PSR-800 won't come on at all

[harrillhamrick]

Hello...

Back in November I sent my PSR-800 back to Whistler for the 'Legacy Update'. It did have the unauthorized firmware on it so I paid the additional charge for the update.

When it came back it seemed to work just like it did before. After a few weeks I tried to turn it on and nothing. Nothing on the display at all. I checked and replaced the batteries with known tested good ones. No go. Plugged it into my computer. Still no go.

I checked the SD card using an adapter. It appears to be in good order. I can read it using the Whistler program.

Any ideas? I have sent an email to Whistler. It is too good a radio to not have it working...

Thanks

hh

 

[tvengr]

Try reloading your CPU firmware. This is for scanners with the legacy update. SD cards can cause a variety of problems. You can try reformatting it and replacing it.

Legacy Scanner Downloads

Legacy scanner downloads for GRE and Radioshack models Pro-18, Pro-668 and PSR-800 offered by Whistler

whistlergroup.com

 

[harrillhamrick]

The unit won't come on when plugged into the USB on the computer. I have tried various USB ports on my computer. Can't update the firmware if it is not recognized by the computer.

I also formatted and setup a different SD card using a reader. Still no go.

 

[tvengr]

The PSR-800 must be off to program it. When you plug it in, does the screen say initializing and then show the time?

 

[harrillhamrick]

The display shows nothing. I tried a different USB cable. Different USB port. Tried pressing the menu button while plugging it in. Tried with and without the SD card. Nothing. Dead as a hammer.

Whistler said I could send it in and let them have a look at it. $120 for the pleasure. While the radio was working well on my local systems there is a simulcast system nearby I can't hear at all. I have been looking at the SDS100. I have a BCD436 and a PRO-106 that work. I would like to have the PSR-800 working but I think I may put that $120 toward the SDS100.

hh

 

[tvengr]

I checked the SD card using an adapter. It appears to be in good order. I can read it using the Whistler program.

Does the upgrade have a warranty? You started having problems a few weeks after the upgrade. Try writing to the card in your reader using the WS1080 software and then put the card back into the scanner.

 

[CM1]

Have you tried just using the scanner powered by an external USB power supply (phone charger, tablet charger etc...) ?

 

[tvengr]

Try spraying contact cleaner on the SD card connector and insert and remove several times.

 

[harrillhamrick]

I have tried various power supplies. I did not try contact cleaner but I did insert and remove the card several times.

I debated what to do and decided to go ahead and send it back. It has been in their possession since April 21st. No word from them at all. I received an email on the May 12th offering upgrades and repairs so I have to assume they are open. I sent them an email this morning asking about the status and have not heard back.

 

[kruser]

I have tried various power supplies. I did not try contact cleaner but I did insert and remove the card several times.

I debated what to do and decided to go ahead and send it back. It has been in their possession since April 21st. No word from them at all. I received an email on the May 12th offering upgrades and repairs so I have to assume they are open. I sent them an email this morning asking about the status and have not heard back.

There is a new Whistler support person just announced here today.
See this thread: Whistler_Support

This person may be able to help answer your questions.
Whistler Wendy announced her leaving the company today as well.

 

[CM1]

Have you tried a new card?
Since you mentioned you have a separate reader (hopefully it writes too?) take advantage of that and move the old card files to your PC.
Get a new compatible card, format it (on your PC) then transfer the files from your PC to the new card. Place the new card in the scanner.
If it works it was something with the card, if it's still not - hate to say but probably something in the scanner (mini usb connector?? internally)

 

[kruser]

Have you tried a new card?
Since you mentioned you have a separate reader (hopefully it writes too?) take advantage of that and move the old card files to your PC.
Get a new compatible card, format it (on your PC) then transfer the files from your PC to the new card. Place the new card in the scanner.
If it works it was something with the card, if it's still not - hate to say but probably something in the scanner (mini usb connector?? internally)

A PSR800 will still power on even without a card installed. It will just power up to an error message though but at least it will confirm the radio will power on.

 

[harrillhamrick]

It would not come on at all. Tried different batteries. Tried different power supplies. Tried different computers. No go. That is why I decided to go ahead and send it in. I had the legacy update done last November.

I am a little miffed that I haven't heard anything from them in almost a month. I understand they may have been slowed down due to Covid but they seem to be running now....

 

[kruser]

It would not come on at all. Tried different batteries. Tried different power supplies. Tried different computers. No go. That is why I decided to go ahead and send it in. I had the legacy update done last November.

I am a little miffed that I haven't heard anything from them in almost a month. I understand they may have been slowed down due to Covid but they seem to be running now....

I've never used Whistler for any repairs.

Do you know if they have a simple flat rate repair rate that fixes any and all problems (part availability permitting) like Uniden offers?
If so, what is Whistler's flat rate repair cost?

I hope they get yours going for you.

 

[harrillhamrick]

I just received an email saying they would ship it back this week. That is all it said.

The flat rate for repair is $120. I included a check along with a note saying the unit had just been there for the legacy update and it worked fine before that.

 

[kruser]

I just received an email saying they would ship it back this week. That is all it said.

The flat rate for repair is $120. I included a check along with a note saying the unit had just been there for the legacy update and it worked fine before that.

Good deal! With any luck, they will consider this one a warranty repair knowing they recently did the GRE to Whistler update.
Post back in this thread if the paperwork says what they fixed or replaced if it even tells you.

 

[harrillhamrick]

I received the unit from repair on Monday. They did charge me $120 for the repair. According to the paperwork that was included in the package they replaced the Logic Module. I sent them an email this morning asking why they would charge for this repair given Whistler Wendy said in her post that the additional charge for the legacy update for unauthorized firmware radios was to cover the cost of a new logic module. If the logic module was bad it was one that was replaced just a few months earlier.

This will be the end of my dealings with Whistler. I do not intend to ever purchase anything from them again.

 

[Prestoked]

I'm not real happy to hear about your experience. I have a TRX-1 that is still under warranty by a couple of days that is DOA...won't power up at all. Their site says to print out the receipt and mail it with the scanner. I don't have a printer and am not going to buy one. My receipts are via e-mail. Interestingly, I have a Grecom EZScan PSR-800 that works great, as better than my BCD536HD and BCD436HD on the APCO25 P1 system that my PD and Sheriff just went to, but nothing lasts forever. I hope I don't have your experience.