APX6000XE Channel knob changes radio volume

[PKnight56]

Hi there!

Our department has APX6000XE’s on a P25 Phase I simulcast system.

No matter where the volume knob is, anytime the channel knob is turned the volume of the radio decreases.

It also decreases automatically as the radio is turned on. Within a minute (while the volume knob is all the way up) the radios volume is already at its lowest.

Anyone have any ideas? None of our other radios do this!

 

[MTS2000des]

Put the portable in test mode, panel test. If the failure occurs in test mode, control top must be replaced. Last I checked, it was around a $600 part. If your XE is an AN, you're pretty much screwed as the ANs are officially off support as of Sept 2023 and those parts have been on the troubled list for months.

 

[PKnight56]

Put the portable in test mode, panel test. If the failure occurs in test mode, control top must be replaced. Last I checked, it was around a $600 part. If your XE is an AN, you're pretty much screwed as the ANs are officially off support as of Sept 2023 and those parts have been on the troubled list for months.

When the radio is in CH Test, the volume is changing without any user inputs. Would that mean its the part?
Also, how can I tell if the radio is an AN?

 

[PKnight56]

When I turn the knob up to 255 it steps back down to the 40-50 range! Not good lol

 

[MTS2000des]

When the radio is in CH Test, the volume is changing without any user inputs. Would that mean its the part?
Also, how can I tell if the radio is an AN?

Your pots/flex/something in the control top is hosed.
Look at the model number, if it ends in AN, it's an unsupported AN.
If it ends in BN, it can be sent to the depot under flat rate (which I recommend).

 

[PKnight56]

Thankfully its a -BN from the looks of it. I'll let our radio guy know it'll need to get sent off!

IMG_2474.MOV

 

[jruta]

Put the portable in test mode, panel test. If the failure occurs in test mode, control top must be replaced. Last I checked, it was around a $600 part. If your XE is an AN, you're pretty much screwed as the ANs are officially off support as of Sept 2023 and those parts have been on the troubled list for months.

What does troubled list mean? Asking because I might have to replace the controls on my own AN. Thanks

 

[MTS2000des]

What does troubled list mean? Asking because I might have to replace the controls on my own AN. Thanks

Means MSI can't get the part(s) from their suppliers.
FWIW, the volume pot is a specifically made for MSI under contract, and that company will not sell it to anyone else.
Good luck sourcing it on your own.

 

[otobmark]

I got a new radio top and chassis from guy in UK (nickelsparson) quite cheap. No idea what his inventory is like now. If money is not an issue then depot since they will test radio and determine fault.

 

[ElroyJetson]

I still find it amazing that Motorola could design something as conceptually simple as the control top and make it an expensive difficult to repair part that fails in crazy ways.

I'd have expected that out of Apple, not Motorola. But today's Motorola isn't the same Motorola of the days of Bob Galvin at the helm.

 

[MTS2000des]

Every company does it. Ask the guy who's Ford F-150 tail light cost $5600 and truck would not even start without it.

 

[FFPM571]

I just got the Email that 3-4 of my AN APX6000 are on the way back unrepaired for that reason. Now I get to tell the MR that handles a big Metro Airport that he can tell the communications director that he has a bunch of radios that are SOL when they go in for Depot granted they are pushing 11-12 years old now

 

[ElroyJetson]

I wouldn't mind buying a couple AN APXs really cheap just for fun....

 

[D4chaplain]

Ive found the xe tops online but ended up doing the ebay route. Head on radio i bought had a tear, so bought an ebay one for 100. Had the volune issues. Finally found a new chasis with housing and head for 550. Need the hosuing so work out for the better.

 

[jruta]

Ive found the xe tops online but ended up doing the ebay route. Head on radio i bought had a tear, so bought an ebay one for 100. Had the volune issues. Finally found a new chasis with housing and head for 550. Need the hosuing so work out for the better.

I see those XE control tops on eBay also, did you mean those had the same volume control issues also? Thanks

 

[D4chaplain]

No the last one with the housing works great. Im pretty sure it was new. Everything was still wrapped.

 

[jruta]

Listing for part number “01009506009 APX7000 control top”

Anyone know if this will work on a APX6kAN model?