USING A R.I.C.K. WITH CDM1250 RADIOS

danny20 · Post by **danny20** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:35 am

I can use some help with this radio project I am working on. I am trying to connect a R.I.C.K. to a pair of CDM1250 radios to form a cross-band UHF/VHF repeater. I may also need to build other units that are in-band VHF and in-band UHF as well.

It seems that at times I can transmit from VHF to UHF but not UHF to VHF and sometimes the other way around. When it works,it works well but I need it to work both ways.

Can anyone help me with this problem? I would really appreciate the help. A friend of mine ordered the owners manual for the R.I.C.K. and it was printed in 1993. It does not help with the newer radios.

Danny

Post by **wavetar** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:15 pm

The manual should help with the newer radios...the 16-pin configuration has not really changed since then. Give us the specifics of your hook-up (pin#'s, jumper settings in the RICK, CPS settings of your CDM radios, etc) and then maybe we can give some guidance.

Todd

RKG · Post by **RKG** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:32 am

I know it works, because I've done it. Wavetar is correct: you just have to get out the R*I*C*K manual and slavishly follow the pinouts and radio settings.

I had one case where it still didn't work, and found a bad trace on the R*I*C*K PC board itself. The R*I*C*K receives power from Pin 13 of J5 (Rx), which it takes through a fuse both to Pin 13 of J4 (ACC) and Pin 3 of U2. The trace was bad upstream of the fuse, and a workaround involved applying B+ (fused) to J4-13.

danny20 · Post by **danny20** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 12:13 pm

I would like to thank both of you for your replies to my posting. I am going to give your suggestions a try and get back to you with the results.

Is there any easier way of connecting the CDM1250 radios and using them as a repeater while being able to switch off the repeater function and using the radios separately?

I am also not using any duplexers as I have chosen to use two antennas instead. Are there any suggestions as to how I can mount the antennas so that they are rapidly deployable? All equipment will be mounted in a waterproof carry case for field use.

Any and all suggestions are welcomed.

thebigphish · Post by **thebigphish** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 5:18 pm

waterproof mil-spec ammo can... they're great for this kind of thing.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:32 pm

. "Is there any easier way of connecting the CDM1250 radios and using them as a repeater while being able to switch off the repeater function and using the radios separately? "

Yes, http://www.c-cor.org/echocomm/Extmdl.htm This one is Plug and Play...

There is also some info on building something simmular :

http://www.storm.ca/~nand/990/RICK/rptr.pdf

copcarguy · Post by **copcarguy** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 7:34 am

Go to any motorola shop and buy the Book. It explains all the programming, rick and parameters you need to set in both radios in plain english. I was as lost as you, got the book and had it working great in 10 minutes. It shows examples for both omni, bi, and crossband repeaters. It is also full of pictures!! Guarantee this will help!

Model # of the book 68-64110R66 list price $15.00

worth every penny

danny20 · Post by **danny20** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 12:53 pm

WILL,

I took a look at the link you sent me. The unit looks simple enough to operate. How does it compare to the Motorola RICK? Can I mount it under a panel and just have the toggle switch sticking up from the panel? I also need both radios to operate at full power which will be about 45 watts. Can the repeater controller handle that power from both radios? Where can I buy it? Any and all help is appreciated.

COPCARGUY,

As far as the RICK repeater controller is concerned, is the book that you are referencing the same book that Motorola puts out? I have a RICK manual that I bought from Motorola that wasn't even a new printing with updates. It was from 1993.

danny20 · Post by **danny20** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 1:23 pm

THEBIGPHISH,

I am mounting everything in a pelican type case for portability. What I am trying to do is come up with a way to mount the antennas on the case so that they can be rapidly deployed from each side of the case to allow for sufficient separation between them.

I thought about using a much smaller version of the scissor type gates like you would use in your house to keep kids and pets out of certain rooms.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:09 pm

danny20 wrote:WILL,

I took a look at the link you sent me.
Can I mount it under a panel and just have the toggle switch sticking up from the panel? I also need both radios to operate at full power which will be about 45 watts. Can the repeater controller handle that power from both radios? Where can I buy it? Any and all help is appreciated.
.

Yes you can mount the module behind the pannel, out of the way. The toggle switch DISABLEs the Module and the radios work independitly as if the Module was not there.

The Extender Module does not have to handle any (TX) power.

I build them, PM for further info.

copcarguy · Post by **copcarguy** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:42 am

No, its not the rick manual you speak of. It is the manual for the CDR700--CDR500 repeater system. It has all the programming parameters for the cdm series radios, along with the rick dip switch for that application. Trust me-its the one you need..

danny20 · Post by **danny20** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:53 pm

COPCARGUY,

I bought the RICK manual that I have at a Motorola dealer. He told me that it was the only RICK manual out there. Can you help me to get a hold of the proper one that I need.

I am also going to try out the extender module that WILL has and see if that will make things easier. All of you guys have been a great help to me and I thank you all.

Can anyone help me regarding a digital voice recorder that I can install in the case? It would need to run off of 12 volts and have a time and date stamp.

Post by **wavetar** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:01 pm

danny20 wrote: I bought the RICK manual that I have at a Motorola dealer. He told me that it was the only RICK manual out there. Can you help me to get a hold of the proper one that I need.

copcarguy wrote:
Model # of the book 6864110R66 list price $15.00

worth every penny

Confirmed as the CDR service manual, available according to Motorola on-line.

Todd

danny20 · Post by **danny20** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:40 pm

I will check into it. Thank you for the info.