XTS 1500 not transmitting

[Flameout00]

I picked up a UHF XTS1500 to mainly use for GMRS. I programmed in a few frequencies and although it is receiving them just fine, when I transmit, it only transmits for a second then gives me the deep tone. The red led comes on for that 1 second and using a different radio, it is indeed transmitting

The battery is fully charged (was at 7.94 volts) so probably not the battery. Could it be some setting in the programming that would cause this? I'm really not at all familiar with the software (Astro 25 Portable CPS V. R20.01.00) It reads and writes to the radio just fine but I'm just not where to look in the programming. I guess I also could have bought a bad radio. I seem to be a magnet for getting defective equipment

Can I install a codeplug from another similar XTS1500?

 

[KevinC]

99% chance the battery is bad.

 

[Flameout00]

99% chance the battery is bad.

Hmm, OK, thanks. Someone else also told me that. I'll have to buy another battery I guess and give that a shot. I just figured since it was holding voltage that it must be good

 

[clbsquared]

Hmm, OK, thanks. Someone else also told me that. I'll have to buy another battery I guess and give that a shot. I just figured since it was holding voltage that it must be good

A car battery can show 12.6 volts. But, if the amperage is too low, it won’t start the car.

 

[Flameout00]

A car battery can show 12.6 volts. But, if the amperage is too low, it won’t start the car.

Makes sense. When testing with a volt meter, the middle tab of the battery is always a little lower than the outside. Maybe that is normal, I don't know. Rght now, the outer tab is 7.22v and middle is 6.61. I ordered a new (generic) battery to replace this OEM Impres. Hopefully that fixes the problem

 

[MTS2000des]

What is the date code? An old or worn battery may show proper voltage with no load, under full load, which your XTS in TX on full power draws just under 2 amps, will cause an old battery's voltage to drop way down, and thus, the radio stops transmitting as it doesn't have adequate power.

This is typical behavior of a radio with an ancient or worn out battery.

 

[Flameout00]

What is the date code? An old or worn battery may show proper voltage with no load, under full load, which your XTS in TX on full power draws just under 2 amps, will cause an old battery's voltage to drop way down, and thus, the radio stops transmitting as it doesn't have adequate power.

This is typical behavior of a radio with an ancient or worn out battery.

I had no idea about a date code, so I looked it up. Now I feel stupid, but thanks guys for the help. My battery is OLD! It "looks" like new but date code is 1233. Now I need to wait till Thursday for a new battery

 

[MTS2000des]

11 year old battery=time to replace.

 

[kk6rq]

I concur; that's the exact behavior of a battery with one or more weak cells. I've experienced quite a few, mostly NiMH...

 

[Flameout00]

I concur; that's the exact behavior of a battery with one or more weak cells. I've experienced quite a few, mostly NiMH...

I picked up a couple new batteries and the radio works great! I just need to play around with the settings in the programming software. Mainly for display and scan. Also, one of the batteries is an Impres. Will using a non-Impres charger work or will it ruin the battery?

 

[K2NEC]

Will it work? Yes. Is it ideal? No.

 

[kk6rq]

I don't know if the behavior has changed in the last 10 years but as I recall, a new battery must be initialized in an impres charger, then you can use a non impres charger and the impres functionality will be preserved. As long as it's the correct chemistry for the battery though, it should work fine.