Motorola PM1200 29 MHz Low Band - Alignment / Tuning

[g8tzl2004]

I have just found out that a Motorola low band PM1200 is the same as a Vertex VX4000.

Has anybody got any experience with realigning a PM1200. Do you have to use a special cable which is different from the programming cable?

I have successfully programmed a Vertex VX4000 onto 10m by hex editing the band limits. It works great on 29.660 Mhz and above but is very deaf below 29.660 MHz - sensitivity drops off a cliff below 29.660 Mhz. Hopefully the band pass filters just need realigning? The VX4000 is still RXing as I can monitor a strong test signal on 29.6 MHz- so the RX VCO is NOT out of lock.

Anybody have any views?

Thanks

[kcbooboo]

I think the PM1200 low-band is closer to the VX-6000. At least the few areas I looked at on the radio matched that manual.
There's an alignment procedure in the service manual.

Bob M.

[g8tzl2004]

Thanks Bob.

I'm particularly trying to find out what you need to use to realign a PM1200.

I'm hopeful that I can use my Moto RIB to align the Vertex.

I already have a real Vertex prog cable for the VX4000 (same as VX800 / 900) but alignment is done with a separate FIF-8 "box" and rear accessory cable rather than just using the prog cable.

The Vertex FIF-8 box costs a fortune but I think its just a basic RS232 to TTL level converter (like a Moto RIB box) so maybe I can just use my RIB?

Also, I wondering if anybody has ever used a PM1200 on 10m or 6m and what they needed to do? So far I have not found anybody else who has put a PM1200 or VX4000 on 10m - am I the first??

Bob - are there PM1200 alignment extracts on the Repeater Builder site? I've seen the VX6000 LB service manual.

[kcbooboo]

"Are there PM1200 alignment extracts on the Repeater Builder site? I've seen the VX6000 LB service manual."

Nope. Download the whole manual.

Bob M.

[g8tzl2004]

I've checked the Repeater Builder site but cannot find the Motorola PM1200 service manual?

I want to find out what Motorola accessories you need to use to align a PM1200.

[g8tzl2004]

Anybody know what hardware you need to use to align a Motorola PM1200 Low Band radio?

[escomm]

I suspect a programming cable, rib, watt meter, signal generator, spectrum analyzer and dummy load would all be necessary.

[escomm]

Oh and a PC with the tuning software and an RF cable or two as well.

[Jim202]

I believe the service manual is available for download on the MOL site. It is about 18 megs in size, so not the item that you could easily email. The software for the radio is less than 4 megs in size so you should not have any problems with getting it. The alignment software is less than 400 K in size, so again you should be able to get that.

Jim

[g8tzl2004]

When I asked "what hardware" I needed to align a PM1200, I'm looking to find out what type of Motorola RIB you need to align the radio rather than just program the radio.

With the more or less "identical" Vertex VX4000/VX6000, you need to use a completely separate and expensive FIF-8 "RIB" to align the VX6000. You can't just align a VX4000/VX6000 using a programming cable.

So what does the Motorola say you need to use to align a PM1200 - maybe you use a real Motorola RIB with a correctly wired RIB to radio cable? What does the service manual say?

Can somebody please check the PM1200 service manual to see what I need?

[escomm]

Feel free to contact technical support if you don't believe what you're told. 302-444-9701

[g8tzl2004]

All I want to know is what Motorola "RIB" and cable you need to use to align a PM1200.

Can I download a PM1200 SM for free from MOL?

[Jim202]

When I asked "what hardware" I needed to align a PM1200, I'm looking to find out what type of Motorola RIB you need to align the radio rather than just program the radio.

With the more or less "identical" Vertex VX4000/VX6000, you need to use a completely separate and expensive FIF-8 "RIB" to align the VX6000. You can't just align a VX4000/VX6000 using a programming cable.

So what does the Motorola say you need to use to align a PM1200 - maybe you use a real Motorola RIB with a correctly wired RIB to radio cable? What does the service manual say?

Can somebody please check the PM1200 service manual to see what I need?

Service manual # 6880309U09-A

RVN5165 * software

AARKN4081 - telco programming cable

Above is what the basic service manual says is needed. Haven't double checked the MOL site to see if these are currently available as the manual was dated 0ct. 2007. Not even sure what the current version of the software is.

Jim

[g8tzl2004]

Thanks Jim

I think the AA RKN4081 is just for programming the PM1200 - its the same "ribless" device as used with CDM'e etc

However, I understand that the PM1200 uses a completely different programmer to align the radio via the rear accessory socket. Does the SM indicate what you need to align (rather than program) the PM1200?

Thanks

[escomm]

Your understanding is incorrect. You have been told what the service manual says and still you want to disagree?? Why oh why

[g8tzl2004]

Jim - just to confirm, are the part numbers what the SM says you need to use to align, rather than program, the PM1200?

So you can just use the same RIBless programmer for both aligning and programming...although the identical Vertex radio uses a completely separate FIF-8 programmer and software package for alignment compared to programming?

[Jim202]

Jim - just to confirm, are the part numbers what the SM says you need to use to align, rather than program, the PM1200?

So you can just use the same RIBless programmer for both aligning and programming...although the identical Vertex radio uses a completely separate FIF-8 programmer and software package for alignment compared to programming?

You have all the information as far as tools and whatever per the service manual.

If you don't have an MOL account, I would find someone where you live and see if they can download the service manual for you. Like I said, it is too large to email.

Jim

[g8tzl2004]

OK thanks for checking