Astro Spectra Plus BUSY led remains on after Rx is over

[HA5BRG]

Hi all,

I am facing a strange issue on my Astro Spectra plus. After receiving a transmission, the BUSY lead
remains on until a channel change. It won't turn off unless I change a channel, no button press will
make it disappear.

Model: D04JKF9SW7AN, VHF J-Split
HOST: 09.00.41
DSP: 16.00.01
4MEG


Any advise is welcome!

 

[Alpha]

That is weird, squelch related? There is a little hysteresis in the adjustment, i.e. once it breaks open it seems to require a slightly higher level to mute once again. Try knocking it up a notch or two. Also see if disconnecting the RF signal gen will make it go away. I have some radios so sensitive that the squelch breaks at very low level, like .1-.2 uV and when returning the gen output to minimum, the squelch would still be open due to a tiny amount of signal leakage. Disconnecting the antenna lead would extinguish the LED and mute the RX.

Anyway, I hope that's it, if not you have a weird one.

 

[HA5BRG]

I have tried to modify the signal level on the service monitor and to change the SQ level uo and down. Issue remains. The squelch is opening and closing like a charm, only the led goes funky.

 

[Mars]

Does this actually affect anything? Or is it a cosmetic only issue?

 

[HA5BRG]

It is just a cosmetic issue. But at night it is really annoying. I like to turn the volume down so the radio is not distrubing the family. When I look at the led, I always think that there is communication on the HAM channel, but when I start to turn the volume on....the channel is not busy.

 

[Alpha]

I'll bet it's monitor mode; try grounding the mic hangup button or press the small teat in the middle of the hangup button if it's that type of mic, or insert into hangup clip if it's the small palm mic.

 

[HA5BRG]

The mic is connected to the rear end DB15 accessory connector,. It is an EU-marketed desk microphone with RJ45 stylce connector. I have made a special cable to mate the DB15 connector at the radio's back.

I don't have any original mikes for the Spectras.

What do you suggest? Are there any pins to connect to solve the issue or to step forward with the investigation?

 

[Alpha]

What you want to do is ground the BUSY or HANGUP line, that should take it out of monitor mode. If you can get a regular hand mike to test with that would help immensely. Alternately, get out the schematics and find the hangup line among the 5 or 6 lines that go to the mic from the front panel, and try jumpering it to ground. I think there might be a selection in the CPS to override the hangup but in practice that doesn't always seem to work. Physically grounding the hangup line is the best way to ensure you are not in monitor mode.

 

[HA5BRG]

Sounds good. I will take the control head apart and ground the hangup line.

 

[HA5BRG]

Busy/HUB line grounded. Problem remains: busy led is ON after end of transmission on channel

 

[HA5BRG]

P.S.: this problem only appears when ANY antenna is attached to the radio. If the antenna is removed and I transmit with a portable unit on the same channel, the busy led goes off after the transmission ends.

Strange.

 

[Alpha]

Maybe try increasing the squelch a bit then. Hit and hold the "MON" button to access squelch from the front panel, try increasing a few and see if it still does it. The fact that it doesn't do it without an antenna points to the RX is somehow still thinking there is a signal present, perhaps from some local QRN.

 

[HA5BRG]

Tried it, the cosmetic "error" is still present. When I get home I'll try to put the Vocon into another radio and see what will happen.

P.S.: the radio what now has the AS+ Vocon was working 100% okay before the Vocon swap. It originaly had an 1MEG board.