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Programming to use a Spectra A5 head on an A7 Radio

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:35 am
by SpectraBob
I've got a Spectra 45-watt VHF radio that came with an A7 control head. My RSS programming choices are "Rotary", "Standard", and "Enhanced", under Control Head Type. Using either "Standard " or "Enhanced", I can get it to program as an A7 head without any problems. (The only other choice shown was "Rotary", which is meant for an A4 head and therefore not an option in my situation here).

However, I am not able to get my A5 head to work properly, which is my preferred head to be using, while programmed using either "Standard" or "Enhanced". The keys will apparently respond to whatever I push, but I have absolutely no display of any kind.

I guess my question is this: What are the steps necessary within the RSS to make an A5 head work on an A7 radio? Or, is that not really possible at all?

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:03 am
by jmr061
Nothing needs to be changed to make an a5 work on an a7 radio. If you have no display something is wrong with the control head. The a5 and a7 are the exact same circuit board.

Jason

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:52 am
by Rick Rock
What model# interconnect board are you using? I'm presuming this is set up as a dash unit right now :)

Re: A5 head vs. A7

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:20 pm
by SpectraBob
Actually, even though the model number starts with a "D" (usually indicating a "dash" unit), it is clearly now a trunk/remote unit. Perhaps the previous owner used a conversion kit to convert it; I don't know.

Unfortunately, I only have the one A5 head at this point in time, so I have no other such head to try on it. I'll have to track one down and give that a try; perhaps you are right and the head that I do have is actually bad!

Thanks for everybody's help!

Bob