Batboard

What would be required to have a Zetron 4010 console display the status of remote receive sites connected to a SpectraTAC comparator? I would like the dispatcher to be able to see which sites are receiving, which one is voted, and also if any site has failed.

I did find this interesting item that might work:

http://www.ctiproducts.com/PDFs/mcn/dat ... 200607.pdf

without looking at the spectra tac manual, their are specific pins on the backplane that provide signals I/O for voted, failed, on, off, etc. I would assume that this could directly interface to the console I/O and would require some button mapping, etc.

This is fairly straightforward with a Series 4000, presuming you have enough free buttons and enough available I/Os. However, I suspect it might be difficult with a 4010.

The CTI product works very well, but (a) it is expensive and (b) you'd have to dedicate a PC at the dispatch console to use it.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

So far, I'm figuring out that I'll need an extra I/O card for the 4010 console. I don't care so much about controlling the comparator from the console, I just want the dispatcher to be able to see unsquelch, vote, and fail indications for each site. That will use up three I/Os on the console for each of our 3 RX sites, or 9 total I/Os.

I was mostly wondering if Motorola made some kind of module for the SpectraTAC that facilitated this, or if the only way to go is to connect the appropriate pins on each SQM to the console I/Os.

(with fingers crossed) Not for the SpectraTAC. DigiTAC yes, SpectraTAC no. However, those functions are available on the backplane with a little wire wrapping and solder. Very useful info for dispatchers who understand it.

1) You should get by with 7 inputs, since you'll use the bus fail indication (any receiver) and have someone go downstairs to see what the problem is.

2) On the other hand, so long as you're going to all this effort, I'd put in a "disable" output for each receiver. Makes diagnosing a problem far easier from the console. Unlike the JPS, you can't force a vote remotely, but you can accomplish the same thing by disabling all but the receiver you want to force.

3) Motorola makes a cage that screws onto the back of the SpectraTac backplane. The cage has two rows of screw terminals and associated flying leads. The leads can be attached (wire wrapping or solder) to the appropriate backplane pins while on the bench, which is far easier than while in the rack, and then the screw terminals make final connections quite easy. I don't remember the part number for the cage, but you'll see it described in the very back of the SpectraTac maintenance manual.

Thanks, the cage for the SpectraTAC backplane sounds like a good idea. I'll research that.

For any interested party who in the future searches and finds this thread, here is what I've learned:

There are 24 pins on each SQM, numbered 1-24 from top to bottom.
Pin 11 is unsquelch indicate
Pin 20 is vote indicate
Pin 23 is failed indicate

Pin 1 is ground

The pins are active low, reading +12V as normal and 0V when active.

My two bit's worth:
It is a great idea to be able to monitor the voter front panel.
Beware!
Certain customers confuse a voting system with a vehicle location system.
They become confused if the voted receiver is not in the same general location as the subscriber unit.
They do not appreciate such things as various RF paths, multipath, as well as site noise.
The same reason automatic transmitter steering does not always operate as expected.

I'm going to assume that the screw terminal cage for the SpectraTAC Comparator is long since NLA.

If it isn't, I suggest the OP order one.

If it is, and the OP needs one, I'm FAIRLY certain I've got one available. PM me.