Batboard

ptemplin

And don't use a breaker as an on-off switch, either. Unfortunately, breakers are almost always affected by use. Some tend to wear in a way that they trip on a lower than normal load (safe, but frustrating); others wear in a way that they trip on a higher than normal load (not safe).

As always, use ...

ptemplin

I'm no expert, but I would recommend against fusing the ground wire. If the ground fuse should blow for some reason around the same time that the 12VDC happens to short inside the radio, the case might become rather energized, which is a Bad Thing (tm).

If your vehicle's battery ground cable ...

ptemplin

I'm having some trouble programming an MCS2000 for trunking operation. Could someone please email me a codeplug that I can use for reference? Please send to [email protected].

Thanks for the help!

ptemplin

I look at it this way: they're already successfully decoding LTR, Motorola, and EDACS talkgroups, and performing lookups for the corresponding text tags. They're even doing selective scanning of certain talkgroups, rather than simply opening up to any traffic on the system.

And heck, I've done the ...

ptemplin

OK, not directly related to Motorola or any one brand in particular, but I figure the question begs to be asked: why don't we see MDC1200 decoding in today's scanners? With today's scanners sporting text tags, I'm sure it would become very popular as a way to attach names to MDC1200 ID numbers ...

ptemplin

Is the upgraded support for conventional modes also in the CDM 1550 LS?

ptemplin

I tried to get this programmed into my radio, but with no luck. When I hit Select, the display switches to "HL". Any idea what that means?

ptemplin

I also use the green NiMh batteries from Radio Shack, and normally see 56-64 hours of runtime with them. I try to run them out, but either I'm deaf or they go dead rather quickly.

However, I use the "fancy" $30 8-slot recharger from Radio Shack, NOT the Minitor III charging base. I keep three ...

ptemplin

And to answer one of the original questions, inserting the cable into the unit compresses a spring. Once all the way in, a solenoid holds the spring cocked and ready. Turning the key energizes the solenoid to retract, getting out of the way of the happy spring.

ptemplin

I agree with those sentiments about Auto-Ejects having trouble. It's no wonder that there are two of them on my department's rescue truck, no doubt that the first one had failed but someone felt it was easier to mount a new one.

Depending on the vehicle, it might make sense to include a "sensor" on ...

ptemplin

Keep in mind that the metal body of most vehicles provides not only a sharp edge to cut the wires but also a conductive surface to cause a short circuit. If anything, find a way to get some cable out of the body and remount a plug on the end. Run the cable to the side/end of the vehicle you'll be ...

ptemplin

Indoor Romex has two insulated conductors and a third grounding cable inside the outer sheath. For some reason, that's called 12/2 or 14/2, possibly because the grounding cable isn't the same gauge as the primary conductors.

For outdoor (flexible) use, SO/SJ/SJO cable gives each conductor its own ...

ptemplin

I had Certified Installation Services Group (I think they're at http://www.cisgusa.com or http://www.cisg-usa.com , but no promises) based outside of Dallas TX do my installation. I probably could get over the fear of drilling, but having someone else get paid to FINISH the job would provide a ...

ptemplin

It's http://www.kussmaul.com for the auto-eject stuff, and the various battery chargers.

If you're charging portables, flashlights, etc., I'd highly recommend going with one of the battery chargers that includes an appropriately-sized battery saver (or a separate unit). A "battery saver" is more ...

ptemplin

It's got 120 seconds of voice storage. You can split that up into certain combinations (four separate dispatches of 30 seconds, for example), but I don't what the choices are.

ptemplin

That one I can answer (only from reading it on the "Model Specific Information" pages on batlabs): reconnect those fuses, and it should be happy as a clam.

Or just buy an accessory connector (or even just one pin for an accessory connector) off Ebay. Splice the wire coming from the appropriate pin ...

ptemplin

The reason you don't find it fun is because you've spent too much time at the keg. Walk away from the keg, go to class, and start your business when you're done with school.

Six years out of school, people are still noticing that I've got an engineering degree, and it's helping out my job search ...

ptemplin

If I want my Maxtracs to be set for "ignition control" (so that my channel and last scan mode settings are preserved), do I only need to remove the appropriate fuse, or are there other things that I need to do to get the radios ready for this?

Thanks,

Pete

ptemplin

One of the local fire departments in my area has a bidirectional VHF repeater. Their entire area is far enough below a hill that the dispatch center can't hit them at all.

