Radio tuner broken - MTCB Hardware Development

It seems my radio tuner is broken.
Maybe it is because I accidently shortened the shield with the centre conductor of the antenna cable, which gave some sparks.
After the short circut, first everything seemed to work fine, radio was running without any problems.
After some days first problems came up: station only stayed tuned for some minutes, then receiver lost tuning. Sometimes tuning came back and station could be heared.
After some more days: no station at all can be tuned. Channel search doesn't give any results.
No damage is visible in the electric parts.
Any hint on how to resurrect the radio tuner?
Pictures are showing the tuner with removed housing on one side (nothing of interest inside).

Related

mapping hardware for this device

Hi all,
As i started servicing all pdas for a couple of monthes (only as a hobby, i fix them for friends and relatives), i came across one BA that gave me some trouble.
i got it to replace its LCD that was broken as it was dropped and thats very simple to replace it, so far so good. now it has two main problems :
1. no sound from speaker (even when in speakerphone mode), but there is sound in the stereo earphones (i plugged to the connector by the sd card slot). - i can only assume that a bluetooth handsfree device it will also work.
2. although the backup battery is fully charged, if i remove the main battery even for a brief second, when turned on, the BA acts as if i made a hard reset.
as for solving the problems :
1. using a digital multimeter, i managed to track the conductivity from the internal speaker through its connector, flat ribbon to the connector which connects to the main pcb - so there is no contact problem from the speaker to the main pcb.
using the help from WIKI, i went to site that has the list of all components and their description - the IC that is responsible for audio amp is a MAXIM's MAX4410 which is a stereo headphone driver. a quick look at its charasteristics and typical configuration and i understood that (assuming this is the IC that drives the internal speaker) the speaker should have one pin which is ground and the other goes to the amplified signal from the IC. neither one of the pins showed it has GND to it. so maybe there is a bad GND line to the connector.
2. regarding the backup battery issue i do not know what makes this problem.
I am sharing this info with you all with two ideas in mind :
1. to resolve my problem and know those devices hardware better.
2. because i am quite a while watching xda-developers and WIKI and i got the feeling that a lot of eforth is given to the software side of all those pdas (which is greate!!! keep going, this work helps lots of people and it shows al thos mega corps they are not the only ones), but the hardware is a bit forgotten and left behind. let me tell you this, there are many VERY simple mini projects i made useing electronics (i am an electronics engineer in my profession) that made my life easy . i am now investigating those instruments hardware as i have several ideas to develope useful accessories to my pda (like an external IR transciver to control IR devices like TV,DVD and to communicate with my laptop, and some other ideas) and i believe we can do the same info sharing as done on software side but on the hardware side.
I will thank any ideas, thoghts or commentsabout this matter. Yol.

mapping hardware for this device

Hi all,
As i started servicing all pdas for a couple of monthes (only as a hobby, i fix them for friends and relatives), i came across one BA that gave me some trouble.
i got it to replace its LCD that was broken as it was dropped and thats very simple to replace it, so far so good. now it has two main problems :
1. no sound from speaker (even when in speakerphone mode), but there is sound in the stereo earphones (i plugged to the connector by the sd card slot). - i can only assume that a bluetooth handsfree device it will also work.
2. although the backup battery is fully charged, if i remove the main battery even for a brief second, when turned on, the BA acts as if i made a hard reset.
as for solving the problems :
1. using a digital multimeter, i managed to track the conductivity from the internal speaker through its connector, flat ribbon to the connector which connects to the main pcb - so there is no contact problem from the speaker to the main pcb.
using the help from WIKI, i went to site that has the list of all components and their description - the IC that is responsible for audio amp is a MAXIM's MAX4410 which is a stereo headphone driver. a quick look at its charasteristics and typical configuration and i understood that (assuming this is the IC that drives the internal speaker) the speaker should have one pin which is ground and the other goes to the amplified signal from the IC. neither one of the pins showed it has GND to it. so maybe there is a bad GND line to the connector.
2. regarding the backup battery issue i do not know what makes this problem.
I am sharing this info with you all with two ideas in mind :
1. to resolve my problem and know those devices hardware better.
2. because i am quite a while watching xda-developers and WIKI and i got the feeling that a lot of eforth is given to the software side of all those pdas (which is greate!!! keep going, this work helps lots of people and it shows al thos mega corps they are not the only ones), but the hardware is a bit forgotten and left behind. let me tell you this, there are many VERY simple mini projects i made useing electronics (i am an electronics engineer in my profession) that made my life easy . i am now investigating those instruments hardware as i have several ideas to develope useful accessories to my pda (like an external IR transciver to control IR devices like TV,DVD and to communicate with my laptop, and some other ideas) and i believe we can do the same info sharing as done on software side but on the hardware side.
I will thank any ideas, thoghts or commentsabout this matter. Yol.

