Search found 56 matches

by sethcwilliams
Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:54 am
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: XTS5K won't decode ASTRO Emergency while scan is turned on
Replies: 5
Views: 962

Re: XTS5K won't decode ASTRO Emergency while scan is turned on

To follow up, and demonstrate just how UN-thorough I can be..... Right in the ASTRO 25 CPS help file, under emergency RX, it says in plain English "will not decode emergency signaling while radio is in scan mode". So much for my good idea, good thing neither are absolutely critical. If the...
by sethcwilliams
Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:54 am
Forum: Radio Programming
Topic: latest version of astro 25 portable cps?
Replies: 6
Views: 1336

Re: latest version of astro 25 portable cps?

Unless something's happened in the last few weeks I don't know about, R12 CPS for Astro 25 portables is the latest version that's been released. The last CPS version to program the radio determines the revision number needed to read/write to it. Since the host/DSP versions are in the 12 series, you ...
by sethcwilliams
Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:34 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: SPECTRA A3
Replies: 14
Views: 1976

Re: SPECTRA A3

Deeezayum! I can't say I've got an answer to that question, but you just regurgitated an EIGHT year old thread. That's gotta be a new record!!! I'm holdin' up my "high two".... No offense, dude.
by sethcwilliams
Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:09 am
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: XTS5000 encryption module
Replies: 6
Views: 1142

Re: XTS5000 encryption module

As for the first question, looks like nope.... There's a LOT of info here you might be interested.... http://www.akardam.net/moto/docs/mirrored/secure_modules.pdf The UCMs for XTS5000s appear physically quite different from the older UCMs for XTS3000s. You can see pictures of both here.... http://ww...
by sethcwilliams
Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:16 am
Forum: Radio Programming
Topic: Maxtrac POST error
Replies: 6
Views: 664

Re: Maxtrac POST error

Hey Sarge, it bonks because you've got that officer's EGA up as your photo, brother! "You're out of uniform, Marine!" ;)

Off topic, I know, but.... I kid!! I kid!!!
by sethcwilliams
Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:50 pm
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: XTS5K won't decode ASTRO Emergency while scan is turned on
Replies: 5
Views: 962

Re: XTS5K won't decode ASTRO Emergency while scan is turned on

HA, nope "I suck again!!" There's no activity on the scanned channel during any of this. In fact, it's only activated for weekly tests and maybe an occasional missle coming out of Iran. ;) (glad that hasn't happened yet!) Even still, under scan settings my designated talkback for voice and...
by sethcwilliams
Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:40 am
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: XTS5K won't decode ASTRO Emergency while scan is turned on
Replies: 5
Views: 962

Re: XTS5K won't decode ASTRO Emergency while scan is turned on

Alex, I apologize, I think my post might not have been as straight forward as it should have. The situation is to send emergency on the selected channel only. The fact that I'm scanning is kind of anecdotal. I scan a mass notification channel that's only initiated from a single control center. There...
by sethcwilliams
Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:05 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: XTS2500/commander 2 mic ..problem
Replies: 16
Views: 5200

Re: XTS2500/commander 2 mic ..problem

Just so you guys know - the reason behind this is Motorola (in their infinite wisdom) decided it was a good idea to change the pin position for the data pin that the Microphones communicate with the radio on. This is why you can't use the fancy speaker mics on the 2500 series radios. -Alex Any chan...
by sethcwilliams
Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:40 am
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: XTS5K won't decode ASTRO Emergency while scan is turned on
Replies: 5
Views: 962

XTS5K won't decode ASTRO Emergency while scan is turned on

I've added emergency signaling to my fleet of XTS5K / XTL5K / XTL Consolettes. I'm using ASTRO signaling for all channels EXCEPT for the one channel that I actually scan (a mass notification channel that broadcasts to outdoor warning system speakers and is analog using PL). For some reason, when sca...
by sethcwilliams
Tue Jun 16, 2009 4:56 am
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: XTS2500: 4 meg vs. 8 meg.
Replies: 16
Views: 2226

Re: XTS2500: 4 meg vs. 8 meg.

