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Tk-790 problems

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apx7000xe

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After installing my newly acquired tk-790, I am not able to transmit. I swapped the mic out with one off our fire engine and it transmits but it's like the button is stuck and won't stop transmitting until I turn it off. Does anyone know what my problem may be?


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Thunderknight

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Do you have access to a dummy load? Could be high SWR. I've seen radios that lock up with a very high SWR...probably due to RF getting into the microprocessor.
 

apx7000xe

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Do you have access to a dummy load? Could be high SWR. I've seen radios that lock up with a very high SWR...probably due to RF getting into the microprocessor.



I do not. I can get one though. How would I test the SWR and adjust it properly?


Motorola HT1550•XLS | Motorola HT1250 | Motorola CP200XLS | Kenwood TK-790 | Motorola Minitor VI
 

brushfire21

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IN regards to the first question, does the radio tx light turn on when you push the mike PTT button? If it does, then an SWR analyzer would be handy to have so that you can check the power out of the radio and how much its putting out (lets you know if the radio is working), along with knowing if the antenna is resonant for the frequency band you are using. Do you have a known and good code plug for the radio as well with proper tx/rx frequency's and PL tones programmed?

To check the SWR of the antenna, you need a small inline analyzer that reads the forward and return wattage of the antenna when the radio transmits. There are some small inexpensive units that start at $50 all the way up to hundreds of dollars (or more).

Here are a few options for some inexpensive SWR meters for quick checks and there are other options too. These are not high end quality units but can be useful for quick checks and will get you in the ball park for testing.

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/swr-power-meters-299/dual-band-swr-power-meters-301/

https://www.gigaparts.com/diamond-antenna-sx40c.html
 

apx7000xe

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I done a little more research and I've found out that there was a short in the connector that attaches to the radio. I have replaced the connector and the issue has been solved. The radio will not get out far at all though and I can't hit a tower that is about 7 miles away.


Motorola HT1550•XLS | Motorola HT1250 | Motorola CP200XLS | Kenwood TK-790 | Motorola Minitor VI
 

toastycookies

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I done a little more research and I've found out that there was a short in the connector that attaches to the radio. I have replaced the connector and the issue has been solved. The radio will not get out far at all though and I can't hit a tower that is about 7 miles away.


Sounds like you may have toasted the finals.

Have you placed it on a watt meter?
 

brushfire21

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Next thing is to have someone check the radio out, get a SWR/watt meter to determine if the radio is putting out any power or find another radio. My suggestion is to invest in a SWR/watt meter, trouble shoot the current radio and this can also be used to make sure the antenna is adjusted properly and minimizing future radio issues.
 
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