Basic techniques to try BEFORE Calling for Service on your Two Way Radios:

Who would know better about common troubleshooting calls then ChiComm's own Service Shop Supervisor? Slim to no one! Over the years and hundreds of service calls received here at ChiComm, there has proven to be common consistencies in the type of calls and a few that stand out most frequently. Here are some common troubleshootings that may be the result of your problem. Check everything out on this list first, to save you from a service call later.

 Tips for Mobiles (Squad cars,etc): Ask Yourself these Q's

1. Check Microphone is good to go:

• Does it PTT (Pust To Talk)?

• Is it plugged in?

2. Check Power to radio:

• Check under the hood: Use volt meter to check, do you have 12 volts of power? Do you have ground power?
• Is everything connected and does equipment look intact?

3. Check Antenna(s):

• Is antenna on vehicle? (Hopefully it didn't snap off somewhere on the road, or in the car wash!)
• Is it connected to radio?
• Is it tightened to the roof of vehicle?
• Is the path clear from contacts to antenna?
• Check for any corrosion under antenna whip

4.Check the Channel:

• Is Radio is on proper channel?
• Make sure all employees are well informed about the correct channels to use when contacting each other.

5. Check volume:

• Is volume turned up on unit? "Can you hear me now?" "Good."

6. Check your connection:

• Is speaker connected to the radio?

  Tips for Portables: Ask Yourself These Q's

1.Check Microphone is good to go:

• Is Speaker Microphone working?
•  Does it PTT?

2.Check battery:

• Is battery fully charged? You can check battery life in the field with a volt meter.

3. Check Antenna:

• Make sure it's connected to radio & tightened to the portable
• Is pathway of contact to portable clear?
• Make sure there's no corrosion or debri; & make sure pin is intact

4. Check Channel:

• Is radio on the proper channel?
• Make sure all employees are well informed about the correct channel to use.

5. Check Volume:

• Is volume turned up on the unit? "Can you hear me now?" "Good."

For more tips and help with troubleshooting read: Why Does My Radio System Sound So Bad? (Part 1 or Part 2)

This article was written by Emory Lutdke III, the Service Supervisor at Chicago Communications. He has worked in the communications industry for over 27 years and is considered a specialist in all areas at ChiComm including portables, mobiles, installation, repair, infrastructure, dispatch centers & much more. If you have a question for Emory leave a comment below.