Service mode will tell you. For the XTS-5000s, power on and immediately press the lower side button (2 dots) 5 times. The radio cycles through host, dsp versions, algorithms (if installed), model and serial number, etc, etc. Eventually, it'll show 4 meg or 8 meg. I assume the 2500s have a similar fu...
by sethcwilliams
Sun Jun 14, 2009 1:32 am
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: Question: DC - DC Converters (Overvoltage Protection)
Replies: 8
Views: 1243

Re: Question: DC - DC Converters (Overvoltage Protection)

What's the application? Sounds like you need some more engineering if the input side occasionally has "very high voltage" spikes. Agreed, usually DC-DCs end up knocking down 24 to 12 in commercial and industrial vehicles and I haven't had a lot of problems with alternator spikes. Other ca...
by sethcwilliams
Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:33 am
Forum: Vehicle Radio Installs
Topic: Antenna Tuning Help
Replies: 6
Views: 3418

Re: Antenna Tuning Help

The proper way is using a true antenna analyzer. I use a Tektronix NetTek myself - the Anritsu Sitemaster is another option, but it has some serious limitations. The (urgh) Mighty Fine Junk MFJ269 is supposed to be decent, but I've never used one. You're absolutely correct, too bad most are too cos...
by sethcwilliams
Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:17 pm
Forum: Radio Programming
Topic: Lost my keys
Replies: 1
Views: 769

Re: Lost my keys

Not specifically with MDC OTAR, but I've noticed that often when I change any number of encryption settings while I'm playing around with different configs that the active key gets dumped. Not sure if that's a built in security feature, or if it's just that making changes to the UCM operation happen...
by sethcwilliams
Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:38 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Radio Inhibit in the field
Replies: 14
Views: 5276

Re: Radio Inhibit in the field

You can set the personality up for mixed-mode RX, but from reading through the CPS, it seems to imply that the TX voice/signal type has to be ASTRO //EDIT// (to decode or encode the tactical kill/stun) //EDIT// which wouldn't work for you if you're encoding MDC with your channels. You might be able ...
by sethcwilliams
Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:55 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Radio Inhibit in the field
Replies: 14
Views: 5276

Re: Radio Inhibit in the field

From the R12 Astro 25 CPS help file, might help you out if you're using ASTRO signalling. There's no doubt a myriad of tweaks and configuration changes/additions you may have to make (provided your radios are option/hardware capable), but you can initiate a KILL/STUN command from any radio. This mig...
by sethcwilliams
Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:57 am
Forum: Computer/Technical Assistance
Topic: Vista and a remote network
Replies: 4
Views: 3390

Re: Vista and a remote network

Like HumHead said before, a lot of your name resolution protocols are stripped out of WAN connections, VPNs, etc. to save bandwidth. Vista is ..... well.... Vista. It's natively a PITA. The thing to do might be to start the DNS server services on your Server 2003 box (if it's not already) and have y...
by sethcwilliams
Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:49 pm
Forum: Computer/Technical Assistance
Topic: Software & Computer Question
Replies: 15
Views: 7145

Re: Software & Computer Question

That might be your best bet. I don't know why I assumed you moved the salvaged hard drive into a desktop, I should've asked that up front. There's a whole other set of concerns if you're trying to boot to a USB connected or other external source. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
by sethcwilliams
Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:52 pm
Forum: Computer/Technical Assistance
Topic: Software & Computer Question
Replies: 15
Views: 7145

Re: Software & Computer Question

Yup, you'll definately need to know what the OS was. If it was 2000, then the boot directory was "WINNT". I assume that Windows NT was the same, but I'm not sure about Windows 98 or anything else. Thing to do would be to disconnect the current bootable drive, connect the drive you're tryin...
by sethcwilliams
Thu May 28, 2009 6:53 pm
Forum: Computer/Technical Assistance
Topic: Software & Computer Question
Replies: 15
Views: 7145

Re: Software & Computer Question

This may or may not help you out, but if you connect both drives and edit the "boot.ini" (I think that's the file name) to add an entry for the second hard drive containing it's own OS, you'll be able to select which drive to boot from. Last time I did this (a long time ago), I was dual bo...
by sethcwilliams
Thu May 28, 2009 6:26 pm
Forum: Software & Firmware Releases & Issues
Topic: Astro25 series release & revision history (UPDATED 11/20/10)
Replies: 15
Views: 23142

Re: Astro25 series release & revision history (UPDATED 5/28/09)

