I have successfully programmed a Vertex (now a division of Motorola!!) VX2200 using a homebrew RJ45 lead and an old Yaesu FRB-2 interface. I also considered using a real Motorola RIB to program the Vertex using the Batlabs "Vertex" wiring - but in the end it was not necessary.
I just used pin 5 (GND) and pin 8 (CL_DATA) on the RJ45 plug which worked well.
The Batlabs circuit uses 3 pin outs - pin 5 , pin 8 and pin 7 CL-SW.
Does anybody know what pin 7 CL_SW is used for - its certainly not required for basic programming. Maybe its needed for firmware updates or radio to radio cloning?
Any thoughts?
One good feature of Vertex VX2200 is that you can scan ALL channels as well as scanning across different zones. I think I still prefer my MCS2000 but its big limitation is that you can only scan 16 channels at the same time.
Vertex VX2200 - pin 7 RJ45 and SQ Alignment
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Vertex VX2200 - pin 7 RJ45 and SQ Alignment
Last edited by g8tzl2004 on Sat Mar 17, 2012 8:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Vertex VX2200 - progged OK - pin 7 RJ45???
Any thoughts?
Re: Vertex VX2200 - progged OK - pin 7 RJ45???
pin 7 CL-SW. is what shifts the uP into clone mode.. CLONE SWITCH.
I would have to look up my notes on these.
I would have to look up my notes on these.
Re: Vertex VX2200 - progged OK - pin 7 RJ45???
Thanks Will
Are you familar with the Vertex alignment routines. I also want to lower the squelch threshold. The current minimum level of "1" is still to high. When I have previously set the squelch threshold on Vertex stuff, there is NO manual method - you need to inject an accurate signal and the SQ threshold is automatically set. Do you know if this is the case with the VX-2200 - or is there an up/down option in teh alignment section to try different SQ values manually?
I also noted that you can set the front end filters on an individual channel basis, as well as setting High/Medium/Low "General" values. This has me wondering whether the front end alignment does NOT use "linear interpolation" but that just 3 separate values are allocated across the whole band. So if you want maximum sensitivity, you need to align each individual channel!!!! - very poor if you have 128 channels!!
Thanks
Are you familar with the Vertex alignment routines. I also want to lower the squelch threshold. The current minimum level of "1" is still to high. When I have previously set the squelch threshold on Vertex stuff, there is NO manual method - you need to inject an accurate signal and the SQ threshold is automatically set. Do you know if this is the case with the VX-2200 - or is there an up/down option in teh alignment section to try different SQ values manually?
I also noted that you can set the front end filters on an individual channel basis, as well as setting High/Medium/Low "General" values. This has me wondering whether the front end alignment does NOT use "linear interpolation" but that just 3 separate values are allocated across the whole band. So if you want maximum sensitivity, you need to align each individual channel!!!! - very poor if you have 128 channels!!
Thanks
Re: Vertex VX2200 - progged OK - pin 7 RJ45???
Some what familiar with the VX mobiles. The alignment section is a b---- and no one at the factory tech support knows how it is supposed to work.
I could change values like the squelch, but the would not be actually changed in the radio.
You could try the Vertex Yahoo group(s).
I could change values like the squelch, but the would not be actually changed in the radio.
You could try the Vertex Yahoo group(s).
Re: Vertex VX2200 - progged OK - pin 7 RJ45???
OK - thanks Will
I'm thinking that you do probably need to inject an accurate signal to adjust the squelch - whereas all the Moto stuff can just be set manually by a bit of trial and error - ie. lower SQ until opens and then keep increasing by 1 unit until SQ closes and only opens on a weak but readable signal.
I think my VX10 squelch alignment is the same as the VX2200 - but I just ran the auto setting with NO signal injected. This resulted in the VX10 SQ being completely open but I then just used the User SQ settings (1-15) to close the SQ. I think the VX10 squelch closed at a setting of "4" rather than the previous "1".
