Automatic Volume Control (AVC) not enabled on VP5000 licensing question

[treyboothe]

I’m trying to enable Automatic Volume Control on a VP5000 and hitting a wall. Firmware is 8.44.10.49. I’m on a conventional (FDMA) channel and have Global → Audio → “Enable Automatic Volume Control by default” checked. I also mapped an AVC menu/softkey, with no luck. On the Amada software shows “is not allowed by this radio's options or version” and in Radio Info it shows Automatic Volume Control: Not Enabled.

Question: is AVC a no-cost option that should be available by default, or does it require a Vault entitlement/license assignment per radio? If it’s a Vault thing, can someone outline the exact steps to assign it so Radio Info shows Enabled (and confirm there’s no additional cost for VP5000s)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[AM909]

I see the same thing for all the VP5000 and VP8000 I have, including a demo that was bought fully loaded. I don't see any relevant options in the catalog, either.

 

[treyboothe]

I see the same thing for all the VP5000 and VP8000 I have, including a demo that was bought fully loaded. I don't see any relevant options in the catalog, either.

I went ahead and opened a ticket with Kenwood/EFJ on this and I’m waiting on their response. Did you ever get to the bottom of it on your side, or is it still ongoing?

I also couldn’t find AVC as a line item in the catalog or on any quotes (same as you) which is odd. At this point I’m wondering if it’s something in Vault or just a Radio Info/UI quirk.

If anyone else is seeing “Automatic Volume Control: Not Enabled” on VP5K/VP8K, can you share firmware/Armada versions and whether it actually toggles on a conventional (FDMA) channel? I’ll post back with whatever Kenwood/EFJ says as soon as I hear.

 

[treyboothe]

Okay this is the responses from Kenwood.

"Do you have the serial numbers for these radios?

I can work on getting this corrected as it is an option that is free when initially configuring the radios for purchase."

AND

"After doing some digging and being unable to find a part number corresponding to Automatic Volume Control, it was actually removed from the the available functionality of our radios. We implemented a better solution natively but have not removed the option from being visible in Armada, which caused even me some confusion initially.

After reviewing the attached the serial numbers, everything else seems to be good to go on the units."

 

[AM909]

I was hoping that was the answer. Thanks for doing that. Did they say what the solution was? I didn't see anything related in Global>Lists>Audio Profiles - Speaker, but didn't go hunting further.

 

[treyboothe]

Below is the last reply I received.

"With further discussion with engineering it was left in Armada for customers who previously had it programmed to older radios and were still utilizing it/needing it their for programming purposes. The AVC toggle can be ignored and I'd just removed it from the toggle/menu to remove confusion.

As it was explained to me, it was removed as it was causing audio level ramping issues when mics brushed up against clothing or other objects to the point of distorting audio and causing feedback issues.

There is nothing that would need to be enabled or activated in Armada to utilize our improved audio functionality that has been implemented from that point forward. This feature in general was removed due to engineering feeling it caused more harm then benefit."

I'm just going to the select the accessory specific EQ and up the gain to see where I'm at.