APX 8000\8500\GTR8000 Guidance

[tech2223]

Hello,

I have worked in electronics for a few decades, but never in COMMs, which I am now responsible for supporting. Most of my career was in bench repair of TVs, basic avionics cards, military electronics, EW, modular radios(RT-524). The current setup at my location are handhelds, with base stations, and a couple of repeaters. I have about 30 radios onsite.

Does anyone have a suggestion about resources I could access to learn the current system in place and how to best keep it up and running. I have no experience and presently don't know the terminology. I have the CPS software along with tuner to view the radio configuration and perform alignments if necessary. I also need guidance on using the CPS software to program radios.

Whatever help anyone could provide would be appreciated. This is first time posting anywhere, so I hope I didn't break any protocols. Thanks in advance.

 

[jeepsandradios]

Id start with learning.motorolasolutions.com. If you dont have a myview account I'd work on that next (www.myview.motorolasolutions.com)

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I would also try and gather some more information regarding what your radio systems actually are.

 

[MTS2000des]

Yep, if you have a K-core or M-Core system, there are many classes on system level components that are covered. GTR8000s are pretty easy to maintain and are designed around module replacement strategy by swapping in/out modules after following troubleshooting flow charts. If you have a core, you have a lot more to deal with.

 

[tech2223]

Hello, back again,

I am a total rookie, and have no ideal what my limitations are for troubleshooting APX 8000/APX 8500 radios. I have done board/component level repairs over the years, but I m requesting advice on best way forward to resolve issues I have the radios on site that need repair.

I have about 30 radios on site, with a mix of the models listed above. I have very limited experience in communications, and I am trying to learn the hardware/software and terminology. I have CPS, Tuner, AKS(something like that), and the AEROFLEX 8800SX for testing/alignment. We are conventional here.

Whatever help you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jeepsandradios]

There isn't much inside either of those radios i'd touch. If it fails autotune then it probably needs to go to depot. I know some guys had some auto tune issues in past with cables and such so check your doing it per manuals. Personally I've seen very few go back so far on my end but I know radios do break and need a trip to the south for repair.

 

[KevinC]

Please, please, please account for your test cable loss. Otherwise your radios will fail TX power and will get adjusted to be too high.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Please, please, please account for your test cable loss. Otherwise your radios will fail TX power and will get adjusted to be too high.

This. I don't know (I believe it can) the Viavi unit can store a cable sweep for the test cable being used and automatically adjust readings based on that. I know the Astronics unit can do it but 99% of my service monitor experience is with the Motorola/General Dynamics/Freedom/Astronics lines.

 

[KevinC]

This. I don't know (I believe it can) the Viavi unit can store a cable sweep for the test cable being used and automatically adjust readings based on that. I know the Astronics unit can do it but 99% of my service monitor experience is with the Motorola/General Dynamics/Freedom/Astronics lines.

My 3920 would save the sweep of the test cable and apply the loss to the testing…if you set it up to.

 

[tech2223]

Good-day,

Sorry for the delayed response. Thanks everyone for your input. I will check my test setup of the AREOFLEX\VIAVA 8800SX. I know for a fact I didn't consider loss for my test cable. Thanks again everyone.