Centracom Elite and Consolette Question

rrfd43 · Post by **rrfd43** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 12:46 pm

We run a centracom elite and a consolette attached for a back up radio. This consolette is an astro-spectra in the base station dress. It is VHF and currently has 8 channels in it. It has channels steered by the CEB.

We need to change a few channels in this consolette. I am to assume that the centracom gets the mode name direcly from the spectra. I am also to believe that it will only do 8 channels.

Question:
1. Does the Centracom get the mode names from the spectra?
2. Can we put in more than 8 channels? Or will this need more hardware?

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 12:49 pm

Is it a tone remote on a BIM? If so they are 14 channels max and you name the channels on each one seperately in the console database manager software.

Post by **alex** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 1:18 pm

The channel names are set within the Centracom Software itself when you configure the basestation.

If you can already channel steer the Spectra, it should be easy to add more channels.

I'd have to look at it in order to tell you what to change, but it should be as simple as a change in the configuraiton of the centracom itself.

-Alex

Post by **wavetar** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:49 am

The Astro Spectra might be capable of channel steering up to 14 channels...but I believe the highest you can go in a Centracom Elite system is 8. At least, T8R8 is the highest I recall seeing in the CDM (Console Database Manager, not the CDM series radios). Been a while though. Maybe XMO can confirm.

Todd

Post by **xmo** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:45 am

I see in the Console Database Manager manual that T14 is an available option so it looks like Centracom can go beyond T8-R8.

My reservation here has more to do with the Consollette. Unless they have slipped something in lately, the tone remote function table is not user programmable in these radios - sort of frustrating - even the lowly Desktrac tone remote configuration could be programmed in the field.

Function tone use in these radios is locked in the firmware. T8-R8 may be the maximum supported. It looks like at least two of the function tones are committed to secure/clear switching.

There is a firmware update for the Astro Consollette available on MOL but the release notes don't specify what the function tone mapping is.

You could try calling the System Support Center - OR - just set it up and try it. Add some modes to the radio programming of the Consollette. Change the Centracom to T14. Don't waste time putting in mode names until you see if it works. My guess is that the consollette won't switch to any mode higher than 8 no matter what function tone it sees - but if it does - let us know!

rrfd43 · Post by **rrfd43** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 11:59 am

Well programming the spectra went well, we can now transmitt on the necessary channel. The label on the centra-com display is different though. I can not find where to change these names....any help???

Also tone remote....I am new here. The consolette is connected to the CEB and how it steers the channel is magic to me!

The Pager Geek · Post by **The Pager Geek** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:16 pm

The channel name is stored in the CDM of the console. You will need to get into the programming of the console to change the assignable names on the BIM.

For your set-up, you wil need to go into admin mode on the console and adjust the names that way.

tpg

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 4:17 pm

There is an 8 channel limitation on the Spectra Consolette when using tone remote. The TTRC board is only capable of decoding up the 8 channel function tones.
This is a limitation that I am surprised that they have never addressed.

Post by **alex** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 4:20 pm

Alan wrote:There is an 8 channel limitation on the Spectra Consolette when using tone remote. The TTRC board is only capable of decoding up the 8 channel function tones.
This is a limitation that I am surprised that they have never addressed.

Probably a sales tatic...

Oh, you need 9 selected channels... that sucks... another $8k for us!

rrfd43 · Post by **rrfd43** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 5:11 pm

TPG, Can't find this info there, and looked everywhere. I can configure all the options to how this resource looks but just can't change the mode names.....

Post by **alex** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 5:39 pm

rrfd-

If I recall (now that I'm thinking about it again)...

IN the database manager... there should be two tabs under that specific card. Under there is a list of "features" that run the actual device... there might be one called Modes [8] or something like that.

Try double clicking those and seeing what comes up. that might be where they are stored.

-Alex

The Pager Geek · Post by **The Pager Geek** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:33 pm

In CDM (edit mode)
Double Click the BIM resource.
Click on Capabilties
Click "Dispatch Capabilites"
In the List "Capabilites Assigned", highlight Freq[8]
Then click edit to the right of that.

It will list the existing programmed names...

tpg

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:10 am

It sounds like he is in the Elite Admin scrreen where you design the layout. Wrong software. You need to open the program in the same folder called "CDM" (Console Database Manager). Then follow the instructions above.

rrfd43 · Post by **rrfd43** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:41 am

Well after I restarted this stupid computer, it came up with a missing DLL error. Now that it is fixed, I did find that list to change the mode names and all is well. Thanks for the help!