Quick note to add. I just did an uplift (host, DSP, and UCM) to versions 11.00.03 and 5.xx.xx respectively on my XTS5K M2s and it provided a max 1000 modes. I'm willing to bet that you used R12 CPS to load that R11.00.03 firmware cvn.. The .mdf files in the CPS batch is what actually controls the m...
by sethcwilliams
Thu May 28, 2009 5:58 pm
Forum: Software & Firmware Releases & Issues
Topic: Astro25 series release & revision history (UPDATED 11/20/10)
Replies: 15
Views: 23142

Re: Astro25 series release & revision history (UPDATED 5/28/09)

Quick note to add. I just did an uplift (host, DSP, and UCM) to versions 11.00.03 and 5.xx.xx respectively on my XTS5K M2s and it provided a max 1000 modes. POP25 via ASTRO conventional in R12!?!?!? I'll have to have a chat with the Big M guys that support us. I asked for the R12 file, since I had t...
by sethcwilliams
Thu May 28, 2009 4:11 am
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: setup RAD fps-8 and sps-3s to ptp links for Astro voting
Replies: 5
Views: 700

Re: setup RAD fps-8 and sps-3s to ptp links for Astro voting

I am trying to estabilish v.24 links I have port 2 of my astrotac comparator set to microwave v.24 link external transmit clock I have my astrotac receiver set to v.24 link external transmit clock Without getting into the specific equipment (because I have no working knowledge of it. :) ), and brea...
by sethcwilliams
Tue May 26, 2009 7:06 pm
Forum: Radio Programming
Topic: motorola xts5000 programming issue
Replies: 16
Views: 2966

Re: MOTOROLA XTS5000 PROGRAMMING ISSUE

Here's the deal, if you have one or a handful of radios then having the USB vs the serial ribless isn't going to make much of a difference. BUT, if you're in my situation with over 600 handheld units and you ever have to do a mass reprogramming you'd be glad you had that USB cable. it takes cloning ...
by sethcwilliams
Tue May 26, 2009 7:16 am
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: microwave path testing?
Replies: 11
Views: 1540

Re: microwave path testing?

Good thing is, you really won't have to verify the RF. Using the licensed 4.9 Ghz public safety band, Moto and Carlson both advertise their point-to-point equipment with ranges >100 miles (in theory of course). If you moved into the unlicensed band, your distance would be a fraction of that. With 4....
by sethcwilliams
Tue May 26, 2009 4:32 am
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: microwave path testing?
Replies: 11
Views: 1540

Re: microwave path testing?

I think I'm tracking now, I missunderstood in the first place. I think you're talking about using baloons to test a proposed path for a microwave shot? Sorry man, I've never seen that one. Our microwave engineer does plots and path projections in a certain software program and usually delivers those...
by sethcwilliams
Mon May 25, 2009 10:57 pm
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: microwave path testing?
Replies: 11
Views: 1540

Re: microwave path testing?

That's my fault, man. I didn't mean to come across like a smarta**.
by sethcwilliams
Mon May 25, 2009 12:45 pm
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: microwave path testing?
Replies: 11
Views: 1540

Re: microwave path testing?

You'll probably have to throw out a lot more info to get an answer to this one. I don't deal with aerostats, but a few obvious questions that hit me.... Are we talking true microwave, directional antennas point-to-point vs omni-antenna radio links? (seems like a serious "pain in the engineering...
by sethcwilliams
Mon May 25, 2009 10:05 am
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: SLN/CKR, Key management in large fleets/networks
Replies: 4
Views: 8994

SLN/CKR, Key management in large fleets/networks

At the suggestion (appropriately I think) of one of our admins, I'm creating a new thread to continue a conversation that had gone waaaaay off topic. OP's problem had been resolved, but the topic carried on digging deeper into key management. Here's the original text as it pertains to this topic in ...
by sethcwilliams
Mon May 25, 2009 7:33 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."
Replies: 20
Views: 2733

Re: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."

