XTS5000 only unmutes on specific channel with CSQ and not a specific PL tone

[EasternMassScanFan]

I have a strange issue with my XTS 5000 UHF R2. I have a frequency programmed in my radio, for the sake of discussion lets say the frequency is 471.000 MHz and the PL tone is 131.8. When those are programmed in my radio I do not receive anything, however the blinking red light on my radio flashes. When I change the RX tone to CSQ I am able to receive the frequency fine. I am wondering what is causing this issue, is it a programming issue or should I get my radio tuned/aligned?

 

[chief21]

First thought... are you SURE that the received signal actually has the correct tone (or any tone at all)? Can you confirm this with another radio or scanner?

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah I'd agree with Cheif, that really screams "wrong PL tone" on the surface. The fact it works with carrier squelch suggests that the radio is working fine.
I'd double/triple check your info and your programming before doing anything else.

 

[KevinC]

Another possibility. Is the bandwidth correct for the frequency in question? If it’s set to wide and the frequency is narrow you may not have enough PL deviation to open the squelch.

 

[MTS2000des]

Another possibility. Is the bandwidth correct for the frequency in question? If it’s set to wide and the frequency is narrow you may not have enough PL deviation to open the squelch.

That part, and the XTS/XTL are very sensitive to PL/DPL deviation. Too low and the radio just ignores the carrier.

 

[EasternMassScanFan]

First thought... are you SURE that the received signal actually has the correct tone (or any tone at all)? Can you confirm this with another radio or scanner?

This frequency works fine on my other radio. I have also confirmed the programming is correct in the CPS as well.

 

[buddrousa]

May be time to put the radio on a Service Monitor and get it adjusted and tuned up. The part of 2way radio missing now with the DIY culture.
Every radio I ever programmed went on a Service Monitor TX and RX just to see that everything was done or with in tolerances.

 

[mmckenna]

This frequency works fine on my other radio. I have also confirmed the programming is correct in the CPS as well.

OK, as mentioned above, the PL deviation can be pretty sensitive and fail to decode if not correct. It might need a touch up on the service monitor.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

OK, as mentioned above, the PL deviation can be pretty sensitive and fail to decode if not correct. It might need a touch up on the service monitor.

I can't for the life of me remember as I don't do it enough by hand...do the Astro 25 radios have a PL deviation adjust or is it part of the internally deviated level adjustments? It's been awhile since I've aligned an Astro 25 subscriber without just running it through Autotune.

 

[EasternMassScanFan]

OK, as mentioned above, the PL deviation can be pretty sensitive and fail to decode if not correct. It might need a touch up on the service monitor.

I do not have a service monitor so most likely I will need to bring it to a radio vendor. How much does a tune/alignment cost?

 

[MTS2000des]

I do not have a service monitor so most likely I will need to bring it to a radio vendor. How much does a tune/alignment cost?

A shop equipped with an Aeroflex 3920 or similar setup with AutoTune for the XTS/XTL should not charge more than a 1/2 hour labor. I can tune one on our R8000 in about 9 minutes.

 

[mmckenna]

I can't for the life of me remember as I don't do it enough by hand...do the Astro 25 radios have a PL deviation adjust or is it part of the internally deviated level adjustments? It's been awhile since I've aligned an Astro 25 subscriber without just running it through Autotune.

It's been a long time since I touched an XTS or XTL, so long since forgotten. I know the Kenwood's all have it. If the PL is correct and the radio is on frequency, it sure sounds like it's just not getting enough PL to do its thing.

 

[nokones]

On a recent Jeep run, one of the Jeep Creepers was using an Anytone radio and I was receiving him broken up all the time. He was the only one that was a problem out of 15 other radios. The other CCR radios were not having a problem receiving him and a majority of them do not have the ability to run CSQ on Rx only..

At first, I thought that he may have been operating a wideband channel which he wasn't. I have that trail channel programmed in my XTL 5000 in both wideband and narrowband. When I activated the "MON" (PL Defeat on Rx) feature I was able to Rx the anytone radio clear.

I also had the same problem on my XTS5000 portable. Both of my radios were serviced about a year ago so I doubt that I had the problem.

 

[n7maq-1]

I just tested a VHF XTS5000 R20.05.7 to see what level the PL needed to be encoded at to open the squelch. In narrow band with a -70dBm signal, 1K tone @1.5 kHz and the PL (131.8) needs to be 150 Hz to open the sql. In wide band with a -70dBm signal, 1K tone @ 3kHz and the squelch won't open till 290Hz of PL. I ran it on Autotest on my 3920 and have the same results after the tune.

As MTS2000des said, you need enough encode PL to open the sql on the Astro 25's, I tried with my VP8000 and in narrow band all it needs is 30Hz of PL to open the sql.

Jim