How to convert trunked MSF-5000 to conventional??

Andy Brinkley · Post by **Andy Brinkley** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 8:36 am

OK guys (and gals) -

We normally stay as far away from trunked stuff as possible, but I have a customer that is afraid that Hurricane Isabel will play havoc with their 800 mhz trunked system and wants to convert a C85CXB5103AT MSF-5000 repeater from trunked to conventional.

Any hidden gotcha's???

Thanks

Post by **wavetar** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 10:54 am

I don't know about the analog stations, but the digital stations are a breeze to change. It's all in the RSS. The only gotcha is if you have to re-tune it, but that's not too difficult either.

Todd

Andy Brinkley · Post by **Andy Brinkley** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 11:28 am

It is a digital unit.

I looked at the software, and by the manual you could dump a conventional code plug in it and make it work.

bernie · Post by **bernie** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 7:49 pm

My two bits worth:
I did exactly that with an smr during hurricane Iniki.

You CANNOT just modify the existing trunk station file.
You should archive the present trunking archive.

1) Disconnect the station from the central controller.
2) look in your archives, or in the RSS root directory for the file "conv.def"
If you can not find this file, use the archive from a conventional station,
and enter your frequencies, PL codes, etc.

Be very sure that the new Code Plug has the same firmware version as what is currently in the station.
There is a screen in the RSS for this purpose.
You can read the old CP to determine the version, or just hit reset, and the version will be displayed on the 3 digit display.

That is all there is to it.

Andy Brinkley · Post by **Andy Brinkley** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 5:41 am

Bernie -

Thanks for the reply. I had time to study the software manual last night and let it soak in.

I plan on reading the station, save an archive and then load the conv.def file.

Per the manual there are several conventional files available, depending on the firmware versions present in the station.

I'll jump on it Monday and see what happens.

BTW - there is a footnote in the manual that you can only program 3 conventional channels unless the memory has been upgraded. Any comments?

Thanks

bernie · Post by **bernie** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 9:28 am

My two bits worth:
There is a socket on the SSCB board for this purpose. I have never seen it done.