[Q] Radio FM without headset ?

I know that headphone works as an antenna and has applications to online radio, but has some method or application that runs the FM radio without the headphones (without use of the Internet, without using the headphones)?
No problem that the gain of the radio become poor, that is where I'm from the FM signal is very strong, so do not need the gain that antenna offers.
Can't help you with an app...
But you could try the 'next best thing': plugging in a 3.5 mm unwired plug, or a splitter with nothing plugged into it.
I just did, started the radio with "Via speaker" activated, and I actually got decent reception of some stations!
When I put the phone down, things got a bit noisy in most cases, so I was the antenna.
And connecting USB made it better again
waves fulateg
looking for that to,
my old nokia xpress music did that very well, you press 1 button on you have the radio with the speaker...still use it every day
I did see a while ago a 3.5 mm jack plug based aerial on eBay, though unfortunately I haven't got a link, but someone had reported it working on s3, but I was a bit concerned about the leverage it could potentially place on the socket, so didn't buy it
Spirit FM

Replacement FM tuner

So long story short, when attempting to replace the caps for the radio circuit (for the 2nd time since the first time I used ones that weren't quite right) I screwed things up, the headunit still works I just have no radio audio.
Any thoughts on a fix?
I could replace the main board, but I've already done the Audio Mod and then I'd still have to swap the caps on the new one (or live with the lack of treble).
What about a USB FM tuner, maybe something that even has HD radio?
Contact the factory and buy a new radio IC ?
typos1 said:
Contact the factory and buy a new radio IC ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was plan B, tho it would have to be a whole new main board, was wondering if there was a cheaper and easier solution that might also improve radio reception, seems like maybe one of the DAB/DAB+ adapters would work but there doesn't seem to be a decent software solution for those, at least not one that would be good enough to compete with the standard radio app.
jakejm79 said:
That was plan B, tho it would have to be a whole new main board, was wondering if there was a cheaper and easier solution that might also improve radio reception, seems like maybe one of the DAB/DAB+ adapters would work but there doesn't seem to be a decent software solution for those, at least not one that would be good enough to compete with the standard radio app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why cant you remove the original tuner and solder on a new one, whats wrong with the 10 DAB solutions in th DAB thread ?
typos1 said:
Why cant you remove the original tuner and solder on a new one, whats wrong with the 10 DAB solutions in th DAB thread ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not the tuner that is bad, its circuitry on the main board, long story short, I had done the radio audio frequency with caps that werent quite the right value, upon trying to redo it with the correct ones, one of the traces got damaged, so while the tuner part works the circuitry that feeds it via the radio input selection doesn't.
I looked at the DAB solutions, but we don't have DAB or DAB+ here (our digitial/HD radio is a completely different spec for which there are no USB modules). I could use a DAB/DAB+ module for just the FM, but from what I have seen none of the software parts of the solutions look very attractive compared to the stock radio app especially considering I wont have the added features of DAB/DAB+ like the artwork, song titles (the stations over here are really poor in terms of their RDS data), etc.
jakejm79 said:
It's not the tuner that is bad, its circuitry on the main board, long story short, I had done the radio audio frequency with caps that werent quite the right value, upon trying to redo it with the correct ones, one of the traces got damaged, so while the tuner part works the circuitry that feeds it via the radio input selection doesn't.
I looked at the DAB solutions, but we don't have DAB or DAB+ here (our digitial/HD radio is a completely different spec for which there are no USB modules). I could use a DAB/DAB+ module for just the FM, but from what I have seen none of the software parts of the solutions look very attractive compared to the stock radio app especially considering I wont have the added features of DAB/DAB+ like the artwork, song titles (the stations over here are really poor in terms of their RDS data), etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, what part of the world are you in ?
The app could eaily be altered, but you cant just tune into the FM signal, it only works if the DAB signal drops out.
Get a new motherboard then, I dont think theyre expensive.
typos1 said:
I see, what part of the world are you in ?
The app could eaily be altered, but you cant just tune into the FM signal, it only works if the DAB signal drops out.
Get a new motherboard then, I dont think theyre expensive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
