Ok, you Quantar gurus, a question about linking...

[akardam]

So, here's the scenario...

Say you wanted to link a mixed mode Quantar into a linked analog system, whereby when repeating analog, the machine would operate with a dual PL schema, e.g. one PL activates the link to the rest of the network, the other PL operates the machine standalone... AND, for good measure, when repeating digital, also ignore the link to the network.

Is what I'm describing feasable? Possible? Could it be done with the Quantar's builtin controller or would some or all of the logic/control have to be external?

Thanks for any ideas you might have.

[RKG]

Here's a guess as to the analog portion:

Set up your link, and use an external relay either to make/break the audio connection to the link or logically enable/disable the link.

Wire the coil of that relay to one of the Quantar's auxiliary outputs.

Create an MPL table with two users.

Create a Wildcard table where the condition is MPL User 2, the active action is to set Output whatever, and the inactive action is to clear Output whatever.

This assumes the link is one way.

If the link works on incoming also, and if the incoming link is to be made or unmade based on local channel user PL, you'll need two wildcard tables. One sets the Output based on MPL user and hangs it for a timer. The other clears the output based on the other MPL user.

I know just about zilch using a Quantar to pass Astro traffic, but my assumption is that, since there is no PL, there would be nothing to satisfy any Wildcard table's condition necessary to make the link to the link.

[akardam]

Thanks for the info.

Now, my understanding is you'd program a condition such that if the repeater got the local PL on analog, it would disconnect audio to/from the link radio. Would this also hold true if it detected digital? I say this because the default state would be to pass audio to/from the link on analog, UNLESS in local mode OR in digital mode (e.g. we want it connected to the analog network UNLESS in local mode OR in digital mode).

Does this make sense?

[xmo]

You have an issue here. MPL operation is not compatible with mixed-mode operation.

One possible solution would be to have three modes: carrier squelch access, PL access, and digital access. Carrier squelch and digital traffic could be local only. Users with the right PL would also bring up the link.

[akardam]

Mmm, ok... that might put a hitch in my gitalong.

CSQ is pretty much out of the question due to adjacent channel and co-channel usage.

We currently use an external PL board that trips a different logic input to the controller, which itself controls the audio paths between the link radio and repeater (this is obviously on a non-Quantar). Would it be possible for us to use something similar? If we can use an external logic and/or controller, really all we need for the Quantar to tell is whether it's RXing analog or digital, everything else in theory we could take care of (as we do now).

[RKG]

1. I warned you I knew zilch about Quantars in Astro environments!

2. Quantars are easily connected to external controllers; in fact, there is a chapter on how to do the wiring and programming in the back of the Quantar Maintenance Manual.

[Vercomm]

I think what xmo is telling you is that you need to dig into the wildcard programming. I've done some of the things you're describing in analogue, its quite simple once you get comfortable with the wildcard commands. But like others have mentioned I don't know ziltch about these units in digital!!

[FMROB]

Ok, So here is the mystery................. Where would one find a list of wildcard table commands? Thanks, Rob

[xmo]

You actually need two lists: the station "states" and the wildcard commands. States and conditions are the settings that drive a wildcard action / inaction table. Both the states and actions are documented in the RSS help file.

The help file contains tables of the states and actions along with a matrix that shows which station configurations they are valid for. It also contains a description of what each state and comand means.

It is very useful to have that information in printed form. It's worth the time to read the help file into a word processor, edit out the links that the RSS uses to point to specific items, and then print it.

Put that in a binder along with the RSS programming reference manual. You can also print the wildcard operation chapter of the help file that comes with the Windows based Quantar program [which no longer comes with a hard copy manual]

[RKG]

I would add that you should acquire the Motorola Quantar Programing Manual, which is perhaps the only paper publication by Motorola that I've ever found useful. It has explanations and examples that go beyond the RSS help files (which are themselves better done for the Quantar in general and the wildcards in particular than most help files).