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Maxtrac 840 ?

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:24 am
by Max
Hi
Is there a way to make a Maxtrac 840 do Type II

Thanks
In advance for any help
Max

Re: Maxtrac 840 ?

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:52 am
by redbeard
Max wrote:Hi
Is there a way to make a Maxtrac 840 do Type II

Thanks
In advance for any help
Max
The easy answer is no.

The hard answer is that there is a firmware that will let you do that, but I think think the EPROM isn't availiable any more (NLA). Even if you find one, if the system you are trying to follow has splinter frequencies you won't be able to use it. The 800 Maxtrac isn't capable of the required spacing.

If you are just trying to monitor, get a scanner or move up to a higher tier radio like a GTX, LCS, or Spectra.

If you need a radio to talk on and you are authorized to do so, talk to the system admin and they will recommend a radio that they will allow on the system.

See here for more info:
http://www.batlabs.com/maxrad.html

Maxtac 840

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:16 am
by Max
Thanks you for you reply
I have other radio's that will do type II
I just haven't played around with too many maxtrac's before and wasn't sure if using lab i could upgrade the radio to do type II
Thanks Again
Max

Re: Maxtac 840

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:09 am
by redbeard
Max wrote:Thanks you for you reply
I have other radio's that will do type II
I just haven't played around with too many maxtrac's before and wasn't sure if using lab i could upgrade the radio to do type II
Thanks Again
Max
If it's not conventional capable already (i think it is) then you could upgrade it to allow conventional and then do a discriminator tap and use it with Trunker to monitor tha data stream. I have one I did that with and it's a nice setup. Put an old bag phone antenna on it with the right angle and power it with a wall wart. If you have a display and can do scan...even better.

Re: Maxtrac 840 ?

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:36 am
by wavetar
Max wrote:Hi
Is there a way to make a Maxtrac 840 do Type II

Thanks
In advance for any help
Max
Yes. The firmware is still available according to MOL, and the info is right on Batlabs. Here's an excerpt:

Code: Select all

  Adding Type II/IIi Trunking to a Type I Maxtrac

First off you must start with a B5 B6 or B7 model (has to be 16 pin ACC)

The second step is to obtain a type II firmware chip for a Smartnet Maxtrac, the part number is HLN9383.

Next, you need to blank the logic board using Lab RSS.

Re-program the logic board with your trunking RSS so that it is now a Smartnet radio (either a C3, C5, or C6).

Realign the unit and you now have a unit capable of type I,II, and IIi.
Of course, the splinter frequency issue mentioned above could still be a problem for you.

Todd

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:33 pm
by AEC
The 840 will do splinter and 'regular' data, I use this model(B7).

I can program the radio any way I choose, especially in conventional, this mode is also capable of using splinter or regular channel data.

I have three systems loaded, as well as all 10 Cov. channels as well, scan works for both with no troubles.

Firmware updates are necessary to 'do' type II, IIi.


Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:23 pm
by Jim202
The Maxtrac will not do splinter channels in the trunking
mode. Even with the PROM firmware change.

It will do splinter channels in the conventional mode.

Jim


AEC wrote:The 840 will do splinter and 'regular' data, I use this model(B7).

I can program the radio any way I choose, especially in conventional, this mode is also capable of using splinter or regular channel data.

I have three systems loaded, as well as all 10 Cov. channels as well, scan works for both with no troubles.

Firmware updates are necessary to 'do' type II, IIi.