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Spectra Fail 001

Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 8:04 pm
by posse401
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?

Thanks.

Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 8:18 pm
by thebigphish
VCO lock, if it started out of the blue, the VCO has failed.

This is VERY common problem, and is FREQUENTLY posted about. please search on it.

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:38 am
by Will
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.

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:16 pm
by posse401
So this is definately something I have to take to a shop to deal with?

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:45 pm
by larryepage
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...

Regards,

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 9:58 pm
by posse401
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.

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 1:38 am
by Will
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.

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 4:52 pm
by williamh
what would you charge to align one ??? had the same problem .. i replaced the board myself but i know it needs to be aligned ...

williamh

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 9:48 pm
by Will
wiliamh,

What board did you replace?

Fail 001

Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 11:41 am
by fireman1910
My spectra is showing same thing but, it's only on a couple of channels and I have no problems with tx and rx on the other channels.

Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 12:02 pm
by williamh
Will wrote:wiliamh,

What board did you replace?
here is the number on the board i replaced

HRN6001C

VHF Receiver Board

Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 11:27 pm
by Will
Williamh,

" here is the number on the board i replaced, HRN6001C
VHF Receiver Board"

Just need to adjust the squelch.

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 4:17 pm
by williamh
the squelch adjustable from the front panel ??

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 10:21 pm
by Will
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.


Other that that, how is the radio working now?

Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2004 6:50 pm
by williamh
not too bad . the receive sensitivity seems a little low too me ...

the other spectra, i have ( motorcycle version ) has a little bit better receiver than the one i am using now .. but i needed a secure radio.