Motorola AstroTAC to VHF Range 1

[wa8pyr]

Anybody know how to get a Range 2 (high split) Motorola AstroTAC receiver to accept a Range 1 (low split) frequency? It's supposedly possible. On the Nucleus there is a dipswitch on the station control module that needs to be set to allow the change; is there a similar setting for the the AstroTAC receiver (basically a Quantar RX in a different rack)? I've checked the manual but its somewhat underwhelming me with information in this regard...

Thanks....

Tom WA8PYR

[d119]

It should be as simple as entering the frequency into the RSS, and telling it to just deal with it. There are no dip switches a-la Nucleus in the AstroTAC receiver that affect out-of-band programming.

Whats the problem you're experiencing? The RSS won't allow it, or the receiver just doesn't work when programmed with said frequency?

I'm using the latest version of windows-based RSS for the Quantar family, and when I create a profile for a VHF R2 AstroTAC RX, it allows me to enter an out of band frequency (144.950 in this example) without a problem. It says it's out of the rated bandsplit, and it asks if I want to correct this, I just answer no and go about my business with the software. What exactly are you experiencing?

If you are using DOS based RSS, well, it's time to upgrade.

[wa8pyr]

> It should be as simple as entering the frequency into the RSS, and telling it to just deal with it. There are no
> dip switches a-la Nucleus in the AstroTAC receiver that affect out-of-band programming.
> Whats the problem you're experiencing? The RSS won't allow it, or the receiver just doesn't
> work when programmed with said frequency?
> I'm using the latest version of windows-based RSS for the Quantar family, and when I create a
> profile for a VHF R2 AstroTAC RX, it allows me to enter an out of band frequency (144.950 in this
> example) without a problem. It says it's out of the rated bandsplit, and it asks if I want to correct
> this, I just answer no and go about my business with the software. What exactly are you experiencing?

Did all that. Using latest version Windows software, I started with the downloaded codeplug, changed the RX frequency to 144.670, got the "out of rated bandsplit" message and told it not to correct the problem. Codeplug loaded into the radio just fine. However, once the radio reset the RX Module Fail light started blinking. In my experience, when a light like that starts flashing, it's not kidding.

So, I put the original (Range 2) frequency back in, loaded the codeplug and told the unit to reset. All was well, no flashing lights, and radio works fine. I then put the Range 1 frequency back in, reset the unit, and the flashing light started again.

I've even told the station in the software that it was a Range 1 radio, and it made no difference.

[xmo]

The receiver synthesizer is out of lock. The range 2 receiver will go out of band down to about 146.XX depending on the particular unit's component tolerances.

You're either going to have to trade for a low range receiver or do some serious surgery.

[wa8pyr]

[quote="xmo"]The receiver synthesizer is out of lock. The range 2 receiver will go out of band down to about 146.XX depending on the particular unit's component tolerances.

You're either going to have to trade for a low range receiver or do some serious surgery.[/quote]

Nuts...

Thanks much. Guess it's time to review the options...

[d119]

I agree entirely with xmo, and have experienced the same situation myself.

Throw your R2 module up on the FSWT forum and see if anyone has an R1 they want to trade.

It's worth it just for the headache cure it'll turn out to be.