Can't read GM300

Post by **wavetar** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:26 pm

Hello all. I have a problem with a GM300. The unit seems to work just fine, no error tones on wake up or anything like that. When I try to read the radio (with my all Motorola, DOS only 486-25 setup) it immediately gives me the following error:

Serial bus error:
#7 - Invalid Opcode

I have many other GM300s here which read just fine, so I know it's the radio. I have tried swapping the control head with another, no difference. My RSS is the latest version 5.00.00

I was hoping someone on the board had some further suggestions before it goes off to Motorola. Many thanks.

Todd

radioEd · Post by **radioEd** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:36 pm

Is this a new one? Ever read it before? I had that message once..I shut everything down..took all cables off, then on .re-booted pc..everything! check all contacts. and it read the radio! unless you did that..then I suspect the radio...In looking over batlabs, 3 more ideas are on the site: rib voltage, re-install the RSS, use a backup copy of the .mdf file

[ This Message was edited by: radioEd on 2002-01-15 15:37 ]

[ This Message was edited by: radioEd on 2002-01-15 16:16 ]

Post by **wavetar** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 4:48 pm

Thanks ED, I guess I should have mentioned I also checked on Batlabs. So far, 3 different computers, 3 different RIBs. Off to Motorola it goes, I guess.

Todd

radioEd · Post by **radioEd** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 5:58 pm

On 2002-01-15 19:48, wavetar wrote:
Thanks ED, I guess I should have mentioned I also checked on Batlabs. So far, 3 different computers, 3 different RIBs. Off to Motorola it goes, I guess.

Todd

And the other GM300's read ok? Well it must be the radio! I ordered 60 MTX8000's & two had problems & went back to moto! good luck! Ed

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 8:16 pm

Hi:

Chances are very high you have corrupted
the code plug in the radio. Restoration
of a GM300 Logic Board requires some special
tools and time...

I can resore them for 1/2 of what Motorola
Charges...Typically around 125.00

MS

CHEFA2001 · Post by **CHEFA2001** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 8:19 pm

Just had to say, But mean NO disrespect to ANYONE. I don't think HE corrupted the c/p.
SOmeone else could have done it, or it could be a Freaky //otorola thing.

My 1 cent.

radioEd · Post by **radioEd** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 8:35 pm

It would be nice if he had a warranty on it! He says he has many others. I don't know if he has a shop/business...whatever..

[ This Message was edited by: radioEd on 2002-01-15 23:37 ]

walt10 · Post by **walt10** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 10:26 pm

I got one off ebay that had that problem. After a lot of checking I found that there was a little corrosion on the mic jack connectors. After a lot of cleaning I got the radio to read.

Walt

radioEd · Post by **radioEd** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 11:31 pm

Well Walt, I hope Todd checks your post before he ships it to "moto"! on a longshot, it may work! I was lucky, I took off all the other cables.....Ed

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Jan 16, 2002 12:01 am

Hey, if all else fails, send it to Monte. He KNOWS how to restore corrupt "code plug" information in the radio.

Post by **wavetar** » Wed Jan 16, 2002 4:20 am

Hey guys! Thanks for all the suggestions. I do work at an MSS, so I have plenty of experience & many spare parts to swap around. It is a definite logic board problem, as another works fine in the radio. A corrupted codeplug is a possibility, although I have no idea how it would've become that way. We programmed it nearly 5 years ago with a DOS only 486-25MHz, it hadn't been touched since. So, my offer to send Monty my first corrupted codeplug still stands

...but I don't think I did it in this case! Unfortunately, the customer requires new frequencies put in, so off to "M" it must go. Thanks for the offer Monty, but our flat-rate repair cost is $253 Canadian, with no border hassles. I'd have to pay nearly that much just to send it over the border to you! Not to mention $125 American is about a million Canadian

I suppose I could try swapping out the codeplug IC (U805)...I've repaired many bad MTX800/810's by doing that...sigh... decisions, decisions.

Todd

[ This Message was edited by: wavetar on 2002-01-16 10:38 ]

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Wed Jan 16, 2002 7:39 am

Hi Todd:

After reading some additional information,
I suspect your radio may have a Bad Componet.

Although Extremly Rare, it does happen from
time to time.....

You might " Try " Pressing on the Logic Board
during the Read mode....That maybe show-up
a problem....Out of the 100's I have restored, I did see that on occasion,and the
problem was located to a Cracked PC Board, and sometimes a Cracked Componet.

Customer Failed to mention the vehical the
radio was in was totaled in a accident. I was
wondering about the saw blade teeth marks...

They had to use a Hack Saw to get the radio
loose....

Anyhow , give that a try.

Also, ya, those GM300's are a real pain to
fix ( thanks to our Motorola team ) BUT it
CAN be done outside of the factory !!

You must get a special deal....

Here in the US, the Flat Rate Repair on GM300's is $240.00

MS

Post by **wavetar** » Wed Jan 16, 2002 8:00 am

Thanks Monty, I'll give that a quick try, you never know. Our pricing is the standard Canadian Flat Rate, that's one thing we seem to get a bit of a break on up here compared to the U.S. I'm not sure why, because the radios retail for a hell of a lot more (never did hear from Jim as to what "cheaper" Motorola equipment he thought was available up here).

Todd

Post by **wavetar** » Fri Feb 22, 2002 4:33 am

I've been waiting weeks to post this

All it took was a customer who wasn't in a hurry for the unit, some spare time out of a busy schedule & a 'scope. Turns out it was a defective transistor, Q817, in case anyone comes across this trouble in the future.

Todd