Batboard

I have a UHF MCS2000. Is there a motorola VRS (or other vehicular repeater) that is compatible with this radio? I suppose I could rig a RICK between the MCS2000 and my VHF Astro Spectra, but that seems like overkill.....

hobbes wrote:I have a UHF MCS2000. Is there a motorola VRS (or other vehicular repeater) that is compatible with this radio? I suppose I could rig a RICK between the MCS2000 and my VHF Astro Spectra, but that seems like overkill.....

Pyramid SVR200V. 'nuff said. About $75 on eBay when they're listed. http://www.pyramidcomm.com

Here is the application note for connecting the SVR to the MCS yourself: http://www.pyramidcomm.com/pdf/an_pdf/AN189.PDF

Here is the application note for connecting the SVR to the MCS with the smart cable: http://www.pyramidcomm.com/pdf/an_pdf/AN267.PDF

They work like champs! I can't stress enough how great a product this thing is. And their customer support is exemplary! The programming software is free from their website, the product is synthesized so no crystal changes required, and you can use an inexpensive Vertex VPL programming cable to program the unit.

d119 wrote:

hobbes wrote:I have a UHF MCS2000. Is there a motorola VRS (or other vehicular repeater) that is compatible with this radio? I suppose I could rig a RICK between the MCS2000 and my VHF Astro Spectra, but that seems like overkill.....

Pyramid SVR200V. 'nuff said. About $75 on eBay when they're listed. http://www.pyramidcomm.com

Here is the application note for connecting the SVR to the MCS yourself: http://www.pyramidcomm.com/pdf/an_pdf/AN189.PDF

Here is the application note for connecting the SVR to the MCS with the smart cable: http://www.pyramidcomm.com/pdf/an_pdf/AN267.PDF

They work like champs! I can't stress enough how great a product this thing is. And their customer support is exemplary! The programming software is free from their website, the product is synthesized so no crystal changes required, and you can use an inexpensive Vertex VPL programming cable to program the unit.

I'll second the SVR-200 unit, but recommend newer versions over the older one because significant improvements have been made.

Also, if you already have a RIB you can make a programming cable pretty easily using the pinout on the batlabs.com website!

Josh wrote:

d119 wrote:

hobbes wrote:I have a UHF MCS2000. Is there a motorola VRS (or other vehicular repeater) that is compatible with this radio? I suppose I could rig a RICK between the MCS2000 and my VHF Astro Spectra, but that seems like overkill.....

Pyramid SVR200V. 'nuff said. About $75 on eBay when they're listed. http://www.pyramidcomm.com

Here is the application note for connecting the SVR to the MCS yourself: http://www.pyramidcomm.com/pdf/an_pdf/AN189.PDF

Here is the application note for connecting the SVR to the MCS with the smart cable: http://www.pyramidcomm.com/pdf/an_pdf/AN267.PDF

They work like champs! I can't stress enough how great a product this thing is. And their customer support is exemplary! The programming software is free from their website, the product is synthesized so no crystal changes required, and you can use an inexpensive Vertex VPL programming cable to program the unit.

I'll second the SVR-200 unit, but recommend newer versions over the older one because significant improvements have been made.

Also, if you already have a RIB you can make a programming cable pretty easily using the pinout on the batlabs.com website!

The only real improvements on the newer units is the ESP multi-vehicle format, the fact that the SVR-250 does narrowband and emergency signalling, and the SVR-P250 does P25.

If he's just a single vehicle unit off by himself, the SVR200 is the inexpensive (but not CHEAP) way to do it right IMHO.

If you want to buy a NEW unit, definitely consider the SVR-250, but remember that the SVR-200 is still a current product.

I simply meant, ones that say Ericcson, are abundant on eBay, but they're older units from when the product line began. They had EF Johnson radio modules. The newer ones (including those branded with ma/com) are among the newer with improved control boards and a Pyramid radio module.

I have a newer version, but its 403-430 or something, which isn't too useful. I also have a 450-470 unit, which is older but is useful. I tried swapping radio modules between the two so I could have a better control/logic board in it, but it turned out the two were basically incompatible, which was a shame because the newer version had improved squelch circuitry and a couple other things. Of course you'd expect over time that firmware would be upgraded, etc.

The older one is fine for what it is, no doubt about it. The multi-channel version is interesting but largely unnecessary and the P25 one wouldn't be of much use on an MCS2000.