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Adding MDC to a non-MDC GM-300

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:19 am
by Elighting
I was wondering if there was a way to add the MDC signalling to a GM-300(NOT Maxtrac) that does not have it. Seems like I heard this could be done, but through the LAB software. Has anyone done this before, that I could send my radio to, to get the MDC, and possibly more channels added(It is currently an 8 channel)? Have a guy wanting the radio, but he needs MDC. It is a narrowband version. Thank you.

Jordan.

Re: Adding MDC to a non-MDC Maxtrac.

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 8:19 am
by PETNRDX
If it has the 16 pin logic board, then I am sure you can blank with lab and reinitialize it to be 32 channels with "signalling" making it a "Maxtrac 300, high, signalling" in the software.
I am not absolutely sure, but I think you can't get signalling in a 5 pin board.
Maybe someone else can chime in about signalling in a five pin.

Re: Adding MDC to a non-MDC Maxtrac.

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:12 am
by SteveC0625
Elighting wrote:I was wondering if there was a way to add the MDC signalling to a Maxtrac that does not have it. Seems like I heard this could be done, but through the LAB software. Has anyone done this before, that I could send my radio to, to get the MDC, and possibly more channels added (It is currently an 8 channel)? Have a guy wanting the radio, but he needs MDC. It is a narrowband version. Thank you.

Jordan.
Lots of detailed info over on repeater-builder: http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorol ... index.html

The 16 to 32 channel expansion is well documented there. I don't find anything on MDC on a quick scan through the pages so I suspect the only way would be add-ons of some kind.

My opinion only, given the current cost of used Waris mobiles, you'd be be dollars ahead to sell off the Maxtrac and purchase a good used CDM1250. 64 channels, , better digital display, MDC encode and decode built in plus CQ-II and DTMF. I have a VHF and a UHF in my truck, plus one at the base and more. I am quite happy with their performance. As always, YMMV.

Re: Adding MDC to a non-MDC Maxtrac.

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:54 am
by Elighting
I just realized, I said Maxtrac, but I actually have a GM-300. This is a narrowband GM-300, and I believe it does have the 16 pins.

Sorry about that.

Jordan.

Re: Adding MDC to a non-MDC Maxtrac.

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:59 am
by SteveC0625
Elighting wrote:I just realized, I said Maxtrac, but I actually have a GM-300. This is a narrowband GM-300, and I believe it does have the 16 pins.

Sorry about that.

Jordan.
No problem. The GM300 and Maxtrac are both covered in the repeater-builder.com pages that I linked earlier. I don't think the GM300 can do MDC either so my previous comments should still hold.

Re: Adding MDC to a non-MDC Maxtrac.

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 10:04 am
by Elighting
SteveC0625 wrote:
Elighting wrote:I just realized, I said Maxtrac, but I actually have a GM-300. This is a narrowband GM-300, and I believe it does have the 16 pins.

Sorry about that.

Jordan.
No problem. The GM300 and Maxtrac are both covered in the repeater-builder.com pages that I linked earlier. I don't think the GM300 can do MDC either so my previous comments should still hold.

That's what I was thinking. I have seen GM-300's with MDC, but just not this. It was probably a 9C with the expanded logic board. I thought I would ask, and also correct myself before just selling it as non-MDC. I told the person I would check, and that I have. Thank you for your help.

Jordan.

Re: Adding MDC to a non-MDC GM-300

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:55 am
by kcbooboo
ALL Radius GM300 mobile radios have a 16-pin accessory jack.

Signalling (which includes MDC-1200) is only available in the expanded logic board radios, the ones that have firmware in an EPROM.

The ability to program the functionality of some accessory jack pins is only available in the expanded logic board radios.

You need the additional memory in the expanded logic board radios to support these functions.

Bob M.

Re: Adding MDC to a non-MDC GM-300

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:22 am
by PETNRDX
The original post stated Maxtrac, was later edited to be GM300.
That is why some of is mentioned the 5 pin and 16 pin boards.