Search found 53 matches

by VE3HKB
Thu Jul 04, 2019 9:39 pm
Forum: APX Series Subscribers
Topic: APX 4500 & J2 rear connector
Replies: 7
Views: 9103

Re: APX 4500 & J2 rear connector

I know this sounds silly, but having read the installation manuals I am still confused. For a dash mount APX,with an O2 control head, that is programmed to use the front red emergency button, having the accessory cable plugged into the rear accessory / J2 connector is necessary, both for ignition se...
by VE3HKB
Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:16 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Software interface for GD R2670 service monitor (Motorola R2
Replies: 3
Views: 6750

Re: Software interface for GD R2670 service monitor (Motorola R2

I'm not sure if it will help, but seek out a Motorola manual, P/N 6880309E55.
This was the programming manual for the R2600-series.
I used to have a copy, but it's been over 10 years since I've laid eyes on it.
by VE3HKB
Sun May 14, 2017 7:33 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Battery Maintenance System (plus) WPLN4081BR
Replies: 5
Views: 3956

Re: Battery Maintenance System (plus) WPLN4081BR

The firmware upgrade would be only half of the solution. Personally, I think that ship sailed a long time ago as the last upgrade instructions date from 2000). I have a vague memory of either myself or another tech having contacted ITECH, as we both acquired BMS units around that time. If any easy s...
by VE3HKB
Wed May 10, 2017 7:46 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Battery Maintenance System (plus) WPLN4081BR
Replies: 5
Views: 3956

Re: Battery Maintenance System (plus) WPLN4081BR

As far as I know, the 3-slot BMS unit never supported Li-Ion batteries, only Ni-Cad and NiMH. The original version by I-TECH was Ni-Cad only, and a field upgrade to add NiMH was offered. The 6-slot BMS plus (P/N ending in AR) was Ni-Cad and NiMH. The B-version (P/N ending in BR) supported Li-Ion, an...
by VE3HKB
Sun Jan 01, 2017 8:59 am
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: MICRPHONE FOR R2008 SERVICE MONITOR?
Replies: 3
Views: 3624

Re: MICRPHONE FOR R2008 SERVICE MONITOR?

Yes, it can be done. You need only attach the Motrac-style connector onto the end of the mic cable. My R2001A uses an HMN1056A mic (Compact palm microphone, Maxtrac/Radius era). You should confirm the signals/wire color on your mic. At the 4-pin connector (numbers are stamped in the plastic beside t...
by VE3HKB
Fri Nov 11, 2016 3:30 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Motorola Handie Talkie Help!
Replies: 16
Views: 7630

Re: Motorola Handie Talkie Help!

Something's missing in all of this - forgive me for asking the following three questions: Why were these RF link units taken out of service? What is the fire station (and other buildings) currently using to access the repeater? If these units were at the various buildings and were operated by tone r...
by VE3HKB
Sat Sep 03, 2016 1:52 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: MACOM Opensky M803 'Crossband' to CDM
Replies: 1
Views: 2187

Re: MACOM Opensky M803 'Crossband' to CDM

For help on Harris product, you may have better luck on radioinfoboard.com, as they have a specific forum. For the M803 I/O pinouts you would need the maintenance manual, Harris P/N MM20107. By itself the manual would not be helpful. Usually the I/O on the newer Harris radios is programmable and not...
by VE3HKB
Thu Aug 25, 2016 5:53 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Motorola R2670A Hardware Questions
Replies: 8
Views: 9378

Re: Motorola R2670A Hardware Questions

I've never owned an R2670 - I had ordered the CD in my previous life where I used an R2660. I think the files are small enough I could probably email the contents, but burning a copy is also possible. I have not tried any of the files, so I can't vouch for much. The last time I played around with R2...
by VE3HKB
Tue Aug 23, 2016 9:18 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Motorola R2670A Hardware Questions
Replies: 8
Views: 9378

Re: Motorola R2670A Hardware Questions

3 -I don't see ADP or AES listed in the original product description DES, DVP. 5 - maybe. A long time ago, 2002 to be precise, Motorola offered a Toolkit CD for the R26xx series. It included a flashtool for firmware upgrades. The CD I have is listed as Version 1.01, and is labelled "Includes: T...
by VE3HKB
Tue Aug 16, 2016 2:04 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: Hot 12volt power point
Replies: 6
Views: 8715

