XPR XPR5550 Digital Audio Dropping

[KD9RTX]

I've noticed an issue recently with my XPR5550 where the audio will occasionally drop when receiving on a digital channel. Sometimes it will pick it back up mid transmission, other times I have to wait until the station on the other end re-keys before I hear anything again. Over the last couple weeks I've made it a point to leave that radio on and scanning between a couple of digital channels and a couple analog. I've only noticed the issue on digital. A little bit ago I removed the control head and double checked that the flex cable was fully seated, which it was. I've confirmed that when the audio is dropping on the 5550 that there is still signal coming in with one of my 7550s receiving on the same channel. Both radios have those channels configured the same and the 7550 has no issues.

I know that radios can be more sensitive to being out of alignment on the digital side of things. Is what I am experiencing indicative that my radio may need to be aligned? It was used when I bought it so who knows the life it had up until I got it though it looks almost brand new. This radio is going to end up in my truck so I'd like to get this issue sorted out before I go to the trouble of installing it so I don't have to pull it out again any time soon.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Both the 5550 and 7550 are running firmware version 2.09.

 

[PACNWDude]

It could be an alignment issue. I run many XPR5550e radios on a corporate network, but they are Firmware R02.10.00.0001. They also have some issues with reception, and due to a more human factor, end users getting into the menus and not being able, or smart enough to back out to the channel display (pressing the "Home" button until something looks familiar), I have switched many XPR5550e radios for older XPR4550 mobiles instead. The XPR4550 also seems to have a "better" receiver, with receive signal levels often being better than all of my UHF XPR5550e radios (that are about 0.25-0.27 microvolts). XPR4550's are often around 0.176-0.178 microvolts). I'm swapping in older XPR4550's in many fringe areas as a result, better "ear".

 

[tunnelmot]

Digital repeaters, MMDVM hotspot, ?
I know my XPRs complain if my hotspots aren't dialed in super tight. I never had the dropout issues on the local repeaters, but they'll complain if my hotspots drift.
Same exact symptoms.

After that, an alignment might not hurt.

 

[KD9RTX]

Both radios were listening to traffic on the local DMR repeater which is using an SLR5700. Might see if there's a radio shop near me that can do an alignment before I put it in my truck. Probably wouldn't hurt anyway.

Also interesting that the 4550 seems to have a better receiver. It's just so strange that my HT would have no trouble picking it up inside but the mobile connected to an antenna in the attic is dropping out.