Has anyone seen/used the dual radio W9 Astro Spectra?
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2003 4:02 am
I came across the manual supplement to 68P81076C20/C25 (which happens to be Supplement 68P07994D09-O) which describes in detail the parts/cables/setup for the dual receiver Astro Spectra using a W9 head. According to the book here, its suppose to only be for 800MHz radios, and the 2nd receiver is used to monitor (voice) a Smartnet or SmartZone system.
A few places in the book here says the 2nd radio is receive only, but looks like you could transmit with it if you don't use the antenna pass-thru that is incorprated into the primary radio. The primary radio has a normal antenna connector, but also has a 2nd connector to pass a RX signal to the 2nd radio.
What's also neat, is that they show an audio combiner for a motorcycle installation so that you only use 1 speaker instead of two.
Here is some text from the manual...
The ASTRO™ Spectra® Dual-Receiver Radio (DRR) system consists of two 800MHz, ASTRO Spectra mobile radios with associated cabling. One radio (primary) has full transmit and receive capability, while the other radio (auxiliary) is receive-only. Both radios operate within a trunked, SmartZone™ environment. The DRR system can be installed in two different configurations: automobile and motorcycle.
Capabilities and
Limitations
ASTRO Spectra Dual-Receiver Radio (DRR) subscriber units provide
normal talk-and-listen operation on any of several primary talkgroups, while allowing continuous monitoring of a single auxiliary talkgroup. The auxiliary channel is muted while the primary radio is in transmit.
The two radios share a common antenna. This makes installation easier, more compact, and neater. Single antenna operation is accomplished by the use of a special power splitter assembly, located inside the RF power amplifier of the primary transceiver. An external coaxial cable couples the receive signal into the auxiliary receiver; the auxiliary receiver is not capable of transmitting. The PA casting, which is fitted to the auxiliary receiver, is only for passing signals and supplying DC power to the radio. The auxiliary receiver cannot receive while the primary radio is transmitting.
A single DC cable is used to power both radios. It is also split at the end with identical and interchangeable connectors. A common in-line fuse is used.
A few places in the book here says the 2nd radio is receive only, but looks like you could transmit with it if you don't use the antenna pass-thru that is incorprated into the primary radio. The primary radio has a normal antenna connector, but also has a 2nd connector to pass a RX signal to the 2nd radio.
What's also neat, is that they show an audio combiner for a motorcycle installation so that you only use 1 speaker instead of two.
Here is some text from the manual...
The ASTRO™ Spectra® Dual-Receiver Radio (DRR) system consists of two 800MHz, ASTRO Spectra mobile radios with associated cabling. One radio (primary) has full transmit and receive capability, while the other radio (auxiliary) is receive-only. Both radios operate within a trunked, SmartZone™ environment. The DRR system can be installed in two different configurations: automobile and motorcycle.
Capabilities and
Limitations
ASTRO Spectra Dual-Receiver Radio (DRR) subscriber units provide
normal talk-and-listen operation on any of several primary talkgroups, while allowing continuous monitoring of a single auxiliary talkgroup. The auxiliary channel is muted while the primary radio is in transmit.
The two radios share a common antenna. This makes installation easier, more compact, and neater. Single antenna operation is accomplished by the use of a special power splitter assembly, located inside the RF power amplifier of the primary transceiver. An external coaxial cable couples the receive signal into the auxiliary receiver; the auxiliary receiver is not capable of transmitting. The PA casting, which is fitted to the auxiliary receiver, is only for passing signals and supplying DC power to the radio. The auxiliary receiver cannot receive while the primary radio is transmitting.
A single DC cable is used to power both radios. It is also split at the end with identical and interchangeable connectors. A common in-line fuse is used.