US, in that case it seems like a DAB solution wouldn't work for my need, if it only switches to FM has a fall back and needs a DAB signal initially.
I ordered one, but I believe it's defective so I am now waiting to hear back from them, would have loved a standalone option that would have improved on the appalling reception the standard tuner gets.
jakejm79 said:
US, in that case it seems like a DAB solution wouldn't work for my need, if it only switches to FM has a fall back and needs a DAB signal initially.
I ordered one, but I believe it's defective so I am now waiting to hear back from them, would have loved a standalone option that would have improved on the appalling reception the standard tuner gets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No DAB in US, no HD radio solution by any MTCB manufacturers ? No USB HD radio solution ?
Theres something wrong if your tuner gets bad reception, do you have an OEM antenna booster in your car ?
typos1 said:
No DAB in US, no HD radio solution by any MTCB manufacturers ? No USB HD radio solution ?
Theres something wrong if your tuner gets bad reception, do you have an OEM antenna booster in your car ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it sucks, I would have even settled for a satellite radio option, not that I can find a USB solution for US HD radio spec, I think its a really limited market, plus the phone carriers (main android market) aren't particularly found of FM/HD radio being available on android (or other) devices.
No the car is old (1999) so just the standard antenna, on the previous board it worked (wasn't has good as OEM radio, but acceptable, I tried some of the aftermarket boosters and they made things worse). With the new main board all I get is static and it wont auto tune to even the most local stations.
jakejm79 said:
Yeah it sucks, I would have even settled for a satellite radio option, not that I can find a USB solution for US HD radio spec, I think its a really limited market, plus the phone carriers (main android market) aren't particularly found of FM/HD radio being available on android (or other) devices.
No the car is old (1999) so just the standard antenna, on the previous board it worked (wasn't has good as OEM radio, but acceptable, I tried some of the aftermarket boosters and they made things worse). With the new main board all I get is static and it wont auto tune to even the most local stations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The age of your car isnt that relevant - have you actually checked the base of your antenna for a power lead ?
Can you post links to the "boosters" youve tried or similar ?
typos1 said:
The age of your car isnt that relevant - have you actually checked the base of your antenna for a power lead ?
Can you post links to the "boosters" youve tried or similar ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The antenna is a standard antenna, I've had numerous other aftermarket radios with no issues before including my Ouku unit and my previous JY unit worked it just wasn't as good as OEM.
I used one off ebay and then another direct from Joying.
jakejm79 said:
The antenna is a standard antenna, I've had numerous other aftermarket radios with no issues before including my Ouku unit and my previous JY unit worked it just wasn't as good as OEM.
I used one off ebay and then another direct from Joying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you actually checked the base for a power lead ? What type of booster did you try ?
typos1 said:
Have you actually checked the base for a power lead ? What type of booster did you try ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think we are getting off topic here, I'm not looking for a way to improve radio reception, the unit wasn't great (compared to the OEM radio) but it was acceptable. Just looking for another option for FM radio reception, seems like there isn't one if you aren't in a DAB/DAB+ market area.
jakejm79 said:
I think we are getting off topic here, I'm not looking for a way to improve radio reception, the unit wasn't great (compared to the OEM radio) but it was acceptable. Just looking for another option for FM radio reception, seems like there isn't one if you aren't in a DAB/DAB+ market area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are several solutions to having a poor FM reception with these units and many people buy boosters that are not actually boosters, I was just simply asking a few questions to see if any of the solutions would help you, not interested ? Then I ll shut up.
jakejm79 said:
So long story short, when attempting to replace the caps for the radio circuit (for the 2nd time since the first time I used ones that weren't quite right) I screwed things up, the headunit still works I just have no radio audio.
Any thoughts on a fix?
I could replace the main board, but I've already done the Audio Mod and then I'd still have to swap the caps on the new one (or live with the lack of treble).
