WS1040: 1040 went silent

[KevinC]

I’ve had the exact symptoms on a couple of WS1040’s over the last couple of years.

I tried everything and I’m quite savvy with these units. I inspected the connections at the antenna, board etc. but nothing was unusual.

I had to send the units to Whistler for repair. Both came back repaired and working with the slip reading; “Replaced Antenna Nodule.”

Serious question…nodule or module?

 

[tvengr]

it seems strange to me that it was not moved from it's location and developed this , this issue. Just turned it off while it was working and unplugged it to use a drill. An hour later I plugged it back in and nothing.

There is a warning in the manual about the proper way to connect to external power:

To use an external power source:
1. Always connect the adapter (not supplied) to the scanner first.
2. Plug the adapter into the power source.
3. To disconnect, unplug the adapter from the power source first.

 

[Dumbass2]

Back from the bench, no change.

Antenna nodule/module you say? Could be that I turned it off plugged in. Seems like a good way to get scanners in for repair by the same company that fills the potholes.. anyway what did it cost total to send it in/repair/return..?

y'all are great 👍 😃

 

[KevinC]

It should have a 1 year warranty. When did you purchase it?

 

[Dumbass2]

Three months ago plugged it in one month ago. Guess that about wraps up this mystery.

Possible cause : malfunctioning antenna nodule/module. Not a home repair as no parts would be available unless a donor unit with working mod/nod was used.

Thanks and if y'all have more suggestions I will happily try them while I read about warranty information, although it's been admitted to the world I turned it off wrong.

 

[KevinC]

Three months ago plugged it in one month ago.

Send it in for warranty repair.

 

[tvengr]

Send it in for warranty repair.

I agree! Since NOAA weather doesn't work, it is more than a programming problem. We have covered all of the usual problems. I would suggest that you install programming software on your computer. It is so much faster and easier using software to program and you can save what you have done. It's also easier to make changes and additions. Another thing you can do is to store the working memory in the scanner to a V-Scanner folder. The resets don't affect V-Scanner memory. You can then load the V-Scanner folder back into the working memory after a reset.

 

[Dumbass2]

I agree! Since NOAA weather doesn't work, it is more than a programming problem. We have covered all of the usual problems. I would suggest that you install programming software on your computer. It is so much faster and easier using software to program and you can save what you have done. It's also easier to make changes and additions. Another thing you can do is to store the working memory in the scanner to a V-Scanner folder. The resets don't affect V-Scanner memory. You can then load the V-Scanner folder back into the working memory after a reset.

Most excellent thank you. The last update on a computer I ran was windows 98. I'm talking to you all on a little phone.. I watched some videos about the software and programs but It looks like I'd have to purchase a computer and hire a technician to teach me the language again. The v-folder looks like something I can definitely benefit from, thank you!! This scanners scared the hell out of me buying any electronics again soon. Pretty lucky it has a warranty for malfunctioning products through the company. we will see what they say.

 

[tvengr]

Please let us know what the problem was when the scanner returns. Personally, I find that using a computer and software is far easier than programming that model scanner manually. I programmed a PRO-197, the base/mobile version, for a large system manually and I wish I hadn't. Just adding alpha tags with a 2-digit code for each character takes forever. I have also programmed Uniden scanners manually. I wore out the scroll control on a BC296D selecting characters for alpha tags. Programming software is the way to go.

 

[Dumbass2]

Please let us know what the problem was when the scanner returns. Personally, I find that using a computer and software is far easier than programming that model scanner manually. I programmed a PRO-197, the base/mobile version, for a large system manually and I wish I hadn't. Just adding alpha tags with a 2-digit code for each character takes forever. I have also programmed Uniden scanners manually. I wore out the scroll knob on a BC296D selecting characters for alpha tags. Programming software is the way to go.

I absolutely will and wish I could do more for this community. You are right it is an absolute time consuming task, what a goofy input for characters.. for me it was easier than getting back into computers and learning an entirely new language. Anyone can read a manual or list of numbers and push buttons .. but sit someone like me Infront of a computer and watch them chuckle at the reflection. Maybe the time has come I really really enjoyed listening to everything. Much more interesting than my CB , although it still has its moments of hilarity and use. Have a great summer and pick up some good vibrations you helpful handful.

DA2

 

[Nasby]

Serious question…nodule or module?

Nodule.
I was baffled too. But that’s what it said on two separate repair slips.
I would bet that it may be the same issue.

 

[KevinC]

Nodule.
I was baffled too. But that’s what it said on two separate repair slips.
I would bet that it may be the same issue.

Weird.

 

[wtp]

i would really hate to hear that attenuation was on after all of this.

 

[tvengr]

i would really hate to hear that attenuation was on after all of this.

Check that the global attenuator is not turned on (GA will appear at top of screen).

There IS a G in the menu display mode at the top.

That was already checked.

 

[firegirl26]

I developed the same problem today with my scanner except i do get the noaa

 

[tvengr]

Which systems and agencies are you trying to monitor other than weather. Are you using programming software?

 

[firegirl26]

Pinellas county fire/ems and police. Yes, it psr500 was the programming. Things have resolved now. apparently, I was picking up another site because different frequency today.

 

[tvengr]

Pinellas county fire/ems and police. Yes, it psr500 was the programming. Things have resolved now. apparently, I was picking up another site because different frequency today.

One thing for you to check: If Multi Site Mode on the trunked system is set to Roam, the scanner will scan only the site with the best signal. The scanner may have grabbed hold of a different site because of that. Using PSREdit500, if you set Multi Site Mode to STAT (Stationary), the scanner will scan every site whose control channel frequencies are in the frequency list.

 

[Dumbass2]

Just got a box in the mail 😁 - IT LIVES !

Factory replaced : ANTENNA MODULE

They also reprogrammed some local channels on it. It's awesome having it back up and running. Thanks again to everyone who helped me troubleshoot this problem.

 

[tvengr]

Anyone can read a manual or list of numbers and push buttons .. but sit someone like me Infront of a computer and watch them chuckle at the reflection.

You would have a pleasant surprise that it is far easier using programming software than trying to do it in the scanner menus. All of the programming info appears on the computer screen at once rather than having to step through numerous levels of menus to view the data one at a time. You are far less likely to make programming errors when you can readily see everything. If you do make an error, it is easier to find it. Also, you can save all of your programming. If you lose programming in the scanner, you just upload the file to the scanner again using the software. It is also easier to make changes. You will be able to type alpha tags into the computer rather than having to enter a 2-digit code for each character one at a time in the scanner.