Quantar Programming and FW Upgrade Questions

[cleb]

I have a 100W UHF R2 Quantar I am setting up as a Amateur repeater. I have a few questions about programming the unit.

1.) The unit was programmed by the previous owner using RSS R13.00.00. The codeplug in the unit is Version 9, and the FW is 16.xx.xxx. I have WinRSS R14.10.00. I can read the Quantar fine. Is it OK to write to the Quantar with the newer RSS version, seeing as the codeplug and firmware versions are both pretty old?

2.) I would like to program the Quantar to drop the TX PL as soon as the input (RX) PL is lost. So during the hang time, no PL will be transmitted. Is this possible using the Wildcard setup? I have the basic 4 Wire Wireline module. I have never worked with the Quantar or Wildcard configuration before, so seeking advice there. Also, is it possible to turn off the PL during CW ID?

3.) Firmware upgrade. What all is involved, and should I upgrade the unit? Right now I am running conventional, with no real need to do digital as this point. I do have access to newer firmware, but unsure how to tell if my SCM is upgradable, and if during the upgrade, all other modules in addition to the SCM are upgraded (Exciter, PA, Wireline, etc?). Last thing I want to do is brick the unit.

4.) Complete startup of the unit takes about 30 seconds. Is this normal? I did read about older codeplug EEPROM's making the unit take longer to boot, and eventually causing bigger issues. If this unit needs to EEPROM replaced, I would like to deal with it now. I know the tuning values are not part of the codeplug. Is there any way to save the tuning values, even if its writing them down? I would like to avoid re-tuning if the EEPROM does indeed need replaced.

Thanks much,

C

[Bill_G]

1 - yes, it is safe to read and write with newer RSS. I don't know all the different versions of Quantar FW. Perhaps Will can chime in.

2 - I don't think you'll find a solution for that except to make hang time zero.

3 - I've only done it once, and that was years ago using a dos based ftp program. It was part of an nationwide upgrade for a three letter acronym. If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

4 - When you read the radio, it will tell you if the ee needs to be exercised. I generally only see it in older stations that have run for years with little or no service since they were put in on the air. It will tell you the procedure. Pretty straight forward. As for start up time, 30 sec sounds about right. Nothing unusual. On saving tuning data - no - not that I'm aware of. But, i get paid by the hour and tuning one is not a big deal for me. That too is pretty straight forward.

[cleb]

Bill_G Thanks for the info. I was able to configure the Quantar to not transmit the PL during the hangtime. I used the basic Wildcard module and the following settings:



Also, it turns out the Quantar does not transmit a PL during the CW ID, so that's a moot point.

I have not seen an error about the EE needing exercising, so I think I'm good to go!

c

[Bill_G]

Clever. The WC tables can do a lot if you spend time working out the conditional statements.