Re: Hot 12volt power point

Or arcing at a bad (internal) crimp. Is the outlet in the dash (plastic) or in a console (Havis, etc.)?
by VE3HKB
Sat Aug 13, 2016 2:56 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: Remote Mount kits for MaxTrac 300
Replies: 4
Views: 8077

Re: Remote Mount kits for MaxTrac 300

Motorola offered a remote mount kit for the Radius GM300, but not for the Maxtrac 300. An aftermarket kit, called a QuickMount was available for some time from IDA for the Maxtrac. It is long discontinued, although you may still find some around. I can't provide any details on the latter, but the GM...
by VE3HKB
Thu Jul 21, 2016 3:02 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: External PTT options for CDM or CM series
Replies: 4
Views: 2525

Re: External PTT options for CDM or CM series

Are you using a repeater controller of any type between your receiver(s) and transmitter?
Out of curiosity, how many receivers are you voting and how far apart are they located?
by VE3HKB
Thu May 12, 2016 6:52 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: 0185417U05 (PD526-4-2) duplexer tuning issue
Replies: 7
Views: 3467

Re: 0185417U05 (PD526-4-2) duplexer tuning issue

You may wish to wait for the tech to return and have a talk with him. Was he able to tune the bandpass despite the stripped thread? Usually the workorder would indicate if retuning was successful, and what the final loss and isolation figures were. http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/mtr2k/pdf/...
by VE3HKB
Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:30 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: General Dynamics R2590 Service Monitor (Service/Support info)
Replies: 5
Views: 3729

Re: General Dynamics R2590 Service Monitor (Service/Support info)

I still use an R2590 on a daily basis and agree it does have its quirks. However, I can't say that it was orphaned - mine was serviced by GD in Texas just a few years ago. It's my understanding that support for the R2590 officially ended before GD sold the division to Freedom. Calibration services a...
by VE3HKB
Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:43 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: R2600 service manual????
Replies: 26
Views: 22375

Re: R2600 service manual????

Danie: When you say demodulator, does it look like it is receiving (something), but no volume, no squelch, no modulation display? A beep is heard on power-up so the speaker and audio amp are working. IF so, there were two previous topics from 2012 and 2014 that may be of help - "2600 help neede...
by VE3HKB
Sun Jul 19, 2015 11:43 am
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: MAXRAD MOdel# MAT-MWB cutting chart?
Replies: 5
Views: 9331

Re: MAXRAD MOdel# MAT-MWB cutting chart?

Well, some information. PCTEL has confirmed that the MATQW and the MATMWB are the same item, a simple non-loaded (no internal coil) base. It is used on about 50 different antenna variants, so it's hard to say what every possible version was. The catalogs list the bases and whips as replacement parts...
by VE3HKB
Thu Jul 16, 2015 7:19 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: MAXRAD MOdel# MAT-MWB cutting chart?
Replies: 5
Views: 9331

Re: MAXRAD MOdel# MAT-MWB cutting chart?

Hmm. I have an identical PCTEL antenna, but the coil is labelled MATQW. Pretty sure that was a quarter wave antenna without the spring. I believe this was from an earlier manufacturer's design, SINCLABS, as the whip could attach to the coil directly, or with an optional shock spring. The spring (not...
by VE3HKB
Fri Jul 10, 2015 5:18 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: MAXRAD MOdel# MAT-MWB cutting chart?
Replies: 5
Views: 9331

Re: MAXRAD MOdel# MAT-MWB cutting chart?

