Astro spectra Dual Head Speaker woes

[Tim]

Hi Folks,

We've got an Astro spectra in one of our ambulances, and are having some issues with the settings of the volume controls both in the back, and in the front.

When we got the unit (used), we got the cables heads, and speakers. Now I understand that there is a cable with a relay that is used to switch back and front speakers. (wasn't mentioned upon purchase)

The current issue is that when the guy in the drivers seat sets his volume, then the guy in the back presses the remote button and sets his volume, once the driver presses the remote button, the volume in the back is what the driver sets his for.

Is there any way to keep the two volumes separate? (driver's preference for volume only for him & same for the back of the box)?

Will the relay cable solve this problem?

Thanks!

Tim

[RFguy]

Only one speaker is supposed to be active at a time. That's what the relay pods do. they open the speaker when the head is not active. The head that's active and has the active speaker is the one that sets the volume for that speaker.

[Tim]

Ugh! That concept would work for a fire apparatus, but not for an ambulance.
Got to have both speakers active at the same time.

Guess I'll hook up an L-pad on the back speaker & take off the volume knob off the head.
Let the driver set the main volume & the medic in the back adjust the Lpad.

Thanks for the info!

Tim

[jmr061]

I am not sure what you are talking about regarding the L-Pad but driving two speakers with a Spectra series radio can smoke the audio amp. That is why it is designed to operate only one speaker at a time.

Jason

[Tim]

Guess I could use a pair of higher impedance speakers since they are in parallel.

Wish mot had done a better job of a dual-head implementation.

thanks,

Tim

[RFguy]

FYI: The part number for the speaker relay pod for each head is HLN5574A