Page 1 of 1

Centracom + MDC issues

Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:22 am
by Wile E. Coyote
For some reason when I try to do a radio check via MDC on the Centracom console, it does not work. (Yes, the radio is programmed for radio check). I have isolated the problem to the Centracom not waiting between keying the radio and sending MDC data. I have tried adjusting the Pre-Time Delay in the Signaling parameters, but that does not seem to make a difference.

Is their another parameter I should be looking at?

-WEC

Re: Centracom + MDC issues

Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 10:47 am
by KE9GK
Centracom II or Gold (not that there is much difference)?

If my experience is correct....I do believe it makes a difference with BIM firmware....you need MDC compatible firmware in the BIM to match the RF Modem to work properly. I have the same issue with signalling...I simulcast a touchtone E E E over an MDC enabled resource with a QCII page over another (this enables me to general xmit the voice page over both once the QCII is sent) and the MDC resource xmits the EEE immediately - no keyup delay - so end users only hear 1-1.5 of the beeps. However, when I do that exact same E E E over a different resource (not MDC enabled) there is a 1(ish) second TX delay before the capcode is sent. I believe this is the same problem you are having with ur MDC packets...so in a nutshell.....Firmware issue!

Re: Centracom + MDC issues

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 9:51 am
by Wile E. Coyote
KE9GK, Thank you for your response. I am using a Centracom II Gold Elite. I have already upgraded the firmware once on this system to support newer OS and software about a year ago. I wouldn't want to do that again anytime soon. If I remember right, it cost us about $15,000.00 just for the firmware (we have a large system).

In an attempt to avoid an outlandishly expensive solution from Motorola, I was able to fix this problem by attacking it from the other direction. It currently passes TX audio through a JPS voter before going to the repeater. I was able to increase the console audio delay slightly in the JPS and that did the trick. There is a bit of an echo if there is a radio in dispatch, but most of the time they will be none the wiser.

Thanks,
WEC 8)