Can't find a control channel problem (out of rnge).

steve_eo · Post by **steve_eo** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:00 pm

I need some help getting an astro spectra to trunk.
First the radio/RSS:
I've got model: t04jkh9pw9an with
Flashcode: 1000080000000=
-Q806/G806 IMBE / APCO-25 Digital Operation
-Q351 MODAT Operation
RSS R09.03.00
Firmware 09.51.xx.xx (I guess my RSS is too old to read whole thing?)
Software option of G51 ENH:SMARTZONE OPERATION
DSP N06 04 11

Now the problem:
When I program a trunk personality and then try to use it all I get on the display is the name I used for that talkgroup alternating with 'out of rnge'. I get this with and without an antenna attached. I know that the control channel is very strong and I've double (triple?) checked that I programmed the CC right. If I program the CC into a conventional channel, it's lound and clear. The system I'm trying to track is a Motorola Type II SmartZone VHF system. I've tried both analog and digital talkgroups. Same 'out of rnge'.

One thing I've noticed is that under the "Trunking System" menu, I can not change the System Type to be APCO 25 like I think it should be. All I get is II/IIi.

Another issue:
Test mode: I've tried to put the radio into test mode via power-on,wait for self test and then hitting Hime 5 times within 10 seconds. All I get is the low tone 'wrong key' sound. The radio won't enter test mode for me...am I doing it right? I looked at how Home (0) was programmed and I can't set any key to Home. Is Home a special key or something? It's Blnk at the moment...and I cannot see a 'Home' value to put into it.

Conventional:
I can program all the conventional channels I want and all work perfect. I just can't seem to get it to recognize a control channel.

Can anyone help with the info I've given?
Wrong RSS? Wrong firmware? Wrong DSP? I've trolled the formum for hours but to no avail. Please help.
Thank you.
-Steve

Post by **xmo** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:41 pm

"...I've noticed is that under the "Trunking System" menu, I can not change the System Type to be APCO 25 like I think it should be..."

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If the system has a 9600 control channel, i.e. Astro25, you are SOL.

Your flash does not support Astro25 trunking. What you have is P25 CAI voice capability.

Even if you had the correct flash and firmware, it would not help since Astro25 radios cannot be programmed to "track" a system. Those radios must affiliate with the system before they will listen. Affiliation will require an authorized ID from the system administrator.

Bottom line - unless you are an authorized user of the system - buy a scanner.

steve_eo · Post by **steve_eo** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:26 pm

I'm probably wrong about the system being APCO25 then. I know it's a 3600 baud control channel. But your explanation makes sense that I get a 'out of rnge' error since the radio wouldn't be able to 'listen' to a 9600 CC. So now I believe that I should be leaving the system type to II/IIi. After all if it was 9600 I don't think any scanners could track it....but many are doing so.
As for 'buy a scanner' I use an autosense TR switch into a 50W dummy load combined with TX freqs that I am authorized to tx on-so shouldn't be any interference. Primary use of the spectra is 2meter amatuer use...but I'd also like to monitor public safety too if I can. I'll just use an A/B switch on the antennas when i switch back to 2meter to tx.

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:05 pm

Don't depend on a dummy load to prevent transmission, sure they'll show the transmitter 50 ohms and attenuate the RF but I've had a 10+ mile QSO while tuning up into a cantenna and can bring up the local 2m machine with my Spectra into a Telewave dry load.

steve_eo · Post by **steve_eo** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:23 pm

Radiating dummy load! Hmmm I hadn't thought of checking for that...but I will now. In the 2m band of course...just in case I am giving something!

Jim202 · Post by **Jim202** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:01 am

Without a system key, how are you able to do any trunking
programming on this radio? The RSS should not let you
make any changes to the control channel or any of the
other trunking settings.

Jim

steve_eo wrote:Radiating dummy load! Hmmm I hadn't thought of checking for that...but I will now. In the 2m band of course...just in case I am giving something!

Post by Pj » Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:44 am

On VHF trunked systems, you need specific TX and RX channels, and unless its programmed by the system admin, this is something you will not find on radioreference or the such.

Basically, you need an authorization letter from the system administrator, and take it to them or their authorized MSS to have it programmed.

Either way, without knowing the exact TX/RX freq and their sequence, your out of luck reguardless.

Also see:
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=59617