Raymarine 240E VHF problem - forgets its own MMSI number

[Plevier]

My Raymarine 240E VHF - new to me - has an odd problem.
You are supposed to only have one chance to put in the MMSI number. To change it, it has to go back to Raymarine.
Mine is the reverse of that - it won't remember it! You follow the procedure, put the number in twice and OK it, and it's there. Switch the 12V off, switch it on again a few seconds later, and the number has gone. Similarly it forgets whether it's on local or distant sensitivity, and probably forgets any stored call numbers but I haven't checked that.
Tried Raymarine tech support. Long silence then "That's an odd one, I think you'd better return it for repair." No it doesn't have a memory support battery.
Standard charge £198 plus VAT plus carriage. That's a lot of dosh for a bit of non volatile memory of some sort. Might as well buy a new S-H or ICOM radio, except it will completely mess up the panel layout.
Clutching at straws, does anyone know how this information is stored in the radio, and is there any chance of fixing for a sensible price?

 

[nigelmercier]

There might be a service manual available, see this post: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-Service-Manuals-online&p=4680729#post4680729

 

[Plevier]

Thanks Nigel.
The schematics are there and some board level diagnostic tests (not covering this AFAICS) but too complex for me!

 

[nigelmercier]

I'm using an iPad at the moment, so bizarrely I can't open the file. I'll have a look later, but in the meantime there are plenty of electronics wizards on the forum.

[Later] I found the originals, and had a quick look. There is a 93C46 EEPROM on the processor board, this may be where the data is stored. It doesn't explain why it is forgetting though.

You are not alone though: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?134593-MMSI-disappears-on-Raymarine-240E-VHF-DSC

 

[Plevier]

Thanks Nigel that's interesting to know. I see those problems were in 2007, my radio was made in 2008. I wonder if they found a fix? The bloke I spoke to was clearly unaware of this problem.

 

[charles_reed]

Entirely @ random, but does it have a lithium cell, as found in most PC motherboards, for maintaining volatile memory?

 

[Alpha22]

Entirely @ random, but does it have a lithium cell, as found in most PC motherboards, for maintaining volatile memory?

Tried Raymarine tech support. Long silence then "That's an odd one, I think you'd better return it for repair." No it doesn't have a memory support battery.

That will be no then!

 

[Plevier]

Raymarine tech forum (USA based) is more hopeful than UK Tech Support, moderator replied

"The currently installed version of software is specified in the lower right hand corner of the Ray240/240E's handset LCD immediately after the Ray240/240E has been powered ON. Should the version be lower than v2.29, then updating the base station's software may well rectify the reported problem. Should the dealers and/or distributor within your country not have equipped themselves with VHF radio programming hardware, then the VHF radio may be shipped to one of Raymarine's Product Repair Centers to be re-programmed."

Mine is ver 1.18! Seems worth a go - local service agent charges £35 to do the update and programme M1 and M2 at same time.

 

[nigelmercier]

... local service agent charges 335 to do the update and programme M1 and M2 at same time.

I'm guessing that isn't £3.35, suspect it is £33.50, but if it is £355 then you are out of your mind

However, this appears to be a known bug, so insist they do it FOC.

 

[Plevier]

Sorry was meant to be £35! Edited.
Yes I am pushing for FOC, of course that will mean sending back to Raymarine.