Spectra Volume Problem

[mfn002]

I have a VHF Spectra that has a somewhat big issue. I've been using it as a receiver for several months now, and, just a few days ago, something strange began happening. The volume was fine for the first few transmissions. However, when it keyed up again, the volume was so low that I had to hold up the speaker to my ear to hear it, despite the fact that I had the volume turned to the max. I tried an amplified speaker, but to no avail. The volume control knob works fine, so that's not the problem. Every time I turn it on, the volume starts out fine, but then suddenly drops. It hasn't done this in the middle of a transmission, but seems to do it in between. The only way I know it's happened is when I suddenly see the "BUSY" light come on, and only a faint murmur from the speaker.

 

[KG4INW]

As with ALL Spectras, have the leaking caps been replaced? Sounds like they might have damaged the audio IC.

 

[k3cfc]

As with ALL Spectras, have the leaking caps been replaced? Sounds like they might have damaged the audio IC.

Sounds like a good place to start.

 

[mfn002]

No error messages indicating a problem, though. The radio's fairly new, also.

 

[mikewazowski]

There's no such thing as a fairly new Spectra. It's been discontinued for quite a long time.

I'd be inspecting the caps for a start.

 

[mfn002]

There's no such thing as a fairly new Spectra. It's been discontinued for quite a long time.

I'd be inspecting the caps for a start.

Where should I be looking on the circuit board for this?

 

[KG4INW]

Where should I be looking on the circuit board for this?

Recapping the Spectra

 

[n5ims]

Be aware that the caps in question will leak (not may, but WILL, it's definate). It also doesn't make any significant difference if that radio has been heavily used or sat in a box on the shelf and never had power applied to it, the caps will leak. If you want to keep and use the radio, get them replaced.

At times you can see a discoloration on the board near the caps. At other times there's no visible signs at all. Any delay in getting the caps replaced just causes the damage to be worse since the leakage damages the metal on the boards and may be bad enough that instead of a fairly simple cap replacement you'll need a board replacement (which also will probably need to have the caps replaced on it). The good news is once you've replaced them, assuming you use newer style caps that won't leak, is the risk is generally over and your radio should be good for many years to come. The issue is the design of the caps used to build the radio, not the design of the radio itself. These same style caps have caused issues in Apple computers, various TV models, and other devices, not just with the Spectras.

 

[cmdrwill]

In his case it may be too late as the audio IC may be bad.

You need to make some tests FIRST. Do you have a voltmeter?

 

[N4KVE]

To the OP. I have 2 Spectra's, & the caps started to leak on the 1st one messing up the display, but the 2nd radio was leaking, but still working. The above poster, cmdrwill [Will] fixed both my radios for a fair price, & they work perfectly. While there are plenty of articles on how to fix the cap problem, if you're like me, & rather leave it to an expert, Will is the man, & can make your radio like new again.