What about a USB FM tuner, maybe something that even has HD radio?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If installing an external HD Radio add-on is something you have interest in, consider checking out the Directed Electronics HD Car Connect Radio DMHD10001. These add on units can be had for $30 US or less on ebay and connect to your head unit via the AUX in RCA audio connections or via FM modulation. That said, I recommend using the RCA connections to anyone, as the FM modulation will usually have lessor overall audio quality. Please note that these specific Directed Electronics HD Radio Units need to have a ground jumper wire soldered from one or both of the tops of the gold RCA jacks to the black DC Ground in order to fix the over-modulation (distortion) issue. To do this jumper cleanly, remove the case cover and solder the jumper to the 90 degree ground pin at the plug connector. I also recommend drilling some vent holes in the upper case cover to help cool the unit as it does heat up.
Please note that these HD Radio units are only for use in the US (as far as I know), and are best used in areas of the Country that have more than a few HD channels available like here in So Cal. They do work with non HD AM/FM channels too. Some of the pluses are the additionally available music and news content in HD with no monthly fees, somewhat higher sound quality, as well as the overall better sound quality when compared to the built in FM tuners in the current Chinese android head units.
Attached is a pic of the grounding needed to fix the factory over-modulation flaw when using the RCA audio connections.
Moreover, you should be able to find an external satellite radio add-on unit that ties in via the RCA audio in connections if no usb version is available.
Hope this helps...
Your mileage may vary.
Best to all,
R
rhacy said:
If installing an external HD Radio add-on is something you have interest in, consider checking out the Directed Electronics HD Car Connect Radio DMHD10001. These add on units can be had for $30 US or less on ebay and connect to your head unit via the AUX in RCA audio connections or via FM modulation. That said, I recommend using the RCA connections to anyone, as the FM modulation will usually have lessor overall audio quality. Please note that these specific Directed Electronics HD Radio Units need to have a ground jumper wire soldered from one or both of the tops of the gold RCA jacks to the black DC Ground in order to fix the over-modulation (distortion) issue. To do this jumper cleanly, remove the case cover and solder the jumper to the 90 degree ground pin at the plug connector. I also recommend drilling some vent holes in the upper case cover to help cool the unit as it does heat up.
Please note that these HD Radio units are only for use in the US (as far as I know), and are best used in areas of the Country that have more than a few HD channels available like here in So Cal. They do work with non HD AM/FM channels too. Some of the pluses are the additionally available music and news content in HD with no monthly fees, somewhat higher sound quality, as well as the overall better sound quality when compared to the built in FM tuners in the current Chinese android head units.
Attached is a pic of the grounding needed to fix the factory over-modulation flaw when using the RCA audio connections.
Moreover, you should be able to find an external satellite radio add-on unit that ties in via the RCA audio in connections if no usb version is available.
Hope this helps...
Your mileage may vary.
Best to all,
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I was thinking about something like that (obviously via aux in and not FM modulation, since my FM doesn't work). What I would love would be something like this that then had an Android app that could be used to remotely control the unit.
I had an HD radio add on box for a Clarion NX501 years ago, I don't live in a part of the country that has a ton of HD stations and depending on where I drive I don't always have the best coverage, but it is a possibility.
typos1 said:
There are several solutions to having a poor FM reception with these units and many people buy boosters that are not actually boosters, I was just simply asking a few questions to see if any of the solutions would help you, not interested ? Then I ll shut up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the input, but I think there is some confusion over my needs.
I need an external FM tuner (i.e. something USB or the like with an android software solution for tuning). I have two motherboards, one has damaged traces for the radio circuitry so there is no radio audio (BT, streaming apps, etc are fine) the other that was bought has a replacement seems to have a defective tuner or something, I get nothing but static. This isn't an issue with the antenna or anything since prior to the damage on the original motherboard I had acceptable reception.
So to recap, I don't need to improve reception (tho if the replacement tuner offered better SQ or reception that wouldn't be a bad thing). I just need to find a way of getting an FM signal to the unit via USB or Aux in. Something like Rhacy would be good, but I was hoping for something a little more integrated and controllable through an android interface.
jakejm79 said:
I appreciate the input, but I think there is some confusion over my needs.
