If the radio inside the Desktrac is basically 146-174 range..is it possible to cheat "just a little" and program a frequency out of range..say 145.500 or so? Current version of RSS for Maxtrac won't let me enter that freq. it just reverts to what was programmed before.
Also I have heard of some weirdness that can occur if it is manipulated this way..like power goes way up..is this true?
Thanks folks
Desktrac/Maxtrac VHF secrets?
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N4KVE
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Re: Desktrac/Maxtrac VHF secrets?
Instead of entering the freq using the numerical keys on the right of the keypad, hold the shift key & use the numbers above the QWERTY keys to enter the out of band freq. GARY
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MTS2000des
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Re: Desktrac/Maxtrac VHF secrets?
The radios will be okay +1 or 2MHz, enough to drop down to 144, but beyond that, the VCO's may not like it and start "whining". What Gary says is correct, shift key trick will let you enter the OOB frequencies, just ignore the warning message in RSS telling you the radio is out of range and may not perform correctly.
I've never had a problem with one down to 144. The only thing about these radios is they were designed for the 5/5/90 duty cycle, any long transmissions, even with power reduced, will cause the PA to go thermal. Good idea to put a high CFM fan on them if you plan to ragchew.
Spent many a day replacing PA blocks in Maxtrac/GM300/M120's for a local cab co who's drivers liked to use them as CB radios on talkaround (this was in the mid 90's before everyone had a cellphone glued to their head). Kept our shop freshly stocked with PA's and made a great deal off of those guys back in the day.
I've never had a problem with one down to 144. The only thing about these radios is they were designed for the 5/5/90 duty cycle, any long transmissions, even with power reduced, will cause the PA to go thermal. Good idea to put a high CFM fan on them if you plan to ragchew.
Spent many a day replacing PA blocks in Maxtrac/GM300/M120's for a local cab co who's drivers liked to use them as CB radios on talkaround (this was in the mid 90's before everyone had a cellphone glued to their head). Kept our shop freshly stocked with PA's and made a great deal off of those guys back in the day.
The views here are my own and do not represent those of anyone else or the company, the boss, his wife, his dog or distant relatives.
Re: Desktrac/Maxtrac VHF secrets?
jefflaur1 wrote:If the radio inside the Desktrac is basically 146-174 range..is it possible to cheat "just a little" and program a frequency out of range..say 145.500 or so? Current version of RSS for Maxtrac won't let me enter that freq. it just reverts to what was programmed before.
Also I have heard of some weirdness that can occur if it is manipulated this way..like power goes way up..is this true?
Thanks folks
Have you tried looking on the batlabs site and the repeater builders site for information on this radio? There is a wealth of information on the web on this radio if you just go looking for it.