pantherpaw9
-
Posts
49 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
3
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Classifieds
Posts posted by pantherpaw9
-
-
Well, I’ll be sure not to offer any more accurate and factual answers to any of your questions.
And just so you don’t forget, this is open forum, so the answers to questions you ask are not always going to conform to what you think they should be. Sometimes you are just plain wrong and other times they are not what you want to hear. Either way, live with it.
I might get a time out from mods, but they’ll also note that I have never steered anyone wrong here, and I’ve never been rude or demeaning in any discussion. If you are this easily offended, we’ve all been forewarned.
Good grief, I simply thought your response was not an answer to the question that I was asking and I was just trying to clarify what my question actually was with a little snarky humor. I thought you were being a bit kirt by suggesting I “stop mixing up the names” when in fact I am new here and simply didn’t know about the other radio names. You were so quick to jump on me for misspelling the model number of the radio, that you simply mis-understood my question altogether. So you are the one who is being rude to me sir. Good day to you
-
Please stop mixing up the 1225 family and the CDMs. They are very different radios, but they do have some common features. They both have the 20 pin accessory port in the back and a mic connector on the front panel. On the M1225, the mic connector is an 8 pin RJ45. The CDM mobiles have a 10 pin RJ50. The extra two pins are for a CDM specific DTMF mic. Both families can use the 8 pin RJ45 mics, however, which allows the use of a wide variety of Motorola mics on either radios.
Both families of radios program with the same programming cables. I prefer the serial version because it plugs into my Panasonic CF29 Toughbook. I have both aftermarket cables and the Motorola "ribless" serial cable. There is also a USB version of the programming cable, and that will also do both families of radios.
And they do plug into the mic connector on both families.
The USB cable is not a simple USB to RJ45 cable. There is a USB to TTL serial module in the cable. You are much better off purchasing one that uses the FDTI chip. There are problems with the Prolific chips that can be totally avoided by purchasing FDTI
Well obviously I meant M1225, and the answer I was looking for might have read more like this:
"Yes David, the radio is programmed by plugging the RJwhatever cable you saw on ebay into the front of the radio in the mic port, not the back. The 20 pin port on the back of the radio is for bla bla bla"...and isn't used for programming."
Or maybe something like this: "No David, (as you suspected) the cable you saw on Ebay that looks like it has an RJwhatever plug on it, won't work, the cable you need must be a 20 pin plug that goes into the back port. You can't program the radio from the front mic port."
-
When code approved of my 55' tower, since the FAA required no light for it height, They said no residential 110v AC power could be affixed directly to the tower. Power for rotor is 24v and other devices use 12v. Unless you use a mobile duplexer, and a small repeater, it would be a large box. Not sure a 100' cord is a good idea. I do like the idea of eliminating so much feedline but it is more complicated as always. My current Hoffman enclosure is 24X24X18, I wonder what the wind loading would be.
I do wind design for structures in Florida on a regular basis, and you would be looking at 40 psf up to 50 psf. So for 4 sq. ft. (2'x2' box) you would be looking at about 200 lbs. of lateral force on the box. Just as a general estimate. How close you are to the coast and how high above the ground you are would also make the load higher or lower, just to give you an idea. Of course any construction would need site specific calculations with local code compliance and approval. These numbers are simply for conversational purposes.
-
CDM1225 will program just fine on either 32bit Win95 or Win XP "DOS Box" using the USB cable. I programmed two of them for a portable repeater I built and sold several years ago.
I noticed the programming cable for the CDM1225 on ebay looks to have a CAT5 type data plug on one end, and a USB on the other, but I did not see anywhere on the radio photos (back side) where this cable would plug into a CDM1225. The CDM1225 seems to have a 20 pin port in the back. Does the programming cable plug into the front where the mic plugs in??
-
You'll have to find a copy of Motorola RSS for M1225 (not terribly hard to do) but that's definitely not the hard part. RSS doesn't run on modern hardware; for the MT2000 I used Win95's DOS mode on a Pentium without issues. I'm not sure how the M1225 software runs on later computers. Virtualization may be an option but RSS needs Microsoft DOS to work. A 16550-based serial port is highly preferred, I don't know how well the USB ones work; computers of the right vintage for RSS usually have onboard 16550 serial.
