Spectra A4 remote head question

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scvfd1204
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What radios do you own?: Most older style legacy gear..

Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by scvfd1204 »

Will the HLN6432B remoute head housing that fits the Spectras A5 & A7 heads work with the A4 rotary head?

I need to do away with the A9 head in my console to fit more equipment in, and would love to go with an A4 head. I do have an A5 & A7 head, but don't want to use them unless I absolutely have to. I have the remote head housing (the HLN6432B) in good shape.
"Sniffing RF for a living doesn't have any long term effects...effects...effects...effects."
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wx4cbh
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Re: Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by wx4cbh »

A4/A5/A7 heads all use the same remote interconnection and mounting components. Go for it.
curmudgeon.....and I like it.
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scvfd1204
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Re: Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by scvfd1204 »

Thank you sir.

Now if I could just find an A4 head in excelletn shape, I'd be set then.

I already have the brackets for the console to hold the remote A5/7 heads..

Thanks again!!
"Sniffing RF for a living doesn't have any long term effects...effects...effects...effects."
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scvfd1204
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Re: Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by scvfd1204 »

In some of my recent research, I think, from what I have seen/read, that when using an A4 rotary head with either an A5 or A7 spectra an interconnect board is needed for the volume pot to work correctly.

The remote interconnect board is the kit I have is an HLN 6432B. The onfreq spectra info site mentions something about jumper changes when using a roatry head. The remote kit I have was originally on an A7 low power spectra, and has the single DB25 faceplate for the drawer unit, the standard Sys9000 remote cable, and the back for the remoted head with the DB50 on the back, just like that A9 heads have. I currently have a 100w A9 installed in my vehicle and want to go for the A4 head, since it is smaller (for more room in my console), and it has rotary volume & mode knobs.

I rarely see A4 heads for sale these days, and there is one on a very popular auction site right now that looks to be in good shape. What do I have to do or what do I need in order to get an A4 head to work on my 100w A9 drawer? Is there is a special interconnect board or anything like that needed?

I know I will need to change the control head type in the RSS, that isn't a problem....
"Sniffing RF for a living doesn't have any long term effects...effects...effects...effects."
Will
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Re: Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by Will »

Your Spectra and the cable you have on there now will work.
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scvfd1204
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Re: Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by scvfd1204 »

Thanks for clarifying that for me Will. Some of this stuff tends to confuse me these days...
"Sniffing RF for a living doesn't have any long term effects...effects...effects...effects."
Mike B
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Re: Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by Mike B »

The onfreq HLN6432 reference to (rotary) and (pushbutton) were from the original Motorola documentation. However, in reality it doesn't seem to matter and the jumper differences were actually between different revisions A, B and C of these boards. I see how it can be confusing. When I have some spare time I'll remove the (rotary) and (pushbutton) notations.

I don't believe I said any interconnect board has anything to do with the A4 volume pot. If you saw this on the onfreq site please reply and let me know.
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scvfd1204
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Re: Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by scvfd1204 »

Mike B wrote:The onfreq HLN6432 reference to (rotary) and (pushbutton) were from the original Motorola documentation. However, in reality it doesn't seem to matter and the jumper differences were actually between different revisions A, B and C of these boards. I see how it can be confusing. When I have some spare time I'll remove the (rotary) and (pushbutton) notations.

I don't believe I said any interconnect board has anything to do with the A4 volume pot. If you saw this on the onfreq site please reply and let me know.
Mike, I sent you a PM as well.

I did not see any info on your site about the A4 volume pot and the interconnect board. I just wanted to make sure everything would work before I went ahead with this changeover. I didn't want to burn anything up, as I have limited spare parts these days.

Now, if I could just find the little rubber plug that covers the front mic port on the Spectra head, I would be set.

I found an A4 head in good shape yesterday, so the search is over, at least for now...
"Sniffing RF for a living doesn't have any long term effects...effects...effects...effects."
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scvfd1204
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Re: Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by scvfd1204 »

I received the A4 head I found and finally got a chance to test it today. The Spectra RSS wouldn't allow a change to the A4 head. I got it to work, but there was a little trick to it.

Thanks to all of those that helped me out.
"Sniffing RF for a living doesn't have any long term effects...effects...effects...effects."
SlimBob
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Re: Spectra A4 remote head question

Post by SlimBob »

scvfd1204 wrote:I received the A4 head I found and finally got a chance to test it today. The Spectra RSS wouldn't allow a change to the A4 head. I got it to work, but there was a little trick to it.

Thanks to all of those that helped me out.
Hack the model number into an A4 and it will.
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