TX3200 Microphone issues
Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:23
ThreadID:
44960
Views:
5454
Replies:
10
FollowUps:
2
This Thread has been Archived
madcow
G'day all, I am about to have to buy my third microphone in 3.5 years of owning this UHF. It seems to constantly failing due to a lack of voice modulation and you hvae to squeeze the crap out of it to try and get it to work. The cord is not overextended and the unit is only used on 4wd club trips(not a great deal of use). Has anyone found a fix apart from throwing them out as i can get them repaired if we knew what the issue may be. I have contacted GME vis email with no response yet! A phone call resulted in the operator haveing a snigger before I reminded him if he was prepared to buy one at an average of one per year I would gladly accept one from him. A quick change of attitude and was quickly transferred to the service department, left my number and will await a reply.
cheers
Reply By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:35
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:35
So, which part fails ? The mic, the cord or the connections inside the plug ? My TX3400's mic has a hard life, and in 4 years hasn't failed yet.
AnswerID:
237089
Follow Up By: madcow - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:39
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:39
It is tranmitting a siganl but with no voice modulation which suggests the switch inside may be the problem. But 3 in 3.5 years is wearing a bit thin
FollowupID:
498117
Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:42
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:42
It's very unusual for a mic to have switch problems. Especially if you can key the carrier up. The cord is a more likely suspect. It may be that they have a bad batch, as I agree with you, it shouldn't happen that often.
FollowupID:
498119
Reply By: John R (SA) - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:45
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:45
Sounds rather odd. We've got a couple on quad bikes, so they get rattled like buggery & quite wet through the winter. They've both lasted several years without
check.
I'm assuming yours is treated with considerably more respect so I'd look at the unit and find out if there's a way it's stuffing the mikes.
AnswerID:
237093
Reply By: madcow - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:55
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 12:55
thanks for the response fellas! We will see just how long it takes GME to reply to both an email and phone call. I still believe they are a great product and better than Uniden.
AnswerID:
237098
Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 13:07
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 13:07
Sounds very strange to me.
What about checking the small brass/copper pins on the radio itself, where the "phone-type" plug interfaces with the radio?
Also, what about trying YOUR mic with another GME owner's mic.......see if your mic works okay on his radio?
Good luck.....I've always had Uniden radios for the past 15 years, but recently bought my 1st GME (a 3200) and I'm very happy with it. My only gripe is that if I go to "SCAN" for a few minutes and then turn the SCAN off, the radio stops on whatever channel it happens to be on when I stop scanning. The Uniden used to just go back to channel i was listening to beforehand. Only a small issue, I know; but one that bugs me a little.
Cheers
Roachie
AnswerID:
237103
Reply By: Michael Carey - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 13:21
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 13:21
The microphone element in a TX3200 microphone is an electret insert. The thing to watch out for is that they are easily blocked by dust, grime etc. The opening is quite small and it doesn't take much to stop the audio getting through.
Unscrew the back of the microphone, carefully remove the PCB and then remove the electret, it's mounted in a white plastic holder with a red and black wire going to it.
Check the "front" of the insert, it should have a thin black felt cover. Make sure it's not dusty or covered with grime, spit, etc. While it's apart, make sure the grill in the front half on the microphone is clear as
well.
Just something to
check.
Regards,
Michael.
AnswerID:
237107
Reply By: mike w (WA) - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 14:45
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 14:45
I know your frustration.
I took
mine apart, gave all the contacts etc a clean, but still the problem occured again.
Took it to a repair
shop, just to look at it nearly equated to the price of a new one.
Id be interested to hear your reply from GME
AnswerID:
237127
Reply By: madcow - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 14:50
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 14:50
3.5 hours since I rang and still await a return call. 2 days since an email was sent off. I'll let you know what if any outcome may come of it.
AnswerID:
237129
Reply By: RosscoH - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 15:50
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 15:50
Hi Madcow,
TX3200 did have a mic problem, they were replacing them originally at no cost but have since stopped doing it. The problem is the little piece on the side that you actually push in, it seems to wear and does not push on the piece inside properly. I was told about the problem by my electronics
shop when my fisrt one died.
Cheers Rossco.
AnswerID:
237143
Reply By: joc45 - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 23:16
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 23:16
Must admit, I emailed GME about 6 weeks ago about a tech query - the lcd display has problems and I need a replacement. They haven't replied yet. I suspect the emails go into a bit-bucket. Not impressed.
Will prob have to phone or drop in on the Cannington GME depot here in
Perth to get an answer.
Gerry
AnswerID:
237317
Reply By: madcow - Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 07:41
Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 07:41
I'm fortunate to work with some tech guys and we found an issue with the plug for the cable to the PCB. I have soldered the cable directly to the Circuit board and it seems to work ok so far. It may have been a bit of poor contact between the contacts themsleves. Interestingly there is provision for this to be done.
As for the free replacements i have not heard of that one.
Thanks for the input
AnswerID:
237336