Centracom II Question
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Centracom II Question
Hey gang. A fire department's command vehicle near here has a Centracom II console setup as a mobile dispatch setup. They have 6 "channels" in the console, which correspond to 6 Spectras which the user can manually select what channel they end up on. Does anyone know what would be involved in setting something like this up? Here's a picture (not mine) of what I'm talking about:
Re: Centracom II Question
If I recall correctly, that model of console was an "all-in-one" version similar to a Gaitronics. I don't know if either are still available. There was no CEB rack stuffed with cards and a wall of 66 blocks for the terminations. It was a self contained unit with a single block to punch the radio connections down. It has limitations (like the number of radio channels), but people tended to deal with it.
I've built similar vehicles using as simple as a stack of radios for mobile remote tv production, to as complex as a Telex CSoft console with a bank of IP223's tied to boo-ku radios on three bands to a tilt up crank up 40ft tower. The hard parts were supplying sufficient dc power, and the antenna system. With that many antennas on the same rooftop, the opportunity for interference is magnificent. There are hybrid combiners with huge insertion losses suited for this application.
These can be a challenge is designing and deploying. Done correctly, they actually work. However, operator training becomes an issue because they do not get used often enough for anyone to remain competent. Frustrations arise when they need to be deployed because personnel don't remember how to set them up, or how to troubleshoot them.
I've built similar vehicles using as simple as a stack of radios for mobile remote tv production, to as complex as a Telex CSoft console with a bank of IP223's tied to boo-ku radios on three bands to a tilt up crank up 40ft tower. The hard parts were supplying sufficient dc power, and the antenna system. With that many antennas on the same rooftop, the opportunity for interference is magnificent. There are hybrid combiners with huge insertion losses suited for this application.
These can be a challenge is designing and deploying. Done correctly, they actually work. However, operator training becomes an issue because they do not get used often enough for anyone to remain competent. Frustrations arise when they need to be deployed because personnel don't remember how to set them up, or how to troubleshoot them.
Re: Centracom II Question
Hello,
BILL...I know which console you are talking about...but this is not it. The dispatcher series of console as shown here does indeed have a CEB with all the cards remote mounted somewhere in that vehicle. Based on how it looks from here...I can only imagine the sheer CF that the CEB cubbyhole must be.
With that being said, Spiffy....If you want to do something like this your best bet would be to find either a Motorola CommandPlus or a Gai-Tronics ICP9000 (same units..different brand names) and interface them to radius series mobiles via tone remote panels. The radios can be mode steered from the console itself eliminating the need for all those heads to be mounted on the console. What you have pictured here is very interesting...especially because Spectras are NOT easy to tone remote with the way the audio comes out of the back DB15...and that console is probably late 80's vintage...and only programmable with a PROM burner. I would be more than willing to help you with further technical questions on a set up like this...just PM me.
Don
BILL...I know which console you are talking about...but this is not it. The dispatcher series of console as shown here does indeed have a CEB with all the cards remote mounted somewhere in that vehicle. Based on how it looks from here...I can only imagine the sheer CF that the CEB cubbyhole must be.
With that being said, Spiffy....If you want to do something like this your best bet would be to find either a Motorola CommandPlus or a Gai-Tronics ICP9000 (same units..different brand names) and interface them to radius series mobiles via tone remote panels. The radios can be mode steered from the console itself eliminating the need for all those heads to be mounted on the console. What you have pictured here is very interesting...especially because Spectras are NOT easy to tone remote with the way the audio comes out of the back DB15...and that console is probably late 80's vintage...and only programmable with a PROM burner. I would be more than willing to help you with further technical questions on a set up like this...just PM me.
Don
After years of dealing with the public I have realized.....You Just Can't Fix Stupid!
Re: Centracom II Question
Depending on how much money you have to work with, you might consider mounting the radios into a rack someplace and then going to a gateway package. There are a number on the market that would work for you.
One you might look at is the RIOS gateway from Syteck Corp from Alexandria, VA. www.sytechcorp.com
They have a number of different units that would fit your requirements. They can even remotely control the radios from a remote computer. It just needs access to the network the gateway is connected to. If you get the remote control option, you can control the radio channels from the remote computers. It also has a built in instant recall for any radio that is connected to the gateway. One of the other options is to have a recording ability. This way you would have a built in recorder for the audio on each channel that the feature is activated for.
The state of Virginia has gone to installing a version of the RIOS gateway in about some 80 dispatch locations around the state. It is in 5 of the state police dispatch centers around the state. This way the state police have access to the local radio channels that are connected at the participating 911 dispatch centers. It allows interconnection between non compatible radio systems to make a common radio channel patch. It does delay the audio so the first word is not chopped off like many of the lower cost gateways.
Jim
One you might look at is the RIOS gateway from Syteck Corp from Alexandria, VA. www.sytechcorp.com
They have a number of different units that would fit your requirements. They can even remotely control the radios from a remote computer. It just needs access to the network the gateway is connected to. If you get the remote control option, you can control the radio channels from the remote computers. It also has a built in instant recall for any radio that is connected to the gateway. One of the other options is to have a recording ability. This way you would have a built in recorder for the audio on each channel that the feature is activated for.
The state of Virginia has gone to installing a version of the RIOS gateway in about some 80 dispatch locations around the state. It is in 5 of the state police dispatch centers around the state. This way the state police have access to the local radio channels that are connected at the participating 911 dispatch centers. It allows interconnection between non compatible radio systems to make a common radio channel patch. It does delay the audio so the first word is not chopped off like many of the lower cost gateways.
Jim