To the best of my knowledge (and an old PCTEL catalog), the MAT-MWB is simply the base for the MWB1320 antenna. http://scm.pctel.com/jetspeed/fileserver/_content/PCTEL_07_Catalog.pdf (see pages 29 & 106). I couldn't see the cutting chart on the PCTEL website, but a quick search found this: http:...
by VE3HKB
Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:58 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Analog interface to a T1
Replies: 22
Views: 5649

Re: Analog interface to a T1

Another opinion - if you want this to be reliable and easy to support, strongly consider a proper mux (channel bank, etc.). One that I've used a lot is the Harris Intraplex. RAD isn't bad, but the support can be difficult. Bayly is out of business. For the Intraplex, you simply add cards for the sig...
by VE3HKB
Sat Dec 27, 2014 10:09 am
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Motorola R2590
Replies: 5
Views: 2666

Re: Motorola R2590

Not bad for a basic unit.
I find that (on my bench unit at least) the output amp is poorly shielded. You might have a calibrated low-level signal at the output connector, but full strength signal spraying out of the box.
by VE3HKB
Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:26 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: R2600 going straight to CAL mode.
Replies: 5
Views: 2524

Re: R2600 going straight to CAL mode.

Hey - it's an easy fix.
Locate the battery on the Processor Card. Its at the top of the card near the back.
It's a 3.6V NiCad battery. Exact size/shape is preferred, but it isn't really critical as it's only backup.
by VE3HKB
Mon Nov 10, 2014 4:19 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Dulplexer question
Replies: 66
Views: 16208

Re: Dulplexer question

Oops. 34W = 45.31dBm, not 15.31 (should have read dBW). Similarly 2.5W = 33.98dBm, not 3.98 (dBW). Keep forgetting dBm is referenced to milliwatts, not watts, a 30dB difference.
Formulas work out the same.
by VE3HKB
Mon Nov 10, 2014 3:34 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Dulplexer question
Replies: 66
Views: 16208

Re: Dulplexer question

I don't know why the previous calculation is wrong, but it is wrong. Most wattmeters have a VSWR table on the back, and if not, in the manual. The nomographs in the Telewave 44A and Bird 43 manuals (two of the most common) both show a VSWR of about 1.75:1 for 34W/2.5W. This converts to a RL of about...
by VE3HKB
Wed Nov 05, 2014 2:30 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Dulplexer question
Replies: 66
Views: 16208

Re: Dulplexer question

Ditto - you should at least throw a watt meter on the cable and compare forward and reflected at both ends. Take measurements at the PA output, the duplexer output and antenna. If you know how each portion should behave, you should be able to confirm what's good and what isn't. Insertion loss of eac...
by VE3HKB
Fri Oct 31, 2014 1:17 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: GPS/UHF Motorola Combo Antenna Mount
Replies: 2
Views: 6842

Re: GPS/UHF Motorola Combo Antenna Mount

Yes it is missing the center pin / contact, but it shouldn't look exactly like the second photo (typical NMO). Your first photo appears to have a gold female contact at the bottom of the recess. A few manufacturers are making mounts for higher frequencies (up to 6GHz) that instead of a simple round ...
by VE3HKB
Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:58 pm
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: Indoor VHF BDA Antenna needed with 18 MHz BW, low end at 138
Replies: 15
Views: 4581

Re: Indoor VHF BDA Antenna needed with 18 MHz BW, low end at

Finding a wideband VHF fire-rated antenna may be difficult, but not impossible (think mining). There may be a much simpler solution for you - leaky coax. Already made in fire and plenum rated versions, in a number of frequency ranges. While more expensive than similar non-radiating cables, once you ...
by VE3HKB
Mon Aug 25, 2014 3:46 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: 2015 Explorer VHF antenna
Replies: 9
Views: 11519

Re: 2015 Explorer VHF antenna

Fender mount (L-bracket) will likely be your best option. You can use a 1/4 wave, or gain antenna if required. Glass-mount will work, but there will be some loss in coupling, and you will have to deal with a 1/2 wavelength whip on the outside. Not recommended for high power radios or where a wide ba...
by VE3HKB
Wed Jul 30, 2014 4:33 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: UHF Laird Phanton elite shark fin antenna bad tune
Replies: 6
Views: 4612

Re: UHF Laird Phanton elite shark fin antenna bad tune

Is there any chance that they are the wrong band for the your frequency?
If you have more than one transmit frequency is there any difference in the reflected power?
Howard
by VE3HKB
Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:23 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: motorola 2600b
Replies: 2
Views: 1798

Re: motorola 2600b

Capacitor cancer is quite common in the 2600s. There are two 33uF 25V caps on the receiver board that are known to leak. If not caught in time, the electrolyte can destroy PCB traces, making repair very difficult, if not impossible.
Howard
by VE3HKB
Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:35 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: Extended Gutter Mount
Replies: 4
Views: 3460

Re: Extended Gutter Mount

Jake:

WestCrystal makes a number of vehicle-specific fender mounts, but Honda isn't listed on their website:

http://westcrystal.com/

You could check with them to see if they have something new that might fit.

