Batboard

I'm a complete n00b when it comes to the dispatch console end of things, even though I've been working on portables, mobiles, and repeaters from the hollow-state flavor through the tiny SMT crap, and haven't had any exposure to the dispatch stuff, like Centracom consoles. My questions are this: Is there a resource that shows what cards are needed for each channel and how they are configured available online?

I'm seeing quite a bit of surplus Centracom equipment floating around, and I'm thinking about getting some of it to interface a couple of radios parked on the usual amateur repeater channels, along with rack mounting a couple of the other radios that I have, to make the shack a little more organized (and cool looking).

So far, in reading through this section, I'm figuring that I need a TOMI, AEI, and BIM for each channel/radio; a backplane to hold it all, a timer card, and an RS232 card at the radio side. At the console side, I need the CCMs, the RCM, and whatever "feature" cards that I want (QCii, MDC, patches, etc).

Am I getting close?

you need a Tomi, an RS232 and an AEI per position
You need at least one system timer
then one BIM per channel
Maybe a I/O card for keying if needed
thats just the CEB

As to the console an RCM
The CCM's can be configured to suit, maybe a a DCCM as well

You really only need 1 RS232 card for the entire CEB, just move it around from TOMI to TOMI as you're programming... (Unless you need to do OMI relocator stuff, but thats rare.)

I can help you if you need help, smokeybehr, Bruce can as well I'm sure...

Found the back door to the KB, and that really helps. Now I can start looking for the surplus gear at the local auctions, and hit up the local radio shops. If I have any more questions, I`ll PM you guys.