Just Bought an MTVA (Jedi Convertacom) Need Q's Answered plz

[losangelescop]

Hi All,

Just bought an MTVA Converticom Holder and Control Unit (NTN1340A and NTN1322A) and need 4 main questions answered. If you could help, please do.

1) The holder did not come with a locking key for the security of the Jedi radio. Where can I buy one (part No.?)/could a locksmith make one for me if I showed him/her the keyhole on the holder, also how much would it cost approximately in either situation?

2) What is the Data cable connection on the control box for? Is it needed to make the radio work as a mobile?

3) My amp/control unit came with a hole above where it was labelled RF IN, and has a lot of scratching around the hole which you can see directly into the unit with (not good, I suppose) Is the RF IN used for anything in my application (High Split UHF)? Because I have been searching the board, and I sorta figured out that the RF IN wasn't a part of the wiring in certain applications, although it should be, right?

4) I read that some Jedi radios aren't compatible with the external antenna due to age. I found a good post about this but my browser shut down and I can't find it anymore How do I test to see/tell through the model numbers if a particular radio is MTVA compatible?

Welll, that wraps up the main four questions (or should I say subject themes, lol) that I had. Fire away with any answers you have, y'all are always nice and helpful!

[W6JK]

Your controller doesn't have an amplifier in it, so it will work on any band. The hole where the RF input connector goes should be covered. You can connect your external antenna directly to the holder. If your portable has the RF switch in it, it will then use the external antenna when it's in the holder. Otherwise, it won't. Yes, you need the data cable. Without it the holder and controller will be blissfully unaware of each other's existance. This key is hard to find. I wonder if a locksmith could copy it, given an original.

'JK

[losangelescop]

I read somewhere in another post (that I can't find on a search at the moment) that there is a simple test you can perform or a cetrtain date of manufacture you can check up on, to determine if a particular Jedi radio has the RF switch installed, without having to open it up and look at the interior electronics.....any ideas?

Yes, you need the data cable. Without it the holder and controller will be blissfully unaware of each other's existance.

With the "data cable" connection, I did not mean the main (larger) pinned cable with that goes between the holder and the control unit, I meant the pinned connection port labelled "DATA" on the control panel beside the "RF IN" connection. There does not seem to be a smaller connection on the holder unit for this. What does that "DATA" pinout plug do?

This key is hard to find. I wonder if a locksmith could copy it, given an original.

Anyone have any ideas on this? Would a locksmith be able to do it even if I just showed them the holder unit keyhole, given that it seems to be a fairly easy (although unique) key to copy. Maybe even one of those arcade game machine keys would work if I could find one somewhere (coz they look nearly the same from memory of the staff members on my trips to movie theatres and games arcades)? Actually does anybody know if there is a special name for this type of key for the holder, because by looking at it's very different compared to a normal key....

Thanks all, keep the answers coming!

[resqguy911]

Actually does anybody know if there is a special name for this type of key for the holder, because by looking at it's very different compared to a normal key....

Thanks all, keep the answers coming!

Yep. It's a tubular key, and a proficient locksmith should have a blank for it.

[W6JK]

I think I've read that the 2 channel radios are missing the RF switch, and the others should have it. But you can check by connecting a watt meter between the holder and the load to see if any power comes out. Or you could remove the antenna from the radio and see if it still hears incoming signals.

Looks like I'm in over my head on the data cable question.

We used to call those tubular gizmos Ace locks, but I think other companies make them now so maybe there's a more generic term. In any case, I have one that apparently no one on this side of the Pacific can copy, but it wasn't on a Motorola product. I guess you're going to need a key to copy, though.

[Terry_Glover]

Actually does anybody know if there is a special name for this type of key for the holder, because by looking at it's very different compared to a normal key....

The generic term for that type of key is: "Security Key".

[fineshot1]

With the "data cable" connection, I did not mean the main (larger) pinned cable with that goes between the holder and the control unit, I meant the pinned connection port labelled "DATA" on the control panel beside the "RF IN" connection. There does not seem to be a smaller connection on the holder unit for this. What does that "DATA" pinout plug do?.

I beleive this is a DB9 pin conn your talking about. I have alot of these in service and have never seen them used(never had any cable to hook up for them in the MTVA kits that got shipped here). I think they might be used in a data application such as MDT or other useage - dont worry about it.

This key is hard to find. I wonder if a locksmith could copy it, given an original.

Anyone have any ideas on this? Would a locksmith be able to do it even if I just showed them the holder unit keyhole, given that it seems to be a fairly easy (although unique) key to copy. Maybe even one of those arcade game machine keys would work if I could find one somewhere (coz they look nearly the same from memory of the staff members on my trips to movie theatres and games arcades)? Actually does anybody know if there is a special name for this type of key for the holder, because by looking at it's very different compared to a normal key....[/quote]

I dont see how a locksmith could make one of these - that are not standard blanks and I'm sure he would not have a record of these.