My apologies as well, Wazzzz.... If we keep this up, the Admin/Mod team may have to rename the thread. MattSR, the more digging around I do, I'm starting to think Radioinstl was right in the first place. I ended up on the National Institute of Standards and Technologies and a few other .gov sites, m...
by sethcwilliams
Sat May 23, 2009 5:29 am
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: VHF Quantar in Ham Service (RX sensitivity)
Replies: 7
Views: 728

Re: VHF Quantar in Ham Service (RX sensitivity)

HAHA I love this dude! (Read: wowbagger above) While you're 100% correct, I don't think a lecture is what Tim is looking for. The way I read it, he's looking for quick and effective but I could be wrong. If I am and you happen to give him a "step by step", send it my way too. I'm always up...
by sethcwilliams
Sat May 23, 2009 12:17 am
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: VHF Quantar in Ham Service (RX sensitivity)
Replies: 7
Views: 728

Re: VHF Quantar in Ham Service (RX sensitivity)

Don't know about a sanctioned process, but I do have a simplistic one. The preselector filters are "coned" if you want to think of it that way. Starting from the top, the bandpass becomes more narrow working to the bottom. Easiest thing I've found is to set it up for analog operation on th...
by sethcwilliams
Fri May 22, 2009 8:37 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."
Replies: 20
Views: 2733

Re: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."

Good call, brother. Like I said, I'm just guessing. What you just wrote is a few chapters more than I knew before I read it. (that's not saying much :) ) So those first four bits do change, and they're there to identify crypto groups?
by sethcwilliams
Fri May 22, 2009 8:13 am
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: XTS3000 PL/DLP Squelch sensitivity
Replies: 14
Views: 1830

Re: XTS3000 PL/DLP Squelch sensitivity

I would try changing the mute/unmute to "and/or", as well change the RX Unmute Delay to "0". This should help...if it doesn't, you may need the squelch level adjusted with the Tuner software, beyond what the 'fine tune' can do with the CPS. Agreed, but I do have a question. Woul...
by sethcwilliams
Fri May 22, 2009 2:34 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."
Replies: 20
Views: 2733

Re: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."

This is a complete guess, I'm not running OTAR so I have no practical knowledge. Only what I've read and experimented with. Looks like SLN and CKR are interchangeable terms in practical application. There are two identifier ranges, 1-4095 and 61440-65535. 1-4095, 12 bit binary, is used to catalog TE...
by sethcwilliams
Thu May 21, 2009 10:52 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."
Replies: 20
Views: 2733

Re: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."

To break down MattSR's post a little further, here's a quote from the thread I linked to earlier: I believe CKR key managment is required for OTAR systems, and can be useful for people managing keys for large fleets of radios. With CKR, instead of the multikey radio having key slots numbered 1-16, t...
by sethcwilliams
Wed May 20, 2009 6:54 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."
Replies: 20
Views: 2733

Re: KEYLOADING ISSUE WITH UPGRADED DX LOADER "ID....."

Just to tag along to PJ's post, remeber that PID and CKR are strickly "key management" terms and have no effect on the mechanics of encryption. PID - Physical ID management - KVL-3000 ASN mode - ("slot 0, 1, 2....") - (L.I.D. FFFF, key data ABC123.........) CKR - Common Key Refer...
by sethcwilliams
Sun May 17, 2009 1:30 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: keyloading issue with upgraded dx loader "id....."
Replies: 20
Views: 2733

Re: KEYLOADING ISSUE WITH UPGRADED DX LOADER "ID....."

With the KVL3000s, anytime you generate a key you also generate a 4 character HEX (2 Byte binary) I.D. number (K.I.D. for ASTRO25, L.I.D. for ASN mode in the KVLs). Depending on your programming options for secure broadcast, this I.D. number is sent over the air with the transmission and is used by ...
by sethcwilliams
Thu May 14, 2009 11:00 pm
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: Digital Modulator types: C4FM vs CQPSK
Replies: 13
Views: 1966

Re: Digital Modulator types: C4FM vs CQPSK

I beleive your 2.25 kHz deviation level is a bit low. The APCO P25 P1 spec calls for a peak deviation of 4.0 kHz for CAI, or an RMS value of 2.83 kHz (e.g., Root Mean Squared value: 0.707 x Peak = 0.707 x 4.0 kHz = 2.83 kHz). GD uses the RMS value (2.83 kHz) as the nominal bogie for setting deviati...
by sethcwilliams
Wed May 13, 2009 7:19 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Loading XTS5000 with T3011DX
Replies: 29
Views: 6627

Re: Loading XTS5000 with T3011DX

In the CPS, make sure CKR is checked in secure profile. In the next tab, make sure the first key is CKR 1, and give it a name. Write the radio, and radio is set. I don't have a DX loader anymore, but from memory when I had one... In the DX loader you need to get to key 0 (zero) by pressing 0 and so...
by sethcwilliams
Tue May 12, 2009 9:30 am
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: Spectra - Consolette TLN3207C control board info needed
Replies: 4
Views: 461

