GE MPA Error

[lawman349]

Anyone got a clue what a "PERS ERROR" is?

My MPA 800 MHz System radio worked fine yesterday, but today it beeps non-stop and shows "PERS ERROR" on the screen. I have it programmed RX only on two systems and it wont work on either.

I am guessing it is some kind of hardware failure. Anyone know for sure?

Thanks!

 

[NodrogCop]

It stands for Personality Error. It's a software error somewhere in the programming. When I used MPA's, it would pop up from time to time for no reason (on VHF conventional). I would delete the personality(codeplug to Motorola fans) and blow it back in from the software and it would fix it.

My 2 cents -- others more knowledgeable may jump in...

Gordon

 

[lawman349]

ah ha. dang it!

I actually thought this might my excuse to buy a new radio. Instead I get to try to reprogram this one.

Dang it!

 

[ElroyJetson]

Some M-PAs use a memory backup battery that is located on the command board. It has a nominal lifespan of 10 years, but usually they last a few years longer than that.

If your memory backup battery has never been replaced, odds are that it now needs it. They're not
expensive and not hard to install but you DO have to take the radio apart to do it.


Most likely the battery has died.


Elroy

 

[vista1]

Some M-PAs use a memory backup battery that is located on the command board. It has a nominal lifespan of 10 years, but usually they last a few years longer than that.

If your memory backup battery has never been replaced, odds are that it now needs it. They're not
expensive and not hard to install but you DO have to take the radio apart to do it.


Most likely the battery has died.


Elroy

Directions on what to look for and how to do it?

 

[ElroyJetson]

It's a button cell battery. If you can identify that type of battery when you open the radio and take a look, you can replace it.

If you're unsure of what a button cell battery is, don't attempt the repair yourself.

The radio will have to be reprogrammed after changing out the battery.

 

[vista1]

Thanks!, is the battery in the top or bottom half of the radio?

 

[ElroyJetson]

If you know what it looks like, you'll find it.

I don't actually remember where it is. I haven't messed with an M-PA in years.

They are very complicated radios to assemble and disassemble. Not recommended for beginners.

 

[vista1]

Copy that, thanks!

 

[nueces162]

The memory battery is on the control board that is part of the front cover but I don't remember which side of the board its on. MPA's came with a couple of different types of control boards, the early ones had a volatile memory that required a battery to maintain. An easy way to tell is look at the top of the radio. If the plastic panel with the volume and channel numbers on it has 2 screws then its an early model control board, unless it got a new case at some point. Replacing the battery is a bit of a pain and may not bring the radio back anyway. All the info defining the radio as to tracking data, type of radio, frequency range, etc, is usually erased when the battery gives up. We often replaced the front of the case and the control board since they came as an assembly, it was easier, and the cases were usually beat to hell anyway, although these radios would take one heck of a pounding and still work.
If you want a service manual check on Welcome to Repeater Builder Dot Com in their GE tech section, they have tons of LBI's for downloading especially for early radios

 

[ElroyJetson]

I do remember that I have done the memory battery replacement and reprogramming on an m-pa and still did not get a recovered and working radio.

The m-pas are OLD. Time to move on to something newer. At least a P7100.

 

[mm]

The following is for a 19D902628 controller and yours may be different but these are what all my radios use so this may or may not help you.

The battery is a BR425, tubular lithium cell.

It is on the bottom lower right side of the controller board.

If you can find a replacement battery then perform the following:

With the back RF section removed you need to disassemble and lift the 19D902628 controller board out of the case by removing 8 torque screws from the circuit board.

Turn it upside down and look to the left center side of the board for the B1 marking next to the batteries positive lead and you should see a thin ~1 inch long glazed plastic half length tubular cover that lifts off of the battery.

Push the old battery gently upward, towards the double row multi pin contacts and the silver crystal, and gently lift the old battery out of the holder being careful not to damage the holder.

The shorter thin pin on the battery is positive and it slips into the small rectangular socket/pin near the B1 symbol and just above the 28F512 flash memory IC.

The battery case is negative lead and it slips into the long half curved holder farther up on the circuit board near the crystal.

Hope this helps you, if not I can dig up my older controller manuals.

 

[vista1]

Thanks so much!

 

[Tom_G]

I believe thats the same battery used in the MPD's
I found the MPA's pretty easy to work on for the most part, although if all the tracking data needs to be re-input its a tough job to do.
The batteries are available for about 5 bucks so its a cheap test...

Good luck
The MPA's are my favorite radios with some of the best audio.