Spectra MLM Board Swap

[williamray507]

I have two high power remote mount spectra's and I am wondering (1) Can I swap out the MLM boards & (2) What all is going to be required?

First Spectra
Non-Secure Model
Model Number: TA4FW+078W
ID Number: T83FWA7HA4AK
Currently has a Rotary Head and currently the radio I am using since it has the zone features I want.
MLM Board Info
HLN6160B
20-96-327
S/N: 221AWJ0268
HVN6026A
V6.16

Second Spectra
Secure Model (DES-XL Currently Installed)
Model Number: T83GXA7HA9AK
ID Number: T83GXA7HA9AK
Currently has A9 Head (HCN1073A) but does not have zone features, this is the radio I want installed.
MLM Board Info
HLN6160B
1-08-923
S/N: 671ASA0682
HVN6026A
V5.23


What I am going for is to have the zone option in the second spectra, and have the A9 Head. Currently with the first spectra installed I have zones enabled and can set up zone scan and I would love to have that on the second instead.

[Jim202]

I have two high power remote mount spectra's and I am wondering (1) Can I swap out the MLM boards & (2) What all is going to be required?

First Spectra
Non-Secure Model
Model Number: TA4FW+078W
ID Number: T83FWA7HA4AK
Currently has a Rotary Head and currently the radio I am using since it has the zone features I want.
MLM Board Info
HLN6160B
20-96-327
S/N: 221AWJ0268
HVN6026A
V6.16

Second Spectra
Secure Model (DES-XL Currently Installed)
Model Number: T83GXA7HA9AK
ID Number: T83GXA7HA9AK
Currently has A9 Head (HCN1073A) but does not have zone features, this is the radio I want installed.
MLM Board Info
HLN6160B
1-08-923
S/N: 671ASA0682
HVN6026A
V5.23


What I am going for is to have the zone option in the second spectra, and have the A9 Head. Currently with the first spectra installed I have zones enabled and can set up zone scan and I would love to have that on the second instead.

First of all, what is the version of the MLM board in both radios? You need to be at 6.00 or above for the zone feature to work.

Once you have the required MLM version board, you can then go forward. In most cases, you can force a zone codeplug into another radio. You might have to bit bang the radio to change the model number some to get it to go in and then change the model number back. It is not that hard. But it is much easier to start with a codeplug with the zone feature working already.

The hard part is getting your modes (channels) to be where you want them. I would suggest that you sit down and create an Excel spread sheet with how you want the channels and zones to line up. I have done this a number of times and it takes a long time to get your channels and zones to where you want them. There is no simple way to display what channels are in what zones. Plus you have to give a name to each zone. Then you have to set a button on the 9000 series control head to be able to go up or down in zones.

The T83GXA version radio is what I use all the time with zones. Send me a PM with a good email address and I can send you a copy of my Excel file and a copy of the codeplug if you want.

If you want to convert your rotary head to one of the 9000 series heads, again it's a bit bang of the codeplug and your on your way. The 9000 heads are becoming available real cheap. You shouldn't have to pay more than about $20 or so for one now. Don't get suckered into paying the $50 to $70 or more that some people are trying to get for them.

These radios are going to be pulled out by the end of the year from any agency that is still using them. You should see radio shops just tossing them in the dumpsters. Stop by the radio shops and let them know your looking for the radios and the control cables. They will probably just give them to you, rather than have to pay to get them hauled away. The control cables and DC power cables are getting hard to find. Many of the shops are just cutting them and then pulling them out. It is easier to cut and pull then to open up all the molding and rugs to get them out intact.

Jim

[williamray507]

The versions are V6.16 on the first & V5.23 on the second. And I will PM you my email address.