Remote head installation of Spectra

BigEE · Post by **BigEE** » Fri May 13, 2005 4:48 am

I am trying to remote mount a Spectra radio but don't know which cables to use. I have the parts that snap onto the front of the radio body and the back of the control head, and a plethora of once used cables but none seem to match up properly. Does anyone have any install directions or pictures of cables for this type of installation? Heck, I can fabricate the cables if need be but I would like to know the proper way to connect. What cables plug where, etc..

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Fri May 13, 2005 6:37 am

Depends on the remote kit.

You should have two pieces of plastic - one that holds the control head, and one with long-ass pins that plugs into the front of the RF deck? With me so far? Cool...

Now, check out the back of the control head plastic. Is there what looks like a DB-25 on steroids (large D-sub connector) labeled RADIO, MIC, and VIP? Or is there just a rectangular hole?

If there's just a rectangular hole, you have an old-style remote kit. The cable you need will have a DB-25 on one end and a "block" on the other end with a "floating" 40-or-so pin connector and two captured Torx screws to attach it to the back of the remote plastic.

If there's a D-sub connector, you have a new-style remote kit. The cable you need will have a DB-25 on one end and a small plastic connector on the other with "ears" that retain the connector in the back of the head (some cables may have busted-off ears, some may have the new retrofit-style metal clips). These just plug into the remote plastic.

Assuming this is a single-control-head install, you'll want to interface to the first connector, which is the one underneath the power connector on high-power drawers or the connector on the left for the low-/mid-power drawers.

You don't want to fabricate these cables. If you don't have what you need, you can likely find some Batlabber willing to part with one for the requisite amount of dinero.

Once you get the cable figured out, then we can talk speaker and ignition sense!

BigEE · Post by **BigEE** » Fri May 13, 2005 7:09 am

Thanks for the quick response.

I have the newer style connector, the "db25 on steroids" as you described it. The cable I have is stamped with the part number FKN-5850A and on the other end it terminates in a rectangular white plastic fifteen pin plug.

Already connected to this white plastic plug is a pigtail labeled with the part number FKN5852A and the other end of it terminates in the db15 auxiliarly port connector found on the back of the spectra. (speaker audio I presume) There is also a spliced in power connector. I see nothing that plugs straight into the front of the spectra false head.

On the front of the radio itself I have a false head with long pins that fits nicely into the unit once the little pin extender board is removed. The front of this unit has two db25's, the left one labeled "Control Unit."

The last piece I have is a cable stamped with the part number FKN4752A. It has two db25 connectors labeled "P2" and "P3". A third connector on this cable is labeled "P1" and terminates in the infamous Motorola overkill speaker connector. (You know, a db25 molded plastic mostrasity!)

Connecting to the control head is easy enough. I should be able to use the mic jack on the front of the radio and I can tap out the speaker audio from the aux jack port if needed. However, I still don't see anything that wires right up to the front of the spectra body false head straight from the remote mount cable.

Again, thanks for your help. I'm pretty new to the Motorola equipment.

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Fri May 13, 2005 8:16 am

OK, point by point, inline responses. I'm making the assumption you want to set up a standard Spectra with no aftermarket data accessories.

I have the newer style connector, the "db25 on steroids" as you described it. The cable I have is stamped with the part number FKN-5850A and on the other end it terminates in a rectangular white plastic fifteen pin plug.

Hopefully I didn't dumb things down too much. Some people don't understand what a D-sub is.

FKN5850 is an "SSM MAIN CABLE (15FEET)". SSM = Smart Status Message, a DEK look-alike which is used to transmit MDC messages. If you don't know what this is and don't have one, this cable isn't useful to you.

Already connected to this white plastic plug is a pigtail labeled with the part number FKN5852A and the other end of it terminates in the db15 auxiliarly port connector found on the back of the spectra. (speaker audio I presume) There is also a spliced in power connector. I see nothing that plugs straight into the front of the spectra false head.

FKN5852 is an "SSM TO SPECTRA CABLE". Again, if you don't have an SSM, this isn't useful.

On the front of the radio itself I have a false head with long pins that fits nicely into the unit once the little pin extender board is removed. The front of this unit has two db25's, the left one labeled "Control Unit."

Yes, you need to remove the interconnect board (HLN6285, HLN6066, or similar). You'll want to save this in case you ever go back to dash mount. Your control head should interface to the "Control Unit" port.

The last piece I have is a cable stamped with the part number FKN4752A. It has two db25 connectors labeled "P2" and "P3". A third connector on this cable is labeled "P1" and terminates in the infamous Motorola overkill speaker connector. (You know, a db25 molded plastic mostrasity!)

FKN4752A is a "MODEM-RADIO-RIB 3-WAY ADAPTER". You'd use this if you wanted to interface a data modem to the radio, perhaps with a dual control head radio (you run out of DB-25s sooner or later). This is likely not useful to you.

