Another Astro Spectra ?

[DC-6]

I have the Spectra Asto Systems 9000 siren amp. I am on the hunt for a 40-60watt vhf radio to go with it. Heres what I have learned so far, correct me if I am wrong. I need a remote mount radio with a control head with the number keypad.

I am told the radio and control head have to say Spectra Astro on them. Is this true? Or will just a plain Spectra do? Can I use a non Astro control head on a Astro radio or vice versa?

[majorminor]

I am using a non astro control head only.

[stay-con]

I need a remote mount radio with a control head with the number keypad.

I've been wrong in the past, BUT. I have a UHF Astro Spectra and two VHF Spectras. All three are working with the System 9000 Siren/PA box.

Yes, you need the remote head version of the radio. The connector plate on the radio needs BOTH D-connectors. One for the control head cable and one for the siren/pa cable.
I use the W7 head on the Astro Spectra and the A7 head on the Spectras.

However, you will find it's a WHOLE LOT EASIER if you pick up the Siren DEK switch box and gang that up with the radio control head.
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z166 ... G_0316.jpg

Jeff

[DC-6]

lol, thats my pic, I just don't have the lil jumper to connect it to the radio head

[DC-6]

Forgot to ask Stay-Con what makes it so much easier? Wondering if its worth it to find that jumper to connect the DEK

I have narrowed down what I am looking for in a radio
Model/ID# needs to start like:
T= Trunk Mount
04= Astro series(to do 12.5, needs to say 2.5 on the tag to do splinter channels)
J= 136-162MHz to let me do ham & FD(I think this is a railroad radio)
K= 61-110watt

[stay-con]

Forgot to ask Stay-Con what makes it so much easier? Wondering if its worth it to find that jumper to connect the DEK

The VERY short answer is "You have enough buttons to properly control the siren/pa unit."

The last thing you need to do is accidentally light up the siren in traffic when you think you're hitting the mon on/off or dir button.

DEK cables are around $20 on the bay. One end is skinny, like the microphone connector, the other has a few more rows of pins. The big end goes into the remote head.
Also available on the bay are the stacking kits to stack the DEK box above the Remote Head.

Jeff