spectra question? guru needed here!!!

n2knc · Post by **n2knc** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:23 pm

ok picked me up a remote a-4 spectra vhf ...my question is I like to get a a9 head for it and down the road change out the rf dek to 110 watt..my question is is the cable between the radios going to be diffrent to pick up the a-9 head,and or when I switch out to the bigger rf dek,any info or links would be great post here or pms thanks

JAYMZ · Post by **JAYMZ** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:25 pm

As long as you are using the newer Systems 9000 control cabling on the A4 head then you should be fine when switching to the A9 head.

n2knc · Post by **n2knc** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 4:17 pm

ok whats the diffrence in the cables........ pic???

or can you explain

kc7gr · Post by **kc7gr** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 6:51 pm

n2knc wrote:ok piked me up a remote a-4 spectra vhf ...my question is i like to get a a9 head for it and down the road change out the rf dek to 110 watt..my question is is the cable between the radios going to be diffrent to pick up the a-9 head,and or when i switch out to the bigger rf dek,any info or links would be great post here or pms thanks

Spelling nitpicks: "piked" should probably be 'Picked.' Also, the letter 'I' should be uppercase when it's used to refer to yourself, 'ok' should be 'OK' (uppercase again), and 'dek' in this context should be rendered as 'deck.' This is because, in the world of Motorola, 'DEK' is an acronym for 'Direct Entry Keypad,' a box used with Systems 9000 equipment.

As a final note, it's difficult to take your exhortation to support the Ohio National Guard seriously when you transposed the 'a' and the 'u' in the word 'Guard.'

Now, with all that out of the way: The cable for the A4 and A9 heads should be identical. The problem you may run into is that your radio may need some hex-level bit-banging to convince it to use the A9 head. This is not a task for the weak-of-heart -- Change the wrong bit, and you can turn your radio into a doorstop in nothing flat.

As for the power amp: Unless you got the high-power drawer to begin with (it has a model number beginning with T83), you will not be able to install a 110-watt PA. Your only option would be to take the boards out of the low or mid-power chassis you have, and move them to a high-power chassis which has a good PA in the frequency range that you need.

Again, not a job that should be attempted without adequate tools, test gear, and the skill to use them.

Good luck.

A-42 · Post by **A-42** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 7:07 am

kc7gr Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: spectra question? guru needed here!!!

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n2knc wrote:
ok piked me up a remote a-4 spectra vhf ...my question is i like to get a a9 head for it and down the road change out the rf dek to 110 watt..my question is is the cable between the radios going to be diffrent to pick up the a-9 head,and or when i switch out to the bigger rf dek,any info or links would be great post here or pms thanks

Spelling nitpicks: "piked" should probably be 'Picked.' Also, the letter 'I' should be uppercase when it's used to refer to yourself, 'ok' should be 'OK' (uppercase again), and 'dek' in this context should be rendered as 'deck.' This is because, in the world of Motorola, 'DEK' is an acronym for 'Direct Entry Keypad,' a box used with Systems 9000 equipment.

As a final note, it's difficult to take your exhortation to support the Ohio National Guard seriously when you transposed the 'a' and the 'u' in the word 'Guard.'

Now, with all that out of the way: The cable for the A4 and A9 heads should be identical. The problem you may run into is that your radio may need some hex-level bit-banging to convince it to use the A9 head. This is not a task for the weak-of-heart -- Change the wrong bit, and you can turn your radio into a doorstop in nothing flat.

As for the power amp: Unless you got the high-power drawer to begin with (it has a model number beginning with T83), you will not be able to install a 110-watt PA. Your only option would be to take the boards out of the low or mid-power chassis you have, and move them to a high-power chassis which has a good PA in the frequency range that you need.

Again, not a job that should be attempted without adequate tools, test gear, and the skill to use them.

Good luck.

i think he was looking for help,not for you to bring him down in front of the board becase of spelling

kc7gr · Post by **kc7gr** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:08 am

And if you will examine the bottom section of my original post, you will find that I did indeed offer help.

I will add that it is only to the original poster's benefit to be able to write and spell well, especially if they are involved with any sort of paramilitary organization, such as a National Guard unit. I was not trying to "bring him down" at all, and I'm honestly surprised that you would see it that way.

I make no apologies for my original post because I don't think any are needed. How is it wrong to try and help someone communicate better, no matter if that communication takes the form of speech or writing?

While I'm on the subject: In your counter-post, the 'I' should be capitalized when referring to yourself, you needed a space after the comma, and you're missing a period at the end of your sentence.

Rick Rock · Post by **Rick Rock** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 8:24 am

OK hopefully the spelling bee is over, and we can get back to the problem @ hand.

I just looked @ the pic you sent me- your remote cable is the right one for an A9 operation, however you're going to need a different radio and control head to turn it into an A9 high power unit. Basically you'll hang onto your cable, mic, and speaker, everything else has to be changed.

Just curious- why are you wanting an A9? there's not much more for features, and your mounting options are greatly decreased with the bigger head.