You can find a CDM1250 or CDM1550 for around the same price -- they're newer, have displays, will cover both GMRS and 70cm, and a larger channel capacity.
I take it these CDM varieties will program on a 64 bit modern USB based computer more easily? Also, do these varieties meet the part 95 legal operation criteria? If they do, then maybe I would like to check these out. I just want something thats inexpensive, easy to program, has 40 watts of power, and is legal to operate on GMRS frequencies.
-
The M1225 is the radio I have been looking at as well. I would love to find out about the programming as well. I take it the CHIRP software won't work from reading your previous comments. Actually, I was looking to buy 2 of these radios, one for the truck, and one for the radio shack. If I like this radio and I'm able to get set up to program it Ok, then I will likely buy more of these for my dads truck and my two son's vehicles as well.
-
As far as I know, you are spot on. Sorry for throwing "noise floor" in there. Anytime I do that, it is unintentional.
At the rate you are going, I'll be asking you questions in a few weeks. Awesome!
:) HaHa! I doubt that, but thanks anyway. I have a small advantage over most people that jump into this hobby because I have an engineering degree, but its in civil engineering, and I failed Physics 202 Electricity 2 times before the professor finally passed me because I was driving him to the brink of insanity with my questions. So I know just enough to get me in trouble as they say.
-
I was watching the video again, and there is an image about half way through the video that shows the squelch detector and there is a vertical dimension drawn on the modulated wave in the diagram that is supposed to represent the wave amplitude. When the term "noise floor" was introduced in this forum discussion in the previous post by Hans, I'm assuming this is related to what the video was trying to explain. I'm guessing that squelch is simply filtering out signals that are below a certain "power" threshold or signal strength. Is that correct? Is the signal's amplitude related to its "strength" or "power"? If this is true, then the squelch is simply allowing the speaker to emit voice sounds that come from waves that meet a "minumum power level" that is set by the squelch knob? In other words, it mutes signals that are not at least a minimum "strength"?
-
I caution against tone squelch when using repeaters. There are repeaters out there that use different tones in to access the repeater and they often tend to put out the same tone as was used to access it. That means one with tone squelch will completely miss traffic using different tones. We have our repeater set up to transmit the same one tone regardless of what tone is used to open the repeater. This is for users with radios that can't set carrier squelch on repeaters (*cough* Midland!).
Also, with tone squelch, one cannot hear someone talking on simplex if they don't happen to be using the same tone. I trained my adult children to use the busy light on the radio or use the monitor button before transmitting on our radios with tone squelch enabled. Other than than, busy channel lock out is another option to minimize unintentional interference. We have a fair bit of FRS and GMRS traffic at times in our area.
Overall though, I prefer to run carrier squelch when working with repeaters.
(If I am repeating myself, no pun intended, I'm multi-tasking at the moment on multiple radio services.
)What is carrier squelch? I think I'm confused again...haha. Is carrier squelch the same as "T-Sql"??
-
Sorry folks, I see now that there is a very recent thread that is being discussed about this very topic. It might even be the thread I got this radio from. Anyway. I was going to just delete this thread and jump over to that one, but I don't know how to do that so just disregard this topic altogether.
-
I read in one of the forum posts that this was a great radio for use as a GMRS base radio at home or mobile radio in my truck. Wanted to get some opinions on what else I would need to track down to get it operational. It seems to be just the unit itself without any mic or installation wiring harness, etc. and I really don't want to create a problem for myself. Also, I would obviously need to program it so I would need to know what software and data cable it needs.
https://www.ebay.com/i/233034704225?ul_noapp=true
Basically I want more GMRS power (like 40 watts) in a radio that is legal for part 95 compliance. Any tips on any other good rig that would be legal to operate with more power would be awesome as well. There seems to be much debate around this topic about what is legal, so I am really in the dark here. I think the 4 watt power limit only applies to hand helds, is that correct?
-
Part of the fun of radio!
Yes all my friends and family are baffled as to why I have added radio as a new hobby at 50 years old. I am absolutely hooked! Fun is what it's all about. I can't wait to get my HAM technicians license in January so I can join up with my local SOTA group and go up on the mountains and learn all about mountain top activations. I'd better start studying for my General class so I can get in on all the HF action.