Connecting to the control head is easy enough. I should be able to use the mic jack on the front of the radio and I can tap out the speaker audio from the aux jack port if needed. However, I still don't see anything that wires right up to the front of the spectra body false head straight from the remote mount cable.

Sounds to me like you don't have the cable you need to interface the control head to the radio. Once you get this, on the end that plugs into the control head, you'll have a 2-pin AMP connector for speaker and two wires for ignition sense (orange and green... one for radio power and one for TX enable).

On the radio end, you should have interfaced:
Main A+ to big power connector
Antenna to mini-UHF connector
Remote head to "Control Unit" plug

On the control head end, you should have interfaced:
Microphone to either front or rear plug
Ignition sense to orange/green wires
Speaker to two-pin AMP connector
Radio deck to "RADIO" plug

It sounds like you have a radio removed from a command vehicle, ambulance, or something similar. In lots of cases, the remote cable, which snakes a long way through the vehicle, is simply left in place or cut in the middle, torn out, and discarded.

If you're going to Dayton, I bet you'll be able to track down the cable you need...

BigEE · Post by **BigEE** » Fri May 13, 2005 8:20 am

Yep, sounds like I am missing the correct cable to remote mount this unit. You are right on with SSM cable, that makes sense. Looks like I need to go in search of the correct cable part numbers. I have the hardware but just need the cable.

Thanks for all your help. You've been great.

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Fri May 13, 2005 2:53 pm

BigEE wrote:Yep, sounds like I am missing the correct cable to remote mount this unit. You are right on with SSM cable, that makes sense. Looks like I need to go in search of the correct cable part numbers. I have the hardware but just need the cable.

Thanks for all your help. You've been great.

Eh, no biggie, glad to help. Good to see a n00b actually provide detailed info! Makes helping out much easier.

You can call Motorola Parts ID (800.422.4210) and ask them about the part number. The entire remote kit (plastic and all) is HLN6008A. That's $643 list. Ouch. Someone will probably chime in with the part number of just the cable itself - I'm not around the manuals to look. You might have success (and save some money... Moto's brutal on the remote kits) by posting a WTB in the forsale/swap forum.

wx4cbh · Post by **wx4cbh** » Fri May 13, 2005 9:37 pm

I may be off base here and misunderstanding what I'm reading, but also check the Moto number H1446A. That's the remote kit for dash mount units and it's under 400 bucks in my last parts price list. The cable supplied with this kit is the standard remote cable (can't find the durn part number right now, xxx4356x or something similar comes to mind) and should be all you need if you have the rest of the control head and radio hardware. With this cable in a standard installation, you won't use any of the connections made on the rear 15 pin connector, just the ones for the remote cable, which will be the speaker and the orange and green wires. The indexed power cable remains the same.

These control cables are used on most remote Spectras, are pretty common, and there should be some available on here or a hamfest or somewhere handy.

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Fri May 13, 2005 9:39 pm

wx4cbh wrote:I may be off base here and misunderstanding what I'm reading, but also check the Moto number H1446A. That's the remote kit for dash mount units. The cable supplied with this kit is the standard remote cable (can't find the durn part number right now, xxx4356x or something similar comes to mind) and should be all you need if you have the rest of the hardware. With this cable in a standard installation, you won't use any of the connections made on the rear 15 pin connector, just the ones for the remote cable, which will be the speaker and the orange and green wires. The indexed power cable remains the same.

These control cables are used on most remote Spectras, ain't rare, and there should be some available here or a hamfest or somewhere handy.

Yep, you're right on target. I just can't remember the part number for the cable by itself. Been a day.

wx4cbh · Post by **wx4cbh** » Fri May 13, 2005 9:59 pm

HKN4653B, maybe? Anyway MotherMoto can tell ya if that's it.

I can remember that cable number (sorta) but I can't remember what I had for lunch today.

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Fri May 13, 2005 10:01 pm

wx4cbh wrote:HKN4653B, maybe? Anyway MotherMoto can tell ya if that's it.

I can remember that cable number (sorta) but I can't remember what I had for lunch today.

I think you had it right the first time... HKN4356B is listed as "17' CBL". I wonder if it's the new-style or the old-style remote cable?

BigEE, give Parts ID a call. They can (probably) hook you up...

kb0nly · Post by **kb0nly** » Sat May 14, 2005 8:48 am

Yep, 4356B, your right on that. Here is an auction with a brand new control cable and fuse going for a rather reasonable price compared to Motorola's cost.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 84447&rd=1

And another new one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 24034&rd=1

And another brand new one with a Buy it Now of only $60!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 24151&rd=1

Want more? I came up with about 20 cables on eBay with a quick search.

wx4cbh · Post by **wx4cbh** » Sun May 15, 2005 8:26 am

HKN4356B is the newer one for sure. Just got a look at the two I have, one on a mid power and one on a high power.

Remote head installation of Spectra

Remote head installation of Spectra

Good stuff

Re: Good stuff

I think you nailed it.

Re: I think you nailed it.