HT600 Problem

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 9:03 pm

I have a few HT600's, one of them has a problem with retaining its power. When I power up the radio, sometimes I will get the power-up beep and other times not.

When it does power up, not always will it stay that way, sometimes it will beep again and then there is no power or at least appears no power. If I key the mic, no tx light. It appears that the radio doesn't know if it should have power or shouldn't have.

The batteries are brand new and work perfectly on my other HT600's. The radio's are all 438-470 bandsplit, with the correct bandsplit selected. For some reason, it sounds like this radio beeps a millisecond longer than the others on power-up.

Any idea's before I rip it apart and smash it with a hammer because I can't fix it?

n8uhn · Post by **n8uhn** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 9:50 pm

are the springs missing from the battery lock button and are the battery contacts good (not worn) on the ht-600?

Bill

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 9:51 pm

Yup, springs are good and I replaced the baseplate with another radio, still no go.

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 10:03 pm

Found the problem, the power on switch, haven't fixed it yet, but can wiggle and get the radio to come off/on.
thanks.....Dave.

April · Post by **April** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 12:17 am

Dave, a common problem on HT600/P200 radios. Sometimes using the ProGold contact sauce on the switch battery contacs will do the trick, saves having to solder to the flex. I have even cleaned the switch contacts with a Xacto knife.

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 6:16 am

April,
Actually the nut was loose on the assembly for the on/off, tightening it did the trick, so some sort of ground was the issue.

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 7:00 am

HI:

You may want to Revisit the area again.

I have seen many cases where the Flex Strip
is Broken, and even securing the Volume
Control Nut will only keep it alive for a short
time.

Its also a good idea to use a drop of Glyptol
or locktight Red to keep the nut from ever
getting loose again.

Controls that get loose, manytimes will allow
the Flex to deveople small cracks, ( Requires Resoldering ) but its also a good idea just to [ Replace ] the Volume Control
as with age, ware and tear, they do become intermittent
and will cause a assortment of probems.

Almost evey HT600/P200 I get in the shop for service
gets the Volume Control, Escutcheon, knobs, and Battery
Contacs & Pads replaced as a routine.

Once the radio goes through a good service check,
it should last another 10 years.

I feel the HT600/P200/MT1000 Series was one of Motorolas
BEST radio series and other than the size, they are still very
good. I use the Low Capicity Battery to cut down on the weight
for my simplex users. Excellent Audio too !

Monty

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 3:39 pm

Monty....very good advice. I agree when something like that gets loose, that other things can result. I did pull the radio completely apart when I was looking for the actual problem. I did not see any solder joint, etc. problems, but now that you said this, I will pull apart again and take a closer look. I also agree that some locktite is a good idea from keep the nut from coming loose.

There was alot of dirt down in the cracks around the pots/switches. I put on new knobs and Escutcheon, the battery contacts need to be replaced on one radio, which I have multiple sets on order, so I will replace them and the pads.

I do have one remaining problems on one of the four radio's I have, it appears that the Mic Gain on one of the radio's is not very good. I have to talk with my mouth really close to the Mic to get it to sound clearer (amplitude) on the other radio's. Of course it could be something with the Mic, I have not pulled apart that radio to look.

thanks again for the info........
dave

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 7:30 pm

HI:

Low Dev?

Thats probably a easy one.....

I have found sometimes Dirt and Debrie get jammed into
the small hole covering the Mic...Make sure that is claen.

If that does not solve the problem, either a realighment
or Mic element will need to be addressed

Monty

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 7:43 pm

I figured dirt was a possible problem, I will pull it apart here shortly and check it out, as well as other preventative maintenance and a thorough checkout of all connections and cleanliness.

I agree with you earlier comments earlier about they are great radio's, especially for todays $. I've got 4 of them now with a total of $165 invested, that includes 4 working chargers, batteries, etc. Had to get two accessory dust covers and two antenna's. They work great, especially with me being careless and dropping things, etc. Thanks again Monty for you expert advice.