Quantar Firmware Questions

[kt2728]

what would be the oldest version of firmware to use in a quantar VHF Conventional Mixed mode with astro spectras and xtl5000 mobiles, and xts3000 and 5000 portables? all of these radios have current firmware installed.

i have read in some past threads that 20.12.xxx was a major improvement, is it much better that say 20.10.xxx or 20.11.xxx?

what is the current version?

If i need to do a Firmware upgrade on a quantar, is it done like a astro25 portable or moblie? CVN file, flash key, etc? or is it done by some other complicated means?

i understand that it is over a grand for the upgrade, is it worth it?

sorry for the newb questions, but i have never touched a quantar i and am trying learn a bit before i drop a bunch of $$$$ on one.

thanks

kt

[The Pager Geek]

1: IMBE was introduced in Release 9, with the first firmware to hit the streets being 20.09.017
VSELP was introduced in Release 2, with the first firmware to hit the street being 13.02.015

2: There was a significant improvement in release 12.03 which yielded FW version 20.12.024. It was so needed that there was an SRN put out, and it was given to some agencies at no charge. Though I don't have the SRN # handy.

3: The last I've seen a few months ago was 20.14.044 for Non-IR

4: (Assuming the station is flash upgradeable to begin with...) Doing an upgrade is fairly easy. Send the needed station info to mot, and they will send you a disk. It's made for that station based on back-plane ID. It uses the normal CPS and Programming cable to do the upgrade. Nothing special, but the programming manual has all the set-up info which can be a PITA to get set-up. But once set-up, no problems after that.

5: $1200 for a refresh only, with no added features. If you have a shop do it, they may tack on some $ for time.

Is it worth it? It all depends what version you are coming from and what you want it to do. Some major releases addressed improved error correction for better performance, but the best answer to your question is: It Depends.

Sorry about the last one, it's very subjective. Hope the rest helped.

tpg

[kt2728]

thanks for the info.

i have found a quantar with 20.10.xxx firmware in them. i am debating weather to go ahead with one of these or try to find one with newer firmware.

kt

[The Pager Geek]

thanks for the info.

i have found a quantar with 20.10.xxx firmware in them. i am debating weather to go ahead with one of these or try to find one with newer firmware.

kt

I would check the SCM to see if it's upgradeable. It SHOULD be if it's release 10, but I've seen stranger things...

tpg

[kt2728]

what would i need to look for to find out if it is not upgradeable?

[The Pager Geek]

what would i need to look for to find out if it is not upgradeable?

What is the part number of the SCM?

tpg

[emsbuff3240]

I am looking at a quantar control card with part number TTN4094C, SCM v20.10.xxx. Is this SCM v number the same as the firmware? ie, will it support P25/IMBE?

Sorry for reviving this thread.

Thanks.

[kt2728]

the 20.10.xxx is the firmware version. it should support IMBE. i never did upgrade the firmware on my card, i just bought another card with current firmware 20.14.xxx.

[wa6ylb]

1: IMBE was introduced in Release 9, with the first firmware to hit the streets being 20.09.017
VSELP was introduced in Release 2, with the first firmware to hit the street being 13.02.015

2: There was a significant improvement in release 12.03 which yielded FW version 20.12.024. It was so needed that there was an SRN put out, and it was given to some agencies at no charge. Though I don't have the SRN # handy.

3: The last I've seen a few months ago was 20.14.044 for Non-IR

4: (Assuming the station is flash upgradeable to begin with...) Doing an upgrade is fairly easy. Send the needed station info to mot, and they will send you a disk. It's made for that station based on back-plane ID. It uses the normal CPS and Programming cable to do the upgrade. Nothing special, but the programming manual has all the set-up info which can be a PITA to get set-up. But once set-up, no problems after that.

5: $1200 for a refresh only, with no added features. If you have a shop do it, they may tack on some $ for time.

Is it worth it? It all depends what version you are coming from and what you want it to do. Some major releases addressed improved error correction for better performance, but the best answer to your question is: It Depends.

Sorry about the last one, it's very subjective. Hope the rest helped.

tpg

Update : Summer 2011 - version R020.14.046 is shipping. Even the flash upgrades shipped in 9-2011 are .046. Exciter is
still at R020.09.018, which has been this way for a number of years.
The catalog shows a planned cancellation for Quantar, and accessories (Astro Tac 3000, DIU3000, encryption cartridge for DIU3000) of Sept 30th, but the sales folks I've talked to say this has been
pushed out to at least December 2011.
B.

[cmdcomm]

Quick question on this. I have an agency that has a 12 channel Quantar 4.1 trunked system. Nearby there is a P25 7.xx system. What is need to get them on the 7.xx system? Basically, they have all the RF equipment and would need to upgrade their stations for P25 and get connectivity to the P25 switch. What upgrades and additional equipment is needed?

[d119]

They could stay 4.1 and still connect to the 7.x master site using a SmartX Site Converter. They would, however, remain a 3600 baud cell and not P25 Trunking compliant.

Or they could get the required hardware and controllers for the Quantar stations and just convert the sites to 7.x using Quantar stations (this was done in 6.x - 9600 baud on Quantars, I believe the controller at the time was the PSC 9600 but I don't think they are available anymore). You'd need the GCP 8000 controllers, etc.

Remember though, Quantars are canceled and have entered their 7 year support window. It may not be in your best interest in the long-term to do this.

[Batwings21]

I would see if you could get the smartx and then over a few years migrate your sites to the 7.x system with new hardware.

[N5LS]

Hi all, I have an opportunity to purchase a used 900 MHz Quantar, 100W. Apparently the firmware version is
R016.08.008 . The seller says it is capable of IMBE/P25. Will this firmware version support mixed mode analog/P25?
Thanks!

[kt2728]

No sir it needs to be 20.10.xx or newer. It is capable if you want to pay moto for the upgrade.

[N5LS]

Thank you!

[wa6ylb]

thanks for the info.

i have found a quantar with 20.10.xxx firmware in them. i am debating weather to go ahead with one of these or try to find one with newer firmware.

kt

Note: if you are seeing a small sticker on the 80 pin simm, this isn't the actual firmware version. Its the boot loader code. In order to tell which version is in the 80 pin simm, you will need to read the SCM card with the RSS to confirm what the firmware is.
Latest is R020.14.048. The firmware upgrade will upgrade boot2 and other firmware sections in the simm.
If you have an 80 pin simm on your SCM board, it will already do P25. However, you will want to upgrade the firmware, expecially if its not in the R020.14 range.
B.

[mogman]

I just upgraded a Quantar to R020.14.048 and it will no longer do mixed mode, it will only repeat analog if the radio is programmed for analog only, never had an issue with the R020.13.XXX