system saber vhf questions

kb9suy · Post by **kb9suy** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 9:05 am

Just bought a vhf system saber of ebay waiting for it to arrive. Just have a few questions that i would like to get answered.

1. Does it have mdc decode so you can decode id's
2. can you send out single tones or quick call tones
3. the band split is 146-162 can i go below that at all.
4. im just going to be using conventional if it has modules in it will i need to remove them.
5. can these radios be flashed to add more options.
Thanks Before hand.

jnglmassiv · Post by **jnglmassiv** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 10:39 am

1. No.
2. Pretty sure yes, when enabled..might be wrong on this one, tho.
3. Yes.
4. If you're talking about secure modules, no. Just leave it in the clear mode.
5. The radio is not flashable. All those features are built right in.

These are really cool radios packed with neat features and super durable. Have fun!

RKG · Post by **RKG** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 4:21 pm

1. No, but it can send and receive Call Alerts.
2. Yes as to single tone; no as to QCII.
3. Don't know.
4. Do not remove the module; that will disable the radio. Just program for clear.
5. No.

kb9suy · Post by **kb9suy** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 5:12 pm

thanks for all the input. I was playing around with the software creating the codeplugs. know i saw a call list in their is that just for sending messages an mdc calls or is that for normal mdc decoding.

sglass · Post by **sglass** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 6:53 pm

btw

if you and a friend have them

you can send each other mdc status messages back and forth

very cool

RKG · Post by **RKG** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 6:30 am

There is a call list for MDC-coded "Call Alert." There are also "Status" and "Message" alias lists.

Radio Intelligence Agency · Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:49 am

I just purchased a few systems sabers as well.

What did you mean by sending status/message from one to another? I take it the systems saber wont be able to decode status/message or am I wrong?

n1pj · Post by **n1pj** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:03 pm

They will be able to encode/decode status/messages. I have 9 VHF System saber III's (you can never have to many system sabers) In the RSS i have programed things like call me, secure1, secure2, etc. When I know someone is using one of my radios I first page the radio so that it beeps and alerts them. I will then send one of the pre programmed messages to them. It works really well if someone starts using the frequency you are on. For my radio setup secure1 means to go to a preselected channel and turn on encryption. All the other person hears on the same frequency is a double data burst, they probably have no idea it is a message.

Radio Intelligence Agency · Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:18 pm

I´ll be damned.

So they will actually support decoding of a status/message data burst?
Now that´s amazing isn´t it!

I take it you know what you´re talking about when you say man cannot have too many he he. Well I´m glad I got two for a start.

By the way do you know if any agencies ever used des only (not des-xl) in their systems sabers?

Just wondering...

sglass · Post by **sglass** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:24 pm

Radio Intelligence Agency wrote:

By the way do you know if any agencies ever used des only (not des-xl) in their systems sabers?

Just wondering...

Yeah

lots of government agencies did

When I initially got my vhf systems sabers they were programmed in th 160 range, and had des (not xl) in them. I think they were air force?

Seth

Radio Intelligence Agency · Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:33 pm

Hmmm really.

I hope mine are with "xl" then. I do not use "des only" anymore.

But one thing that puzzles me is why M didn´t make them support mdc1200 id decoding as well. It seems to be a rather commen option in most radioes on that level after it went out.

Of course if the flash is right.

sglass · Post by **sglass** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 2:54 pm

mdc decode wasn't available then

think about it-for it's tiem the systems saber was the hotest radio witht he most options on the market.

Both of mine are smartnet radios! VHF smartnet...for that era? hot :o man

Radio Intelligence Agency · Mon Jun 28, 2004 3:46 pm

When did M actually discontinue it? I´ve been told they where made until early 90ties (94´I think).
I was also told that they were only being sold to government agencies.

kc2dla · Post by **kc2dla** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:35 pm

When eqquipped with an OTAR module, the MDC data can broadcast which key it is currently using (1 of 8 possible) so another radio can decode it and change keys. You just need to have both radios with the OTAR module and keyload them to be exactly the same. You can also program the name to each of the eight keys and select them from the radio keypad.

Paul

Radio Intelligence Agency · Wed Jun 30, 2004 1:22 pm

Code: Select all

All the other person hears on the same frequency is a double data burst, they probably have no idea it is a message.

I take it the radio dos not send acknowledgement when recieving a status/message as it shure would be a major problem on any system if 100 radioes responded to a data burst at the same time.

kb9suy · Post by **kb9suy** » Wed Jun 30, 2004 6:43 pm

ok tell me this. When I read the radio in normal rss it reads an programs fine. Buy the way i love that thing. But when you try an read it in lab it gives me a busy line error. Any suggestions.
check all connections made sure on right com port.