GR300 Simple quirky-ness questions...

digitron · Post by **digitron** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:57 am

It's late and I've been at it awhile...

In hand is a standard GR300 w/ two GM300's
RX Radio - M34GMC29C3A
TX Radio - M34GMC20D2A

RICK (16 pin cables) - S2- 3, 6, 10 ON (Rest OFF). Not sure why, just followed setup cheat sheet from model specific info and turned 8 off because other post said so.

I'm using two antennae at the moment, will tackle tuning duplexer later.

The repeat function works well and has PL selectivity.

*My question finally, while attempting to 'talk around' or just talk to the TX radio it will upon my HT's key ... key up itself and inhibit my transmission. It also is PL selective, where if i'm off PL it will only receive, which is good.

At first I thought it was just being weird by me being so close with my handheld and using brute force but, dunno?

I'd expect this to be a function of the RICK and TX radio together doing a dance, any suggestions? (don't you dare try to sell me your cables Will

)

Thanks,
Alex

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:14 pm

Alex writes: "(don't you dare try to sell me your cables Will ) "

Sorry Alex, I do NOT sell cables.

Back to YOUR problem, the dammed RICK may not set up correctly!!....

Check the DIP switch settings it seems that the settings are allowing the TX GM300's receive to be connected back into the RICK.

Usally the TX GM300 in a rptr setup is programmed to disable all functions on the ACCY connector. Functions are set the NUL.

digitron · Post by **digitron** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:27 pm

Sorry Will, thought that I'd seen pitches for non-rick uni/bi interface cables made by you here in some other posts. Nothing wrong with selling cables

I understand that "RICK" is a bad word, it tries to cover too many configurations at once but, it is what it is. Looks like i'll have to buy the RICK manual to make sure of my settings and identify its trickeries, ugh.

My TX radio doesn't have any programmable IO ports (only RX GM300), should I switch radios around? So that I can program the IO's on my TX GM300 to NULL? Would that make a difference?

I've also noticed both of the radios are receiving each duplex frequency from time to time at the same time (5MHz difference), which is probably my dilemma. Are the harmonics in a living room from a 5W HT that bad?!

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:13 am

Digi, you are working on a repeater, correct?

Somewhere there is a guide for the RICK settings. I just do not have the loc at my fingertips!

The RX radio is usally the one with the accy programming on pin 8 for Carrier AND PL Detect, Zero true ( 0 volts activated, 5 v no sig into RX).

The TX radio only requires the Mic, PTT and Ground lines from the RICK.

On some RICK instalations we had to remove all the unused wires from the cable(s) to reduce radiation and false opperation. The RICK and the cables make really good antennas that radiate computer noise from the radios/RICK. All other RICKs were removed and my modules were used.

TX cable 3 wires needed pins 15 & 16 jumpered AT the radio end if internal speaker is needed.

RX cable 4 wires needed...... pins 15 & 16 jumpered AT the radio end if internal speaker is needed.

Make sure you DISABLE the EXT Alarm function in each radio.

digitron · Post by **digitron** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 7:14 pm

Since the repeater function uhh, functioned... I moved to testing talkaround and since it failed it is where I got stuck and asked the experts.

I'm hoping all will be well when I tune the duplexer and have my troublesome receptions rejected. Geez, 6 cavities, i'm assuming it's a BpBr (Celwave TDN7407A), any hints?

All is programmed as you suggest, damn me to hell if I need to weed out the wires... I DO have the ext alarm programmed, setup to trigger red strobes strategically positioned throughout the apartment, just in case

The three RICK wires that are needed going to TX radio are Pins: 2 MIC Audio, 3 PTT, 7 Ground? RX radio pins: 8, 11 (15&16)? How do I incorporate flat audio, I see FLAT TX is available any thoughts on that?

--> Sidebar: Good white paper on Flat Audio: http://www.flataudio.com/downloads/flat ... _k6jsi.pdf

WTH does this RICK do anyways?! Besides get in the way.

Jumping Pin 15 & 16 connects EXT SPKR + and INT SPKR +, don't need EXT SPKR - ? I suppose i'd like to hear RX audio on the box, thanks for bringing this up!

From I think is Nand's write up he says that the front mic dummy plug connects pin 3 and 4 to enable correct PL detection locally... what about the TX radio can I have a handset in that rather than this silly plug?

Were you talking about these?
http://batlabs.com/images/rickwrk1.gif
http://batlabs.com/images/rickwrk2.gif

Cheers!

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:18 pm

You can have a Maxtrac/GM mic plugged into either radio, but the handset may have the Mic element hot all the time. This hot mic will cause low transmit repeat audio (loads down the audio from the RICK) and pick up sounds near the handset mic... not a good idea.
The RICK will also load down the mic audio on the TX radio.

Stick to de-emp audio from the RX and regular Mic input on the TX radio for now.

On the duplexer you need good test equipment to align them, plenty of posts on the duplexer issues on here.

Post by **wavetar** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:00 am

So from what I understand, the GR300 is working fine as a repeater, but you are having problems when you try & talk to the TX radio on a simplex frequency? A few more details might be helpful, such as the repeater frequencies, the simplex frequency, PL's in use, whether the radios are programmed in repeater mode or as individual radios.

Todd

digitron · Post by **digitron** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:51 am

You're right,

The RX radio (Expanded Logic) is programmed individually with receive only 467M & PL 103, external ACCY as Radius RICK-Rx with programmable IO's pin 8 to PL detect (Output, active when low) and the rest null.

TX radio (Masked Logic) programmed individually with simplex 462M PL & of 103, and doesn't have any other programming features available that should be of concern.

Problem at the moment without duplexer in place is while transmitting simplex 462M from a HT nearby the RICK COR will go active and the TX radio will keyup jamming the air. I'm leaning towards a sort of receiver overload, 462 will unintentionally force its self into the 467 radio just enough to light off the COR line. Because of this i'm hoping it'll go away quietly once I my lazy butt to my test equipment at work to tune up the duplexer.

EItherway, your thoughts and suggestions won't go ignored.

.Alex

Post by **wavetar** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:22 am

Is your RX radio set-up to only give a COR when both carrier & PL/DPL is received? It should be, if it isn't. If so, you could try changing the receive PL in the TX radio to something different. Match your portable to have the same PL on the TX of it's simplex channel & try it out. The RICK shouldn't key the TX radio since the PL won't match that of the RX radio.

Todd

digitron · Post by **digitron** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 6:12 pm

RX radio is setup to send COR when PL is detected, not sure if it'll key on CSQ (would be silly if it did).

My most understandable test was when I turned off everything except for one radio, say a 462 receive and transmitted 467 near it from a HT. It received, intelligiable audio too.

Googled for what the hell "local/distance" setting was in the RSS and saw that it may reduce the RX sensitivity? Ended up programming it in local and my interference went away, well 90%.

So... I'm not completely sure on the jargon "desense" but, from what I understand it is when you mega blast the receiver of a radio it'll have no choice but to listen?

Will field it this weekend, thanks for everyone's help!!!