HT1000 Not Reaching Repeater - Any ideas why?

[Smerri]

I got my HT1000 programmed tonight and after getting it programmed, we (myself and the programmer) were testing it out and it will transmit fine (tested portable to portable) and that worked, but when we tried to hit the repeater, we were unable too (and it was a location where his radio was hitting the repeater fine, and all other radios do as well). I purchased the radio on this site back in mid-December and gave the battery a full charge then and it's basically been off since then. (ABell Tech Battery FWIW) I know how these radios make a sound when you attempt to transmit on a low battery and that was non-existent (after all, we could transmit close to each other). Also, I know when you key it up on the repeater it makes a beep for about 1/2 - 1 second (that beep is not happening).

Just trying to pick some brains as to why the radio won't reach the repeater (right now I am hoping it is not a junk radio).

HT1000 UHF 450 - 512

I hope I provided enough info but I will answer questions if asked.

Thanks for any ideas/help.

 

[Astro25]

That 1 1/2 - 1 second tone you hear on key-up is probably an MDC or GE-Star ID being transmitted. Does the repeater system you use require a proper ID to access, or can any radio without an ID key the repeater?


Also, try having the radio checked out on a service monitor and take note of what kind of TX power it's putting out. You could have a blown PA.


Astro25

 

[Smerri]

That 1 1/2 - 1 second tone you hear on key-up is probably an MDC or GE-Star ID being transmitted. Does the repeater system you use require a proper ID to access, or can any radio without an ID key the repeater?


Also, try having the radio checked out on a service monitor and take note of what kind of TX power it's putting out. You could have a blown PA.


Astro25

Yes the beep is the MDC (I remember him assigning me my MDC number). The person who programmed it is the person who programs for the department so if any type of ID or anything of that sorts would have been needed, I am sure it would have been taken care of. (The reason I am asking on here is he said he would look into the issue so I figured I might as well do some homework too).

Is a service monitor a device I can find somewhere, or do I need to find someone who owns one? (And since I don't know that much on radios, what is a PA, and is it replaceable if that is indeed the issue).

 

[ILMRadioMan]

A service monitor is a piece of electronic equipment that tests and measures RF in great detail (I know thats a great understatement, but trying to make it in lamen's terms)

You could also put a wattmeter in line, this also tests specifically how much power it is putting out.

 

[RADIOGUY2002]

Programing

These may seem simple things, but check these settings on the ht1000

Settings for
A,
B,
C, as these alone may alter the wattage.

Check your side buttons for the same issue,you may be putting out a watt and his radios are putting out 5 watts. Make sure your connector to the antenna is tight. And if at all possible try different antennas.

Those are the simple things, check the dpl/pl code settings. It could be somthing so simple, but just over looked.

 

[Astro25]

You might want to find a radio shop in your area to bench test the unit... service monitors (say an 8924C on the cheap end) usually run around $1100-1900 a piece - used.

Are there any other repeaters in your radio that you can make it in to or verify operation on?

 

[Smerri]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. I will attempt to give some a try, and report back my findings.