Is there a simple test mode for Quantars?

[knickerlessparsons]

Hi folks

I am hoping for some help with Quantar bases, I sell lots of radio kit on Ebay and I currently have 9 UHF Quantars, model T5365A, type FA506 (440-470MHz 25Watt I think although the PA seems to be a TTE2062A03 which I think is a 110Watt version) ex Metropolitan Police which I'd like to test and put up for sale. The problem is that every one of them fail self test with RX fail and/or wireline fail. Now whilst there could well be one or two faulty ones, I don't believe they are all faulty and think the problem is down to them being disconnected from their infrastructure including Digitac Securenet voting comparators (Q2980A & Q2981A) and Rapco 5MHz frequency standards and auto-changeover panels all of which which I also have, unfortunately without any cabling or instructions!

I have a copy of the R09.07.00 RSS dating from July 98 and a null modem lead which I thought would work as the radios are mid 90's vintage, but that comes back with message "version string has invalid format". I have no way of cross checking if my programming setup / lead are okay as I have no working quantar to test with. I have tried my local Motorola dealer who had never seen a Quantar as they were never commercially available in the UK!

Is there a way of resetting to factory default or test frequencies to see if these things work as standard repeaters?

Alternately I have seen mention of replacing the EEPROM containing the programming, can a standard codeplug be dumped onto an EEPROM and substituted for the existing one? If this is possible, where would I look for the EEPROM as I haven't yet sunk to dismantling the things fully and don't have a manual. If an EEPROM change is viable,

With all this kit I also got some spare PSU's, PA's and exciters which I would also like to test if I can get one of the Quantars going. The PSU's are presumably straightforward plug in replacements, but do the PA's & Exciters need any software set-up up to work or are they just plug and play?

Its really frustrating to have these lovely bases sitting there and to hit a proverbial brick wall.

Thanks in advance
knickerlessparsons


(edited one time to delete WTB phrase)

[The Pager Geek]

Can you read and write to the station? Version 9 RSS is fairly old. (Ver14 is current)

If you read the station, and go to the service menu, what versions are in the station?
SCM (Station Control Module)
Wireline
Exciter
Boot1
Boot2
Codeplug

That's a good start and will help greatly for further troubleshooting.

tpg

[knickerlessparsons]

No I cannot read and write, but I suspect that there is some communication as I get the message "version string has invalid format" when it is set to the default 9600 baud, if I reduce the speed the error message is different, I can't remember the exact wording.

Regards
KP

[Bill_G]

To answer your question directly - no, there is no front panel Quantar test mode. RSS is required, and you have to be at (or better) the last level used on the stations.

Your suspicions are probably correct - the necessary time base is missing. Look through the grill of the reference module panel to see if there is anything inside. If there is, then at least the stations can be programmed for internal oscillator and operate stand alone. If not, then an external oscillator is required.

Since you purchased them fairly, are you located near the original owners, and can you speak to their maintainers? They should be able to discuss what level RSS is required, any special requirements, and perhaps even program them to a "demonstration" freq so they can be tested.

[jawjabill]

Where are you located and I think you should read one of them with the ver 14 rss. You may be happy then......
.
Bill
Atlanta
.
.

[Will]

Hi folks

I don't believe they are all faulty and think the problem is down to them being disconnected from their infrastructure including Digitac Securenet voting comparators (Q2980A & Q2981A) and Rapco 5MHz frequency standards and auto-changeover panels all of which which I also have, unfortunately without any cabling or instructions!

I think you have 'nailed it' as missing the Reference oscillator, Rapco 5MHz frequency standard, as this will cause receiver fail, ect.
There is probably a setting to use the internal Reference Oscillator.