Howard
by VE3HKB
Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:43 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: Extended Gutter Mount
Replies: 4
Views: 3460

Re: Extended Gutter Mount

Are you looking for a rain gutter mount (roof) or a fender mount (hood)?
For what vehicle are you looking?

Howard
by VE3HKB
Sun Jun 15, 2014 7:33 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: Motorola i500 junction box?
Replies: 2
Views: 3123

Re: Motorola i500 junction box?

It sounds like you plugged a CAT5 cable into the mic jack of the FLN2799 and the mic jack of the CM200. Without the schematic for the FLN2799, it would only be an educated guess that you grounded the CM200 PTT input. The FLN2799 audio box is pretty much useless without the matching FLN2798 cradle an...
by VE3HKB
Wed Jun 04, 2014 8:09 pm
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: RG142 vs RG400 vs RG223
Replies: 7
Views: 6350

Re: RG142 vs RG400 vs RG223

I never said it would be cheap. Start pricing quality assembly tools. Pin depth gauges.
Or precision, low RL, phase stable cables for sweep gear. $14/foot will look like a bargain.
You can pay any amount for cables and connectors - it all depends on what your needs and budget are.
by VE3HKB
Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:29 pm
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: RG142 vs RG400 vs RG223
Replies: 7
Views: 6350

Re: RG142 vs RG400 vs RG223

For transmit jumpers you can also use RG393. It's the size of RG8, but made with Teflon like RG142 and RG400. For test leads, RG400 will be slightly more flexible than RG142. Both have about the same loss, but still less than RG223 (polyethylene dielectric/PVC jacket). Double shielded cables are sti...
by VE3HKB
Mon Apr 14, 2014 3:42 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Motorola General Dynamics R2590 Manuals ?
Replies: 7
Views: 2785

Re: Motorola General Dynamics R2590 Manuals ?

There is a R2590-specific Resource CD. I'm going from memory here, but it has some utilities and a R2590 simulator program. Some brochures but no manuals on the CD. I can check to exact contents tomorrow.
by VE3HKB
Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:54 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Motorola General Dynamics R2590 Manuals ?
Replies: 7
Views: 2785

Re: Motorola General Dynamics R2590 Manuals ?

I checked my bench unit today: Boot Loader Version 0.29 Main Application Version 16.105 Logo Graphic Version 0.32 When my unit was down at General Dynamics about 18 months ago for repair I enquired and was told that mine had the most recent firmware. As far as the manual goes, mine is P/N 68-P50636F...
by VE3HKB
Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:50 am
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Squelch on MOTOROLA R 2600
Replies: 3
Views: 2045

Re: Squelch on MOTOROLA R 2600

If you hear a beep when the unit first starts up, then the audio amp and speaker are working. If the unit does not appear to receive, and the modulation display and squelch LED don't respond as you turn the squelch CCW, then it is likely you have a receive problem. One way to confirm this to to sele...
by VE3HKB
Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:47 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Motorola General Dynamics R2590 Manuals ?
Replies: 7
Views: 2785

Re: Motorola General Dynamics R2590 Manuals ?

I think that there's only the one manual (I've got one on the bench). I can check the resource disk on Monday to see what's there. I don't think there's much difference between the production manual and the ones found online, but I'll try to compare. As far as firmware goes, I think there was just t...
by VE3HKB
Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:38 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Squelch on MOTOROLA R 2600
Replies: 3
Views: 2045

Re: Squelch on MOTOROLA R 2600

I can't say with certainty as there are many things that can cause this behaviour, but first thing is to check to see if the unit is actually receiving. If the unit appears to be receiving OK, but no audio, including the startup beep, then look at speaker, audio amp etc. However, if the unit appears...
by VE3HKB
Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:05 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: GE Orion Install
Replies: 5
Views: 4705

