Spectra Rear Control Cable --Longer Length Needed

JeffFireRadio · Post by **JeffFireRadio** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:07 pm

Greetings and thanks for your replies in advance. We are installing a 450MHz, mid-power, remote mount Spectra in a new fire truck. Due to tilt-cab issues, we need a cable longer than the standard HKN4378B for the rear A9 head. Previous forums have not answered this question outright (and, no, we are not using a siren, thus the t-cable is N/A). One...is there a longer M factory-made cable (if so, a part number would be appreciated)? Two...if not, will a front cable of the longer variety work as long as we don't connect the ignition sense orange/green wires? They seem to make those in assorted lengths. Third, will one of the Astro rear cables work (part number also requested), as M seems to advertise various lengths of those, too? As a last resort, a smartly-done lengthen-it-yourself project may be in order. Again, thanks for your inputs.

thebigphish · Post by **thebigphish** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:25 pm

as a last resort i would try just a straight thru DB style connector, as long as it is well shielded and pin for pin straight thru, you should have no problem.

2wayguy · Post by **2wayguy** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:55 pm

They make a 75 foot cable that I have used on dozens of installs. I can't imagine that you would need longer than that. It lists as G104 on the spec sheet from Motorola. I will try to find an actual part # for MOL.

RFguy · Post by **RFguy** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:30 pm

Here are numbers that I found for the Astro Spectra

17 foot front control cable HKN4356

17 foot rear control cable HKN4378

30 foot front control cable is: YKN4246.

30 foot rear control cable is: YKN4242

40 foot front control cable is no longer available

40 foot rear control cable is YKN4243

50 foot front control cable is YKN4248.

50 foot rear control cable is: YKN4244

75 foot front control cable is YKN4249.

75 foot rear control cable is YKN4245.

YKN4256 150 foot control cable (front I think).

911-EMT · Post by **911-EMT** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:31 pm

Question one… was answered by 2wayguy, two… yes I have used front cables for the rear control head, (as you mentioned do not connect the orange or green wire to 12v+ it will damage the control head) Third.. I’m not sure about the astro cable, an as thebigphish wrote I have used a DB25 M/F extension cable an it works, but make sure to use shielded cable otherwise you will get a fail 01/90.

Bruce1807 · Post by **Bruce1807** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:41 am

Order the correct cable.
You are talking about a public safety vehicle. Don't mix and match.
Do it the right way the first time and it wont come back and bite you.
I had the same problem and just sent 8 cables to Pierce Manufacturing.
YKN4244B CBL 50' Rear as stated above.

2wayguy · Post by **2wayguy** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:53 am

Yes the astro cables and the regular cables are the same. Thanks to RFguy for finding the numbers.

JeffFireRadio · Post by **JeffFireRadio** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:59 am

Thanks to all who replied (thanks, Batlabs, too). RFguy...great job with the listing. Many will benefit over time. 911-EMT...I appreciate the response. Bruce1807...we totally agree. Original, correct factory parts when they're available. Our $400,000 public safety vehicle (a Pierce, too) and the public who paid for her all deserve the best hookup possible. Again, our appreciation for the help!

Bruce1807 · Post by **Bruce1807** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 3:06 pm

We just purchased
5 Oshkosh aerodrome trucks
then from Pierce
1 ladder truck
3 rescues
4 tankers

I got the factory to put all the XTS5000 radios in.