Midland 275 clicking

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TheGreyhound

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My Midland 275 seems to be a bit clicky sounding... Almost like a mechanical relay type click, when breaking squelch for weak signals. I'm at squelch level 1. Anyone else get a clickyness like that? Normal?
 

RoarinRow

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My Midland 275 seems to be a bit clicky sounding... Almost like a mechanical relay type click, when breaking squelch for weak signals. I'm at squelch level 1. Anyone else get a clickyness like that? Normal?
Could it be a problem with your ground? How do you have it connected? Cig lighter? Directly to battery?
 
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TheGreyhound

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Could it be a problem with your ground? How do you have it connected? Cig lighter? Directly to battery?
positive is tapped in the fuse block via an add-a-circuit and the ground is pretty firmly run to a bolt that is holding the center column of the dash to the floor. i'd presume if it were ungrounded it wouldnt function at all. its only when breaking squelch for weak signals, strong signals power thru it just fine so maybe thats just the way it sounds.... functionally seems fine.
 
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RoarinRow

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positive is tapped in the fuse block via an add-a-circuit and the ground is pretty firmly run to a bolt that is holding the center column of the dash to the floor. i'd presume if it were ungrounded it wouldnt function at all. its only when breaking squelch for weak signals, strong signals power thru it just fine so maybe thats just the way it sounds.... functionally seems fine.
Ah ok. Cause when you clicking sound like relay, it made me think of a loose ground or something to do with power.
 

Prerunner1982

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@TheGreyhound what channel are you on when you hear this?
Seattle has a handful of repeaters and perhaps what you are hearing is the repeater.
If the sound you hear is often accompanied by no voice this is commonly referred to as kerchunking the repeater, a momentary key up without saying anything to "see if you are making it into the repeater".. or to just be annoying.
I hear this often on channel 15, it is also a local repeater here in OKC. I don't hear it on other channels.
 

TheGreyhound

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@TheGreyhound what channel are you on when you hear this?
Seattle has a handful of repeaters and perhaps what you are hearing is the repeater.
If the sound you hear is often accompanied by no voice this is commonly referred to as kerchunking the repeater, a momentary key up without saying anything to "see if you are making it into the repeater".. or to just be annoying.
I hear this often on channel 15, it is also a local repeater here in OKC. I don't hear it on other channels.
Any channel. It's weak signals barely breaking squelch. On the repeaters I get a strong powerful signal.
 

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You may also want to test it with the engine running and the engine turned off. Depending on the vehicle ignition based RFI can cause a rapid clicking sound. Also if you have the ability test it running direct to battery with engine turned off and engine turned on. If you are getting RFI from an external source, a noise filter on the power line may do the trick, but as I do not know specifically what noise you are getting, I could not tell you for sure.
 

TheGreyhound

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You may also want to test it with the engine running and the engine turned off. Depending on the vehicle ignition based RFI can cause a rapid clicking sound. Also if you have the ability test it running direct to battery with engine turned off and engine turned on. If you are getting RFI from an external source, a noise filter on the power line may do the trick, but as I do not know specifically what noise you are getting, I could not tell you for sure.
No change engine on or off. No change wired to battery or fuse block. No change grounded nearby or to engine bay strap.
Must be normal noise.

massive rfi from my ditch lights as confirmed by my handhelds. Just can’t use the radio and ditch lights at the same time it seems. Is what it is.
 

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No change engine on or off. No change wired to battery or fuse block. No change grounded nearby or to engine bay strap.
Must be normal noise.

massive rfi from my ditch lights as confirmed by my handhelds. Just can’t use the radio and ditch lights at the same time it seems. Is what it is.
Same issue was solved in another thread a few days ago by getting shielded wire for the ditch lights.
 
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matthewg

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Ever solved? I have similar on the 575. Similar to this video, it can first be heard after "I'm not sure" - - I have a weboost next to my midland but there's no power running to it when I have this issue. No ditch lights. 575 going to the battery.
 

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I know this doesn’t help your situation but I had a 275 mounted in my Jeep and never had any issues with mine, maybe it’s a mic issue. Recently I bought a new Wouxun Radio and have the Midland sitting in the garage.
 

matthewg

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Interesting. I have multiple friends with the exact same midland and they don't have this issue. I wonder if it's my Midland. I'll contact support. Thanks
 
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Prerunner1982

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I haven't heard that issue before, hopefully Midland support will take care of you.
Love the very enthusiastic "You're Welcome!" at the end. lol
 

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Have you tried changing the squelch level setting? A setting of 1 is basically right at threshold and it's probably picking up a touch of the noise floor before the squelch circuit captures. I've heard this on onther radios as well so I don't think it's anything wrong.
 

matthewg

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Have you tried changing the squelch level setting? A setting of 1 is basically right at threshold and it's probably picking up a touch of the noise floor before the squelch circuit captures. I've heard this on onther radios as well so I don't think it's anything wrong.
Long story short: I've spent hours testing with this and lots of communication with Midland. They're claiming it's called a "DC pop" and is to be expected. But I've talked to dozens of people with midlands... several people don't have this issue. I'm going to try a new wiring technique tomorrow. Ground to the body instead of the battery. I've troubleshooted everything else. Multiple midlands. Multiple handheld mics. Etc.
 
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matthewg

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@Carnage_95YJ Thank you. I have a much more in-depth thread here: Log into Facebook

At this point I've tested this:


1. With / without handheld mic extension (3m Midland *and* another one, same sound)
2. Testing different handheld mic (3 different ones)
3. Testing different power cable (2x)
4. Testing completely different MXT575 (brand new, have tried 2x now)
5. Testing different antenna / antenna wiring (2x different)
6. Two different vehicle batteries
7. Grounding to battery versus body chassis

Issue persists.