Smartnet Spectra 160/250 mode question

[DPL]

OK, so I'm sure this has been discussed before. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling up to wading through the millions of prior posts regarding Spectras and zones that are returned via the search tool.

Anyway, I have a Spectra with ID number D45ZXA5JC7AK. It is a Type II Smartnet capable radio, with 250 modes, and remote mount configuration currently. Took me a while to figure out that even though the radio doesn't have a zone up/down button on the control head that it will indeed do zones (have tested it and it works). When I enable zones, the maximum number of modes (as shown in the radio wide screen) drops to 160. When I turn off zones, it goes back to 250. I seem to recall reading on here that this is default behavior for these radios, and that there isn't any way around it.

Trouble is, the customer needs the 250 modes, but he also wants zones. They claim that there are other folks out there with 250 mode radios with zones turned on. Is he just misguided/confused or is there actually a Spectra capable of 250 modes *and* zone operation at the same time (and perhaps a way to make this one do it, too)?

Thanks.

[Victor Xray]

There are only two models of 800mhz Spectra's that are capable of retaining all 250 modes with Zones enabled: E-series Smartzone (E7, E9, etc) and ASTRO Spectras. None of the C-series will do both options.

[DPL]

That was fast. Sounds like the customer is a bit confused, 'cause I don't think any of the folks that he is talking about have E series or ASTRO Spectras.

Thanks!

[Josh]

Wow, for an entity that uses 250 modes, without zones, it sure is tough to wade through all that to get to a particular mode, sheesh.

-Josh

[Will]

without zones, it sure is tough to wade through all that to get to a particular mode, sheesh.

-Josh

Well the Spectra model is a C7 head, and they do have direct mode entry using the keypad.