Astro Spectra that reboots?

[kk6rq]

I hope someone either has experienced these problems or knows what might
cause them as it is driving me nuts...
1st, my VHF Astro Spectra periodically will just restart itself (like power-cycling) for no reason. Sometimes it happens every few minutes, other times every few days..

Facts:
1) I've checked all connections; no bent pins, either.
2) Firmware is possibly a beta version- something like "5.01.XX.00"
(I'm not in a position to check it exactly at the moment, but it DOES
actually have the X's)

2nd problem is the radio will show a FAIL 001 VCO out-of-lock if I change
channels or volume or something after not touching it for awhile. Restarting
the radio clears the problem. I've tried another VCO; no difference.

My guess is the (likely) beta host revision. Anybody seen a technical
bulletin on these problems?

 

[SCPD]

That version of host is so old, I don't even know where to begin helping you. Get it upgraded! The current release is like R11.24.00 I believe.

You may have a 512K vocon board too - in that case you're going to need to locate a 1-meg board, or buy one from M. The 1-meg boards are needed for the newer firmware.

Also, check the emergency pins on the accessory connector. Those are 2 and 8. They must be closed (normally closed switch) or the radio behaves rather odd at times.

S

 

[kk6rq]

Rebooting Astro Spectra...

1) When I can afford it.

2) No, definitely a 1 MB board.

3) 2+8 is connected. I appreciate the suggestion on that last one, but
I know this in particular isn't an issue.

I'm reasonably certain, unless somebody comes up with a definitive
issue from a service bulletin, that it's most likely the host/firmware.

BTW, since I posted the original, I've disassembled and cleaned all of
the boards in the radio; although it still does the FAIL 001, it does it much
less often. I think this too is related to the fw.

 

[SCPD]

Re: Rebooting Astro Spectra...

1) When I can afford it.

2) No, definitely a 1 MB board.

Are you absolutey sure? A board with firmware that old wouldn't display the vocon size during SERVICE mode. The only way to know for sure would be to yank it out and take a look at the revision number. I _believe_ 1-meg boards start around version F. Don't quote me on that. Perhaps someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

The only reason I'm concerned about you vocon size is that a radio that old (judging age by the firmware version) would most likely have a 512K vocon. The 1-meg vocon's were standard from the factory, much later than the date version 5 host firmware would've been released.

3) 2+8 is connected. I appreciate the suggestion on that last one, but
I know this in particular isn't an issue.

Most excellent. The lack of that jumper's installation casues some REAL issues, including failure codes upon powerup, an apparent "dead" radio, constantly sending deaffiliation packets (for infinity) when you power the unit down, etc. It's quite common for people to be ignorant to the jumper's necessity.

I'm reasonably certain, unless somebody comes up with a definitive
issue from a service bulletin, that it's most likely the host/firmware.

I tend to agree -- since you've already swapped RF hardware.

BTW, since I posted the original, I've disassembled and cleaned all of
the boards in the radio; although it still does the FAIL 001, it does it much
less often. I think this too is related to the fw.

If you have a polishing tool, pull out the header pin connector that fits between the vocon and control board, and make sure those pins are sparkling. You can always order a new header pin configuration if it's too oxidized. Let me know if you need the part #.

If the header pins are that dirty, I'd be worried about other oxidation problems in the radio too.

I suspect it's just the firmware. I'm just trying to think of anything else that could be contributing to the failures.

S

 

[PJH]

I'd bet that the command board is acting up. I have an Astro Spectra that would go Fail 1/90 in cold weather, and keep looping until it warmed up. Now its just a perm Fail 1/90 in warmer weather. Chances are a broken trace or even a cap leak somewhere.

For some reason, earlier command boards were changed out quite a bit. I think they are on Rev H for them. I'll be sending mine to the depot shortly, and I would like to know what they find.

 

[SCPD]

They'll probably find that you owe them $400 for 15 minutes of their time. Hopefully they'll remember to give you a firmware lift - if it's not too much trouble for their polished hands. I know it's really a big production to spend an extra 10 minutes on your radio. You're only paying $400 you know. You should be grateful they're even willing to accept it at that price.



S

 

[kk6rq]

Pleasure Boatiing A-Spec

Yeah, I imagine if they're using the same SMT caps that
regular Spectras used (which, at least for me, failed right
on schedule at about 10 years, due to leaking, drying out
or both) it very well could be. Point well taken.

