MTS2000: Possible controller failure?

Twisted_Pear · Post by **Twisted_Pear** » Fri Nov 09, 2001 3:16 am

I've got an MTS [H01WCH4PW1CN] which will go into self-test and then blank out. I thought at first it was inhibited but each and every time the radio is read it comes up with an error. Sometimes it reads partial data, sometimes a bit more, never all of it. I've check the obvious things like batteries, cables, etc. The batteries work fine on my other models and so does the programming HW and SW.

Does this sound like a controller failure, and if so, what has been the typical process for having it repaired? Must it go to the depot or can the controller be bought and swapped by myself?

Thanks,
Wayne

Post by **wavetar** » Fri Nov 09, 2001 4:27 am

It certainly sounds like a controller problem. It is a possiblity that it's been inhibited, although that wouldn't explain your RSS troubles. Is there a reason why you think it may have been inhibited? As far as a new controller board goes, they're easy to replace, but cost more than a flat-rate repair. Depending on the age of the radio, there was a run of them which had almost no solder at all on the flex interconnect plugs between the two boards, which caused many different & strange problems. Resolder those only if it looks like very little solder is there (it's pretty obvious), otherwise, don't mess with them.

Todd

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Fri Nov 09, 2001 8:35 am

Certainly sounds like a controller issue. If the radio only occasionally passes self test, then there is something wrong. Open the radio using ESD precautions and make sure the flex is tight and not cracked or otherwise compromised. Sometimes something comes loose. Also check the flex on the plastic case of the radio, if there is a short in the flex, the radio will do as decsribed. Some of the earlier Jedi radios didn't use a plug type flex from the RF board to the controller board, in this case I do not recommened a home repair with a soldering iron. If the radio is legit, and not hacked, send it to Rockford and for $280.00 you will have a essentially new MTS. This is the best deal going. If this radio can not be sent to Rockford for some reason, then you would need to send the individual components back to Motorola Parts for a exhange credit. You could then order new parts at discount. A controller would cost around 275.00 and the RF board about 299. You would also need to order a new controller board to RF board flex kit and retune the radio. The nice thing about ordering a new controller is that you can specify a flash code

So you can solve your problem and also upgrade your radio at the same time. Keep in mind that any new controller from them will be initialized with current RSS and will NOT be backward compatible.

Chris

Twisted_Pear · Post by **Twisted_Pear** » Fri Nov 09, 2001 8:58 pm

The radio came from eBay and the seller said it had worked at one time but it was many years ago, it had been in storage, blah blah. So I've never seen the radio work correctly. All internal connections are good and I just rechecked them. Each and every time on power up it shows self-test, then blanks. From my testing this is exactly what inhibited radios do. But it won't read (Req Not Acked/Nacked Err). I'm rather sure being it's a 'C' hardware version it hasn't been hacked or can be. So to the depot it goes...