I need an external FM tuner (i.e. something USB or the like with an android software solution for tuning). I have two motherboards, one has damaged traces for the radio circuitry so there is no radio audio (BT, streaming apps, etc are fine) the other that was bought has a replacement seems to have a defective tuner or something, I get nothing but static. This isn't an issue with the antenna or anything since prior to the damage on the original motherboard I had acceptable reception.
So to recap, I don't need to improve reception (tho if the replacement tuner offered better SQ or reception that wouldn't be a bad thing). I just need to find a way of getting an FM signal to the unit via USB or Aux in. Something like Rhacy would be good, but I was hoping for something a little more integrated and controllable through an android interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know what you need, we touched on a new motherboard to fix your problem, I was advising for when you fit your new motherbaord, basically, the FM reception on these units is pretty good, once you have done a few basic things.
But I didnt realise you actually had the motherboard already and your problem is static.
In that case its HIGHLY likely that you simply need to flash the MCU to solve your problem - what device do you have and what MCU version ?
I recently had a similar problem (no radio, just static) and all that was needed was an MCU update, its very common after updating.
It could also be the wrong tuner type is set in factory settings, have you tried playing around with them ?
typos1 said:
Yes, I know what you need, we touched on a new motherboard to fix your problem, I was advising for when you fit your new motherbaord, basically, the FM reception on these units is pretty good, once you have done a few basic things.
But I didnt realise you actually had the motherboard already and your problem is static.
In that case its HIGHLY likely that you simply need to flash the MCU to solve your problem - what device do you have and what MCU version ?
I recently had a similar problem (no radio, just static) and all that was needed was an MCU update, its very common after updating.
It could also be the wrong tuner type is set in factory settings, have you tried playing around with them ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the MCU mentioning, you could be onto something, the new mobo didn't behave exactly like my old one, I had issues trying to get my phone to pair with BT (though that could be due to new MAC address but same BT device name, I didn't work too hard on it since the radio issue was more pressing). But also the buttons on the front acted a little weird, like normally when I have one of the MTC apps open (radio, their music player, etc) if I hit the home button on the front of the unit it would keep that app playing but return me to the home screen, with the new mobo it closes the app like I pressed the back button, have to press the soft home button in the top left of the screen to keep it playing music.
I have the old mobo back in now, I will try and see what the MCU version is on that and then install the new mobo and see if its the same or different and try upgrading it.
I did try all the different options for the radio device under the factory settings menu, but all but one (the original one selected) resulted in just silence rather than static.
jakejm79 said:
Thank you for the MCU mentioning, you could be onto something, the new mobo didn't behave exactly like my old one, I had issues trying to get my phone to pair with BT (though that could be due to new MAC address but same BT device name, I didn't work too hard on it since the radio issue was more pressing). But also the buttons on the front acted a little weird, like normally when I have one of the MTC apps open (radio, their music player, etc) if I hit the home button on the front of the unit it would keep that app playing but return me to the home screen, with the new mobo it closes the app like I pressed the back button, have to press the soft home button in the top left of the screen to keep it playing music.
I have the old mobo back in now, I will try and see what the MCU version is on that and then install the new mobo and see if its the same or different and try upgrading it.
I did try all the different options for the radio device under the factory settings menu, but all but one (the original one selected) resulted in just silence rather than static.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will probably have to try different BT devices in factory settings as well. What MCU version is your new mobo ?

Replaced headphone socket now fm radio bad reception

I know a lot of people don't use the fm radio on phones, but i do every day at work.
After replacing the faulty headphone socket (one side working only), my fm radio reception is now rubbish. And indoors it barely manages to pick up anything, including the local station.
I have twice removed the new jack and reattached it but it doesn't change anything.
I could use data but its expensive. Or use a stand alone radio but i like the convenience of having music player/ radio/phone/internet all in my pocket on one device.
Do i send for another earphone jack or is it something else?

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