Batboard

fogster

Huh, I think I found it. "PTT ID" has to be checked under the "Signaling" tab of the personality. The help text suggests this is used to toggle transmitting a PTT ID, but enabling it caused DOS muting to start working. Now, to really aggravate hams on the local 70cm machine... ;)

fogster

These days I'm largely a fan of the Kenwood NX5000 series, but they're very bad at muting MDC1200. I have both an XTL5000 and an XTL1500 I'm tinkering with. I'm seeing similar weirdness on both. I've got a bunch of XTS portables I'm familiar with that have served me well, but the XTLs have me scratc...

fogster

That suit is... wordy. But this is an interesting bit: 164. Mr. Bryant had an expectation of privacy about this matter especially due to his status as a former confidential informant and as a former federal agent. This would seem to contradict what's on Brian's site. Isn't truth an affirmative defen...

fogster

Hey all, it's been a few years! I recently picked up a ragtag lot of HT1250s. I haven't really worked with these much before. I discovered, when CPS refused to write to some, that they're a blend of R02.x.y and R05.x.y firmware versions. Except for needing to build up separate codeplugs, I can't tel...

fogster

The other day I wrote: It appears disappointing at first glance. I'm seeing a 2.8:1 SWR at 147 MHz, with pretty much all the useful VHF spectrum being above 2:1. ... That said, this is currently with a marginal ground plane. (Using an ammo carton.) Other antennas have worked just fine in this config...

fogster

The APX radios internally include matching circuits for the antenna mounted on the radio frame. Motorola's portable radios have been designed that way since back in the days of the HT100 and HT200 Handie-Talkie portables. Ooh, nifty. I had no idea they included a matching circuit (neither HTs nor t...

fogster

Karl NVW wrote:Your MFJ analyzer assumes that the antenna is designed to look always like a 50 ohm resistor on all operating frequencies. That assumption is invalid.

If you'll indulge my possible ignorance--what should it be expecting if not a 50 Ohm load? Is a radio not going to see the same thing?

fogster

I can confirm the Motorola offering is in fact the PCTEL antenna. I can't speak to real life performance, I don't have any experience with them yet. Thanks! To answer my own question about performance... It appears disappointing at first glance. I'm seeing a 2.8:1 SWR at 147 MHz, with pretty much a...

fogster

Hi. I am very interested in something like the SL 300 or SL 3500 E but I need whatever I choose to be capable of capacity plus. From what I have found the SL 300 has a capacity plus version model number AAH88QCP9JG2AN and not capacity plus model number AAH88QCP9JA2AN. That information matches my re...

fogster

Hi folks, I've noticed that there are a bunch of "all-band" unity-gain antennas out there. Motorola has the AN000131A01, retailing for about $200, covering 136-174, 380-520, and 698-960 MHz, 22" tall. PCTEL has an identical-looking PCTWSLMR, retailing for about $100, 22" tall, co...

fogster

The bit that initially got me thinking this could be viable is that you're just ferrying bits/frames/whatever back and forth. You don't need to be able to interpret the data, just replicate it on the other side. It could be encrypted for all I care; it's just being moved between the radio and head v...

fogster

Yes, a single repeater Capacity Plus system is viable. Most of ours are single repeater. Just as you suggested. a single repeater Capacity Plus is somewhat similar to a 2 channel LTR site. It supports 2 simultaneous voice conversations. No dedicated control channel. Thanks! I suspected that was the...

fogster

I've just started to get interested in DMR and MotoTRBO. I'm trying to make sense of Capacity Plus. I've come to think of it as vaguely like LTR, with the 'rest channel' with periodic data bursts. (I understand it's not actually the same as LTR; it's just the best analogy I've found.) I'm having a h...

fogster

I was going to do this over local Gigabit Ethernet, so bandwidth won't be a problem. :) What I'm really wondering is whether the software has native support for tone consoles, though. I.e., can it sense the tones and know what to do with them? Ideally I'd have a Raspberry Pi on a radio and a Raspber...

fogster

I've had an old CommandPlus (rebadged Gaitronics) dispatch console kicking around for probably a couple years now. I'm also a Linux nerd and run a small Asterisk phone system. Does anyone know if app_rpt natively supports the funky tones used on tone remote consoles? There are the keyup/etc. tones, ...

fogster

I am not trying to hijack this thread, but only answer your question and give you a heads up on what to expect and why. Not a hijack at all; I really appreciate this information. Tinkering with this stuff a bit ago also got me looking, and it appears that there are some VHF frequencies still open i...

