Antenna and Power supply for: Motorola ASTRO T99DX+130w_ASTRO

[jordanfinci]

I've got an old decommissioned Astro base, without the power cable or antenna. Where and what type do i need?

Model Number T99DX+130w_ASTRO
Flash Code 1000040000004

i've found somewhere that it says it has a "mini-uhf" connecter.

Also, does this work with APCO-25 digital trunked systems? I live in Montgomery County Maryland.

[FLATGUNPHIL]

Here is what I found looking at the wiki Motorola Flashcode Decoder
Options Installed on this Flashcode
100004-000000-4
Q806/G806 IMBE / APCO-25 Digital Operation
H37/G50 Smartnet Operation

Yes, it does have a mini-U. You can get crimp-on connectors in mini-u, or get an adaptor. You can find the power cables on ebay, or at most any auto parts store.

Phil

Originally Posted by jordanfinci

I've got an old decommissioned Astro base, without the power cable or antenna. Where and what type do i need?

Model Number T99DX+130w_ASTRO
Flash Code 1000040000004

i've found somewhere that it says it has a "mini-uhf" connecter.

Also, does this work with APCO-25 digital trunked systems? I live in Montgomery County Maryland.

[jordanfinci]

A few follow up questions:

With an adapter, can I use a handheld's antenna, rather than a roof mounted?

The power slot on the radio itself looks like this:



and



Auto parts stores would have such a connector?
The only connector i've found on ebay looks like this:



Which says 110w, but the model number of my radio says 130?

I think it is worth noting the radio will only be used for monitoring, no transmitting.

Thanks for the advice!

[Asmitty0010]

You will need a couple of items to get your radio to work.

Power cable: POWER CABLE FOR MOTOROLA MOBILE RADIO GM300 MAXTRAC CDM - eBay (item 350212065065 end time Oct-07-09 16:44:44 PDT)

- if not mounted in a vehicle this will require a 12 volt DC power supply. If receiving only, i reccomend atleast 3 amps. Those too are are found on ebay.

Accsy connector: (needed to power radio - red wire must have 12v connected to it other to leads to go the speaker) Cable 55 Speaker & Ignition Motorola Spectra VHF UHF - eBay (item 120387331750 end time Oct-30-09 19:36:49 PDT)

Antenna: - i wouldn't recommend using a handheld antenna...i'm not even sure it can be done. Depending on where you are mounting this i would recommend a rooftop antenna and a NMO antenna. All easily found on ebay just doing a search - be sure to get one for the band of the radio. You're going to want to get a mini uhf connector...either crimp/solder or one that like this would work as long as your coax female end matches. Mini-UHF Plug to UHF Jack SO-239 Coaxial RF Adapter - eBay (item 160366005382 end time Oct-29-09 05:40:43 PDT)

and last and probably the hardest part of getting this whole thing to work is getting somebody to program it for you using Motorola CPS - you probably won't be able to get somebody to program this radio to monitor a trunked system as the radio will need to affiliate with repeaters even if in receive only mode.

Hope this helps

[jordanfinci]

The radio is already programmed by the local Fire/EMS, presuming it contains a memory which wouldn't erase if it were disconnected from a power source for weeks at a time.

I have connections who could help me out getting it programmed, though, so I don't think that would be a problem.

I can get a power cable from an auto parts store no problem

Might i be better off getting the power cable, adapter, a mic (which i have) and selling it on ebay to get a scanner?

I would also prefer not to have an antenna on my roof (installation, drilling holes ect.), are there any other options?

[Asmitty0010]

you could sell it without buying the power cable, although you'd probably get more if it had everything. As for buying a scanner instead thats your call. They are alot better if monitoring a trunked system and just more user friendly all around if you just want to listen. They also have the option of back of set antennas so you don't have to worry about rooftops or coax or anything like that.

[jordanfinci]

Asmitty0010, those back antennas, could you link me to one? If possible i would want one rather than a roof mounted.

[FFPM571]

buy a scanner. You want to try to monitor a P25 trunked system with an unauthorized radio..when it gets bricked its not worth anything..

[jordanfinci]

Is it illegal to monitor with this hardware? What would cause it to be bricked?