Motorola SL300 RX Issues......

[trbo90]

Group,

Have a Motorola SL300 that the receiver desense on after a undetermined amount of time. Funny thing is that it does not occur all the time.

Here is explanation of what occurs:

1. Radio is turned on and operates normally when scanning or not scanning.
2. After lets say 10 minutes (this can vary) the radio will only receive repeaters in close proximity, lets say 2 to 3 miles. Both scanning or not scanning. Radio still TX's just fine.
3. Turn radio on and off and radio works perfect again.

At first I thought this was happening because of having a few OOB Frequencies in the UHF SL300, but now my brand new SL300 VHF Model seems to be doing the same thing. This was easy due to test using the NOAA Weather Channels. Firmware is up to date (Firm R01.00,27 / Codeplug 06.03.13) and am using CPS 11.2 on both units.


I am thinking maybe I am missing something in the options here, but not sure.

Thank you in advance to all,

trbo90

 

[sjxts3000]

Straight from the CPS help.......

Battery Saver

Enabling this feature causes an idle radio to automatically enter battery saver mode where it places certain radio functions on standby. After a certain duration or when there is any user button action, the radio returns to normal operation and checks the channel for incoming calls. If no calls are detected, it returns to the battery saver mode. While results vary across battery chemistry and user conditions, battery saver can deliver about a 10% improvement in battery life, but also causes a delay in response time.

When this feature is enabled, it is important to note that for the transmitting radios, there will be a slight delay in call setup (in the range of milliseconds) when pressing the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button. For the receiving radios, there may be an increase in late entry due to radios in battery saver mode having less opportunity to properly synchronize. This may cause the radios to miss the initial second of some audio transmissions in poor radio frequency (RF) conditions. This, however, will not be experienced in good RF coverage. Although they are important to note, these delays are considered minor versus the 10% improved battery life, therefore it is recommended to enable battery saver mode for all radios. This is a radio-wide feature.

By default, it's checked.

 

[trbo90]

Straight from the CPS help.......

Battery Saver

Enabling this feature causes an idle radio to automatically enter battery saver mode where it places certain radio functions on standby. After a certain duration or when there is any user button action, the radio returns to normal operation and checks the channel for incoming calls. If no calls are detected, it returns to the battery saver mode. While results vary across battery chemistry and user conditions, battery saver can deliver about a 10% improvement in battery life, but also causes a delay in response time.

When this feature is enabled, it is important to note that for the transmitting radios, there will be a slight delay in call setup (in the range of milliseconds) when pressing the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button. For the receiving radios, there may be an increase in late entry due to radios in battery saver mode having less opportunity to properly synchronize. This may cause the radios to miss the initial second of some audio transmissions in poor radio frequency (RF) conditions. This, however, will not be experienced in good RF coverage. Although they are important to note, these delays are considered minor versus the 10% improved battery life, therefore it is recommended to enable battery saver mode for all radios. This is a radio-wide feature.

By default, it's checked.

Thank you sir.... That was first thing I played with and I swear I disabled that! Disabled and so far so good.

Thank you again!

 

[N4KVE]

I always turn all that battery saver stuff off. To me, it's not worth it. GARY

 

[trbo90]

Quick update.....

Still having same issue. Today I caught the radio actually going into this mode where the receiver desenses. Radio was receiving a "good" signal just perfectly and then in the middle of the transmission , the signal disappears or is barely received. This has happened on multiple frequencies, so its not the repeater that I was listening top. I have removed all of the OOB Frequencies, so I know it is not that. Again, would like to blame the radio but my VHF model was doing same thing.

Very weird!

 

[uplink]

I have had similar intermittent issues with my new SL300. After listening for an hour or so, suddenly all RX signals became very weak, and later found TX was very weak as well! I found people were responding to my transmissions after I unkeyed as though I had dropped mid sentence. When signals were very weak, I found that a good "shake" of the radio suddenly brought the receive signals full strength again. Must have been some loose antenna connection internally. I returned the unit under warrantee and was sent a replacement. So far no issues. Nice radio otherwise, I love the display that goes through the case and stealthy compact size, but very rare for me to have to send back a Moto radio.

 

[trbo90]

I have had similar intermittent issues with my new SL300. After listening for an hour or so, suddenly all RX signals became very weak, and later found TX was very weak as well! I found people were responding to my transmissions after I unkeyed as though I had dropped mid sentence. When signals were very weak, I found that a good "shake" of the radio suddenly brought the receive signals full strength again. Must have been some loose antenna connection internally. I returned the unit under warrantee and was sent a replacement. So far no issues. Nice radio otherwise, I love the display that goes through the case and stealthy compact size, but very rare for me to have to send back a Moto radio.

I finally did the same thing and got a new one from Motorola.... No issues for a few months now.

Thank you for reply sir.

 

[uplink]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone else is having these receive issues? I am on my second SL300, and the problem has now returned on this replacement. Receive just stops working or is weak, and another radio sitting next to it on the table is hearing the same transmissions just fine. cmkrescue mentioned he had it on his VHF model on the other SL300 thread. It's driving me nuts.

 

[uplink]

OK, I'm convinced, there is something screwy on these radios receiver. I'm on the second replacement, and the RX is dropping out again, both digital and analog, just set it beside another radio and you can hear the difference. Just shaking the radio and the RX signal comes back. Can't believe this is a Motorola.

 

[TheWizard]

I have had an SL300 for about the past 3-4 months now and use it semi-regularly. I have had no problems with RX, for what it has for an antenna, the receiver is pretty decent. I have not, however, had another radio sit next to it to know if it is missing any calls though. In scan it seems to stay pretty active with receiving signals.