Astro Spectra or consolette with Zetron 4010

[NSPD]

I am trying to weigh my options for a home console project...

I want to connect several VHF and 800mhz Astro Spectra radios or consolettes to a Zetron 4010 console for the purposes of combining speakers and microphones across all of the radios. Ideally, I would like to just rack-mount multiple dash-mount radios on the console so that I have access to their control heads for channel, scan, secure, etc and just connect them through the DB15 to the Zetron.

I'm hoping the folks here that have alot more experience with this can provide some insight as to whether this is a possible or if I need to come up with a new game plan...

[kb4mdz]

Not sure what you already have; do you have the 4010 console right now? And if so, how many channel cards does it have? (Each card will do 2 radios).

Sounds like a nice interesting & challenging project; if nothing else you can use local keying on the radios. How many radios?

And BTW, where in NC are you?

[NSPD]

I'm in the Greensboro area.

I don't have the console yet, I am just in the planning stages of the radios (I have some of them stashed away for the project already). I wanted to utilize the radios for more than just single-channel transceivers attached to the console, and also wanted to maintain the ability to utilize secure, scan, and other functions. I am looking at probably a total of 8-10 radios and a scanner or two on the console.

[kb4mdz]

Also kinda depends on the capabilities in the radio that can be controlled thru the accessory plugs; I'm not up big on the Astro Spectras or consolettes;

Of course, you can do multiple channels on a radio (with some radios) by using multiple tone-remote sequences, assuming you have tone remote adapters that can also do multiple tone commands. The Moto. L3276 tra does, out of the box, but if you're using somehting like CPI, you have to jump from the TTP-2 up to the TTP-210 or TTP -216 to get more functioinality.

[NSPD]

All I need is TX/RX audio on the console and ability to send DTMF and page.

I should mention that I will be using mostly P25 mode if that makes a difference.

[Jim202]

All I need is TX/RX audio on the console and ability to send DTMF and page.

I should mention that I will be using mostly P25 mode if that makes a difference.

You didn't mention if the consolette radios have the tone remote control boards in them. This will make a world of difference on how you can do this. If it is just mobiles, the your options are not that flexible.

Jim

[d119]

The simplest way to do this would be to use E&M keying and some transformers to adapt the audio back and forth. E&M would allow you to use straight PTT logic from the console to the radio without the need for a TRA.

If you're going to have the control heads near the console, there's no need to spend money on channel steering equipment (read: consolettes, TRA's, etc.) when you can just reach over and push the button to change the channel.

If you're dead set on using TRA's and tone keying, Vega makes some very nice TRA cards that fit in a rack, doesn't take up that much space that way and you don't have boxes hanging all over the place. For 8-10 radios, that'd be the way to go for tone keying. E&M is also considerably faster than tone keying (not that you'd notice).