Unknown radio ID

[radio head]

I found this old radio. Has a SO-239 on one side. No info given except the possibility that it was used by the New York City Transit Authority. I assume it's a VHF rig, and if so, could it be converted for ham use? Thanks.

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww71 ... 9bd31b.jpg

[Will]

Transistorized Motorcycle Dispatcher. AKA Industrial Dispatcher.

These were basically the PT200 with a 5 to 10 watt power amp in a mobile housing.

[FireCpt809]

to get it crystaled up and aligned if it even works would be more than its worth. It's maybe 2 freq at best.

[WB6NVH]

Specific name was Solid State Dispatcher. Also sold as Airport Dispatcher and Transit Dispatcher. Transistorized Dispatcher was the earlier one with 1AD4 tubes in the exciter and a 2E24 in the PA. This one needs a bath.

[radio head]

Excellent, that's just the kind of info I was looking for.

Is the plug on the rear a standard? How would I go about trying to power it up?

[WB6NVH]

I think that connector is a special, not the usual one on a dash mount SS Dispatcher. Quarter-turn MS- series military connector that is going to be a pain to track down, and you will need the manual to sort the pinout. Likely to be expensive when you do find one. It's not used on any other Motorola gear that I can think of. Might be easier to put shrink tubing over some socket-style connector pins and Frankenstein the power wiring, but you will probably still need the manual.

The radio model number and serial plate should either be inside or at the rear edge and possibly obscured by the bottom mount plate. That might help with getting a manual. I am thinking this may be a Z33DEN-xx something.

[Will]

I think that connector is a special, not the usual one on a dash mount SS Dispatcher. Quarter-turn MS- series military connector that is going to be a pain to track down, and you will need the manual to sort the pinout.

That may be the same connector used on the motorcycle radio in that same series.

I remember that series on forklifts and the large cargo container cranes at the container ship terminals. With that same connector which had power and connection for an external power speaker.