I'm thinking that you do probably need to inject an accurate signal to adjust the squelch - whereas all the Moto stuff can just be set manually by a bit of trial and error - ie. lower SQ until opens and then keep increasing by 1 unit until SQ closes and only opens on a weak but readable signal.
I think my VX10 squelch alignment is the same as the VX2200 - but I just ran the auto setting with NO signal injected. This resulted in the VX10 SQ being completely open but I then just used the User SQ settings (1-15) to close the SQ. I think the VX10 squelch closed at a setting of "4" rather than the previous "1".
Re: Vertex VX2200 - progged OK - pin 7 RJ45???
UPDATE- I finally got round to lowering the squelch threshold on my Vertex VX2200.
Unlike Motorola stuff, you cannot adjust the SQ threshold manually but need to inject a weak signal and then run an automatic adjust feature. It helps to have a accurate signal generator but you can do it just using a weak signal source such as the LO from a scanner or ham HT. One thing to note is that the Alignment screen layout is slightly different than what is shown in the Service Manual ...including the postion of the noise SQ threshold field...so look carefully...TH NSQ N is the narrow band SQ threshold adjust field. The original value was 158 and the new value is now 209. The SQ now opens on a very weak signal.
The SQ adjust routine involves injecting a -9 dBuv signal (ie weak) on 154.1 MHz. I just used a weak carrier from the LO of my ham HT. When I originally ran the alignment, I was getting too much QRM from my laptop...so I then used a mag mount antenna located 20 feet from the laptop and the VX2200. Use another radio tuned to 154.1 MHz connected to the mag mount to get a nice weak constant signal using the LO from another HT...I used a Kenwood TH-F6 positioned about 2 feet from the mag mount antenna with the other end connected to a Yaesu FT-60. Then connect the mag mount to the VX2200 and then run the alignment software. I also wrote down all the orignal alignment paras just in case...although it will take some effort to get back to the exact original settings using homebrew techniques!!
I originally tried just running the SQ alignment without using any weak signal source....so you get a max setting. I though I would be able to just use the User SQ level setting set to a higher level. The aligment value was 249 but this caused a strange chuffing effect on received weak signals when the SQ was set to level 1 or 2...I'm not sure why!!! With a setting of 209, SQ level 1 opens on a very very weak signal. I think I will probably set the SQ level to around 3/4 for nornal use.
Unlike Motorola stuff, you cannot adjust the SQ threshold manually but need to inject a weak signal and then run an automatic adjust feature. It helps to have a accurate signal generator but you can do it just using a weak signal source such as the LO from a scanner or ham HT. One thing to note is that the Alignment screen layout is slightly different than what is shown in the Service Manual ...including the postion of the noise SQ threshold field...so look carefully...TH NSQ N is the narrow band SQ threshold adjust field. The original value was 158 and the new value is now 209. The SQ now opens on a very weak signal.
The SQ adjust routine involves injecting a -9 dBuv signal (ie weak) on 154.1 MHz. I just used a weak carrier from the LO of my ham HT. When I originally ran the alignment, I was getting too much QRM from my laptop...so I then used a mag mount antenna located 20 feet from the laptop and the VX2200. Use another radio tuned to 154.1 MHz connected to the mag mount to get a nice weak constant signal using the LO from another HT...I used a Kenwood TH-F6 positioned about 2 feet from the mag mount antenna with the other end connected to a Yaesu FT-60. Then connect the mag mount to the VX2200 and then run the alignment software. I also wrote down all the orignal alignment paras just in case...although it will take some effort to get back to the exact original settings using homebrew techniques!!
I originally tried just running the SQ alignment without using any weak signal source....so you get a max setting. I though I would be able to just use the User SQ level setting set to a higher level. The aligment value was 249 but this caused a strange chuffing effect on received weak signals when the SQ was set to level 1 or 2...I'm not sure why!!! With a setting of 209, SQ level 1 opens on a very very weak signal. I think I will probably set the SQ level to around 3/4 for nornal use.