Dual Syntor X9000, SINGLE head + VRS **SUCCESS**
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:00 am
Well, I was determined to make this work dispite what everyone told me. "It wont work", "dont waste your time", "blah blah blah". Well, I've got news for you, it does work.
Here's what I've done and how to get the VRS to work with a dual radio setup:
1: Start with WORKING dual radio setup.
2: READ the control head with the DUAL radio RSS & Save it to a file.
3: LOAD the dual radio control head into SINGLE radio RSS (that supports vrs)
4: Edit the indicator buttons (most will show ????) replace all the ???? with the appropriate button configs and ADD the VRS.
5: SAVE the file and go back into DUAL radio CHPROG
6: Edit indicator buttons.
7: Replace ALL the "VERSION ERR" buttons with the appropriate button, EXCEPT VRS!! Whichever button VRS is labeled as, DO NOT REPLACE IT. I know it says "VERSION ERR" but it WILL WORK. DONT CHANGE IT. But DO change everything else.
8: Program the head.
9: READ the radio you want the VRS on with DUAL RADIO RSS and SAVE it to a file.
10: LOAD the file in SINGLE RADIO RSS (with VRS support)
11: Enable VRS and configure as desired.
12: PROGRAM radio.
13: Read the other radio with dual radio RSS
14: Program a dead channel with a DPL or something with will NEVER break the squelch into the NON-VRS radio.
Ok.. let me explain all of this a little.
When you read the control head from the DUAL radio CHPROG you'll notice there is NO VRS option. This is the biggest problem. So I tried reading my SAVED control head config with a version of RSS that DID support VRS. It ended up showing all my buttons as "????" and wouldn't let me exit because it thought they were duplicate functions. so I just changed them, ADDING VRS. Saved the file and exited.
Going back into the DUAL RADIO CHPROG it showed something different... "VERSION ERR" (instead of "????")over all the buttons I just programmed. but it DID allow me to leave them as is. I chose not to, just so I would know what's what when I read it next time. I did however LEAVE the button I previously programmed for "VRS" ALONE. It said VERSION ERR but it didn't matter. I'll know what it is. Save, program and exit.
Now your control head is all set for VRS.
We already know you can program the dual radios with ANY version of RSS as long as you're working from a saved codeplug created with DUAL RADIO RSS. This being said, just program a VRS as you normally would and it will WORK now.
Couple problems I ran into which should be noted.
First: When programming the control head in this fashion, I did find that (in my case) the second indicator button was left unprogrammed (No Function) and when I pressed the first indicator button (DIR) it lit BOTH the first and second indicator button lights. I dont know if this is related to it being NO FUNCTION or a bug. but I can live with it. Maybe if the button were programmed with something it wouldn't happen. I dont know, I haven't tried it yet.
Second: When you enable VRS BOTH RADIO WILL TRIGGER THE TRANSMITTER. Only the radio which has the VRS directly attached will route audio to it. the other radio will just transmit static. The work around I've come up with is when you want to use the VRS, swich radios, and put the other one on a channel which will NEVER UNMUTE, go back to the VRS enabled radio and turn it on.
Third: The VRS CAN be turned on to EITHER radio. I dont know why is happened but if you hit VRS on the NON VRS radio it will come on and ONLY trigger FROM that radio. Obviously no audio, just static.
Fourth: when changing the VRS operating mode (by holding down the VRS button) you CANNOT see what you are toggling between. (VRS BASE, PORT, BOTH). You'll have to hit the mode key once, then home, then turn on the VRS to see what the display says. Repeat as necessary.
Other than these few hiccups... it works great. I hope some of you with dual radio setups are able to take advantage of this info.
Scott
Here's what I've done and how to get the VRS to work with a dual radio setup:
1: Start with WORKING dual radio setup.
2: READ the control head with the DUAL radio RSS & Save it to a file.
3: LOAD the dual radio control head into SINGLE radio RSS (that supports vrs)
4: Edit the indicator buttons (most will show ????) replace all the ???? with the appropriate button configs and ADD the VRS.
5: SAVE the file and go back into DUAL radio CHPROG
6: Edit indicator buttons.
7: Replace ALL the "VERSION ERR" buttons with the appropriate button, EXCEPT VRS!! Whichever button VRS is labeled as, DO NOT REPLACE IT. I know it says "VERSION ERR" but it WILL WORK. DONT CHANGE IT. But DO change everything else.
8: Program the head.
9: READ the radio you want the VRS on with DUAL RADIO RSS and SAVE it to a file.
10: LOAD the file in SINGLE RADIO RSS (with VRS support)
11: Enable VRS and configure as desired.
12: PROGRAM radio.
13: Read the other radio with dual radio RSS
14: Program a dead channel with a DPL or something with will NEVER break the squelch into the NON-VRS radio.
Ok.. let me explain all of this a little.
When you read the control head from the DUAL radio CHPROG you'll notice there is NO VRS option. This is the biggest problem. So I tried reading my SAVED control head config with a version of RSS that DID support VRS. It ended up showing all my buttons as "????" and wouldn't let me exit because it thought they were duplicate functions. so I just changed them, ADDING VRS. Saved the file and exited.
Going back into the DUAL RADIO CHPROG it showed something different... "VERSION ERR" (instead of "????")over all the buttons I just programmed. but it DID allow me to leave them as is. I chose not to, just so I would know what's what when I read it next time. I did however LEAVE the button I previously programmed for "VRS" ALONE. It said VERSION ERR but it didn't matter. I'll know what it is. Save, program and exit.
Now your control head is all set for VRS.
We already know you can program the dual radios with ANY version of RSS as long as you're working from a saved codeplug created with DUAL RADIO RSS. This being said, just program a VRS as you normally would and it will WORK now.
Couple problems I ran into which should be noted.
First: When programming the control head in this fashion, I did find that (in my case) the second indicator button was left unprogrammed (No Function) and when I pressed the first indicator button (DIR) it lit BOTH the first and second indicator button lights. I dont know if this is related to it being NO FUNCTION or a bug. but I can live with it. Maybe if the button were programmed with something it wouldn't happen. I dont know, I haven't tried it yet.
Second: When you enable VRS BOTH RADIO WILL TRIGGER THE TRANSMITTER. Only the radio which has the VRS directly attached will route audio to it. the other radio will just transmit static. The work around I've come up with is when you want to use the VRS, swich radios, and put the other one on a channel which will NEVER UNMUTE, go back to the VRS enabled radio and turn it on.
Third: The VRS CAN be turned on to EITHER radio. I dont know why is happened but if you hit VRS on the NON VRS radio it will come on and ONLY trigger FROM that radio. Obviously no audio, just static.
Fourth: when changing the VRS operating mode (by holding down the VRS button) you CANNOT see what you are toggling between. (VRS BASE, PORT, BOTH). You'll have to hit the mode key once, then home, then turn on the VRS to see what the display says. Repeat as necessary.
Other than these few hiccups... it works great. I hope some of you with dual radio setups are able to take advantage of this info.
Scott