Batboard

I've recently obtained one of these on the cheap.

What line of products is this mini console from? Centracom? CC II? All I have is the console itself. I am going to need a power supply, microphone, CEB rack, BIMs, etc., in order to be able to play with this thing, not to mention finding somebody to program all the PROMs so that everything works.

How many of you have experimented with these in a hobbyist environment? I would like to eventually replace my T1605 with it but I know that it's not going to be an easy task. Anybody got a good cheap source of parts for these systems? Would I be better off to ditch it and instead get something self contained like a Command Plus?

w4rez wrote:I've recently obtained one of these on the cheap.

What line of products is this mini console from? Centracom? CC II? All I have is the console itself. I am going to need a power supply, microphone, CEB rack, BIMs, etc., in order to be able to play with this thing, not to mention finding somebody to program all the PROMs so that everything works.

How many of you have experimented with these in a hobbyist environment? I would like to eventually replace my T1605 with it but I know that it's not going to be an easy task. Anybody got a good cheap source of parts for these systems? Would I be better off to ditch it and instead get something self contained like a Command Plus?

The B1630A "Dispatcher" console is essentially a CentraCom II product. It was marketed as a low-tier Centracom solution for small dispatch centers that didn't require all of the large console furniture and additional equipment options that regular CentraCom II offered.

The B1630A Dispatcher console requires a CentraCom II central electronics bank (CEB). The typical CEB that was interfaced to a B1630A consisted of one or two card cages along with a power supply mounted in a mid-size MSF 5000-type cabinet.

The console is interfaced to the CEB via a 7-pair cable that uses a small centronics-type interface connector.

Honestly, with the age of it and the difficulty in matching it to a compatible CEB (remember, every one of these were built and programmed to customer specifications, meaning that it's unlikely that any old CEB will work with it without reprogramming), and the fact that finding someone who can reprogram these PROM-based CentraCom OMI's is proving more and more difficult, it would be wise to consider something else.

I've found that the CommandPlus is probably the closest, self-contained unit to a B1630A dispatcher console.

The expanded Motorola T5600 series remotes with the larger LCD display and MDC-1200 options are quite nice as well.

CommandStar Lite or a Motorola MC2000/MC3000 Deskset would be my choice as a replacement, being a buttons & led's type myself, but those are still current products, and very expenisive.

Hope I helped, even though I couldn't offer any really good news.

Thanks D119....that's about what I figured so it's not too much of a letdown.

How about a Zetron 4010?

Zetron 4010 is an excelent self contained unit.

I concur... Nothing wrong with the Zetron 4000 series.... It's a SOLID product!

I know those B1630A consoles look cool... It's too bad its such a PITA for us hobbyists... But consider what it was designed for.

If you do go Zetron, let us know how it works out!!