the Motorola Website I finally found the detailed info. I needed(also alot of help from Elroy Jetson!). Here's what my data shows about the parts you listed:

NLD8210B Hybrid IC Synthesizer 146-178MHz
NLD8773A VHF Hi Pwr PA 146-174MHz
NLD8180A Hybrid Receiver F/E 136-178MHz

Seems like I remember reading in some Gov'mnt surplus literature that they do decommission the radios by de-crystaling.(thanks uncle sam!)I have seen many on e-bay with those missing too.

I recently had a Saber1E that had a crystal osc. problem(severely off freq.) Replacing it corrected my problem. You should see a lable on it indicating 16800000HZ. There will be a foggy/semi-clear rectangular rubber boot on the osc. module that may prevent the lable being clearly visible.

I did install mine upside down and it just crackled--no squelch when the side button was pushed(yeah,I know..no ones perfect).So
don't overlook that.

I have an excellent photo of what your radio should look like inside. Don't know how to post this image on the forum but can send it to you through e-mail if you want it.

I had a Saber that had the wrong module installed for the Synthesizer. It exhibited a similar problem to yours (beeping when tx'ing) Replaced it this weekend and my VHF Saber III is up and running fine.

There are also some other components you did not list that should be in your radio:

NFD6112A Two Pole Mid/Hi SPT
and
NFD6132C Hybrid FDS Mid/Hi SPT

These are located between your antenna and PA Module with a piece of spring steel on the top for heatsink purposes.

Hope all this helps you out and Good Luck!

Eddie
N4UMJ

PS:Are you the same emsgeek that got the UHF Saber1E on e-bay. That thing looked in mint condition! Wish I could have hit the buy-it-now a little quicker.