Re: Spectra - Consolette TLN3207C control board info needed

Jim, I keep running into your name, I actually just asked you a question a different thread you posted in a while back, but that's a different topic. http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=79267&start=0 Motorola online returns the tag TLN3207C as follows: 1. Item Number. TLN3207C T...
by sethcwilliams
Tue May 12, 2009 3:49 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Spectra MDC question
Replies: 7
Views: 1556

Re: Spectra MDC question

Thanks man, I'll do some experimenting with that. I appreciate the info!
by sethcwilliams
Mon May 11, 2009 11:01 pm
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: XTL Series and Tone Remoting
Replies: 5
Views: 1308

Re: XTL Series and Tone Remoting

Jim, Do you happen to know how RIOS manages to extract the display information from Motorola's radios? I assume Motorola licensed there SB9600 serial protocols to Systech for ASTRO control and ANI. If not, I'd be very interested in how that's done. I've built an IP based dispatch system (non-Motorol...
by sethcwilliams
Mon May 11, 2009 10:21 pm
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: Spectra MDC question
Replies: 7
Views: 1556

Re: Spectra MDC question

Just to tag along to this, will an XTL/XTS 5000 radio actually broadcast an alias in a conventional ASTRO system, or would a uniform alias list have to be loaded in each subscriber unit and referenced based on the (ASTRO, MDC, DTMF) unit ID received? I ask because that's how I interpreted the last p...
by sethcwilliams
Sat May 09, 2009 2:08 pm
Forum: Base Stations, Repeaters, General Infrastructure
Topic: Interface MC3000 to XTL5000 Moble ???
Replies: 4
Views: 859

Re: Interface MC3000 to XTL5000 Moble ???

Hey brother, I'm no master but I may be able to help you out. Have you thought about installing a TRC board in your consolette? You'd be able to run two wire tone remoting directly into your radio via pins 1 and 16 on the bottom accesory (DB25) connector on the back of the chassis with no external i...
by sethcwilliams
Sat May 09, 2009 1:32 pm
Forum: Radio Programming
Topic: XTS2500 Trunked Emergency from Conventional Mode
Replies: 4
Views: 821

Re: XTS2500 Trunked Emergency from Conventional Mode

Dom, I'm not in your exact situation, my fleet is made up of XTS/XTL-5000. What you said got me thinking though, I know the 5000s support a "HOME" function by reverting to a specified channel (or trunked net). I haven't had to programmed a 2500, but can you program the top button for the &...
by sethcwilliams
Tue May 05, 2009 2:45 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: 09/10 error help
Replies: 4
Views: 7306

Re: 09/10 error help

FYI for anybody else who's had this problem, version numbers are as follows:

Host: R11.00.03
DSP: R11.00.03
UCM: R05.05.03
by sethcwilliams
Mon May 04, 2009 3:24 am
Forum: General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion
Topic: 09/10 error help
Replies: 4
Views: 7306

Re: 09/10 error help

It happened on almost every system as we moved them from 25 kHz channel spacing to 12.5 kHz. Scratch that last sentence. I'm an idiot sometimes but that's nothing new. What was actually happening was changing the settings in "Zone Channel Assignments" from "5kHz and 25kHz" to &q...
by sethcwilliams
Mon May 04, 2009 2:03 am
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: Digital Modulator types: C4FM vs CQPSK
Replies: 13
Views: 1966

Re: Digital Modulator types: C4FM vs CQPSK

XMO, From what I can tell, you're spot on brother. I didn't contact Motorola, I'm several hours ahead of the states and the rest of the real world so I did some experimenting in the shop. Turns out, no matter the settings in zone channel assignments, the deviation was uniform for each digital modula...
by sethcwilliams
Sun May 03, 2009 7:08 am
Forum: Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum
Topic: Digital Modulator types: C4FM vs CQPSK
Replies: 13
Views: 1966

Re: Digital Modulator types: C4FM vs CQPSK

Okay, anybody want to chime in on this one? XMO brought up a point that definately has me asking for clarification. I'd love to hear the final verdict on all digital, P25 radios being "intrinsically narrowband", regardless of the deviation and channel spacing settings in zone channel assig...

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