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IC-F121S cutting out

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glock17

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Sep 16, 2009
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Lake View
I've got several F121S's and they were all working fine until now some of them are cutting out, the audio will drop out for a half a second.

I'm using 199.5 for my CTSCC tones.

I don't think it's a transmission issue, I think its's a receive issue because if I have a scanner next to me it does not cut out on the scanner. I have not tested this extensively but thats where I'm leaning at the moment.
Has anyone ever had this problem?
 

glock17

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Sep 16, 2009
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I double checked my config, I had power on scan set to yes but none of the channels were actually flagged for scanning, I wonder if that was it.
 

stevelton

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Apr 19, 2005
Messages
359
Under scan list, do you have it set to priority scan?
And under common do you have it set to hook scan?

If both yes, that would be a problem.
Steven
 

glock17

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Sep 16, 2009
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I have scanning all turned off.
I'm wondering if its my antenna's, going to check the SWR tomorrow and see if thats all ok.
I bought antennas that did not require a ground plane, they sat outside all winter but I can't imagine that would be a problem but the two tractors that are having the problem have those style antennas.
They must have some sort of load coil at the bottom, mounted to mirrors.
 

gmrsoutlet

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Oct 21, 2009
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Location
Oswego, IL
The F121/221/S Series does have a bit of a "talk off" problem with higher frequency PL Tones... The filter on the discriminator seems to struggle with higher PL tones. So the audible audio (your voice) is causing the PL tone to "trip" and close.

If you can I would say try lowering the PL tone to something under 162.2.

That is my experience - YMMV
 

jeatock

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Jul 9, 2003
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090-45-50 W, 39-43-22 N
Initially, it does sound a bit like a priority look-back. Make sure that's not the problem first.

Lower CTCSS codes seem to work better in the 100-series, but sometimes you can't change the CTCSS system-wide.

The 100-series comes out of the factory with a fairly tight CTCSS decode criteria. I have had problems with the 121S installed in voting receivers being slow to initially decode and open. Not a big problem in simplex, but in JPS voting systems the receiver selection takes place in the first 1/10 of a second. A F121S that takes 1/2 second to decode CTCSS is missed on the initial vote.

Try this: read the radio with the cloning software and open "Maker Reserve". I won't say how to do that, but try Google. No warranty and all disclaimers apply!

SAVE A SAFE COPY!! Make sure you don't overwrite it later. Maker reserve writes radio-specific information to the radio that is not sent during a normal clone write. Your safe copy may let you restore a screwed up radio.

Change "CTCSS; Decode Attack" down from the default 140 . You are loosening up the "strictness" of the CTCSS, effectively opening up the squelch. Try 120. Minor changes will make major differences. Don't go below 100 or you may defeat CTCSS decode entirely. Don't change anything else!

Write to the radio and shut down the software completely to avoid screwing up. Do a trial an error to find the highest number that will work. Be VERY careful in maker reserve or you will brick the radio- that's why its hidden.

See it this helps.
 
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