Trantec S5

[Brian]

The proper way to test an antenna is with a VNA (Vector Network Analyser) where you can see how well it is matched as you sweep the frequency band. A £50 nanoVNA from eBay is a very useful tool.

Sidenote: I wanted some stubby antenna for 915MHz; in the UK, with the right connector, I was looking at around £25. eBay came up trumps at £9 for 5 pcs. Result. On testing them with a nanoVNA it turns out they were nothing more than 2.4Ghz WiFi antenna and barely usable at 915Mhz.

[Wolf124]

Thanks Brian. I think that the reception indicator on the RX units will be more than adequate for my needs.

[Wolf124]

Hi Everyone. Here's one for the electronics whizz kids. I have got hold of a second-hand Trantec S5.5 hand-mic, but when I turn it on the display rotates from 'S5.5-3' to 'Gain 2' to 'off', and then goes around this circuit for a few minutes and eventually, when it appears to get bored with this game, settles onto the pre-set frequency. Is this any easy fix, is there a fix, can I simply replace the circuit board and if so how or, is it a specialist repair from my normal dealer?

[DrV]

Sounds like either a button stuck down or a missing pullup resistor on a button input. Sorry, I'm not familiar with the unit so can't point you at an actual component or signal

[Wolf124]

DrV - Thanks for the lead on that. I might try to disassemble the body to get at the PCB and give it a squirt of switch cleaner. The buttons do appear to click nicely but of course that doesn't mean that the contacts aren't gummed up I suppose.

[graemeftv]

We can offer you a free repair on this trantec s5 handheld. just pay for the shipping

our current success rate is averaging over 8 beltpack transmitters fixed in a 1 hour £45 labour charge!