fogster

Oh, that's a good point. I'd toyed with trying to resell access, either as a community repeater or a single-frequency LTR system, though I'm not sure how successful it would be. That intent might be adequate. (My sole proprietorship web hosting company probably doesn't need a repeater. ;)) I do have...

fogster

Howdy, I've had an R1225 kicking around the house for about a year now. I picked it up in a lot of used gear I bought a while back. I've tested it out on GMRS, but I find that I'm interested in trying to license a Part 90 frequency pair and set it up as a community repeater. (More just for the learn...

fogster

So I've been tinkering with an R1225 repeater, and looked to set up QCII knockdown. First, to make sure I'm not just stupid: my understanding is that with "QCII Repeater Knockdown" checked, the repeater, upon receiving the specified QCII tones, will go into receive-only mode until I re-ena...

fogster

I've actually just bought a used R1225; hasn't even arrived yet, but I was reading documentation online. One thing I didn't realize is that it's not rated for 100% duty cycle at full power. The high-power model will only do 100% at 25W. No idea what your usage is like, but is it possible you're just...

fogster

The idea is to have the control head working as well. If I'm connecting a radio to a control head, I think I don't actually need to understand SB9600, right? I just need the computer on either end to emulate a serial cable, shuttling bits back and forth between the control head and the radio. All I'...

fogster

Has anyone tried to run a remote head and microphone for an XTL5000 or ASTRO Spectra over Ethernet? I'm still at the handwavey details stage, but I think it's possible. My idea is to have something like a Raspberry Pi on either end. TX/RX audio is easy enough with VoIP. (I need to play with Asterisk...

fogster

A couple resources to guide you in your search as you come across more radios: P25 support is determined by the Flashcode, listed on the back as "Mfg. Code." (Strictly speaking, that's what it left the factory with and it could have been upgraded later on.) A quick rule of thumb is that if...

fogster

Holy smokes this is an old thread you've revived.

I haven't taken one of these apart in years, but yes, it's the round white 'screw' inside a silver square box right under the front of the LCD, to the right of some orange chips. A small screwdriver works well.

fogster

It's kind of a stretch for a non-trunked radio, but another possibility is that it somehow got inhibited over the air. Did you try to read it with CPS? I honestly doubt that's the case, but might be a quick thing to rule out before you start taking it apart.

fogster

There's no way I can do better than kb4mdz, but I know sometimes I benefit from seeing the same thing explained a few different ways, so I'll offer my own answer. In its simplest form, MDC1200 is usually a PTT ID, where it just transmits a 4-digit numeric code when someone keys up in an annoying dat...

fogster

I'm surprised I couldn't find this on Google or via search here. Maybe I'm nuts, or maybe the answer is obvious to everyone else. I am interested in using ordinary headphones to use with my XTS2500. (For receive-only.) It looks like there is an adapter for this, the BDN6676D, which exposes a 3.5mm j...

fogster

Thanks, Steve! Very helpful info! Funny that you mention Radio ID; that's exactly what I've got on my phone. I installed it to try to decode some GE-Star traffic, but found it very helpful with tones as well. Wanted to confirm that it was more accurate than what I was seeing people post online, whic...

fogster

Speaking as someone that's never programmed a Minitor... I've noticed some scanner-oriented sites listing "Fire Toneouts," but they rarely map up with the exact tones I see in the QCII tone tables. For example, one site lists my local fire department as using 898.2, 734.7 for tones. Neithe...

fogster

I recently picked up an old Motorola-branded CommandPLUS console. Poking around, it seems like it's set up for 4-wire tone control. I did some digging here and on Google, but I'm still not totally clear on what the deal is with programming, regarding CARD Suite with Motorola-branded consoles. What I...

fogster

Howdy, I apologize in advance for what's probably a dumb question, but I can't find anything resembling a guide on this. (If I'm missing one, pointers are welcome!) I've picked up an XTS4000, and it's the first FPP-equipped radio that I've owned. However, I don't have Astro CPS nor the appropriate c...

fogster

Anyone know if a specific firmware version is required in order for a WPLN4111AR to charge an XTS4000? (With the PMLN5429A adapter, of course.)

