Which service monitor?

[chtucker]

For a guy just starting out as sole tech for governmental agency, but the employer is paying (lease?Purchase?New/used?)

What would you reccomend? I will be dealing with mostly vhf conventional, a little 800mhz astro (Colorado state DTRS) and a little 2.4ghz motorola canopy system.


How much could I expect to spend? Lease or purchase?

Howard

[xmo]

VHF conventional, 800 Astro, and 2.4 GHz all in one box?

There is only one choice - IFR2975

http://p25.com/

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"...How much could I expect to spend?.."
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More or less depending on options, but figure about $30,000.00

[n5tbu]

It sounds as tho you bullshitted yourself into a good job! And in Colorado,at that!I am jealous! I wish I could get employed there, it'smy favorite vacation spot!
mod

[batdude]

i agree that the ifr is going to be your best choice.


i played with a 2670 a few weeks ago

had to reboot it twice to get it to work right... and it was JUST back from the depot

freakin' crappy firmware



doug

[bernie]

My two bits worth:
At the present time there is the Aeroflex 2975,
then every one else.
It may have problems, but is head and shoulders beyond what ever comes next.

[Zero dbm]

Never had a problem with my 2670, however, in changes of temperatures, you may need to calibrate it a few times.

[bernie]

My two bits worth:
I am currently using an R2600B, as well as an R2009D/HS
The R2600B has operated with out problems for the last year.
It is just for the application cited the 2975 would be my choice.

[Radiogeek97]

that is one sweet looking service monitor, i dont even want to hazzard a guess at what it costs. i dare say it is prob more than i make in a year

[Wowbagger]

that is one sweet looking service monitor, i dont even want to hazzard a guess at what it costs. i dare say it is prob more than i make in a year

Thank you. Entry is about $20K for a base unit with no options - that would be AM/FM and APCO-25 C4FM, but no trunking.

The various trunking options run about $2K each - I don't have a current price sheet at home.

If you FULLY trick it out (like the FBI has done with a few units) it will be about $70K.

Options can be purchased and installed without returning the unit to the factory - you download them into the unit.

Software updates to new versions are free of charge - again, you just download them.

So, the question is, how much do you make a year?

[Nand]

Never had a problem with my 2670, however, in changes of temperatures, you may need to calibrate it a few times.

The above is exactly what I used to do, but after receiving the unit back from a Motorola calibration trip, the following sheet was included. It seems to suggest not to hit the calibrate button and just wait till the unit warms up. This may make sense; since I don’t really know what the unit is doing as far as self calibration goes.

Here is the attached sheet.

Nand

R-26XX CALIBRATION TABLES

The R-26XX series System Analyzers have dual calibration tables loaded into the microprocessor boards memory. These tables are commonly referred to as “room temp” and “hot” cal tables as they are loaded with respect to the ambient temperature of the unit.


This is why, at times, one may experience a “warning-recalibrate” message flashing in the lower left-hand corner of the display. This warning message DOES NOT mean the 26XX is out of calibration. It simply means that it is operating out of the temperature range of the calibration tables, i.e. in very cold or hot physical conditions.

There are several different ways to load the calibration tables into memory, although the recommended method is as follows:
1) Leave the unit OFF overnight in a stable room temperature environment, i.e. 70 degrees Fahrenheit
2) Initialize unit after a minimum of 8 hours off time and depress SPF key accessing the special functions screen.
3) Cursor down until systems functions is highlighted.
4) Make sure no cables are connected to the front panel and terminate Gen Out Port with 50 OHM load provided on chain.
5) Select NVM CLEAR. Unit will reboot, display the copyright, and begin a self-calibration.
Upon completion, the unit is ready for normal use. This completes the room temperature calibration table loading.
After a short period of time, usually 20-30 minutes, the unit will show a warning message to recalibrate. At this time, remove any cables connected to the front panel, terminate Gen Out Port with 50 OHM term, access the special function screen via SPF key. Cursor down to system functions and depress NVM RESET, then depress cal button above on/off switch and soft key start. When unit is finished calibrating, hot cal table has been loaded and unit is ready for normal operation.

Loading cal tables in this fashion will eliminate any temperature gap that may occur between the two tables. Once the cal tables have been loaded properly, it is NOT recommended that it be re-calibrated unless a problem with the unit is suspected.
For example, if the unit is in a service van overnight and it is very cold, it will display a "warning recalibrate" message until operating temperature reaches that of the room temp cal table. If a self-calibration is performed when cold, it will override the room temp cal table and possibly leave a gap between the two resulting in a warning message being displayed again when it warms up.
Cal tables temp range is +/- 5 degrees Celsius.

Note:
If a generator or receiver problem is suspected, one may want to check the continuity of the 1/16A RF fuses
located inside the generate out port and/or the antenna port.

Fuse part number: GG-6530277C002 / Parts order phone number: 1-800-422-4210
If needed, call Motorola Test Equipment Repair Service Center at 1-800-323-6967.