TRX-1: TRX-1E gone deaf

[Brunlea]

Anyone experienced an issue with their TRX-1E going deaf? Mine is going back for service/repair as over the last few weeks it started to drop signals and now will not receive anything.

I've updated the DSP and CPU just to be safe, even though it was up to date, formatted the card, tried other SD cards and added my frequencies again but still no joy.

The radio is just over 12 months old (typical) and is well looked after. I'm gutted.

Anyone any ideas?

 

[Ubbe]

over the last few weeks it started to drop signals and now will not receive anything.

If it gradually dies then it its probably a component that goes bad in the RF amplifier.
If it goes bad but can get better at times then it is some sort of bad connection or the antenna in itself. Have you tried other antennas and while tuned to a known frequency that transmits a constant signal then wiggle the antenna.

/Ubbe

 

[Brunlea]

If it gradually dies then it its probably a component that goes bad in the RF amplifier.
If it goes bad but can get better at times then it is some sort of bad connection or the antenna in itself. Have you tried other antennas and while tuned to a known frequency that transmits a constant signal then wiggle the antenna.

/Ubbe

Hi Ubbe,

Yes, tried several different antennas. I've also tried monitoring frequencies near me with excellent signals that have data bursts, and it doesn't pick up anything.

It was purchased brand new but I've a feeling it's been sat on a shelf for a long, long time (years) so I'm convinced now a component has failed as you said.

I just hope it can be repaired as it wasn't cheap, and I love it. I've to send it to place I purchased it from in the UK who have said they will send it to the manufacturer for repair.

 

[Ubbe]

You suspect it sat at the dealer for years until you bought it just over 12 months ago?

If a repair have been done without any ESD considerations then a static discharge while working on a circuit board can damage components so they gradually go worse. Was it sold as brand new from factory or as refurbish or in a state, like demo ex, that could indicate a repair have been done or used close to a transmitter?

Could it be oxidation of a connector, then you have nothing to loose by opening it up and check cables and re-seat them. First you could tune to that known signal and hold one hand over the speaker and another over the Whistler sticker and twist the scanner back and forth to see if that does anything to the reception, keep the squelch open and listen to the noise.

/Ubbe

 

[Brunlea]

You suspect it sat at the dealer for years until you bought it just over 12 months ago?

If a repair have been done without any ESD considerations then a static discharge while working on a circuit board can damage components so they gradually go worse. Was it sold as brand new from factory or as refurbish or in a state, like demo ex, that could indicate a repair have been done or used close to a transmitter?

Could it be oxidation of a connector, then you have nothing to loose by opening it up and check cables and re-seat them. First you could tune to that known signal and hold one hand over the speaker and another over the Whistler sticker and twist the scanner back and forth to see if that does anything to the reception, keep the squelch open and listen to the noise.

/Ubbe

Yes, purchased in April 2024 as a brand-new unit. I just suspect, as I believe Whistler don't seem to make them anymore, or haven't done for a long time, that it's been sat in its box in a warehouse for a number of years. I believe mine was the last one they had in stock as when I purchased it, their store said out of stock afterwards and has done since.

The box was in new condition, and the radio had no marks on it and still has the protective sleave over the keyboard/display, so I do believe it was brand new and not a demo, etc.

The store I purchased from in the UK (Martin Lynch & Sons) have said to return it to them and then they will send to it the manufacturer.

I'm not very good with electronics so I'd rather not open it up, I'll leave it to them to see if it's something like that.

I'll update this thread with my experience. I just hope I see it again and working!

 

[buddrousa]

Does this happen on Analog or Digital or Both?

 

[Brunlea]

Does this happen on Analog or Digital or Both?

Both. I left it scanning and whilst my other scanners picked up digital and analogue as normal the TRX-1 didn't

 

[pyeman99]

Both. I left it scanning and whilst my other scanners picked up digital and analogue as normal the TRX-1 didn't

Don't hold your hope's too high on getting repaired, if sent via Moonraker? to Goliad then returned. Serious money + re import. Be cheaper to buy good worker in UK.They don't cost huge amount now. Maybe sell yours as spares or repair to offset cost.

 

[pyeman99]

Ps Moonraker are the UK importer for Goliad products now. Such a shame dealers now have no service shops now,well in UK. There are some very good non dealer repair shops. You could try taking the radio to a location where you know there is a very strong signal. The thinking being,broken wire off antenna socket. Ubbe ?

 

[Ubbe]

The thinking being,broken wire off antenna socket. Ubbe ?

This test will tell if there's a bad solder joint somewhere:

First you could tune to that known signal and hold one hand over the speaker and another over the Whistler sticker and twist the scanner back and forth to see if that does anything to the reception, keep the squelch open and listen to the noise.

/Ubbe

 

[Remon]

I bought (and returned) about 4 Whistler TRX-1's over the last 3 years. Before and after the new ownership.

From various sellers in the Netherlands that got them from Avera. Avera got them from Moonraker? All of them had Moonraker in the welcome screen while powering on.

The packaging all had the characteristic thrift store smell. And with all of them the front plastic came off while I tried to remove the protective film. The glue holding it was nearly decayed to powder/dust. All of them brand new. Still in the neatly folded and taped plastic bag over the box. Absolutely zero signs it has been ever opened before.

So I think you're right about they were sitting on a shelf for too long.

 

[Remon]

In addition to me previous message above this one:

One of them had a dead RTC battery right out of the box. Every time I swapped the batteries I had to go through the time/date setup..

 

[Ubbe]

In addition to me previous message above this one:

One of them had a dead RTC battery right out of the box. Every time I swapped the batteries I had to go through the time/date setup..

It doesn't have any RTC battery backup. It's a normal capacitor that only holds power to the clock IC for a few minutes. From the user manual:

If batteries are allowed to fully discharge, or if they are removed from the scanner for more than a few minutes, the date and time will need to be set again.

/Ubbe

 

[Remon]

Then it was a faulty/leaking capacitor in a brand new unit. Even when I pulled the battery away for less than a second the date/time was lost.

 

[Brunlea]

Then it was a faulty/leaking capacitor in a brand new unit. Even when I pulled the battery away for less than a second the date/time was lost.

That didn't happen with mine. I could take the batteries out for a short while and it kept the time at least. Damn I'm missing it already!

 

[pyeman99]

That didn't happen with mine. I could take the batteries out for a short while and it kept the time at least. Damn I'm missing it already!

Do you know of a mobile radio repair company nr where you live. Locate one,get them to check it with there signal generator that would confirm that the reciever was dead or not.Fix or dump it those are the choices you have to decide

 

[Brunlea]

Do you know of a mobile radio repair company nr where you live. Locate one,get them to check it with there signal generator that would confirm that the reciever was dead or not.Fix or dump it those are the choices you have to decide

There's nothing near me, but I've packed it up ready to ship to the shop I purchased from who are a well-known amateur radio superstore in the UK. They do repairs but they said they would send to manufacturer. I'd rather get it repaired, not too worried about the costs as long as it doesn't cost the same as a new unit, or thereabouts!

 

[Brunlea]

I'm an absolute idiot! Luckily, I checked everything again before going to the post office later today:

Turns out the order I thought I'd placed in 2024 from Martin Lynch & Sons was cancelled by me - The email looked like I'd purchased from them! I actually bought the scanner 28th April 2025 from Radio World in the UK via PayPal.

I've contacted Radio World and will see what they say as it's within 12 months

 

[pyeman99]

Could be your lucky day,let us know how it goes.I've bought from that company recently & seem ok.

 

[Brunlea]

Radio World have today contacted me and are sending a new unit out. I've already received confirmation from the delivery company that it's on its way