I have a like new Motorola CDM1550 that the Control Head has become unresponsive. It will no longer allow me to use any of the buttons on the control head. The radio powers up fine and broadcasts audio, it will also transmit without any issues. The radio powers on to whatever channel you have in the number 1 slot. This radio is pretty new to me as I just recently got it. The Professional Series CPS is not new to me. Is there a chance that this is a programming issue or is this completely a hardware issue?
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CDM1550 Control Head Unresponsive
- Thread starter BlueDevil
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- cdm cdm1550 control head
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Have you/can you read the radio's codeplug to determine what is programmed?
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
At what point did it become 'unresponsive'? Was this a used radio that you purchased that never worked right? Was this a radio that worked fine and then suddenly stopped working?
Check the flex cable to make sure it isn't loose.
Get the service manual and start checking voltages. There are various circuits in these radios that use different voltages, and it's possible one of the voltage regulators has failed.
I bought this radio in “used” condition however it was like new. I’m not sure it was ever put into use/service. It worked perfectly when I got it. It still does with the exception of the buttons on the control head. I am not sure if it is related at all but it did have some sort of add-on installed in it. I’m not entirely sure what it was. The solder connection broke on one of the wires. See picture attached. Around that same time (roughly) I noticed the front buttons were no longer working. However, I didn’t notice it immediately as this radio is apart of a project that I have been intermittently working on.
Attachments
The black wire was connected to a chip at the area circled in red. The chip broke off with the wire and then fell off the wire. The black wire is no longer connected. However, the add-on device is no long apart of the system. The red wire is still attached but doesn’t go anywhere.
I have double, triple checked the ribbon cables and have swapped them out with two others I have on hand. All of them are like new with no signs of damage or compromise.
I have double, triple checked the ribbon cables and have swapped them out with two others I have on hand. All of them are like new with no signs of damage or compromise.
Attachments
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
That chip that fell off was a chip resistor that had to do with the keypad on the front.
Manual says it's a 130KΩ chip resistor. About 10¢. But installing it takes the right tools.
Manual says it's a 130KΩ chip resistor. About 10¢. But installing it takes the right tools.
Maybe I will give it a shot. The other option would be to replace the board, likely by buying a used control head and swapping the board. The cosmetic condition of mine is like new.
If I was to buy a control head for the purposes of swapping the board, what model(s) of control heads would be compatible? Do I specifically need a CDM1550 or could I use a CDM1550LS? Does the donor control head need to come from the same band (VHF) as my radio or could I use a control head from a UHF radio?
If I was to buy a control head for the purposes of swapping the board, what model(s) of control heads would be compatible? Do I specifically need a CDM1550 or could I use a CDM1550LS? Does the donor control head need to come from the same band (VHF) as my radio or could I use a control head from a UHF radio?
KC9LQV
Member
CDM heads can be flakey because all the parts are just held together by the friction of snapping the head together. If the main board and LCD are not seated exactly right, they won't make consistent contact, or may become intermittent if the head is subject to lots of vibration. Make sure all the contacts are very clean and make sure the head is snapped together fully. There should be no gap between the front and back housings.
Clean the conductive contacts on the back of the keypad and the contacts on the board. It might help, but I suppose the chances of ALL the keys failing at the same time is slim. But it could also be a seating problem.
I know you said you checked the flex, but also be sure it's correctly oriented. IIRC, there is a "0" mark on the cable, board, and back housing that indicates the correct orientation.
Clean the conductive contacts on the back of the keypad and the contacts on the board. It might help, but I suppose the chances of ALL the keys failing at the same time is slim. But it could also be a seating problem.
I know you said you checked the flex, but also be sure it's correctly oriented. IIRC, there is a "0" mark on the cable, board, and back housing that indicates the correct orientation.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
That might be an easier approach compared to doing surface mount soldering.
You just need a head from a CDM1550. Band doesn't matter, that stuff is all in the RF deck, not the head.
Could I use the board from an LS model?
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Yes. The CDM1550 heads are the same.
BTW, where could I pick one of these up at? Just do a web search with those specifications and order one from whatever pops up first? Amazon? eBay? My plan is to find a replacement head to swap boards with although I might as well use this as a training exercise in micro chip soldering. It wouldn't be my first time but I could definitely use the practice.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Just search on 130K ohm chip resistor. Should be really cheap, as in costs more for shipping than the part....
kk6rq
Member
Also, order at least 5 or 10; a first-timer doing SMD soldering (especially what looks like the smaller sized components-0405..?) will inevitably have parts blow away or fly away, etc. You'll be glad you did. Alternately, you could tack wire wrap wire (~30ga) and connect the other ends to a standard 1/4w resistor, and tack the whole thing to the board with some silicon (obviously being careful not to short anything), if it'll fit.
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