Re: GE Orion Install

The Orion and the newer M7100s are actually pretty nice radios and fairly easy to install. The control head is a bit bigger than the typical M equivalent, and if you have the System model you can program buttons for many options. My work radio is a remote mount M7100 (same control head), with all of...
by VE3HKB
Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:10 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: r750/r750+ Programming Cable Help
Replies: 3
Views: 3209

Re: r750/r750+ Programming Cable Help

Jamie: While it is possible to build such a cable (you'd need to find a connector with all pins intact), it's probable easier and cheaper to just buy one. You'd then have to replicate USB to serial and serial to TTL level circuitry. The NKN6522 had the serial converter in the lump in the middle of t...
by VE3HKB
Thu Aug 22, 2013 1:16 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Counterfeit Motorola mic & power cord
Replies: 10
Views: 3934

Re: Counterfeit Motorola mic & power cord

Not aluminum, but tinned copper.
Howard
by VE3HKB
Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:15 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Motorola BMS / IQ5 Dipswitch Settings????
Replies: 11
Views: 4009

Re: Motorola BMS / IQ5 Dipswitch Settings????

Just thinking out loud - do you think it would be appropriate for a moderator to move this thread to the Test Equipment discussion?

Howard
by VE3HKB
Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:11 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Motorola BMS / IQ5 Dipswitch Settings????
Replies: 11
Views: 4009

Re: Motorola BMS / IQ5 Dipswitch Settings????

Al: I dug out my original handwritten notes where I had noted the wire colors, switch connections, even the position of the stop pins in the encoder. I had even checked the continuity of each position with a meter. The truth table seemed to follow a logical order, so I never questioned it, and the u...
by VE3HKB
Sat Jul 27, 2013 12:10 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Motorola BMS / IQ5 Dipswitch Settings????
Replies: 11
Views: 4009

Re: Motorola BMS / IQ5 Dipswitch Settings????

Motorola originally sourced the BMS units (3 and 6-station) as well as the adapters from a company called HME, now iTECH. They still list the adapters on their website (http://www.itecheng.com), so you should try their tech support first. There were two universal adapters: Motorola P/N iTECH P/N Des...
by VE3HKB
Wed Jun 19, 2013 9:44 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: 2002 Crown Victoria SWR issues
Replies: 23
Views: 9358

Re: 2002 Crown Victoria SWR issues

There's something about this that isn't adding up. SWR usually doesn't change during transmit unless there's water in the cable, or the mount is badly corroded. Pushing 110W into a badly tuned antenna can do all sorts of weird things to coils and cables from heating and/or arcing. I think it may be ...
by VE3HKB
Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:21 pm
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: Help Identify This Tool - Antenna Wrench
Replies: 12
Views: 7804

Re: Help Identify This Tool - Antenna Wrench

I don't remember this tool ever being offered for sale. Every one I ever saw was usually a trade show give-away, often bundled with related samples. I had to dig, but I found an unopened packaged with this item, as well as an almost unused one at the bottom of my toolbox. Why unused despite years of...
by VE3HKB
Fri Feb 22, 2013 5:50 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: Motorola R2600A versus HP8924C
Replies: 25
Views: 11662

Re: Motorola R2600A versus HP8924C

Another 2cents on this topic: Keep in mind that a 2600A is going to be around 20 years old. There are many still in service, but most parts are no longer available, especially the CRT. A few board members have experienced age-related failures (capacitor cancer) in early model 2600s, that if not repa...
by VE3HKB
Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:21 pm
Forum: Test Equipment & RF Equipment Alignment
Topic: R2600 help needed
Replies: 6
Views: 3101

Re: R2600 help needed

I recently experienced the same symptoms, but didn't have a spare receiver board to swap out. Figuring I didn't have much to lose, I decided to pull the A10 board and do some investigating. (Important tip: mark all of the cables before disconnecting them) On the unit I had, the problem was caused by...
by VE3HKB
Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:46 pm
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: Quantar Backplane
Replies: 13
Views: 1931

Re: Quantar Backplane

Is it possible to replace a Quantar backplane with a Quantro backplane?
I'm not an expert in this, but they look very similar - what's the difference in functionality between the two?

Howard

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