Public Address Feature

[Techholder88]

I cannot seem to get or find a straight answer on this, I have multiple Orion Radios (and a few M7100ip radios) that I could use as a public address system. I have heard that you can use the mic on the Radio to transmit your voice to the external speaker (Just like your typical (pick your manufacturer) Siren system).

What I cannot seem to find a straight answer is how do I hook up the external speaker to use this function. Does this have to connect to a Federal Signal Smart Siren? I know that you need a Smart Siren to activate the lights and siren by pressing buttons on the radio, but other than turning the PA feature on and talking through the mike how do you use the public address function?

Big question, Is the public address system amplified within the radio or is it done externally?

Assuming the feature is enabled in the feature string how would I enable it in the programming other than enabling the option in the menu or setting a button to activate it? (using Programmer)

I have all kinds of option cables but it would be good to know if one cable is more or less capable than the other.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[harrisradios]

I have been meaning to try this setup for a while. I have been told you need to hook the siren amplifier to the radio using an option cable. (It sounds like the sound is amplified outside the radio) I can't remember off the top of my head which option cable is required. I believe you will need to set the PA function as a menu option. You might be able to use a button for that feature if you have a System Head on the radio. I hope this helps.

 

[Techholder88]

This certainly helps, I seemed to be getting the same answer from P25.ca forums in that the sound is amplified outside of the radio. I figured that you would have to enable the option in the programming and activate it for use. I was thinking that you would need the extended options cable (the one with the 25 pin cable) in order to activate it. Maybe when I get some time I can figure out what pin enables it.

 

[harrisradios]

If you do find out which pin it is would you please let me know because I have been meaning to try this setup for quite some time. I have also been told it can be done with the 500M. Thank you.

 

[Techholder88]

Now if only I can get some time off work to tinker with this...

This was posted on another forum::

The PA and EXTERNAL SPEAKER functions work in one of two ways.

1-Direct Operation:
The radio's internal 15 WATT audio amp can be used to feed audio to an external speaker. How is works in the simple form is to toggle the radio's speaker audio from the inside (vehicle) speaker to an outside speaker, via a relay, which is controlled with one of the two AUX OUTPUTS on the Orion/J725m/M7100 radio. (The E500m only has one AUX OUTPUT.) The AUX OUTPUTS are a simple open collector output from a switching transistor.

In the programming software, map a free button on the control head for either PA, EXT SPKR (external speaker), or both. Next, go into the EXTERNAL SPEAKER OPTIONS screen in the software, make sure the boxes are checked for the desired operation, which external output you will be using (1 or 2), and whether you are wiring the relay for active High or active Low. Connect the relay and speaker, and program the radio to support the new operation.

2-Siren/Light Controller Operation:
The allows the use of the Federal SS-2000-GE siren/light control box, and gives you 100 watts of audio. Same mapping on the control head. But in the EXTERNAL SPEAKER OPTIONS screen, you use external output 7 instead of 1 or 2. Connect the high output speaker and SS-2000-GE box, and program the radio to support the new operation. [WARNING: this high output can cause damage to hearing. Use caution when testing.]

 

[harrisradios]

Thank you for posting this. I will have to try this out as well.