20-527 Problem?

[zone97]

A friend gave my wife this scanner, it had been working fine. Then one day for no reason it stopped. By stopped I mean, that it still scans the freq. programmed into the unit but no sound other than light static and the key beep sounds. We also checked the squelch.

We have factory reset the unit, cleared the memory and manually put the freq. back in. Still same results.

We also tried new batteries and a different antena. Even the WX stations scan but they do not stop. Its as if the antena internally is gone and it can not "hear" any traffic on any freq.

anyone have any idea what could be wrong or is it just dead?

Thanks.

 

[GrayJeep]

Missing audio

A friend gave my wife this scanner, it had been working fine. Then one day for no reason it stopped. By stopped I mean, that it still scans the freq. programmed into the unit but no sound other than light static and the key beep sounds. We also checked the squelch.

We have factory reset the unit, cleared the memory and manually put the freq. back in. Still same results.

We also tried new batteries and a different antena. Even the WX stations scan but they do not stop. Its as if the antena internally is gone and it can not "hear" any traffic on any freq.

anyone have any idea what could be wrong or is it just dead?

Thanks.

You didn't say if you'd tried using the headphone jack. Could be something wrong in the audio chain.
So.... what was the reason the friend gave your wife the scanner ??? :->

 

[gmclam]

Bad volume potentiometer

You said you checked the squelch; I am not sure what you mean. Some scanners are notorious for having squech potentiometers that go bad. The volume potentiometer could open up and you would get no audio, even though it would look like it is working from the display.

Note: the beep sound goes around the volume pot. Therefore the volume pot setting does NOT affect the beep. If you're getting the beep, obviously the audio amp, speaker and headphone jack are working. If the scanner appears to be stopping on conversations, then clearly the receiver is working. It HIGHLY sounds like a defective VOLUME POTENTIOMETER to me.

 

[zone97]

You didn't say if you'd tried using the headphone jack. Could be something wrong in the audio chain.
So.... what was the reason the friend gave your wife the scanner ??? :->

Did not check the headset because the scanner never stops on a freq. Just keeps scanning.
She wanted a scanner so her friend picked one up on ebay.

 

[zone97]

You said you checked the squelch; I am not sure what you mean. Some scanners are notorious for having squech potentiometers that go bad. The volume potentiometer could open up and you would get no audio, even though it would look like it is working from the display.

Note: the beep sound goes around the volume pot. Therefore the volume pot setting does NOT affect the beep. If you're getting the beep, obviously the audio amp, speaker and headphone jack are working. If the scanner appears to be stopping on conversations, then clearly the receiver is working. It HIGHLY sounds like a defective VOLUME POTENTIOMETER to me.

The scanner never stops scanning, nor does it stop on weather?

 

[gmclam]

The scanner never stops scanning, nor does it stop on weather?

Then the problem is the squelch pot. This is a common problem with the PRO-97.

 

[n2mdk]

OK that's a Pro-97 as gmclam has said it's the squelch potentiometer that is broken. It's a common problem on some of the 97. The fact that it just keeps scanning even if you open the squelch sort of is the indication.

 

[N1BHH]

Turn on the radio. Turn the squelch knob fully counterclockwise and see if the scanning stops. Then turn the volume clockwise until you hear white noise and adjust the volume to a comfortable level, then adjust the squelch clockwise until the white noise stops and your radio scans again. Now press the WX button and if you are within range of a weather station you should hear one. Does it stop on a signal? Is your antenna connected?

It's best to go through the same procedure every time. If it doesn't stop on any weather station, that would point to one of two items. Either your antenna connection internally has a cold solder joint or you have Global Attenuation engaged, but you mentioned you have reset the radio, so I would suspect that it's the antenna connection internally. I would bring it down to your local Radio Shack or a buddy nearby you who has experience with the PRO-97 or other scanners. They should be able to help you.

 

[N1BHH]

Did not check the headset because the scanner never stops on a freq. Just keeps scanning.
She wanted a scanner so her friend picked one up on ebay.

I see the problem. EBAY. And 'she' wanted a scanner? You can buy $190 radios from EBAY and get a lemon. I have better luck getting it from Radio Shack, new! I've never had a problem with pots, only after ten years of use, though.

 

[zone97]

OK that's a Pro-97 as gmclam has said it's the squelch potentiometer that is broken. It's a common problem on some of the 97. The fact that it just keeps scanning even if you open the squelch sort of is the indication.

How difficult is it to repair?

 

[n2mdk]

If your confident of your ability to disassemble the radio remove the old pot desloder, and then solder in the new one it can be done. On a scale of 1-10 10 being the hardest I would say it's a 6 or 7.
If you join the Pro-97 Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pro-97/ there are postings of what replacement part to get and photos of how it's done.
I believe people on the group have said it will cost about $70 to have Radio Shack repair it

 

[gmclam]

PRO-97 pot replacement

How difficult is it to repair?

That's kind of like asking how difficult is it to replace the water pump in your auto. For some people, it is no big deal. For others, they let the pros do it. You'll need the part, small tools, suitable soldering station, etc. Keep in mind if this is new territory for you, you could end up damaging something like the display, and it will cost even more in the long run. But if you're a electronics geek and have worked on other things, then with care, this can be done "easily".

 

[zone97]

That's kind of like asking how difficult is it to replace the water pump in your auto. For some people, it is no big deal. For others, they let the pros do it. You'll need the part, small tools, suitable soldering station, etc. Keep in mind if this is new territory for you, you could end up damaging something like the display, and it will cost even more in the long run. But if you're a electronics geek and have worked on other things, then with care, this can be done "easily".

Well I do have a degree in electronics engineering. I just didnt know how hard it would be to get a replacement pot or not?

 

[gmclam]

PRO-97 potentiometer

Well I do have a degree in electronics engineering. I just didnt know how hard it would be to get a replacement pot or not?

Typically you can ORDER a part at your local Radio Shack. However, not even all RS employees know how to do this. There are several other threads here at RR on this topic. I believe someone even posted a part number.

 

[zone97]

I have contacted radio shack and the parts search they did not have the part anymore, where can I get a replacment pot for the vol/sql ?Thanks.

 

[emscapt9816]

Sounds like a bad antenna connection to me. Try N1BHH's steps first, before trying to replace parts.

 

[n2mdk]

Sounds like a bad antenna connection to me. Try N1BHH's steps first, before trying to replace parts.

Simple test just open the squelch full if the radio continues to scan on a conventional frequencies or you don't hear the open squelch noise it's not the antenna.

 

[zone97]

Simple test just open the squelch full if the radio continues to scan on a conventional frequencies or you don't hear the open squelch noise it's not the antenna.

This is what was done, as well as testing on the weather channels, still no go. I took it apart and put a meter on the pot and could get adjustment readings on the vol, but nothing when adjusting the sql.

 

[n2mdk]

If you want to get the proper part for it join the Yahoo Pro-97 group and look through the archive or ask again if anyone knows another source for replacement. I also believe that no matter what they told you if they use RSU (Radio Shack Unlimited) they should be able to get you the part.

 

[KC5EIB]

If your confident of your ability to disassemble the radio remove the old pot desloder, and then solder in the new one it can be done. On a scale of 1-10 10 being the hardest I would say it's a 6 or 7.
If you join the Pro-97 Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pro-97/ there are postings of what replacement part to get and photos of how it's done.
I believe people on the group have said it will cost about $70 to have Radio Shack repair it

12429163 POT VOLUME 50K OHM $15.89 In Stock SQUELCH 10K OHM