Oh-update to Shaun- I still haven't had a chance to open it up to
verify the vocon rev, but the sn sticker says 1 MEG.
Ever hear of that being wrong?

 

[SCPD]

Hey,

If it says 1-Meg, then it's probably 1-meg.

Interesting though - I'll bet you got an upgrade (or someone else did along the way) the last time the radio was in the depot, and maybe they flashed the 1-Meg vocon with OLD firmware - the same version that was on the 512K board.

Very interesting, especially with host firmware that's so old!

S

 

[hulka]

Fail 01/90 is a power problem to the main unit. Sometime unpluging it for a minute that re-plugging it back in will "reset" the radio. I would check to make sure you are getting the 12v at the end of your power cable to where it plugs into the radio. This may sound stupid but I have seen two things with these radios, both in police cars, that is the battery gets weak (falls below 12v) and the radio goes bonkers. If you can put a "load tester" on the battery to see if it is still good. Also a ground was bad. The person hooked it the metal sheathing inside the engine compartment instead of to the - side of the battery.

Something you can try.

If I recall Fail 001 is a command board problem.

Kevin

 

[PJH]

Fail 001 is a VCO out of lock... IE putting 410mhz in a 450-470 radio. IF the radio can't lock on a freq, you get a fail 001.

 

[kk6rq]

001

Yep, I know that; the problem is that it only does it after changing
channels alot and goes away after rebooting the radio. It locks all the
way across the radios range otherwise. This is something else causing
it as it happens even smack dab in the middle of the range and then only
occasionally. We're pretty sure now it's buggy beta firmware.
I'm going to temporarily drop different command/vocon boards into
it shortly to test the theory.

 

[PJH]

What's the HOST/DSP and RSS/CPS verisons?

 

[Glockorola]

Someone suggested that you clean your connectors by polishing them until they are shiny, etc. DO NOT DO THIS, unless you want to wreck your radio!

At the Motorola Repair Depot, they have a special solvent that is specifically approved to clean Motorola ASTRO Spectra, XTL5000, XTS5000, etc. radio connectors (which you can buy from Motorola, and it's not at all too pricey---$5 a can, and it will last you a long, long time). It thoroughly cleans the connectors without removing the plating. If you polish the connectors and/or pins with any sort of an abrasive (or even with an improper cleaner/solvent), you will remove the plating. Result: It will work like gangbusters for a short time, only to fail worse than ever in the near future as the contact connectors corrode like heck once their plating surfaces have been removed.

BTW, before the Flamers post that this is a Motorola plot to make big money on cleaner spray, that's BS. It's $5 a can, which is the same or less than what you pay for the typical krap at the Rat Shack or any neighborhood electronic store, and that stuff either doesn't work, or it ruins the connector plating. Save that stuff for your old CB, or B&W tube TV set, etc.

You may have a nasty intermittent on your hands. It might be worth the flat rate of $375 (I just checked my 4Q04 eCat) to run it through the Motorola Repair Center, as they will definitely return it with the latest FLASH, and a complete retune. Remember that a new ASTRO Spectra loaded with all features is a $6,000+ radio, so $375 to get a warrantied radio, perfectly tuned at a test bench with $2 million of test gear, and loaded with the latest FLASH is a darn good deal.

BTW, there's a bunch of way cool new stuff on the latest ASTRO Spectra FLASH! We just had our ASTRO Spectras uplifted to the latest firmware Rev, and for one thing, DVSI has delivered an improved IMBE load that incorporates a new and substantially improved codebook. The new codebook incorporates some of their cellular codebook features, such as rejection of air conditioning/HVAC sounds, wind noise, etc. We've noticed big improvements in elimination of background noises such as these, as well as a much clearer/cleaner voice quality, in general. Still not as good as AMBE 2020 of course, but much improved for IMBE. (Can't wait for the new Phase II half-rate coder---HooYaah!). The recovered voice is WAY, WAY improved even over our one year old FLASH.

 

[PJH]

That would be DSP 8+ Really cool DSP set.

A word to the wise however, if you have an invaild flash or a hack job, your radio will most likely come back with a basic flash. Most Astro Spectra's are not all hacked like the Sabers/XTS's where, however there are still plenty of them out there.

Just remember, if you have DSP 8 (even 7 sounds good), enable the AGC options.