[TenTec] Orion 565 serial port failure (Again!)

[Martin Sole]

Thanks for the information Ken, I have no real issues working on smd stuff,
I have most of the right sort of tools and can do all but the really scary
hundred legged devices. So far as I know I haven't actually had a MAX232
failure. The original fault was apparently bad 1uF capacitors and more
recent issues seem to be either a serial port on the PC or less than perfect
cables and connectors.

I've been having what looks like battery problems as well and until that is
resolved I don't know what corrupted memory problems might be added into the
mix. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the serial comms can become messed
up in some odd state.

At the time of my original serial port problem I did hear from several
others who had similar problems and whilst the MAX232 is protected I can
only assume that some sort of discharge event might have been responsible.

$500 is not cheap but way better than unobtainable. Not quite sure when the
parts rigs Orions might start appearing but I doubt it will be soon.

73
Martin, HS0ZED


-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Ken Shutt
Sent: 16 October 2010 04:51
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion 565 serial port failure (Again!)

Sorry to say I had a similar failure.  I damaged the board trying to replace
the failed MAX232.  Sent it back to ten-tec for a board replacement at about
500 $.  If you are not comfortable with smd repairs, spend the $100 and let
ten-tec do it.

I wonder if others have had the same problem with the serial port.

73 de Ken - W5KQ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin Sole" <msole at loxinfo.co.th>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 11:24 AM
Subject: [TenTec] Orion 565 serial port failure (Again!)


> Late last year the serial port on my Orion failed. The DSP module was
> returned to Ten-Tec who replaced the 4 ceramic 1uF capacitors. I replaced
> the board and it worked well. Until today. I have been setting up 
> different
> audio feeds from the radio and swapping firmware to see the different 
> output
> levels. Trying to re-load 2.059 today the update program would not
> communicate with the radio and left it in flash update mode. Power 
> cycling,
> master resets, RAM clear resets all result in it sitting with a SYSTEM
> LOADING screen permanently. Only the flash update mode can be entered but
> without any serial comms nothing happens. I have measured the DC volts on
> each pin of the MAX232 with no PC connected and get the following:
>
>
>
> 1=6.7V
>
> 2=9.1V
>
> 3=2.2V
>
> 4=4.3V
>
> 5=-4.7V
>
> 6=-9.06V
>
> 7=9.1V
>
> 10=0V
>
> 11=3.3V
>
> 12=4.3V
>
> 13=0V
>
> 14=-9V
>
> 15=0V
>
> 16=4.6V
>
>
>
> Any idea if these look about right?
>
>
>
> Note that this was all working fine the last time I touched it a couple of
> weeks ago. No changes to PC, serial port cables etc. It was all fully
> functional.
>
>
>
> Not really looking forward to returning the board again and the resulting
> $100 plus $50 shipping etc etc. Hoping for some hand holding help, or at
> least a pointer or two.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
> Martin, HS0ZED
>
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