Astro Flashport Options

[radiogirl]

Hello everybody. I need some help with the flash code options on Astro stuff that I see mostly on EBAY. I want to start playing with some of the digital radios (IMBE) and am curious as to what options would a ham REALLY need?? Aren't the Smartnet and Smartzone options for trunking stuff??. Exactly what does Astro Ready( Analog Only) mean as opposed to Digital CAI Operation?? I guess I really am unsure what to look for when I decode the flashport options. For just plain old conventional use, I am thinking that the codes of H35-G48,Q806-G806, and possibly Q241-G241 would be what I would need to work IMBE/P25 on 2meters. Is this correct??? Also, will digital tx work on a standard repeater?? I notice that some of the used repeaters on EBAY (and other places) reference digital (as in in MSF5000 digital). Is this what is needed to talk digital through a repeater? I know it is lots of questions but I sure would appreciate a few answers/advise. Thank you:roll:

[Fuel4300]

First, read would read the Newbie guide, if you havent already, stickied in the Astro Forum. Or you can go to p25.ca which has the updated version.

Now for your questions

I want to start playing with some of the digital radios (IMBE) and am curious as to what options would a ham REALLY need??

All you really need is Q806 Digital CAI Operation and H35 Conventional. Trunking options wont do you any good and will only increase the cost of the radio. Another option that I personally like is H114 Enhanced Digital ID which will display the ID of the radio currently transmitting if it has MDC or they are transmitting in digital.

Also, will digital tx work on a standard repeater??

No. There are only a handful of repeaters that will pass IMBE. The Quantar and the Qunatro will both work but I dont believe the MSF5000 will (I am not certain tho). Another option is the home-brew repeater using two maxtracs. This will pass anything, digital, encrypted, etc and can be built for a couple hundred dollars as opposed to several thousand for a used Quantar. The plans are also available on this site.

I would keep a lookout for an XTS5000 on ebay with the 123ABC1234 serial numbers. They are cheap because they have no factory support but they work fine and they are flashed for digital conventional operation only. Nothing fancy but a basic digital radio for the right price and the majority of them are VHF so they will cover 2m. I have had one for about a year and have had no problems.

Hope that helps,

Mike