Custom Motorola Radio Applications

[Billaferd]

Hello all,

I recently finished a project where I had to learn how to interface an application with MotoTrbo repeaters and radios over USB and Ethernet.

I wanted to continue learning and playing with this stuff on my own time and had an idea that I could make something possibly useful. The problem is that I only really know the mining sector, but not in enough detail to know what a radio administrator would need.

Are there any professionals here that have any ideas for a simple utility that would make managing your MotoTrbo fleet easier?

I was thinking of a simple utility that could monitor the traffic of a network (single site, IPSC, Capacity Plus, or LCP) and report any faults, failures or warnings to a variety of formats. Formats could include RSS, email, Database, Text, etc...

I realize that RDAC exists but I don't have the specifics on what it is exactly capable of.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I can't seem to find many active communities.

Thanks for any ideas or information.

 

[Kevm56]

Hi Billaferd,

I work installing Mototrbo systems for nonprofit conservation organizations working in Africa. I have a few ideas of some light applications that would really help interfacing with other tracking applications that are in use. The ability to capture the GPS reports and text messages coming in and resending them to a server in a JSON format would be great or a Node Red 'node' that can be used to capture this data and enable any user who can use Node Red to make use of the data how they wish would be very useful. We have an open source project that you might be interested in contributing too called Earthranger where an application like the one above would be extremely useful.

Your idea of a utility for monitoring the network would also be good for those organizations that use small networks and/or don't have the additional funding for professional tools like RDAC and TRBOnet watch.

Let me know if you are interested in contributing, there's no pressure or expectations at all.

 

[PACNWDude]

+1 on the RDAC and Trbonet comment above. I administer a nationwide network, Motorola ASTRO mostly, with many Trbo sites being brought into the fold via Zetron IP interface devices and Motorola Conventional Channel Gate-Way devices. We had to develop a PowerShell "Ping" program to get network status on the Trbo site equipment, as it is not recognized by the ASTRO network. A cheap application that too PowerShell to a GUI would be useful for many corporations with small Trbo networks that can't afford RDAC or Trbonet.

 

[Firebuff880]

Not to rain on your parade, but all the protocols are licensed by Motorola through the Application Developer Program. You actually need a license in each "region" you want to sell / distribute the product you build around the protocol. I think there are five regions total, although I don't know of anyone with a license for China. This licensing and the processes behind it are, for example, why there are so few options for Wire line Voice Consoles.

As the gentleman behind the TransTrbo can probably attest to, they take this seriously --