-
That video also explained my next forum question topic, which was about bandwidth. I see now why the frequency needs a defined bandwidth to take care of the deviations from the carrier frequency. The radio is simply using the deviations from the carrier frequency to determine how the speaker should vibrate. The vibration of the microphone causes fluctuations in the carrier frequency and these fluctuations are "de-coded" at the other end so that the speaker reproduces the same "vibrations" (sound). It's brilliant! I think I'm very close to understanding this entire mystery. Correct me if I have totally mis-understood bandwidth.
So when I hear people talking about how the FCC has narrowed the bandwidth allowed from 24ish down to 12ish, to make room for more frequencies to be allocated for use, this explains why the sound quality goes down. Because there is less elbow room for the audio signal to be squeezed in. So its kind of like the resolution of a digital photograph. The lower the resolution, the less detail of the original image is visible, thus effecting the quality of the image. This is really fascinating stuff.
-
How about video? I found this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DAQYfpETDdM
Perfect. I'm going to You Tube on my lunch break. Thanks
-
Just to state the same thing a slightly different way, in case it helps your understanding: Tone squelch is a filter that is applied to the receive side of a radio or repeater. If it's turned on (as it is with most repeaters), the receiver or repeater will ignore anything that doesn't transmit the proper tone. So you have to program the proper tone in your transmitter, or you won't be able to get into the repeater. Likewise if you are trying to call another station that has a tone squelch programmed.
To recap: to transmit to any station or repeater that has a tone squelch programmed, you must have the same tone programmed into your transmitter.
Tone squelch is optional. Even if you have to have a tone programmed to talk to a station or repeater, you don't have to program a tone squelch at all. You will just hear any and all signals on the frequency, whether they are transmitting a tone or not.
If you do decide to program a tone squelch, it must be the same one the repeater or other station is transmitting. Otherwise you won't hear them.
Personally I leave the tone squelch off most of the time, so I can hear any activity on the channel regardless of tone.
That was a great explanation, and I think it just took hearing the explanation presented in a variety of ways, but I definitely understand this much better now. This explains why my radio is able to communicate with the repeater without any T Sql settings programmed. I only have "Tone" selected in my program. So, if I want to filter any and all other traffic on that frequency, (and only hear signals going through the repeater), then I would have to change my "Tone Mode" from "Tone" to "T Sql". I can read back in the thread and see now that this was explained already several times but it just wasn't sinking into my thick scull. haha
-
Yep. There can be some interference from the stronger repeater so it's not 100% perfect.
If the repeaters are too close, however, the interference might be just too much for it to work well or at all. In our situation, the two repeaters are far enough away so that one is always a weaker signal than the other. Think of the two repeaters with big circles around them; one for each. Those circles overlap at some point. Any user in the overlap can use tone to open the desired repeater and T Sql to theoretically hear the repeater they want. However, if both repeaters are transmitting at the same time and their strengths, relative to the user are the same, the interference can cancel out the usable signal. (Think Venn Diagram for the circles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venn_diagram )
Also, this might help for tones in general: http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_CTCSS.php
Thanks Hans. When I show up to my second HAM club meeting, I am going to blow their mind with all my radio knowledge! Hahaha
-
When we want to use the northern repeater, we use T Sql set to the tone that the northern repeater is putting out. Likewise if we want to use the southern repeater.
So if two repeaters are close to each other and use the same frequency, you could program each repeater into two separate channel numbers and each channel would be programmed with the different corresponding tones, subsequently allowing the operator to pick which repeater they want to use simply by changing channels?
-
I think you’ve got it... just be clear that the “signal” that is allowed to pass through is the audio output from your radio. The radio signal is being received regardless of whether the audio output is on or not.
In chirp’s terms, “tone” is what you send so that others, including repeaters, can know to listen to you. TSql is the setting your radio will use to know when to unsquelch the speaker. Sorry, no pictures tonight... I”m on a tiny keyboard.
Haha, that’s ok, I always try to throw a little humor in these threads for my own entertainment. I’m extremely grateful for everyone’s patience with my questions. I am not where I want to be in my understanding of this topic but thanks to you folks I am getting very close. I’ll keep studying on this.
