TX. AUDIO STINKS WITH MODAT
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TX. AUDIO STINKS WITH MODAT
i KNOW ALOT OF YOU HATE MODAT. BUT MY AS3 SOUNDS LIKE IM TALKING THRU A TOWEL WHEN I USE THE MODAT CHANNEL. ARE THERE ANY SETTINGS I HAVE TO CHANGE WHEN USING MODAT. THE SAME CHANNEL WITH MDC USED IS FINE. ANY HELP GRATLY APPRECIATED.
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ASTROMODAT
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- Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:32 am
Are you running an IMBE or VSELP vocoder? If it's IMBE, there may be a compatibility issue with MODAT.
As to MODAT operation on ASTRO radios, Motorola has only provided MODAT on VSELP radios, not IMBE. Although I've heard about various hacked "Chicago code plugs" that may have included the MOPDAT option on an IMBE radio, I'm pretty sure that legitimate Motorola plugs never supported MODAT on an IMBE radio. When I formally asked for an SP quote from Motorola to enable MODAT on my XTS (VSELP) radios, at the begining of their SP quote process, the Florida SP folks called me regarding my radios' configurations, including serial numbers, etc. They mentioned that IF MODAT capability were to be made available to me on an ASTRO P or M radio, it would ONLY be available with radios incorporating the VSELP vocoder, and the 1 meg VoCon would be necessary. Although I had VSELP, in the end, they said NO anyway, regardless of price. I've asked about this many times in the past on this board, and so far I have not seen a legitimate plug with MODAT on an ASTRO radio. Folks have posted all sorts of stuff, yet when I've contacted them in PMs, it has 100% of the time been the case that they are not original owners with a factory plug. It's either an eBay parts radio, or some other radio with many previous owners and plugs, etc. Confirms what Motorola told me in writing about MODAT on ASTRO P radios. I know that one should "never say never," but I'm (the doubting Thomas) who is still waiting to see a factory original ASTRO P with MODAT...
Larry
As to MODAT operation on ASTRO radios, Motorola has only provided MODAT on VSELP radios, not IMBE. Although I've heard about various hacked "Chicago code plugs" that may have included the MOPDAT option on an IMBE radio, I'm pretty sure that legitimate Motorola plugs never supported MODAT on an IMBE radio. When I formally asked for an SP quote from Motorola to enable MODAT on my XTS (VSELP) radios, at the begining of their SP quote process, the Florida SP folks called me regarding my radios' configurations, including serial numbers, etc. They mentioned that IF MODAT capability were to be made available to me on an ASTRO P or M radio, it would ONLY be available with radios incorporating the VSELP vocoder, and the 1 meg VoCon would be necessary. Although I had VSELP, in the end, they said NO anyway, regardless of price. I've asked about this many times in the past on this board, and so far I have not seen a legitimate plug with MODAT on an ASTRO radio. Folks have posted all sorts of stuff, yet when I've contacted them in PMs, it has 100% of the time been the case that they are not original owners with a factory plug. It's either an eBay parts radio, or some other radio with many previous owners and plugs, etc. Confirms what Motorola told me in writing about MODAT on ASTRO P radios. I know that one should "never say never," but I'm (the doubting Thomas) who is still waiting to see a factory original ASTRO P with MODAT...
Larry
Now my question is....if one had MODAT in a VSELP radio when purchase (say legit back before IMBE), what would happen if this radio was legitly upgraded to IMBE...
Here is the other thing, if you have MODAT xmiting on a conventional chaennel, I do not see how this would effect any operation in a conventional mode unless the VCO softspots need adjustment..
Here is the other thing, if you have MODAT xmiting on a conventional chaennel, I do not see how this would effect any operation in a conventional mode unless the VCO softspots need adjustment..
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
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ASTROMODAT
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Pj, in my opinion, I would think that Motorola would tell you that the continued operation of MODAT would NOT be compatible with your proposed upgrade from VSELP to IMBE. I say this because the Motorola SP Engineers (from Florida) told me that the MODAT option would only be a possibility if I had a VSELP XTS with the 1 Meg VoCon. Again, in the end, they said No.
