CDM 1550 Low band Programming

[Anderegg]

The EF Johnson web page shows the VM-7000 with pictures that show a radio with KENWOOD labels all over it...lol...

NX-5600HB VHF Low Band High Power P25 Mobile Radio

The Kenwood series of NX-5000 mobile radio products has features, features and more features to provide you with the ability to excel the performance of the radio system. The Kenwood NX-5000 series mobile radio system will out perform the competition for any comparable price.

mra-raycom.com

Viking VM7000 Mobile | JVCKENWOOD

Simultaneously receive and display up to four bands with the Viking VM7000 all-band mobile so you never miss a call. The “select” and “unselect” speakers give you the option for audio control similar to a dispatch console. KENWOOD Viking is the industry’s only mobile platform providing...

www.efjohnson.com

 

[mmckenna]

The EF Johnson web page shows the VM-7000 with pictures that show a radio with KENWOOD labels all over it...lol...

Yeah, Kenwood owns EF Johnson, but the way they've handled the product line branding has been confusing to say the least.

I believe their long term plan is to slowly merge everything together. But right now there's some value in keeping things separate. Part of that has to do with EFJohnson's licensing of the SmartNet/SmartZone feature.

 

[ScannerDude244]

I use a maxtrac for CHP it works great. I also had a CDM 4 channel for CHP 42-50 band also work great

 

[KK6ZTE]

The EF Johnson web page shows the VM-7000 with pictures that show a radio with KENWOOD labels all over it...lol...

NX-5600HB VHF Low Band High Power P25 Mobile Radio

The Kenwood series of NX-5000 mobile radio products has features, features and more features to provide you with the ability to excel the performance of the radio system. The Kenwood NX-5000 series mobile radio system will out perform the competition for any comparable price.

mra-raycom.com

I'd mention that the MRA-Raycom is woefully inaccurate on so many things on that page, but they'd probably sue me...

I run a TK-6110 all day long listening to the White and have no complaints with audio quality. I have access to CDMs and TK-690s as well, they all sounded the same to me. Not to mention it's so much easier to deal with than a 690.

 

[HappilyRetired]

Yeah, good to get a second opinion. Motorola makes mostly good stuff, but there are better options. Even CHP uses Kenwood for their mobile radios.

"Motorola fans" can be a bit funny sometimes….

Not sure if the Vertex has it, but usually there is a 'low cut' audio filter that either permanently in place, or selectable (it was on the Icoms) that will roll off all the audio below 300Hz. I used to have access to a GMRS repeater and the PL I was assigned was 254.1Hz. That's high enough that it comes across as a low rumble on the audio. Turning the low cut filter on in software removed it.

I looked at the Kenwood 690 and it's huge! I'm looking for something small like the Motorola CDM. My wife is already planning on throwing me out. But thank you anyway.

 

[HappilyRetired]

The problem I'm running into is the CDM has a frequency range of 42 - 50 MHz but CHP starts at 39 MHz. I was told to get chirp and then something called a waris.py plug in but not what to do with it. I like the small size of the CDM. I need to be able to modify it but this is relatively new to me. I need if they may have to know how to do it. I wonder if I should make this a new thread.

 

[mmckenna]

I looked at the Kenwood 690 and it's huge! I'm looking for something small like the Motorola CDM.

The problem I'm running into is the CDM has a frequency range of 42 - 50 MHz but CHP starts at 39 MHz.

Yeah, the TK-690H is a 110 watt radio and has a large heat sink. If all you are doing is listening, there zero reason to buy a 110 watt rig like that. They will do 35-43MHz or 39-50MHz, depending on what model you want.

However, the TK-6110 is a smaller radio. It's only 70 watts TX, so smaller heat sink. There are two bandsplits, one does 29.7MHz to 37MHz. The other one does 35-50MHz. 32 channel capacity.

 

[mmckenna]

There's a couple of TK-6110 35-50MHz versions on e-Bay right now for $99.00.

 

[mmckenna]

I was told to get chirp and then something called a waris.py plug in but not what to do with it. I like the small size of the CDM. I need to be able to modify it but this is relatively new to me. I need if they may have to know how to do it. I wonder if I should make this a new thread.

I've never done that with a CDM, but VCO unlock becomes an issue if you try to take them too far out of their designed coverage. That can be accommodated with some adjustments, but make sure you read up on the process and it's within your skill set. I learned how to do it on Syntor X VHF radios years ago. It's not hard to do, but it would be different for the CDM.
Thing is, you start trying to make a radio work where it wasn't designed, and it can get really complex, especially if you don't have the right test equipment. Having to tweak the front end filters can be a chore, and the gear to do it right can be expensive.

 

[HappilyRetired]

I've never done that with a CDM, but VCO unlock becomes an issue if you try to take them too far out of their designed coverage. That can be accommodated with some adjustments, but make sure you read up on the process and it's within your skill set. I learned how to do it on Syntor X VHF radios years ago. It's not hard to do, but it would be different for the CDM.
Thing is, you start trying to make a radio work where it wasn't designed, and it can get really complex, especially if you don't have the right test equipment. Having to tweak the front end filters can be a chore, and the gear to do it right can be expensive.

