HPT435BT Output Power

[Aaron S]

My radio is getting unusually lousy range - usually about 1/4 mile is all I can get. I start up the base telling it to run at 35 watts, which I think it does. Later, when I get to a 1/2 mile out or so, no radio, and now the range is less than 1/4 mile. Back at the base I find that the output has switched to 10 watts, without me doing anything. It seems to randomly switch power output without input from me. This never used to be a problem last summer, when I was able to regularly close to 1 mile, even in dense canopy.

 

[Clay Davidson]

My radio is getting unusually lousy range - usually about 1/4 mile is all I can get. I start up the base telling it to run at 35 watts, which I think it does. Later, when I get to a 1/2 mile out or so, no radio, and now the range is less than 1/4 mile. Back at the base I find that the output has switched to 10 watts, without me doing anything. It seems to randomly switch power output without input from me. This never used to be a problem last summer, when I was able to regularly close to 1 mile, even in dense canopy.

Might try using the external antenna (rubber duck) on the LS. You have to turn the external setting on. Hit the radio icon on the home page and click it over to external and or try it without if you are using the rubber duck.

What I'm getting at is it could be on the receiving end. Its worth a shot anyway.

 

[Adam]

Most of the time it's a battery issue. Check the battery out.

 

[Clay Davidson]

Im glad you said that Adam. Now that I think of it. I had the same issue and it was my battery.

 

[Aaron S]

I've tried with the external antenna - it's only a very marginal improvement. Plus I worry that the tendency of the external antenna to get caught on brush may damage the internal workings of the receiver.

The battery is just fine - pretty much brand new and has a good voltage reading throughout the day (unless you mean some other battery problem).

When I used to start up my base, I would get red bars on the signal strength meter, so I knew the radio was really cranking out some wattage, decibels, or whatever you measure it with. Now, I when I start the base at 35 watts, the meter is barely even full when I'm right at the base radio. I go to look at the radio settings, and it's at 10 watts. I can switch it back to 35, but it's like it's always changing it when I'm not looking - a constant battle to make it stay at 35 watts and I don't know why.

I tried making a new profile, but it had no effect.

 

[Adam]

How about the cable connection to the antenna at the base radio? They use to tend to get damaged where the cable enters the antenna base.

 

[Duane Frymire]

I've tried with the external antenna - it's only a very marginal improvement. Plus I worry that the tendency of the external antenna to get caught on brush may damage the internal workings of the receiver.

The battery is just fine - pretty much brand new and has a good voltage reading throughout the day (unless you mean some other battery problem).

When I used to start up my base, I would get red bars on the signal strength meter, so I knew the radio was really cranking out some wattage, decibels, or whatever you measure it with. Now, I when I start the base at 35 watts, the meter is barely even full when I'm right at the base radio. I go to look at the radio settings, and it's at 10 watts. I can switch it back to 35, but it's like it's always changing it when I'm not looking - a constant battle to make it stay at 35 watts and I don't know why.

I tried making a new profile, but it had no effect.

I found that a good voltage reading is not a good indicator on the type of battery we use. You need to bring it to a shop for a better test, you can get a bad one occasionally even if new or relatively new.
Having said that, I have recently noticed a similar thing with my 4 watt radio. On start up I have to send to base every time (it doesn't remember anymore). And it reverts to 1000 instead of 4000 that I have it set to. So, stop base, go into settings for power and it is already checked for 4000 (not the 1000 it's running at) and say okay, then send to base again, then start base and finally running at 4000. I'm wondering if a recent software/firmware update has introduced some sort of low power default that wants to override user settings.