-
So if the squelch is “stopping something quickly and completely” (in this case the something is the signal) the tones act to “un-stop” “open-up” and “un-mute” the signal and pass it through to the speaker and into my ear. I see now why the terminology was used in the previous posts, and I sincerely thank you for the explanation of the word meaning; however, I’m still confused as to what scenario would need a “tone” and what scenario would need a “T Sql”. I’m going to have to sketch this out on some paper and study this a bit more. I tend to understand diagrametric explanations better than scriptural. So, If you want to look that up in your little dictionary there, it means I like a book with lots of pictures...LolAccording to the Cambridge dictionary, squelch means:
to stop something quickly and completely:
One professor claimed that the university tried to squelch his criticisms.
So, yes, you are correct!
-
Well I was able to reach Sassafras repeater to talk with a gentleman in Cleveland GA today on the 4 watt TERA TR-505 and I was in Gainesville so I was about 30 miles from Sassafras and 10 or 15 miles from Cleveland. I think the problem is exactly like you explained, I’m losing contact with the repeater when the 4 watt handheld is in areas without line if sight. That explains why the radio works sometimes and does not work sometimes. I also have to keep in mind that since the Sassafras repeater is not linked at the moment there are simply fewer people listening.
Anyways, my son is coming up tomorrow and he’s going to help me run some Simplex testing around the local Dahlonega area, so that should be even more educational.
-
If there's two repeaters with the same tone, using TSql will prevent the other repeater from unmuting your receiver. Simplex activity is probably on a different tone (like CSQ or 67.0) and wouldn't unmute your receiver. If the simplex signal happens to have the same tone as the repeater's output, both will unmute. Not all repeaters transmit an output tone, so some require Tone mode.
Does “unmute” mean the same thing as “open up the squelch”. And if so I’m assuming both of these terms mean: “I can hear the other person speaking from the speaker of my radio”. Yes...I’m that dumb. Haha. I know that sounds like basic knowledge to most radio folk but all the radio jargon in these explanations leaves me confused. The good news is my radio is working so this is all about me wanting to truly understand how these radios and systems work.
-
Tone means a tone will be transmitted, but the receiver will not check for an incoming tone and will unmute on any signal. TSql means a tone will be transmitted, and the receiver must receive the tone to unmute. There's also split-tone ooeration, which is TSql but the transmit and receive tones are different; I forget off the top of my head how that looks in CHIRP.
So If I want to communicate through the repeater for a particular frequency and also receive signals from anyone locally with Simplex on that same frequency, then I would want to select "Tone". Alternately, if I wanted to only communicate over the repeater and filter out all other local simplex traffic, I would use "T Sql" If that is correct, then I think I am very close to grasping this concept. I hope I got that right, but correct me if I'm wrong.
-
In program softwares like CHIRP and others, there are 4 or 5 different choices for the Tone Mode column. 2 of them are called "Tone" and "T Sql" which I assume stands for "Tone Squelch". What is the difference and how do you know when to use each one. I think the other choices are for digital radios or something like that which I'm assuming I don't need so I'm basically concerned with the aforementioned 2 items for tone. Can anyone educate me on this?
-
I think I am going to be on 285 tomorrow and will see what repeater can hit with my ht
Sent from my Vivo 8 using Tapatalk
Thanks again, and that sounds like it would be a great test. Let me know how it goes.
Motorola Radius M1225
in Technical Discussion
Posted
I may be incorrectly assuming that this is in response to the kerfluffle that occured previously in the post. I would like to say that I'm very sorry. I suppose I should keep in mind that not everyone appreciates or understands my humor. It was honestly an attempt at a joke, and while I will admit, I was definitely being snarky, I truly didn't intend to ruffle anyone's feathers. I should have been more respectful and appreciative of Steve7010's advice, and I should not have been such a smarta$$. So when he suggested I was being rude, I didn't respond very well to that either. I think everyone is "chilled out" now, and Pastor Gary was kind enough to step in and get us back to the discussion. This occurred over a week ago, so I'm not sure why it's being revived here now, but I thought I would at least make an attempt to apologize here now, so that we can continue with the discussion and solve the mystery of programming the M1225.