Spectra Radio Install

David Farr · Post by **David Farr** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 5:22 pm

Hey guys,

I have two spectra radios, one a VHF, and one 800. Both have A9 heads. The VHF also controls a siren. Now the question: Is it possible to control both radios and siren using only one control head and maybe only 1 speaker? If so, what do I need to do it with? Anybody have any installation manuals/diagrams on hooking this combo up? I've heard this can be done but can't find any info on it.

mostar · Post by **mostar** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 9:10 am

First, this post might be better off in "General" or "Hardware", as it is really a radio question more than an install question, and more people might see it in the other forums.

In the meantime....I have not personally ever seen dual Spectras run through a single A9 head. I have seen Syntor X9000's set up this way, but they were SP radios, and not standard Syntors. There was an option for dual Spectras to be controlled via a single A3 (HHCH), but these were also SP radios. Also, even with the single head, these setups still used seperate speakers for each radio.

There may be other ways to combine the audio into a single speaker, but I'm fairly certain you're going to be stuck with two control heads.

SlimBob · Post by **SlimBob** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 10:48 am

Correct me if I am wrong, but you'll still only be able to operate one radio at a time -- monitoring or transmitting...

mostar · Post by **mostar** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:12 am

i don't know for sure about the Spectras or Astros, but the Syntors can rx on both radios simultaneously. I would assume that the Spectras could also, but I can't confirm this.

LAC-OPS · Post by **LAC-OPS** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:03 pm

Orange County, CA uses dual astro spectras as their mobile radios, both on 800, both controlled via single A9 head, but with two speakers. (One of the spectras is RX only).

It is a special hardware/firmware version though.

ka8ypy · Post by **ka8ypy** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:18 am

No special harware/firmware version needed, you just need the 'y cable" to connect both radios to the control head. It is referred to as a hot read set-up. two radios, one control head, but two speakers. One radio will be able tx and rx, the slave radio will be rx only.

Ask PJ about the set-up as he has one in his Avalanche I believe.

DB

57Shasta · Post by **57Shasta** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:17 pm

You could hook up two spectras to one speaker, BUT you must isolate the DC voltage on the speaker lines. 100uF at 50v caps on both speaker wires before they merge into the speaker should handle it. Would I do it? NO! ?