Two-way radios are an important tool for productivity and safety in construction, manufacturing, security or maintenance. Two-way radios can help keep your team stay connected with one another while keeping everyone safe on the job site. When these tools aren’t working correctly it can be detrimental to your business. If your Motorola radio isn’t operating correctly there are several things you can check before coming in for service by one of our certified technicians.
As a certified Motorola repair center for the Mid-Atlantic states, we have been assisting users with Motorola radio problems for over 25 years. Here are some Motorola radio troubleshooting tips that can help get operational again quickly:
1. Charging Issues
Number one for a reason, charging issues are one of the most common two-way radio problems. Many of those issues can be resolved by understanding how the batteries work and what the colored indicator lights mean.
When you first charge your batteries, you will notice a steady orange or amber colored light. This means the charger is in automated reconditioning, a process where the battery is fully drained and then recharged. While it is designed to preserve your battery life, this reconditioning process takes 12 hours. If you try to use the battery during this period, you will drain the battery. Once the cycle is completed you will see a steady green light indicating that the unit is fully charged and ready to go.
If you want to you can stop this automatic process, set the charge to “rapid charge” by placing the radio in the charger once, quickly take it out, and then place it back in the charger again. A steady red light will indicate a successful change.
2. Delayed Audio
Another common issue you may experience is a delay or lag when you’re trying to talk. In order to transmit properly, the push-to-talk (PTT) button needs to be held down the entire time you are talking. Conversely, once you have finished speaking you must release the button in order to hear the other user.
3. Users Can’t Hear You
First and foremost, everybody should check their volume settings. It seems like it might be obvious that the volume needs to be turned up, but you would be surprised… so don’t feel too bad if this solves the problem. You’re not the first!
If your Motorola radio problems persist, or you are experiencing delayed audio, if syllables are getting lost, or users on the other end are having difficulty hearing you, it may also be a result of talking the instant you press the PTT. Particularly true of digital radios, you need to wait for a second after you’ve pressed the button before you start speaking.
Next, you can check how you are speaking into the radio. Some Motorola radio problems can be solved by adjusting how you talk into the radio itself. You may be too close, too far, too quiet, or too loud. For optimal results, speak at a normal volume about three inches or so away from the microphone. Make sure you are speaking slowly and clearly using short sentences and easy to understand words.
Lastly, if you have tried all of the above and are sure it’s not hoe you are operating the radio, the problem may be a damaged antenna. Any bends, breaks, scuffs, or scratches on the antenna can cause transmission issues, so be sure to inspect your equipment.
4. Poor Reception & Dead Zones
Poor reception and dead zones can be caused by a few different issues, but ensuring you are using the best frequency for your coverage needs is essential. Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) is better suited for building penetration while Very High Frequency (VHF) is ideal for communicating over longer distances.
Are you trying to communicate through concrete? The number and thickness of walls and stairwells in a building can definitely impact radio coverage. Are you trying to communicate over a greater area than your radio has the capacity to handle?
The good news is that some of these Motorola radio problems can be fixed with extended coverage options like repeaters, bi-directional amplifiers, or antennas.
5. Radio is Making a Beeping Sound
If your radio is beeping it means that your battery is probably dead. If charging the battery doesn’t solve the problem, replace the battery in the radio with one that is fully charged and working in another radio. If that solves the problem it may be that your battery has reached the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced. They generally need to be replaced every 18-24 months.
Don’t see your issue listed? As the leading Motorola Solutions Certified Two-Way Radio Service Center in the Mid-Atlantic, our team of skilled technicians is here to help answer any questions about troubleshooting, and will repair your radios to get you back up and running in no time.
Maintenance and Care Tips for Your Professional Two-way Radios
- Regularly clean by dusting and wiping down units
- Keep the device away from water
- Regularly change and inspect the batteries
- Turn radios off while charging
- Do not hold the antenna, or grab the radio by the antenna
- Store radios and battery packs at room temperature
- Keep vents clean and clear
- Avoid overcharging the batteries
Contact Wireless today
We know how important it is to keep your team safe and productive when they are out on jobsites or working at remote locations. You need to ensure that you have reliable two-way radio solutions for all of your employees, no matter where they are located. Even worse, what happens if one of these devices fails? How do you get in touch with them? What will happen to their productivity while they wait for a replacement device? These scenarios can put your business at risk.
Wireless has been providing high quality two-way radio solutions to businesses and government agencies in the Mid-Atlantic for over 25 years. Our experts understand the importance of keeping everyone connected so that work doesn’t stop while waiting on repairs or replacements. Contact our experts today.