XPR XPR 7550 Weak Reception

[Binger511]

A month or so I decided to pull the trigger and get an XPR7550 (non-e). All seemed great except when receiving stations that would normally be loud and clear on my Kenwood's and HT750's, the XPR seems very static and unstable on some frequencies, especially when I'm moving around the house. Just bought a proper OEM antenna, so I would assume it isn't the antenna but who knows. With all of the positive reviews and people praising it like they do, it definitely isn't what its cracked up to be or maybe I've got a dud. Comparing my NX-3000 to the 7550 RSSI levels (Same channel, same location.)

 

[merlin]

You are going to need to use test mode and a service monitor to troubleshoot this.
I see people buy radios from ebay claiming to be refurbished and that means the radio has been worked on by who knows. Too many super techs not really qualified to open a radio, and then it doesn't go right.
Using test mode and a watt meter/dummy load, check the output power on TX. If it is way low, probably the board to antenna connection is bad. That little brass spring is easy to bend. SMA connectors can fail also.
If the power checks good, the antenna switch module has likely failed. The usual culprit there is strong RF field into the radio. The 7550 would be worth fixing if you are qualified to work on these, start with consulting both the brief and detailed service manuals.
73s

 

[K2NEC]

It's possible the radio needs to be aligned. As mentioned above, a lot of ebay radios come from unknown or questionable past owners.

Did you buy a whip antenna or a stubby? Does the antenna connector seem loose or does it wiggle at all?

 

[Floridarailfanning]

I'll definitely have to agree with @merlin and @K2NEC on getting the radio tuned, especially since it has an unknown origin, however, it may just be the poor analog performance of the XPR. In my experience, the XPR's (both e and non-e) seem to be deaf on analog when compared with other radios.

I often see the radios stop scanning with 2 or 3 bars showing but they fail to unmute. We've tried adjusting the Scan RSSI thresholds and messing with all kinds of settings without any luck. On the other hand, Digital RX has gotten vastly better in weak signal/fringe conditions over the years with the firmware updates.

 

[Binger511]

You are going to need to use test mode and a service monitor to troubleshoot this.
I see people buy radios from ebay claiming to be refurbished and that means the radio has been worked on by who knows. Too many super techs not really qualified to open a radio, and then it doesn't go right.
Using test mode and a watt meter/dummy load, check the output power on TX. If it is way low, probably the board to antenna connection is bad. That little brass spring is easy to bend. SMA connectors can fail also.
If the power checks good, the antenna switch module has likely failed. The usual culprit there is strong RF field into the radio. The 7550 would be worth fixing if you are qualified to work on these, start with consulting both the brief and detailed service manuals.
73s

You are right on. Bought it refurbished with a new housing.

Did you buy a whip antenna or a stubby? Does the antenna connector seem loose or does it wiggle at all?

I purchased a new whip (PMEA4079A) wideband uhf whip, and on the radio, all seems good.

Unfortunately I do not have access to a service monitor to get it tuned and aligned. Whereabout would one get this done at?

 

[MTS2000des]

This is a common thread these days with Ebay radios. Lots of junk peddlers and shade tree "teknishuns" who pass off a well worn and past it's prime used and abused radio as "refurbished" by slapping a new fresh off the boat Chinese housing and selling it for prime dollars. Putting a new coat of paint and bondo on a car with lots of miles that was in several wrecks and poorly maintained is not a "certified pre owned" anything but a jalopy.

As far as where you can get the radio tuned, any qualified Motorola Solutions Service Shop should be able to put the radio on their service monitor and auto tune it for around a half hour labor charge. Of course if it is way off or there are other issues, don't be surprised.

 

[DiGiTaLD]

it may just be the poor analog performance of the XPR. In my experience, the XPR's (both e and non-e) seem to be deaf on analog when compared with other radios.

I second this, at least for the 7550. We got new-in-box XPR 7550e portables a couple years ago at work. I carried one until a month or so ago because the analog performance got so bad on it, at least on my UHF analog repeater's output frequency and PL it became useless. I thought there was something wonky with my repeater. In an effort to eliminate that particular radio, however, I grabbed one out of our cache that has been used so little it still had the plastic protector on the screen on it and cloned it. It was even worse.

Before messing around any with the repeater, though, I ended up trying a ten year old XPR 6550 and it had none of the same problems as either of the 7550s did. On the 7550s I was getting weird audio distortion and failure to unmute with the correct PL, and on the 6550 sitting right next to it, the same signal sounded perfect. I put the 7550 back in the cache and am now using the 6550, and things have been great ever since.

YMMV

 

[Forts]

Unfortunately I do not have access to a service monitor to get it tuned and aligned. Whereabout would one get this done at?

Try making a post in the Buy/Sell forum. There might be someone in your general vicinity that can help you out. There are guys on eBay that offer alignment service, but again, YMMV. Local shops tend to not be overly helpful with this sort of thing or want to charge you and arm and a leg for it.

 

[Binger511]

I second this, at least for the 7550. We got new-in-box XPR 7550e portables a couple years ago at work. I carried one until a month or so ago because the analog performance got so bad on it, at least on my UHF analog repeater's output frequency and PL it became useless. I thought there was something wonky with my repeater. In an effort to eliminate that particular radio, however, I grabbed one out of our cache that has been used so little it still had the plastic protector on the screen on it and cloned it. It was even worse.

Before messing around any with the repeater, though, I ended up trying a ten year old XPR 6550 and it had none of the same problems as either of the 7550s did. On the 7550s I was getting weird audio distortion and failure to unmute with the correct PL, and on the 6550 sitting right next to it, the same signal sounded perfect. I put the 7550 back in the cache and am now using the 6550, and things have been great ever since.

YMMV

That would likely make the most sense because after running the serial numbers, it is a pretty new radio, and on local (5-15) miles it works pretty much flawlessly. After 15 or so miles it starts getting static unlike some of my Kenwood’s which would still sound fairly clear that far out.

 

[n3obl]

Yes you need to get your radio tuned. I have multiple xpr on Allegheny county with no issues.

 

[Binger511]

Yes you need to get your radio tuned. I have multiple xpr on Allegheny county with no issues.

I talked to a friend who has the equipment to check it out tomorrow, I’ll post the results when I find out

 

[Firebuff880]

Just bought a proper OEM antenna, so I would assume it isn't the antenna but who knows.

You sure you have a good / real antenna. XPRs use a unique BOLT style verses a normal SMA style connection to the radio, and the wrong type would defiantly result in your experiences.