I have an amateur radio friend that has all the test equipment. He has told me that on the CDM it is electronically tuned. He said the software itself is used for the most part but then he said there's some test program has to run while generating a signal or something like that. That sets it for what it needs to be. I did ask about the VCO and he told me for 2 MHz it probably would not be an issue but if it was then he'll just turn it. I guess he knows how to do that stuff.

I just don't like the performance of scanners I've found. I'm told that it is internet network interference. On low band I have a constant full-scale signal of noise that is overcome when Temecula transmits but I can't always hear the mobiles on channel 2 (talk-around) and I'm sitting up here on top of a rather tall hill that is like 2,300 feet or so hi. That's well above everything around me. If like to m this and I want the best. I swear I'm possessed now! A new hobby. LOL.

 

[K2NEC]

My lowband CDM I modded to go 35-50 and it hasn't given me problems yet. I'm able to listen to 37 just fine with it. But like most things, YMMV

 

[HappilyRetired]

My lowband CDM I modded to go 35-50 and it hasn't given me problems yet. I'm able to listen to 37 just fine with it. But like most things, YMMV

How do I edit the range? That would be great to know.

 

[mmckenna]

How do I edit the range? That would be great to know.

It's called a Hex Edit. You have to pull the hex file from the radio and modify it. Not terribly difficult.

I've never done it on a CDM, as I use VHF High band and they'll cover the whole range as is. I did do it on an old HT-1000 to switch it from 2 channel to 16 channel.

 

[HappilyRetired]

How do I edit the range? That would be great to know.

I think I should have directed this at you since you've already done it. How do I and where do I hex edit the file? Is that what is referred to as the codeplug? I only need 39 - 46. That's only because CHP has tacticals up high but I don't know if they ever talk on them. Dispatch is mostly 39-42. I don't dare get a VHF CDM are my wife really will string me up.

 

[K2NEC]

I think I should have directed this at you since you've already done it. How do I and where do I hex edit the file? Is that what is referred to as the codeplug? I only need 39 - 46. That's only because CHP has tacticals up high but I don't know if they ever talk on them. Dispatch is mostly 39-42. I don't dare get a VHF CDM are my wife really will string me up.

All the info you need is explained very well here:

Waris - W9CR

wiki.w9cr.net

 

[HappilyRetired]

I'm sorry to say that I did not understand it. This is all new to me and I'm sure I can run a hex editor if I know where the Coinstar I need to edit. As I recall it mention two spots that had to be changed to a hexadecimal address. I remember from math it High School how to convert decimal to a hexadecimal but it's even easier if you just use the windows calculator. If they only have to edit those two places I guess I'd be fine.

I am confused because somebody told me all I needed to do was get chirp and then there is a file mentioned waris.py that will allow me to make the edits using chirp. I joined the chirp mailing list and I haven't had any replies but one that didn't really answer the question. So I'm lost at this point. I guess I'll have to use the scanner if I can't do this.

Now that I'm retired I have time on my hands to learn something new. I just can't seem to learn it fast enough.

Thank you for your help. I will go back to that page but I'm not sure it would make any more sense by revisiting it. Unless it is just those two points I saw where I set the upper and lower frequency range. The only way I would know if it works would be to actually by the unit off of eBay and if it doesn't work I'm stuck. San Diego CHP for example is at 39.400.and Temecula where I'm at is 39.34. Oceanside which is in between San Diego and Temecula is it 39.8 0. So you can see I need to get it down from 42 to 39. Phew. Frustrating. Being new at this kind of sucks at the moment.

 

[mmckenna]

Or, instead of getting hung up on Motorola, just get the TK-6110 and not have to worry about any of the hex edit stuff.

Motorola makes nice radios, but they are not the -only- radio manufacturer. You do have other options.

 

[K2NEC]

I agree with @mmckenna here. The TK6110 is a fine radio, our FD use them and they don't have complaints about them. Plus you will get your whole bandsplit without having to mod it. Radio is cheap, accessories are cheap, programming is cheap. Save yourself the headache. The CDM isn't the end all be all radio.

 

[HappilyRetired]

Or, instead of getting hung up on Motorola, just get the TK-6110 and not have to worry about any of the hex edit stuff.

Motorola makes nice radios, but they are not the -only- radio manufacturer. You do have other options.

You're absolutely right. I do like the Motorola name because I've used it for decades. I think they're cool. But as long as it works is what I need. I was on eBay and I came across a couple of Vertex VX-4000's that are 250 Channel and cover 37-50 MHz. I don't think I need that many channels.

 

[mmckenna]

You're absolutely right. I do like the Motorola name because I've used it for decades. I think they're cool.

I had to transition our PD from Motorola to Kenwood many years ago.

You'd have thought I'd asked some of them to cut off an appendage with a rusty butter knife.
The new radios were blamed for everything.
Now they like Kenwood's and most avoid the old Motorola's.

Brand loyalty is OK, but keeping ones options open is good.