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MCS2000 and APRS

Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 10:14 pm
by am07
Hello,
I'm wanting to use existing Motorola MCS2000 radios to transmit APRS type data via a transmit only TNC such as 'open tracker' or 'tiny tracker'
I'd like do this just through connecting via the Mic connector on the front of the control head?
Is this possible with the MCS2000?
Has anyone done this before?

The TNCs require

Code: Select all

TNC                     RADIO
Audio Out            -> radio Mic Input
COR / Squelch Input  <- radio carrier detect (optional)
PTT                  -> radio PTT input
Audio In             <- radio Audio Out
Ground               <> radio Ground
Power in             <- 7-35VDC
PTT Input            <- grounded when radio PTT is pressed

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:11 pm
by BDB
I have used MCS2k's for AVL applications and always used the bottom connector for such.

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:31 pm
by am07
BDB wrote:I have used MCS2k's for AVL applications and always used the bottom connector for such.
Thanks for the prompt reply.

I have two more questions if you don't mind:

1) Do you have a pin out for the bottom connector - or even better - which pins do you use for connecting a TNC etc to your radios?

2) Is there a reason why you have not used the control head connector - or is just a preference to use the bottom connector?

Re: MCS2000 and APRS

Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:54 am
by n1pfc
am07 wrote:Hello,
I'm wanting to use existing Motorola MCS2000 radios to transmit APRS type data via a transmit only TNC such as 'open tracker' or 'tiny tracker'
I'd like do this just through connecting via the Mic connector on the front of the control head?
Is this possible with the MCS2000?
Has anyone done this before?

The TNCs require

Code: Select all

TNC                     RADIO
Audio Out            -> radio Mic Input
COR / Squelch Input  <- radio carrier detect (optional)
PTT                  -> radio PTT input
Audio In             <- radio Audio Out
Ground               <> radio Ground
Power in             <- 7-35VDC
PTT Input            <- grounded when radio PTT is pressed
The option connector pins are as such that you need:

Code: Select all

TNC                RADIO
------               --------
Audio Out       PIN23 (TX Audio)

COR                PIN8 (Must be programmed for radio mute, actv low)
(This line also goes low when radio is in TX)

PTT                  PIN24

Audio In           PIN11 (Rx Audio)

Ground             PIN10

Power               PIN14 (Switches with radio)
I'm not sure how much power your TNC uses, so you may have to run a relay off the Switched B+ line (Pin 14) in order to run it without toasting the MCS2000

Kurt