Any traffic on the dispatch frequency is repeated on the second (repeated) frequency, and vice versa. There's probably a ...

ptemplin

I appreciate your willingness to step forward and provide insights. Your original post and your followup replies suggest that you're quite knowledgeable, particularly from a marine application. My concerns are as follows:

1) You didn't appear to take the time originally to match your post to the ...

ptemplin

You'd be a lot more believable if your posts could agree with each other. In your first post, you spoke about the AH rating like this:

Thus, a 50AH battery, in perfect condition and assuming it to have been honestly rated, will put out 2.5A for 20 hours, at which point its terminal voltage will be ...

ptemplin

RKG, I appreciate your insights, and I've definitely learned something. However, if you check my first reply to this, you'll see that I specifically pointed out that the isolator that I plan to use does not contain diodes.

In your post, you say that an alternator and regulator is not a good ...

ptemplin

As I continue to improve my communications setup, I'm looking for ways to stick with a single radio series for as much of my communication needs as possible. I tried to standardize on Motorola's Maxtrac series, but I may need to upgrade to an MCS 2000 to accommodate one of the systems in my area ...

ptemplin

Contact Troy and ask for a catalog - it'll have list prices in there. Your local distributor will have varying levels of discount I'm sure.

My little 10" console was around $200. My current setup was about $750 plus shipping, but that included lots of extras (Excursion/SuperDuty floor mount, two ...

ptemplin

The Whelen Xecutor may be cool, but that Q grill on the front of my Excursion should end up turning a bunch of heads.

ptemplin

You can get that unit made by whelen for the airhorn/PA only, which would run you around $130, or just snag any old siren, and only use the PA/Airhorn function. If your REALLY freaked out about it, unsolder/cut the wires going to the siren tones, so it couldnt work if you tried. A cheaper ...

ptemplin

I've had excellent luck with Maxrad antennas. Great selection (at least in my opinion) to allow me to pick the amount of gain desired and pay for it appropriately. They've got some really neat "low profile" antennas that are less than 3" tall, but offer 2.4dB gain in the 800MHz and up bands. I've ...

ptemplin

It's not necessarily a repeater antenna, but check out the Maxrad Low-Profile Vertical antennas at http://www.maxrad.com . I have the dual-band 800/1900MHz unit for my cell phone. It's neat when radio junkies all ask if one of my antennas lost its transmitting element and I tell them no. Mine is ...

ptemplin

You can program a scan list on the fly from the front panel. Just hold down the Scan button for two seconds. Then, go through your channel list and press select for each channel that you want in the scan list. A ' will appear to the left of the channel number.

While you're doing this, you can also ...

ptemplin

OK, so the StarTAC is being torpedoed. That sucks. What choices are available (Motorola, preferably, but information on any brand is good) for phones that have "full" car kits (i.e. full-duplex hands-free, provision to charge the batteries and connect an external antenna, optional handset would be ...

ptemplin

I appreciate everyone's insights into this. I'm envisioning two (mostly) separate systems:

1) The "regular" vehicle electrical system, for starting, lighting, and ignition. My existing communications will remain connected to the vehicle system, as it's all connected to key-on circuits and won't ...

ptemplin

The consoles are from Troy. It's the CC-MC-14 (7" sloped plus 7" level) plus the 18" adjustable. It's using the Excursion/Super Duty "custom" floor mount, which works fairly well. It uses the stock holes and screws (which is great), but goes too far forward (it extends forward of the CC-MC-14) and ...

ptemplin

I wanted to clarify some details on my previous post:

1) My Excursion is diesel, so I already have (and need) two batteries to be able to effectively start it.

2) I want the fridge to be able to run on its own, without affecting the startability of the vehicle, in open parking lots. Hence my ...

ptemplin

Yes, the Vision bar is mounted relatively far back, but it does help fix rear visibility. Also, my chief doesn't like lightbars (I thought I'd try this one), so I knew I had to make it somewhat removable. The feet rest on the roof rack rails, and the hooks hook into the roof rack rails. Since it's ...

ptemplin

I've just sent an email with my tidbits from my 2001 Excursion. Let's see what else we can assemble.

ptemplin

Well, I've got six antennas on the roof of my 2001 Excursion, and I've even contemplated going to ten. Here's the inventory (all Maxrad):

VHF-lo for CB
VHF-hi for FD
UHF (3dB) for PD
800 (5dB) for EMS
800/1900 (2.4dB, about 3" tall!) for cell
Scanner for everything else

I'm considering a second ...

ptemplin

I'm looking at a similar project to power the 12V fridge in the back of my Excursion. I'm planning to do the following:

One or more Optima blue top batteries to power the fridge.

Kussmaul Battery Saver HO. This provides up to 10A on each of two completely separate circuits if 120V is supplied to ...

Search found 37 matches

MCS2000 800MHz trunking codeplug wanted

[OT] MDC scanners

Maxtrac power question

Oh boy, the expert showed up.

MCS2000 800MHz capabilities

Troy Consoles

Maxtrac scan lists

Vehicle kits.

Thanks for the tips!

Consoles in Excursion

Excursion followup

New info headed your way

Insights from 2001 Excursion

Battery systems