I can't find this information online anywhere. If this information exists in a table somewhere, please clue me in.

fogster

I've been toying with picking up a Panter XTS2500. I'd only be transmitting on 70cm, but would want local public safety receive up to about 485 MHz. It seems that an S-split (450-512 MHz) rig can very easily be coaxed down to 440 MHz with hex-edited CPS, but is it possible via FPP? Also, is CPS stil...

fogster

I've been on the fence about the Panter XTS2500i's. I'm specifically eying a Model 3 with FPP, 123ABC1234 (aren't they all...), and R12.00.00 host/DSP. My ASTRO CPS is way old (10-series), but I'm new to the XTS2500 line, so I wonder what it takes to program one of these. I seem to recall someone sa...

fogster

Just found the Comet B-10, 12" tall. Unity gain on VHF/UHF, but that actually seems kind of impressive for a 12" antenna. The specs say my car is 66", so I'd be really close... Anyone have experience with this model?

fogster

Tessco has the Sti-co VHF/UHF glass-mount antenna (looks like a cell antenna) for the low price of $290. Is "For use with two separate radios only" code for, "Duplexer not included," or is there some reason you can't use a duplexer in front of it?

fogster

Just do like tvsjr - park outside. The extra distance you have to walk is good for you anyway. :lol: It's Boston. If I had the money to get an outdoor spot anywhere near my office, I wouldn't need to work, so it'd be a moot point. 8) What about one (or two) of those super flexible, tie them in a kn...

fogster

If you are looking for glass mounts that are good, STI-CO's work great, they are just $$$$$. We use the VHF's and DUAL Bands and have never had an issue. I just found a place that lists their price, and all I can say is... Well, I shouldn't say it in polite company. ;) $475 for an antenna? (This is...

fogster

I have a Comet SB-14 (6/2/70cm) antenna on my car and it works well on 6 & 70cm but only so-so on 2m. How does it perform out of band? (I'm interested in receive-only in the 155-160 and 460 MHz ranges.) It's got some crazy gain, but I happened across a review that it's pretty much deaf outside ...

fogster

I've just taken a new job, and it has me doing an hour-long commute. I figured I'd like to put the ham rig back in my car. (At least for starters, until I can replace it with a couple ASTRO rigs. 8) ) What I've just discovered, though, is that my 6'-tall SUV has to be parked in a parking garage that...

fogster

My parents are big scanner listeners, but really only care about big calls as they're dispatched, not hearing every traffic stop in town... I'm toying with setting up a Minitor for the local FD's tones and a charging cradle, and giving them that to keep in their kitchen/living room. But it looks lik...

fogster

Josh wrote:If you have a maha or other charger, charge it from the top.

Precisely what I've got! It just seemed really odd that I'd be getting (very) different voltages depending on where I measured. It didn't seem that there should be any variation, much less several Volts.

fogster

Okay, I'm scratching my head here... The battery for my ASTRO Saber worked like a charm in the past. It didn't get used much, but held a nice long charge. (It is an aftermarket, no manufacturer listed, but "EB4595" is the model number, 1800 mAh.) Nothing but great performance. I went to ch...

fogster

I Have a nextel i730 linked to VHF repeater, MotoTRBO repeater via control station, plus PC's and an iPhone 3G running Critical RF's soft radio all in one big worldwide PTT system. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard. 8) iPhone integration into the system is the icing on the cake. Radi...

fogster

The Ni233 looks cool, though I assume no price = it's way too much. The SiteCAST is nifty, though I'm still excited about n7maq's suggestion that it might be possible to just use the headset jack. I suspect it would take a little work (to essentially make the TX "COS"), but probably not $3...

fogster

The one touch DC would do just that, but i am thinking about the issues of having your nextel hammered by scanner outputs being relentlessly pushed to your DC ID. That's definitely a consideration. This wouldn't be hanging right off a scanner, but instead only following a bank of 'important' freque...

fogster

Heh, hadn't even noticed that headset jack... Could it really be as simple as plugging into the 2.5mm jack and going from there? They don't seem to plug into the base at all. Having never used Nextel... Would it be as simple as, on the 'base' cell phone, selecting the unit to call once, plugging in,...

fogster

The RIOS looks quite slick! My budget was about $20, though. :lol: A quick search turns up a page that has a (partial) pinout of a Nextel, including a pin labeled "TX," along with the audio input. I'm not a Nextel user right now, so I don't know how simple it is... Can just charging the TX...

fogster

Has anyone ever rigged something up to transmit an audio source (e.g., repeater output) as a Nextel DC call? (I'd just want it sent to one unit, not a group.) I've been toying for a while with the idea of setting up a PC that has 'streams' of various important audio sources (multiple public safety r...

fogster

Does the mission requirement say it *has* to be a dual band antenna? Not at all. It's my POV. I don't want a porcupine, but two antennas could work. I think a lot of that decision would depend on the environment where you live - flatlanders are better served many times by a different antenna than t...

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