M1225 as a fire pager?...

[2009KVFD976]

Im currently running a motorola M1225 that I would like to use to alert me when our VFD gets toned out. Just like a pager. I have no idea what tones we run on our minitor V pagers, and any help would help...

 

[SteveC0625]

Im currently running a motorola M1225 that I would like to use to alert me when our VFD gets toned out. Just like a pager. I have no idea what tones we run on our minitor V pagers, and any help would help...

To have a mobile or portable radio function like your Minitor V, it needs to have alerting circuitry to handle systems like Quik-Call II which are the tones that your dispatch broadcasts to open your pagers.

From what I can see, the M1225 does not have any signalling capability beyond TPL & DPL.

There are two solutions: First, you could add an aftermarket tone decoder to your M1225. That requires someone with some tech ability to mate it up with your radio and get it working properly.

Or secondly, move to a radio like the CDM1250 which has all that capability built in. Given the current market, you could probably sell your 1225 and pick up a used 1250 for about the same money. You'd still have to have someone program the radio with your frequencies and tones.

As for determining what tones you need, you will have to find someone in your department who has that info.

 

[davidgcet]

the 1225 series had an option board that just plugs in for QCII decode and is then programmed via the rss, but i don't know if you could find one anymore. by the time you pay to convert yours, you could buy a new ICOM/Vertex/Kenwood radio and have teh ability built right in. or you could buy a new CM/CDM series if you want Motorola and pay a couple hundred bucks more.

 

[2009KVFD976]

From what i see on the rss, signalling, QCII, and all the tone a/b/c/d info. Frequency, call format, and so forth. Even with those options it wont work? As far as getting the tone info... Nobody knows. Only the company that did our radios. All i know is that its 2 tones. 1/3 second duration. Other than that, thats all i know. Thanks for the replies!!

 

[2009KVFD976]

Also, is there any way to program a welcome message when you power it up? Ive seen some that turn on and it shows like "KAUFMAN R-1" or "MCCARTER-976" (sorry if this is a stupid thing to ask.) i just want to (if i can) show "KVFD-976" when it powers up

 

[davidgcet]

i was thinking both the M and the P required the option board, but after looking at an archive i think it was only the portables that required it. the mobile gives the option to setup QCII tones so it may have the decoder already, i honestly can't remember since it has been ages since i fooled with one.

IF you can find out your tones you should be able to set it up. there are tone decoder programs out there, you feed audio from your scanner/radio to your computer and it will decode the tones for you.

i can't find a power up message option or setting though.

 

[SteveC0625]

As far as getting the tone info... Nobody knows. Only the company that did our radios. All i know is that its 2 tones. 1/3 second duration. Other than that, thats all i know. Thanks for the replies!!

Take your Minitor V to anyone who has a programming cradle and software. Have them read the pager and give you the tone info.

Many agencies are purchasing their own programming kits rather than pay a radio shop $7 to $10 each time for updates, etc. Maybe one of your neighboring departments has one.

 

[SteveC0625]

One other thing you could do is to contact your county fire coordinator or the radio shop that did all this "SECRET" work and ask them for your tone and frequency information.

On a broader note, having this information unavailable at your agency is bad business. More and more fire and ems agencies are taking control of their radio systems back from the dealers and repair shops. Doesn't mean they are doing their own tech work, but they are learning about their systems so that they can make better informed decisions when upgrades are required. Some are moving to their own programming, especially for pagers.

 

[2009KVFD976]

Thanks for the help. I think since the options are on the rss, it might work. I dont know (if i get it working) what it can or i can make it do to notify me of a page out.

 

[62Truck]

i was thinking both the M and the P required the option board, but after looking at an archive i think it was only the portables that required it. the mobile gives the option to setup QCII tones so it may have the decoder already, i honestly can't remember since it has been ages since i fooled with one.

IF you can find out your tones you should be able to set it up. there are tone decoder programs out there, you feed audio from your scanner/radio to your computer and it will decode the tones for you.

i can't find a power up message option or setting though.

I have some P1225's and they can do two tone with out the option board

 

[2009KVFD976]

Ok. I think i got something working now...
Sometimes il turn my m1225 off when im at home at night and when i turn it on the next day it makes 2 beeps and flashes "sel call" and shows a channel. Does that mean its decoding?? When we get toned out, it dosent do anything, if its supposed to... Its not.