Batboard

I am Trying to convert a Desktrac To Ham (70CM) But when I input the frequncies to the Desktrac RSS, Even with the shift key method, it reverts back to the commercial frequncies that was already in it and gives me the band limit warning in the top right box of the RSS. It works fine if I use regular Maxtrac RSS but I have been told by several people that you have to finish the programming with the Desktrac RSS for it to work right. Also, I can't configure the on board controller. The RSS tells me to "check my equipment" when I try to read it. It has a 2-3 second squelch tail but looking inside the unit I can't find any thing. Do these have a controller? Any help would be appreciated.

Set your frequencies in normal Maxtrac.
Once you have the settings the way you want, read the station with Desktrac, but don't change the freqs.
Just write the codeplug back in.
The "controller" that is built in just handles repeat audio, and hang time.
So, its not really a controller.
If you want to use the Desktrac for Ham, you will need an external controller, and set up your Desktrac like a base.
If you haven't done so yet, look at the Desktrac area of the Repeater-Builder site.
Lots of good info on those there.

You can use regular Maxtrac RSS to program the operating frequencies. About all the Desktrac RSS is good for is setting the time-out timer.

They do have an onboard controller, but it is very, very limited in what it can do - less than a RICK box, even. You can't adjust the hang time, and TX audio is controlled by a pot on the front panel board. What really annoyed me was how much signal it took to activate COR and key the transmitter - .40 microvolts or thereabouts, well above and beyond the .15 or .20 squelch threshold of the receiver radio.

I have one in service right now on a 440 pair, but it's certainly not what I would consider an ideal setup - in fact, it's just keeping the pair alive while I finish rebuilding a MSF. It's also set up to drive an external PA - the transmitter is kicking out a whole 8W, and only in that configuration is it suitable for continuous duty (long-winded ham chat.)

I appreciate all that info guys. I now realize something I was doing wrong> I was actually looking at the frequncies in the Desktrac RSS. When I would Do this, It would not Let me Exit with out changing the Frequencies to within the band limits.
I just read it with the 440 freqs in it and programmed them right back in with no problem. I assume that I need to configure the controller through the DB25 jacks on the back. To run an external controller, Do I need to disconnect anything inside. again, Thank you for your info.