VX231 repeater issues

[Eric89]

I have noticecd that my vhf Vertex VX231 is no longer hitting a neighboring town repeater, I am also noticing as well as others have complained that im unreadable / muffled on the repeated channels that do still work in the radio, im guessing it is an alignment problem?? does anyone know a solution to solve this problem or am i in need to buy a better / different radio? all suggestions are welcomed, thanks.

 

[KampingAnthony1AolCo]

I have noticecd that my vhf Vertex VX231 is no longer hitting a neighboring town repeater, I am also noticing as well as others have complained that im unreadable / muffled on the repeated channels that do still work in the radio, im guessing it is an alignment problem?? does anyone know a solution to solve this problem or am i in need to buy a better / different radio? all suggestions are welcomed, thanks.

Are you using the longer VHF antenna on the radio or a stub VHF antenna? If you are using a stub VHF antenna that could be why you aren't hitting the repeater.

 

[Eric89]

original long stock antenna, its definately not the antenna, when the radio was newer it was flawless with all repeaters. but it has definately developed issues, on another fourm they mentioned IF filters going bad, unknown if thats the problem, although simplex channels work fine just repeated channels are bad, 1 of the repeaters i am no longer hitting at all anymore, but the other repeaters that i am hitting has the audio "unreadible" by my dispatcher multiple times.

 

[KampingAnthony1AolCo]

original long stock antenna, its definately not the antenna, when the radio was newer it was flawless with all repeaters. but it has definately developed issues, on another fourm they mentioned IF filters going bad, unknown if thats the problem, although simplex channels work fine just repeated channels are bad, 1 of the repeaters i am no longer hitting at all anymore, but the other repeaters that i am hitting has the audio "unreadible" by my dispatcher multiple times.

Did you check if the cermic filter looks bad. Maybe that needs replaced. Are you using a mic with the radio?

 

[cmdrwill]

I have noticecd that my vhf Vertex VX231 is no longer hitting a neighboring town repeater, I am also noticing as well as others have complained that im unreadable / muffled on the repeated channels that do still work in the radio, im guessing it is an alignment problem?? does anyone know a solution to solve this problem or am i in need to buy a better / different radio? all suggestions are welcomed, thanks.

Well, that does NOT sound like a receiver filter problem.

 

[MBill]

Not familiar with the VX-231, but have you tried using an external mike in case the internal mike has
gone bad? Also, anyway you can test the power output of the radio to see if you are still putting out
around 5 watts? Also check the antenna to make sure center pin is not broken or loose, if it is of
that type. Sometimes the antenna center pin is on the antenna, sometimes on the antenna connector
in the radio. Unless the radio is still under warranty, or no simple solution is found, I would get
another radio. The new Vertex VX-261's are very nice and fairly cheap.

 

[KampingAnthony1AolCo]

original long stock antenna, its definately not the antenna, when the radio was newer it was flawless with all repeaters. but it has definately developed issues, on another fourm they mentioned IF filters going bad, unknown if thats the problem, although simplex channels work fine just repeated channels are bad, 1 of the repeaters i am no longer hitting at all anymore, but the other repeaters that i am hitting has the audio "unreadible" by my dispatcher multiple times.

Not familiar with the VX-231, but have you tried using an external mike in case the internal mike has
gone bad? Also, anyway you can test the power output of the radio to see if you are still putting out
around 5 watts? Also check the antenna to make sure center pin is not broken or loose, if it is of
that type. Sometimes the antenna center pin is on the antenna, sometimes on the antenna connector
in the radio. Unless the radio is still under warranty, or no simple solution is found, I would get
another radio. The new Vertex VX-261's are very nice and fairly cheap.

Yes the VX-261 is a nice radio. It has signaling options the VX-231 does not have like MDC1200 and 2-tone and 5-tone. Have you tried and test the radio with a service monitor?

 

[Eric89]

i have a feeling that its the ceramic IF filter but im not sure, i want to be 100% sure of the problem before i attempt to fix it, we have ruled out all other possibilies, the antenna and mic is not the problem, 1.simplex channels work fine, 2. 1 repeater i can no longer hit in a neighboring town only 6miles away its omni directional if that helps, &3. of the repeated channles that i can hit, 2 which are further away then the neightboring channel i can hit, i am coming over as muffled and or unreadible.

 

[cmdrwill]

Well the "ceramic IF filters" are in and part of the receiver. And you describe a transmit problem..........

 

[WA0CBW]

As "cmdrwill" said ceramic filters are part of the receiver, not the transmiter. Look for something in the transmiter (microphone, antenna, etc.). Put it on the bench and check the transmiter for correct frequency, modulation and power.
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