As to the noise, we have seen before on this board various other similar symptoms (hum/buzz on transmit) wherein it was admitted they were using a hacked plug. That's the thing with buying such radios---Yes, they are way cheaper than buying from the Big M, but on the other hand, legitimate factory direct radios work properly and they have a warranty! For instance, you maqy recall the recent post on this board discussing problems with an ASTRO P radio that had the "Chicago plug" (or some other similar hacked plug). It was pointed out that the radio did not work properly under certain conditions, such as when the speaker mic was attached. In my personal opinion, such a radio would be essentially worthless if a standard feature, such as speakr mic, was no longer operational. But, then that's just my personal 2 cent opinion. Fortunately, it's a better world since we each have our own preferences and opinions!
Larry
As to the noise, we have seen before on this board various other similar symptoms (hum/buzz on transmit) wherein it was admitted they were using a hacked plug. That's the thing with buying such radios---Yes, they are way cheaper than buying from the Big M, but on the other hand, legitimate factory direct radios work properly and they have a warranty! For instance, you maqy recall the recent post on this board discussing problems with an ASTRO P radio that had the "Chicago plug" (or some other similar hacked plug). It was pointed out that the radio did not work properly under certain conditions, such as when the speaker mic was attached. In my personal opinion, such a radio would be essentially worthless if a standard feature, such as speakr mic, was no longer operational. But, then that's just my personal 2 cent opinion. Fortunately, it's a better world since we each have our own preferences and opinions!
Larry
I am just curious, since I believe that this is the first complaint about MODAT and voice quaility in about 3 years that I am aware of. True, some features may be negate another feature or no longer work properly, but I cannot comprehend at the moment on how a signalling option would affect conventional voice (ie no digital operation). I could see it affecting digital operation, but again, voice would be weird.
At one time I have a VSLEP codeplug crammed into an IMBE radio and it worked flawlessly. It may have been an exception, but none less I knew of other radio's that worked properly the same way.
I did receive a hacked radio and until the radio was flashed differently, everytime MDC data was heard it would reboot the radio.
I have also seen a few of the "chicgo style radio's" in an Astro Saber and XTS3000 radio's work flawless with/without MODAT and other options that appeared to be out of wack, but again they did work. I believe alot of it depends on firmware verison/radio model as well.
There is still is alot about the radio's that we don't know about, and may never know. If you want to get some good detailed info, its always good to talk to the actual depot repair guys. You can always get good information from them on what the radio actually can and cannot do (just look at some of the LAB software options if you ever see it---I remember hearing that you can adjust text justifaction to the right, but can't on normal RSS, now why is that?).
It was also intresting to find information from sales guys about how M wants to offer certain options only, but not others even though they may be available.
As for the hum/noise, I believe they ended up being a hardware more than a software issue in the end, most being with antenna's and battery problems. I mentioned this to a Rockford tech before, and he told me even the most software screwed up radios tend to exhibt unpredicable problems in the features, but not in tx/rx, but may in digital mode mode.
And for the "chicago flash" a source tells me that it is actually a vaild feature set, and had been ordered by a gov't agency on a SP purchase. As you can tell by the feature set, it was an expensive one.
Either way, its all fun!
At one time I have a VSLEP codeplug crammed into an IMBE radio and it worked flawlessly. It may have been an exception, but none less I knew of other radio's that worked properly the same way.
I did receive a hacked radio and until the radio was flashed differently, everytime MDC data was heard it would reboot the radio.
I have also seen a few of the "chicgo style radio's" in an Astro Saber and XTS3000 radio's work flawless with/without MODAT and other options that appeared to be out of wack, but again they did work. I believe alot of it depends on firmware verison/radio model as well.
There is still is alot about the radio's that we don't know about, and may never know. If you want to get some good detailed info, its always good to talk to the actual depot repair guys. You can always get good information from them on what the radio actually can and cannot do (just look at some of the LAB software options if you ever see it---I remember hearing that you can adjust text justifaction to the right, but can't on normal RSS, now why is that?).
It was also intresting to find information from sales guys about how M wants to offer certain options only, but not others even though they may be available.
