MCS2000 to CDM1550, cross band repeater

The General forum is where users can discuss any topic regarding Motorola communications equipment - hardware, software, etc. There are also several focused forums on this board, so please take the time to ensure that your questions doesn't fall into one of those categories before posting here!

Moderator: Queue Moderator

Post Reply
buffaloman74
New User
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:31 am

MCS2000 to CDM1550, cross band repeater

Post by buffaloman74 »

I am trying to make a bi-directional cross band repeater to go from VHF to 800 mHz conventional. The 800 mHz is MCS2000. The VHF is a Spectra or CDM1550 (whichever is easiest to configure). The CDM series seems to make this very easy if going to another CDM. However, I have yet to be able to make the MCS2000 cooperate. Unless I am missing something the MCS does Not allow you to change any of the acc'y pinouts.

Thanks, Daniel
User avatar
wavetar
Administrator
Posts: 7341
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm

Re: MCS2000 to CDM1550, cross band repeater

Post by wavetar »

You're right, the MCS doesn't make it easy to use in a repeater configuration. It does not provide a COR on the accessory pins. You need to utilize the 5.75-volt biasing voltage present on either of the external speaker leads when active. Use it to trip a simple transistor switching circuit to give you the active low that you need.

Todd
No trees were harmed in the posting of this message...however an extraordinarily large number of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.

Welcome to the /\/\achine.
buffaloman74
New User
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:31 am

Re: MCS2000 to CDM1550, cross band repeater

Post by buffaloman74 »

Thanks for your reply Todd. That seems to have resolved the problem.
Daniel
User avatar
tsunami_australia
Posts: 159
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:29 pm
What radios do you own?: too many to list here apparent

Re: MCS2000 to CDM1550, cross band repeater

Post by tsunami_australia »

Just on this (yes old thread I know but extremely handy to what I'm attempting) has anyone found a good cheap commercially available switching circuit for this or just made their own?

Part numbers etc would be handy.
User avatar
wavetar
Administrator
Posts: 7341
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm

Re: MCS2000 to CDM1550, cross band repeater

Post by wavetar »

tsunami_australia wrote:Just on this (yes old thread I know but extremely handy to what I'm attempting) has anyone found a good cheap commercially available switching circuit for this or just made their own?

Part numbers etc would be handy.
I've always used the NTE291 NPN transistor, running the voltage through a 1k resistor to the base, connecting the collector to ground, and the emitter to the PTT of the other radio. Never had to replace one.
No trees were harmed in the posting of this message...however an extraordinarily large number of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.

Welcome to the /\/\achine.
User avatar
tsunami_australia
Posts: 159
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:29 pm
What radios do you own?: too many to list here apparent

Re: MCS2000 to CDM1550, cross band repeater

Post by tsunami_australia »

Thanks for that, I don't know why but I was thinking a bit more advanced...more toward a flipflop... derp.
motorola_otaku
Posts: 1854
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:03 am

Re: MCS2000 to CDM1550, cross band repeater

Post by motorola_otaku »

I have a Pyramid application note (which they have since taken down from pyramidcomm.com) that showed where you could add a jumper to pin 8 inside the radio to get active low COR. I did to about a dozen UHF VRM650s and it worked great. If someone PMs me a reminder I'll post it from my home PC.

If you want to try your Google-fu it is called AN189.pdf.
Post Reply

Return to “General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion”