Search found 3339 matches
- Sun Mar 31, 2024 4:50 pm
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: 125 watt VHF Quantar randomly drops TX
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1337
Re: 125 watt VHF Quantar randomly drops TX
By any chance is the PA shutting down from high heat?
- Tue Sep 26, 2023 7:48 pm
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Spectra Programming - Serial Bus Error
- Replies: 10
- Views: 3633
Re: Spectra Programming - Serial Bus Error
I know this is a really old posting, but did you ever get your radio programmed?
If so, let the rest of the group know what you had to do to get the programmimg to work.
Another commement I will pass along, is that the DOS computer should have a clock speed of no more than about 900 MHz.
Jim
If so, let the rest of the group know what you had to do to get the programmimg to work.
Another commement I will pass along, is that the DOS computer should have a clock speed of no more than about 900 MHz.
Jim
- Sat Sep 23, 2023 6:08 pm
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: GROUNDING With Motorola R56 Stanadards
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1498
GROUNDING With Motorola R56 Stanadards
Have you ever had damage to your radio equipment from a thunderstorm lightning strike? What do you have for grounding to try and protect your investment? Do you have surge protection on both the antenna lines and electrical power feeds? All of the above are dependent on how of a low resistance the w...
- Sun Jun 04, 2023 7:07 pm
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Spectra Programming - Serial Bus Error
- Replies: 10
- Views: 3633
Re: Spectra Programming - Serial Bus Error
I program Spectra radios all the time with a computer I have that runs DOS only for the Spectra and several other radios. Do not try to run a DOS box under a computer running Windows. It probably won't function with the Spectra software very well. I use DOS only to program Motorola radios of this ag...
- Wed Mar 29, 2023 10:03 am
- Forum: ASTRO25 Series (XTS/XTL 1500/2500/5000) Subscribers
- Topic: Dumbing down an IMPRES charger to charge a too-low voltage battery
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5944
Re: Dumbing down an IMPRES charger to charge a too-low voltage battery
I always use a variable supply where I can control the current going into the battery. Plus I have a low Ohm resistor of about 2.5 Ohms I made out of some wire wound resistors connected in parallel. This give you some surge protection of the battery under test. Put a volt meter on the battery side o...
- Sat Mar 11, 2023 6:28 pm
- Forum: Experimental - Mods, and how to do things a little out of the box
- Topic: Bringing dead batteries back to life.
- Replies: 1
- Views: 6485
Re: Bringing dead batteries back to life.
I know this is a very old posting, but there is a safer way to do this. I use a in series resistor of around 2.5 Ohms between the power source and the battery in question. I made it out of some wire wound power resistors in parallel. This will reduce the in rush current to limit the possible damage ...
- Wed Mar 08, 2023 6:43 pm
- Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
- Topic: Radio Shelter Relocation
- Replies: 7
- Views: 8620
Re: Radio Shelter Relocation
This is a very old post, but you never came back with any comments about the shelter move. One point not mentioned is that the door will now be on the other side of where it was originally. Did you also have to add to the driveway to have access to the shelter door for working or moving equipment in...
- Wed Mar 08, 2023 6:29 pm
- Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
- Topic: Super-Turnstile antenna
- Replies: 7
- Views: 6894
Re: Super-Turnstile antenna
That's why we have regional repeater coordinators. They are there to work out the stubborn operators of those repeaters causing problems.
Jim
Jim
- Wed Mar 08, 2023 3:22 pm
- Forum: MotoTRBO Repeaters, Trunking, and Site Infrastructure
- Topic: SLR5700 VHF and lightning
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2787
Re: SLR5700 VHF and lightning
You may want to look at your grounding system and surge protection. The Motorola R56 Grounding Standard has some very good information. BUT, there is some information missing that I have found out the hard way at 2 different homes over the years. The low ground resistance of your ground rods is wher...
- Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:05 pm
- Forum: ASTRO25 Series (XTS/XTL 1500/2500/5000) Subscribers
- Topic: XTL1500 (not) DOS muting
- Replies: 2
- Views: 963
Re: XTL1500 (not) DOS muting
Shut off the MDC signaling on the ham channels. Most of the ham repeaters only are looking for PL. No need for MDC on the PTT on those frequencies. This is where zones come in handy. Use one zone for the public safety and another for the ham frequencies. I am on the fire dept. here in the town I liv...
- Sun Mar 05, 2023 11:46 am
- Forum: ASTRO Series (Astro Saber, Spectra, XTS3000/3500) Subscribers
- Topic: Mid power Astro Spectra pinout
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2664
Re: Mid power Astro Spectra pinout
Stop being lazy. Download the service manual and save it. Your going to be asking additional questions that this manual has. The index works well to locate the information you may have in the future. Plus you can print an individual page or number of pages to your printer as needed. I download all s...
- Mon Feb 27, 2023 11:48 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: X9000 control head reset problem
- Replies: 7
- Views: 7831
Re: X9000 control head reset problem
Just thought I would add to this old post. Here it is almost the end of February of 2023. The 10 meter FM segment on 10 meters is very active this year. Hearing all sorts of skip coming in just about each day. Most is on the 29.6 simplex frequency, but have also been hearing some repeaters showing u...
- Mon Feb 27, 2023 10:19 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Comm-Tac 2 from Trend Microsystems - Radio InterOp Gateway
- Replies: 1
- Views: 11118
Re: Comm-Tac 2 from Trend Microsystems - Radio InterOp Gateway
I know this is an old post, but if your looking for a fine Interop Gateway, try looking at a company called Sytech Corp that is located in Alexandria, VA. Their gateways have some features that to my knowledge no other company has. Their gateway can use the Internet to be able to control the gateway...
- Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:53 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: IMPRES: Undefined LED status (blinking orange/green)
- Replies: 1
- Views: 3077
Re: IMPRES: Undefined LED status (blinking orange/green)
I would expect the batteries are dead and won't take a charge. What I try on dead batteries that do this is to use a variable voltage power supply and use a series of resistor that I made out of some large wire wound resistors to make a 2.5 ohm total of them in parallel. Then gradually raise the vol...
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 7:40 pm
- Forum: Computer/Technical Assistance
- Topic: Made it another year & computer is still working
- Replies: 1
- Views: 10834
Re: Made it another year & computer is still working
Just thought I would add to my post of some 5 years ago. Thought there might be at least one comment made. Tonight at the fire department training, a couple of us older members were talking about our radio system. It use to be just a VHF local repeater. Noe most of the radio traffic is done on the s...
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 6:53 pm
- Forum: Computer/Technical Assistance
- Topic: Xp home help with sound drivers and application
- Replies: 1
- Views: 6149
Re: Xp home help with sound drivers and application
I know this is a very old post, but my question is why did you not start with installing the computer's normal drivers after doing a new install of Windows XP? I still use XP for most of my computers and even some of the newer computers I have picked up from a computer store that took them in on eit...
- Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:31 am
- Forum: ASTRO25 Series (XTS/XTL 1500/2500/5000) Subscribers
- Topic: XTL2500 MPL Not transmitting...
- Replies: 1
- Views: 7396
Re: XTL2500 MPL Not transmitting...
I could be wrong with my age and memory getting bad, but some years back, Motorola made a change to the programming software that effected the MPL use on the XTL. I used the feature in my radios as I traveled frequently and ran into new repeaters that I couldn't key up. So I had set up the multi PL ...
- Fri May 27, 2022 1:24 pm
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Spectra A7 power issue
- Replies: 3
- Views: 8211
Re: Spectra A7 power issue
I know this is an old post, but you may have a radio with a sorted reverse polarity diode shorted. This diode was designed to protect the radio from being connected backwards to the DC source supply. They normally are a good sized diode on the board. If you have the service manual, it should be easy...
- Sun May 15, 2022 12:46 pm
- Forum: Radio Programming
- Topic: Need some help or direction
- Replies: 1
- Views: 4856
Re: Need some help or direction
I know this a real old post, but the first place I would try to look on is on Ebay.
Jim
Jim
- Sun May 15, 2022 11:30 am
- Forum: Radio Programming
- Topic: Motorola Spectra mobile programmer needed
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5782
Re: Motorola Spectra mobile programmer needed
I might elaborate a little. The Spectra radios require pure DOS to be programmed. Not a DOS BOX in Windows. You will also need a computer with an operating speed no more than about 900 MHz. There is a program called MOSLO that can help some computers and allow some faster computers to function in pr...
- Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:17 pm
- Forum: Radio Programming
- Topic: Motorola Spectra mobile programmer needed
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5782
Re: Motorola Spectra mobile programmer needed
I know this is a real old posting, but I have a couple of comments. Have you tried stopping by the computer repair stores in your area? Most of them will freely give you computers they are throwing out. So go on a hunt and make friends with the stores. I have picked up a pile of computers over the y...
- Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:19 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Spectra A discriminator help
- Replies: 4
- Views: 4640
Re: Spectra A discriminator help
Did you ever solve your audio problem?
- Sat Jan 15, 2022 6:48 pm
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Fans for Spectra D44 UHF radiofor low power repeater -
- Replies: 1
- Views: 3383
Re: Fans for Spectra D44 UHF radiofor low power repeater -
The transmitter heat sink needs to be cooled enough to hold your hand on it after say 5 or 10 minutes in transmitting. Warm is OK. But too hot to keep your hand on it is very bad. You need to know that these radios were never designed for 100 percent transmit time. All mobiles will have a time limit...
- Wed Oct 27, 2021 10:30 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Radius M1225 Software Issues
- Replies: 35
- Views: 26693
Re: Radius M1225 Software Issues
OK, don't yell at me, I know this is a really old topic. But I have found that dropping by the local computer stores, especially the older computer repair stores have been a treasure hunt for me over the years. I end up putting in a small hard drive and see if the computer will function after loadin...
- Fri Oct 01, 2021 11:13 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Spectra Mode Names Unavailable
- Replies: 4
- Views: 7138
Re: Spectra Mode Names Unavailable
One other note worthy of mentioning, I have pulled the MLM boards out of some 800 MHz. radios and used them on low band, VHF and UHF radios with good luck. Just remember, you need something working before you can copy it to work to work else where. The MLM bit banging can be a major task if you have...
- Fri Oct 01, 2021 10:49 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Spectra A discriminator help
- Replies: 4
- Views: 4640
Re: Spectra A discriminator help
The value of the DC blocking cap will partially depend on how your going to use the audio. In the past I have found using a 1.0 uf cap works for most applications. I tend to use a disc cap that is non polarized. They are easy to find and easy to use. If you don't put a cap in series with the audio, ...
- Mon Aug 16, 2021 11:10 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Spectra Mode Names Unavailable
- Replies: 4
- Views: 7138
Re: Spectra Mode Names Unavailable
Don't feel bad. This assumes that you originally set up the save directories in the computer. Many have been in the same boat before you. Select :F2 Read from radio. Select F3 then F7 to save the radio codeplug to to computer hard drive. This lets you cecoup any major goofs you might make along the ...
- Sun Aug 16, 2020 5:12 am
- Forum: Vehicle Warning Equipment Discussion
- Topic: 2015 Ford Explorer (Civilian) Wiring Diagram
- Replies: 7
- Views: 12547
Re: 2015 Ford Explorer (Civilian) Wiring Diagram
On the drivers side there are several large rubber grommets that have all sorts of space to drill a hole for your wires. Just make sure there are no wires on the engine sided that you may come in contact with while drilling the hole. I do this on all the radio installs for public safety that come my...
- Fri Jul 24, 2020 6:37 pm
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: RJ11 6 pin plug mic with RJ45 8/10 pin sockets
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8869
Re: RJ11 6 pin plug mic with RJ45 8/10 pin sockets
Just because you have a mic where the connector will fit into the radio you have, that doesn't mean you won't do damage to the radio and the mic. Best to obtain the correct mic that goes with the radio you have. In other words, get with the program and think this through before you regret what your ...
- Sat Jul 04, 2020 4:07 am
- Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
- Topic: IFR 1900 upside down display
- Replies: 10
- Views: 9176
Re: IFR 1900 upside down display
Careful using the pencil eraser on the contacts as you can take the plating off. Use a gentile pressure doing this. It doesn't take much at all to clean the contacts this way.
Jim
Jim
- Thu Jun 25, 2020 4:13 pm
- Forum: ASTRO25 Series (XTS/XTL 1500/2500/5000) Subscribers
- Topic: XTL2500 Scan List
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8091
Re: XTL2500 Scan List
Bear with me as my memory doesn't work as well as it use to. Been playing with radios since I was in High School back in 62. Graduated in 64. But my VHF XTL2500 and 5000 have like 50 zones in them. As such, there are 50 scan lists. To keep thing simple, my scan list matches the zone. So for say zone...
- Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:15 am
- Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
- Topic: IFR 1900 upside down display
- Replies: 10
- Views: 9176
Re: IFR 1900 upside down display
Sounds like a poor connection someplace. Have you tried to re-seat the connectors a number of times to attempt to remove any oxidation that may have developed on the contacts? This is a common problem in some of the ribbon cable connectors and some wire connectors with crimped on pins.
Jim
Jim
- Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:06 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Radius M1225 Software Issues
- Replies: 35
- Views: 26693
Re: Radius M1225 Software Issues
One other thought that just came to me is to use a small program called "CACHEOFF.EXE" before you try to run the M1225 software. This program can be found by doing a search on the internet. Download it and put it in the M1225 directory so you can find it. Then run it before starting the M1...
- Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:07 am
- Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
- Topic: IFR 1900 upside down display
- Replies: 10
- Views: 9176
Re: IFR 1900 upside down display
Have you tried turning the 1900 upside down to be able to read the display?
- Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:02 am
- Forum: ASTRO25 Series (XTS/XTL 1500/2500/5000) Subscribers
- Topic: XTL2500 Scan List
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8091
Re: XTL2500 Scan List
The XTL is a fine radio and is very flexible in the programming. One thing to keep in mind is that you can only have 15 channels (modes) in a scan list. I also like using the O5 control head. With that said, you can set up zones in the radio to go to a different group of channels. This then allows y...
- Sun Jun 21, 2020 4:58 pm
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Radius M1225 Software Issues
- Replies: 35
- Views: 26693
Re: Radius M1225 Software Issues
I could be wrong, but I suspect the software will only run in DOS. Been a long time since I have programmed those radios. You will also need a RIB (radio interface box) to translate the serial port of the computer to the signal levels the radio understands. A cable to go between the RIB and the comp...
- Wed Jun 03, 2020 2:29 pm
- Forum: Motorola Digital and Voice Paging
- Topic: Minitor VI Question
- Replies: 4
- Views: 11842
Re: Minitor VI Question
Couple of possibility issues. Contacts on the pager are dirty or the contacts are not lining up.
- Wed May 06, 2020 4:20 pm
- Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
- Topic: Record discriminator output on Quantar
- Replies: 6
- Views: 8414
Re: Record discriminator output on Quantar
I always use a 1.0 mfd capacitor, non polarized in series with the audio output you have selected on pin 50. This will take the DC bias voltage off of the line and your computer will work OK with it then.
- Mon Feb 17, 2020 6:53 am
- Forum: Radio Programming
- Topic: Radius M216 no working radmbl
- Replies: 4
- Views: 7770
Re: Radius M216 no working radmbl
Trying to use Dosbox is not always going to work on the fast modern computers. Most Dos software doesn't like working above 900 MHz. clock speed. You might try visiting the computer stores in your area and see if they have any really old computers collecting dust on one of their shelves. I go around...
- Wed Nov 27, 2019 11:13 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: maxtrac lowband pll
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7258
Re: maxtrac lowband pll
anyone have any info on the pll u101 as the low band pll is not the same as the rest 73 ve3fmt Just What is your question? There is a good deal of information on the Internet on the Maxtrac. But I will point out there are several low band models, depending on which band segment your trying to use. ...
- Mon Oct 21, 2019 3:32 pm
- Forum: ASTRO Series (Astro Saber, Spectra, XTS3000/3500) Subscribers
- Topic: Do I have the HLN6387 VOCON?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 5622
Re: Do I have the HLN6387 VOCON?
Have you tried to locate the part number on the VOCON board?
Jim
Jim
- Fri Oct 04, 2019 6:32 pm
- Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
- Topic: MTR2000 RF/audio feedback when remotes unkey
- Replies: 10
- Views: 10095
Re: MTR2000 RF/audio feedback when remotes unkey
Thank you both for input on the oddball issue. I took the MTR and duplexer up to the site today and proved everything out to be working as intended on a real base station antenna. It is indeed the feedline or antenna here at the house that was causing this weird issue. I have an offer from a friend...
- Mon Sep 16, 2019 5:23 am
- Forum: Motorola Digital and Voice Paging
- Topic: Minitor Battery Charging
- Replies: 2
- Views: 6147
Re: Minitor Battery Charging
As an update to this subject, you can buy new rechargeable AAA batteries for the pager by looking for replacement batteries for your wireless house phones. They are available from Amazon in a package of 4 for reasonable cost. Plus you get fast delivery.
Jim
Jim
- Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:39 pm
- Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
- Topic: Radio Shelter Relocation
- Replies: 7
- Views: 8620
Re: Radio Shelter Relocation
There have been some good comments already made about your planned shelter move. But you haven't provided any good reason to move the shelter. Just what are you expecting to gain by all the effort and expense involved with this move? Having worked in the cellular construction field for many years, I...
- Fri Aug 23, 2019 8:44 am
- Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
- Topic: 700 trunking antenna on a fiberglass boat roof
- Replies: 5
- Views: 7931
Re: 700 trunking antenna on a fiberglass boat roof
Sorry for the delay in posting a reply. There was a lightning strike that took out my Internet connection. Made it back to operational status.
Thanks for the confirmation of my plans.
Jim
Thanks for the confirmation of my plans.
Jim
- Mon Aug 19, 2019 2:53 pm
- Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
- Topic: 700 trunking antenna on a fiberglass boat roof
- Replies: 5
- Views: 7931
700 trunking antenna on a fiberglass boat roof
Looking for some information feedback on installing a standard mobile 700 trunking antenna on the roof of a boat? My thoughts are to use a thick NMO mount with a metal plate on the underside of the roof. Roof is about 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick.
Jim
Jim
- Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:47 am
- Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
- Topic: Fixed level audio output from MaxTrac 100
- Replies: 8
- Views: 11113
Re: Fixed level audio output from MaxTrac 100
You might have a look at pin 11 on the accessory connector. Most of Motorola radios have a fixed level RX audio output that doesn't vary with the volume control. But this radio is so old, I can't be sure. The other point to consider is that most of the audio pins on the Motorola radios have a DC bia...
- Thu Aug 08, 2019 7:09 am
- Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
- Topic: Adding ignition sense to non ignition sense capable radio ?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5888
Re: Adding ignition sense to non ignition sense capable radio ?
You can obtain relays from an auto store. Just don't use a horn relay. They are not made for continuous on service like your looking for. Then run the ignition on fed source to pull the relay coil on. Just remember to fuse the ignition feed wire going to the relay. Then fuse the 12 volt feed wire th...
- Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:23 am
- Forum: Motorola Digital and Voice Paging
- Topic: Minitor Battery Charging
- Replies: 2
- Views: 6147
Re: Minitor Battery Charging
If there is much radio voice activity on the pager in the monitor mode, then it probably won't charge. If in the pager mute mode, it may take 4 hours or more depending on the state of the battery charge. If the red charge indicator is flashing fast, pull the radio out of the charger for about 10 sec...
- Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:11 am
- Forum: MotoTRBO Portables and Mobiles (4xxx/6xxx) 1.0 Series Subscribers
- Topic: xpr-4550 remote mount invalid front accessory error
- Replies: 2
- Views: 6706
Re: xpr-4550 remote mount invalid front accessory error
With the programming cable connected to the radio and computer, try turning off the radio and then back on. I have seen a connection problem show up now and then and the power cycle of the radio generally gets the computer to talk to the radio.
Jim
Jim