I know the answer is pretty much "next to impossible" based on previous experience, but with the various parts showing up on ebay, how possible or complications to look for in trying to build a CC2 LED/Button setup to interface with spectra's, astro spectras, MCS and MSF5000/MTR2000 base's?
Locally I can source a backplane/CEB, but I don't know how I could get the actually programming done, if at all these days. I know the first ones were with the ROM's and I think some of the last were RSS programable to a point, but its been a long time since I have played with them.
Basically, looking for a project to keep me busy over the winter.
If anything, would love to get the clock working and possibly reused the select/unselect speakers operational with a couple of astro spectra's, but not holding my breath. Never was an infrastrure guy.
Homebrew Centracom II possibilities
Moderator: Queue Moderator
Homebrew Centracom II possibilities
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
Re: Homebrew Centracom II possibilities
Actually it's easier to do than you think.
Put the idea of Centracom Series II out of your mind. You want to go with Centracom Series II Plus.
Plus adds the TOMI card, which replaces the OMI card. OMI's and early TOMI's require an EPROM programmer to make changes. Most TOMI's have EEPROM's on them (and those that don't CAN be upgraded). You use Centracom Series II Plus Field PROM Programmer (FPP, which is an RSS-like DOS software package), along with the Centracom II/II+ RS232 card (little one that goes in the small slots) and a CEB to PC cable to program it.
At minimum, you need (1) System Timer card, (1) TOMI for the actual console, (1) RS232 card, and however many BIM's you need to control your radios. If you are going to use E&M cards, you'll need Aux I cards above the BIM's to provide the COR & PTT lines. The Aux I cards aren't needed if you're doing tone remote control.
If you are serious about doing this, I'll help you through it. It's not that big a deal really, once you have all the hardware in place.
You could also be patient and go straight to Centracom Gold as cards become available. The system timer cards are different, and you use a COIM instead of a TOMI. Button & LED consoles you already have are still compatible with it, and you can add CIE's and Windows PC's to add Gold Elite positions to it.
Put the idea of Centracom Series II out of your mind. You want to go with Centracom Series II Plus.
Plus adds the TOMI card, which replaces the OMI card. OMI's and early TOMI's require an EPROM programmer to make changes. Most TOMI's have EEPROM's on them (and those that don't CAN be upgraded). You use Centracom Series II Plus Field PROM Programmer (FPP, which is an RSS-like DOS software package), along with the Centracom II/II+ RS232 card (little one that goes in the small slots) and a CEB to PC cable to program it.
At minimum, you need (1) System Timer card, (1) TOMI for the actual console, (1) RS232 card, and however many BIM's you need to control your radios. If you are going to use E&M cards, you'll need Aux I cards above the BIM's to provide the COR & PTT lines. The Aux I cards aren't needed if you're doing tone remote control.
If you are serious about doing this, I'll help you through it. It's not that big a deal really, once you have all the hardware in place.
You could also be patient and go straight to Centracom Gold as cards become available. The system timer cards are different, and you use a COIM instead of a TOMI. Button & LED consoles you already have are still compatible with it, and you can add CIE's and Windows PC's to add Gold Elite positions to it.