some often-used buttons like fast forward and play seem to be acting up.  But if I re-download the programming it will work.  I am using this with an RF-260 repeater.  It is only two years old.

This is an awfully expensive unit to be failing so soon.  Anybody else have similar experiences?  It seems like it is losing it's brains, based on the fact that a re-program seems to revive it.  at least briefly.

Sometimes frequently used buttons wear out. I had my MX900 repaired for free by URC; call them.

The MX900 is notorious for the button issues, but I have not heard of the same problem with the MX880. I would try setting the remote to IR when it is acting up and give a good test of all equipment. The MRF260 is a bit buggy as it can be very
susceptible to RF interference. If the remote works fine on IR, than check for RF interference. Set the address on the MRF260 to 0 and see if the second light on the base lights up constant. I would be more inclined to think you have an RF issue than a remote. I have never heard of a problem on any remote that is fixed by continually loading the same program into it.

you can also take the antenna off if the distance is close. I usually always take off the antenna.

These are some interesting comments.  I think my impression of re-loading the programming curing the problem, even temporarily, are mistaken.  It is an intermittent problem, so can be a bit confusing to troubleshoot.

I have used the RF-260 for nearly one year without any problems whatsoever.  Also, when I execute a macro that does not rely on one of the buttons that is problematic it seems to work OK through the RF-260.

However, when one of the button presses fails, the RF-260 still fires off the appropriate repeater.

If the buttons are really not the problem, I don't want to send the remote back only to have URC claim "no trouble found".  Switching to infrared seems a reasonable troubleshooting step.  I have an RMA # from URC and was about to send it back today.  Perhaps I'll take another day to troubleshoot using infrared only.  It would seem pretty strange for the RF-260 to work fine for a year and then act up, as it is just electronics without the electromechanical keypad to wear out.

The MRF260 is notorious for rf issues. Taking the antenna off as suggested is another step that could help.

RF issues can be frustrating as they are not always present. All codes could work with the exception of one. Other things can cause the rf issues, such as a new cable or sat box, new amp, other electrical issues. Turning a light on can even cause issues at times. It's why we suggest checking the base station first.

You may want to check your emitter outputs and base station location placement. There have been numerous comments lately about RF interference, and in many cases it points back to newly introduced equipment and/or questionable HDMI cables. As the MRF-260 RF receiver is integrated in the base, it's getting tougher to isolate the antenna among all the RF producing gear. Maybe try the MRF-350 and extend the antenna. Better yet, add a MRX-1/RFX-250 and you'll get both MX-Wand and MX-iOS operation.

I noticed the MRF-260 antenna was placed very close to a micro-ATX PC, which is an Asterisk PBX for my Voice over IP phones.  I moved it a few inches away and so far the symptoms of the problem seem to have disappeared.

So perhaps RF interference is the likely answer.

Thanks.

If you fire a macro, there are no "buttons" involved, so you can eliminate "buttons" as an issue.

You probably nailed it with interference.

I pulled my Home Theater PC out of the cabinet to upgrade the power supply, then put it back in.  Now I am back to having problems with the MRF-260 repeater.  I assume this is the same problem of possible RF interference from two PCs, a 24-port Gigabit switch, cable modem and router in the same cabinet.

It sounds like the MRF-260 is not capable of operating in close proximity to other electronic equipment?  Makes me wonder what URC thought it would be used to control if not other electronics . . .

Is there a real solution for this problem other than trying to bandaid it by shuffling the MRF-260 around in space trying to avoid interference?

MRF-350

Why is this an improvement over the 260?  Is it simply that the remote-mounted antenna allows me to locate it further from the interferers in my rack?

yes, and it has additional ir ports and all ir ports are adjustable.

Sorry. I thought I covered it already, must have been a different thread. Duct Tape already answered it pretty much. The MRF350 is a LOT easier to work with to eliminate RF interference. You can extend the antenna with cat5 and locate it far away. I typically have my antennas mounted in the basement.

Thanks for the info.  I will try once more to relocate my MRF260.  If it is not satisfactory I'll switch to the 350.