Batboard

Gentlemen/ladies.
A few questions from a newbie. Not sure if this should go here, or in the Vehicle Installation thread?
I just got hold of a few surplus Vehicle repeaters, ie Futurecom/Mobexcom VRS units from one of
those fleabay asset liquidation companies. Unfortunatly very little info was available on the units, so it is more of a shot in the dark purchase.
So, the questions are, what have i bought?
Is it useful as a portable/emergency repeater, or is it a boat anchor? Frequency, crossband, etc? Model number is 7V073X160217740.
What software is needed for programming?
Can i modify/pimp these into something useful?
I know the generic specifications on the general VRS units.
I contacted the manufacturer, and due to the public safety nature of these types of units, they won't support any other than the original purchaser.
I have an MOL account through my .gov work, but couldnt find any documentation, nor info regarding these in there.

Any info or help would be appreciated
Thanks.
Eric

I contacted the manufacturer, and due to the public safety nature of these types of units, they won't support any other than the original purchaser.

Sounds like they gave you the run around. Contact them again and if you don't get any worthwhile answers, I'd forget it.

They came in a few different configurations, but all of them require either an Astro Spectra W4, or MCS2000 Model III, both requiring remote head configuration, in order to use them in any fashion. The Mobexcom unit basically interfaces in between the remote head & main transceiver. You normally mount the transceiver in the compartment below the Mobexcom itself...if you have that actual configuration.

I've set up several VHF units, used as a crossband with the 800MHz Astro Spectra it was connected to. The unit won't even power up without being connected to one of the above radios, even though it has it's own power connection as well.

You require a null modem serial cable to access the Mobexcom for programming. You also need the Mobexcom programming software from the manufacturer, Futurecom. It is DOS based & not very user friendly. It doesn't seem to have any issues with working through a DOS window or Command Prompt though.

If you do have the proper radios to connect to, and the software to configure it, they are a pretty cool & useful package. Did it come with any cables for interfacing/powering?

Thanks
Each unit came with a mounting rack a VRM650,a Trimble GPS and a antenna of some kind(flat metal box, mountend on the lower shelf), so i assumed them to be in the 800Mhz range, however all the cabling that came attached was DB25 on both RADIO and CONTROL, so i guess its Astro Spectra.
I was intending to try to use them with some Astro Spectra UHF W9 if i lucked out.
They came with most of the cabling. Power, some antenna leads, etc.
I got these for $90 pr set , so it was one of those give it a shot purchases.
I saw the software for the DVRS + all the manuals sold on Ebay a couple of days ago, but i havent been able to find the VRS software yet
I could try to contact Futurcom again, but as you said, my feeling was that they gave me the good ol run around. The cold and polite shoulder
I could try to go through MOL, but i dont expect them to be any more forthcoming.