As for the hum/noise, I believe they ended up being a hardware more than a software issue in the end, most being with antenna's and battery problems. I mentioned this to a Rockford tech before, and he told me even the most software screwed up radios tend to exhibt unpredicable problems in the features, but not in tx/rx, but may in digital mode mode.
And for the "chicago flash" a source tells me that it is actually a vaild feature set, and had been ordered by a gov't agency on a SP purchase. As you can tell by the feature set, it was an expensive one.
Either way, its all fun!
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
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ASTROMODAT
- Posts: 1825
- Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:32 am
As to voice quality issues with ASTRO radios (with or without MODAT), I believe that even in the legacy analog FM mode, your voice always goes through the codec (whether it's the VSELP or IMBE variety vocoder). Of course, it is then D/Aed to be TX'ed if you are in the FM analog mode.
Check out the delay if you monitor yourself in an analog radio, such as a scanner. And, note that the delay doubles when you monitor yourself in an ASTRO reciver (as opposed to an analog FM receiver). The delay is the same in FM as in ASTRO mode. Half of the delay is in the TX ASTRO radio, and half in the ASTRO receiver, including whether you are in FM or ASTRO mode. I assume the DSP circuits in the ASTRO receiver cause the RX delay. The TX ASTRO radio likely has delay in its DSP, as well as in the vocoder. Again, it appears that the codec is utized even in the analog FM mode (just needs a D/A conversion to be transmitted in FM). Makes sense, otherwise M would need two mic circuits. This way, all audio passes through the vocoder, for analog or digital modes of transmission. Same thing on digital cell phones.
Larry
Check out the delay if you monitor yourself in an analog radio, such as a scanner. And, note that the delay doubles when you monitor yourself in an ASTRO reciver (as opposed to an analog FM receiver). The delay is the same in FM as in ASTRO mode. Half of the delay is in the TX ASTRO radio, and half in the ASTRO receiver, including whether you are in FM or ASTRO mode. I assume the DSP circuits in the ASTRO receiver cause the RX delay. The TX ASTRO radio likely has delay in its DSP, as well as in the vocoder. Again, it appears that the codec is utized even in the analog FM mode (just needs a D/A conversion to be transmitted in FM). Makes sense, otherwise M would need two mic circuits. This way, all audio passes through the vocoder, for analog or digital modes of transmission. Same thing on digital cell phones.
Larry
I'll give it a try, but I cannot recall any delay between the non-digtal tx/rx. I do know about the RX delay option for both digtial and analog. I do know that there is a slight (barely noticable to most users) delay in Astro, but that is to be expected.
I have heard of some astro radio's front clipping audio, but I have never heard of a fix/explanation of why it was happening. I believe it was related to PL's though.
I have heard of some astro radio's front clipping audio, but I have never heard of a fix/explanation of why it was happening. I believe it was related to PL's though.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
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007
- Posts: 1546
- Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2002 5:22 am
- What radios do you own?: W7 FPP lowband MaraTrac w/AES
I've seen 2 XTS radios in the last month that came from Illinois and they are doing things that god and /\/\ didn't want them to do. What is this hacked "chicago" codeplug look like, feature-wise?? (PM if you need to)
I'm all about factory operation and factory options. I'm not a hack, not do I want a radio that has been hacked. I'm with you guys, but I'm curious about the hacked info so I know to avoid it. I'm now in the market to start getting Astro eqiupment, due to some proposed projects in my area, so I'm trying to educate myself.
I'm all about factory operation and factory options. I'm not a hack, not do I want a radio that has been hacked. I'm with you guys, but I'm curious about the hacked info so I know to avoid it. I'm now in the market to start getting Astro eqiupment, due to some proposed projects in my area, so I'm trying to educate myself.
Do not make Sig angry...he'll just keep ringing the bell.
I can't remember the specifics about the flashcode at the moment, but items such as "Software Encryption" isnt' suppose to be available or work in a radio flashed with IMBE digital operation. Hoever, I have heard that SW ENC has worked on an IMBE radio. I have never seen it work or played with it, so take it for what its worth. I'll try to dig up the flashcode here.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system