GE MDX stuck in program mode

[cahighwayman25]

I have an 800Mhz GE MDX radio, that when I went to program it with a couple of freq's, it's now stuck in program mode, and I can't get the radio to work normally. Please help me. I tried to wirte the old codeplug back, but the PC isn't seeing the radio.

Trevor KI6KGN

[EDACSTECH]

Originally Posted by cahighwayman25

I have an 800Mhz GE MDX radio, that when I went to program it with a couple of freq's, it's now stuck in program mode, and I can't get the radio to work normally. Please help me. I tried to wirte the old codeplug back, but the PC isn't seeing the radio.

Trevor KI6KGN

If your MDX powers up in the program mode without a program cable attached, or buttons held, I suggest the following:
1. Remove the front cover and keycaps.
2. Remove the rubber pad that contacts the pc board.
3. Make sure that the pc board is clean and nothing has collected in the area of where the rubber pads contact the pc board.
4. Power up the radio without the rubber pad and see if the radio powers up in the program mode. If it doesn't, clean the rubber pad with soap and water, dry very well and return it to the radio to test. I have had the rubber pad cause this problem several times.
5. If the radio still powers up in the program mode without the rubber pad in place, you can use another good radio to test with. Take the display board from the good radio and test in the bad radio. You should be able narrow down where the problem is without too much trouble.

** Make shure the radio is unplugged from power cable before working with boards etc.

Good Luck

[morganAL]

I have a new display board I would part with if you need it.

[Marty-Bishop]

Doh! I hate it when that happens. Sorry chap, you fried your logic board. Those MDXs are pretty good radios but one thing they don't tolerate is too much voltage on the RIB. Check you rib power supply, if its putting out more than 14 Volts it's the wrong one. I had some goofballs in my shop using the wall wart off a E300p charger which is unregulated and puts out 17 - 19 volts static. Most other radios can handle it ok but in the MDX it will fry the CPU. Like I said, sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[cahighwayman25]

The programming cable is the ribless one, and I check the control head and it's ok. This occured after I programmed the radio with what needed, so i'm wondering if something incorrect was programmed into so idk.

[Forts]

Pretty sure this is what just happened to my MDX. Just got the damn thing yesterday too! Hooked my rib up to read it and it wouldn't connect... now I see the same symptoms. Everything lights up when I turn it on then the display goes blank. I can't imagine getting it repaired would be worth the $$ at this point.

[Prospect62]

Originally Posted by Forts

Pretty sure this is what just happened to my MDX. Everything lights up when I turn it on then the display goes blank.

I know this may not make sense to those of you who actually know what you're doing, but...

I had the same problem with a dual-format MDX. Everything lit up on power up then the alpha display went dark. Couldn't read it (the radio, not the display...well I couldn't read the display either, but I digress).

What I did was create a new personality and forced it in. Seemed to fix the problem. Not sure if it was a fluke or a legitimate thing to try when presented with these symptoms.

Not sure what to tell the OP, his problem sounds worse.