MDC on GM300 & STROKE system

[kg9nn]

Hello,

Two questions rolled into one post:

1) I'm looking to experiment with some MDC1200 features. According to information before me, it is my understanding that GM300 mobiles have extensive MDC1200 encode & decode support. I plan on using radio check, call alert, and selective call. How does the user tell the radio to encode one of these datagrams to another radio? Will I end up "burning" a channel for each message/radio pair?

2) I recall seeing in the threads about the STROKE system which used MDC1200 access. All the URLs I've seen appear to be offline. Does anyone have updated information for this system?

[apco25]

its one of several linked UHF/VHF repeater systems using MDC1200 for limited access. They're a private bunch so to speak.

The GM300 will do all the features you want on the same channel using the signalling menu.

[kg9nn]

Great, I appreciate the information. At the risk of going off into the weeds, anyone know how this works on the MaxTrac series as opposed to the GM300's?

[apco25]

pretty much the same signalling menu setup if its a 16pin logic board

[kg9nn]

Dumb question...

If so, why would somone want to buy a GM300 when the MaxTracs are less expensive? Assuming, of course, they're just interested in the MDC1200 features?

[apco25]

not all maxtracs support MDC features - they must be 16 pin logic boards.

The GM300 was the replacement for the maxtrac 300 / radius 200 series mobiles.

There isn't much difference in price these days between them

[wavetar]

Dumb question...

If so, why would somone want to buy a GM300 when the MaxTracs are less expensive? Assuming, of course, they're just interested in the MDC1200 features?

The main reason for wanting a GM300 as opposed to Maxtrac would be the wider bandsplits.

Todd

[raymond345]

Like it is stated here about the GM300 band is wider than most Maxtracs.

When we look at different frequencies on the same Maxtrac radio.
Ch:1 140.250 mod=4,4khz
ch:2 170.500mhz mod=2.3 khz
on the service monitor.
There are more things.
GM300's are better.

[marsguy]

There is no such thing as a dumb question.

[ku4zs1]

Also, understand that the 8 channel GM300 radios do NOT use MDC. Only a *true* (and I say *true* because there is a hack that can turn an 8 channel into a 16 channel radio) 16 channel radio can do MDC.