Batboard

Is there some common settings for amateur phone patch systems? Such as delayed/buffer, hang times, etc. Maybe there's some place that someone can direct me to for general set-up instructions.

Thanks!

Are you talking simplex or full duplex (through a repeater) phone patches? From what I have seen and used myself, a repeater's autopatch works full duplex on the repeater end, and the user runs half duplex (unless he/she has two radios or some other way to tx/rx on same band at the same time). Thus, the repeater actually stays keyed up the entire time the phone is off the hook. The user just keys up to talk to the other user.

Duplex, through a repeater. Does not seem to rec to access codes, "**".

maybe someone made some changes? Here its * to connect ( *555-555-5555) as an ex. and # to disconnect... What make is the patch?

Not sure what the make is. The access is ** then the # then *# to release the patch. I'm wondering if it's just better to do the patch manually and not let the radio do any accessing or dialing. Just puch it # by #.

Do you know the make and model of the patch? Different manufactureres do things differently. My repeaters have a CAT controller on them which contains a built in autopatch. On these, you can either use the * up command or set a password number to bring up the patch. Most of them use # as the down command tho. Your patch may require an access code.

Look for a make & model number. some phone patchs can be programmed with anything. I have a CAT controller also. & a Link Comm.
but the user can program anything in....

depending on what patch you have...

Yes the patch requires an access code. That code is "**" to bring up the patch and "*#" to take it down. My problem is that when my radio sends the "**" the patch will not come up. Thus, I'm asking are there some specific settings in the radio software that deal with the phone patching. I can't afford to have /\/\ dealer to keep prg. this radio. I thought I'd ask so that I can give them specific's on how I want it, the phone patch, set up.

your 1st post says amateur phone patch.
the post above this post says "can't afford a M dealer" ect.. (motorola)
makes, model numbers can help us try to fix your problem.
can you say what type of radio? Some radios and repeaters, need adjustments. SOME!

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it would help some if we had makes/modles of the patch & what is the radio/repeater?

at this point if the patch does not come up (I'm shooting in the dark) then is the phone line hot? plugged in? dip swtichs set right? there are chips & microchips that could need replacement? EX: if you said I have a Kenwood TKR-820 and a CAT-300DX controller. we may trace it down...Jim

Yes, it's an amateur phone patch and I'm new to the ham world so I'm not sure of the make of the phone patch equipment, it's not mine, it's on top of a mountain. The make of the radio I have is an MCS2000 VHF. I'll have to get the model # when I'm at my vehicle. Does that help? Sorry to be confusing if I am.

-Paul

There may be a minimum tone length needed for the first tone or tone pair in order to prevent the patch from coming on by itself with voice. In other words, there may be a timing issue.

Nand.

I agree with Nand. If you have an actual ham radio (mobile or handheld) you might want to see if that radio can bring up the patch as well. If the ham radio can but the M cannot, then either is it not sending DTMF for some reason, or it is not putting a correct amount of spacing between the two digits, etc. Try it with a ham rig first and see what happens.

Okay, got it up manual dial, PTT and tones the access # followed by the number. So it has to do with how the radio sends out the access. I think Nand might be right, that the tone lengths need some adjustment.

Getting somewhere anyway.

Thanks all!

You will find most phone patch requires the DTMF tones to be 100ms in lenth.

Your radio may be sending the DTMF tones faster then this and there for the PATCH is not detecting the tones.

Try either reporgramming your radio and set the DTMF duration longer or check the settings with your phone patch.

I am using a TACT with a VHF MCS2000 and also Icom radio's with no problems what so ever.

outlaw308 wrote:You will find most phone patch requires the DTMF tones to be 100ms in lenth.

Your radio may be sending the DTMF tones faster then this and there for the PATCH is not detecting the tones.

Try either reporgramming your radio and set the DTMF duration longer or check the settings with your phone patch.

I am using a TACT with a VHF MCS2000 and also Icom radio's with no problems what so ever.

Hello, you have TACT AGT Mobile communications ? thanks.

Something else that you might want to take a peek at is the deviation level of your radio. When using DTMF tones the total system deviation needs to be considered.

Most of the DTMF controller decoders have a sensitivity to tone distortion. The twist and tone levels are very prone to tonew distortion. Over the years I have found it best to transmit the DTMF tones out of any radio at a 3 KHz deviation level. This keeps them out of compression and gives the chance of decoding a better chance.

Another problem that is common in repeaters is audio throughput compression. Ham repeaters are notorious for doing this. What this means is if you put a 3 KHz deviated tone into the repeater, you should get a max deviated tone out of no more than 3.5 KHz. It is not uncommon to see this output go to the max 4.8 KHz or so with a 3 KHz level coming in. Under these conditions the repeater audio is distorted and any remote DTMF decoder listening to the repeater output would have a problem decoding the digits.

Just because your using a Motorola radio doesn't mean the DTMF tone level is OK. You will need a service monitor to measure the levels and look at the waveform on a scope. More than likely, you over driving the audio level into the transmitter. You need to find a way to cut the level down and get the tones out of compression.

Most of the new DTMF encoders have a level setting adjustment built in. If your using an old telephone DTMF key pad, then you will have to make a pad to lower the level.

Jim

Got it working. Thanks everyone.