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MDC-1200 Signaling
- Thread starter SCPD
- Start date
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RKG
Member
It is not so much that the MDC words have to be transmitted by a Motorola radio, but that they have to be transmitted by some radio that has MDC firmware in it, and MDC is a proprietary format owned by Motorola. Anyone else who wants to include MDC has to obtain Motorola's consent and pay a royalty. A Cimarron C Plus III, for instance, can send MDC commands via any suitable transmitter.
radionerd13669
Useless Contributor
most new two way radios are now coming with mdc-1200.It is now open for all radios brands
Steveradio
Member
Most of our patrol units are getting Kenwood Mobile radios in them and have the mdc-1200, I have not seen any HT radios yet with the feature but a red transmit light indicates on the mic when MDC-1200 is activated.
Steve
Steve
EncryptionMan
Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2008
- Messages
- 45
I sent you a PM. You may find the link useful.
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bezking
Member
Some newer Icom radios also have support for MDC1200.
EncryptionMan
Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2008
- Messages
- 45
The answer to your question is no. XTS radios for example with the ability to decode MDC ID can decode it for other brands of radios transmitting MDC 1200. Radio consoles (Motorola and non Motorola) can decode MDC 1200 sent by multiple brands of radios.
Thanks.
I saw Kenwood advertising MDC-1200 in their radios. I was curious if they were trying to be sneaky and pass their fleet call or whatever it's called as MDC-1200.
their radios are less expensive, but now I wonder about the quality.
I saw Kenwood advertising MDC-1200 in their radios. I was curious if they were trying to be sneaky and pass their fleet call or whatever it's called as MDC-1200.
their radios are less expensive, but now I wonder about the quality.
We have Kenwood TK-790 mobiles in our ambulances and they all have plug-in MDC-1200 aftermarket boards. I can't remember if they are Midian or Cimmaron, but it was an option when ordered. They are set to transmit MDC-1200 on post.
A few things to consider though:
1. Whatever the ID # is on the board is it, period. In order to reprogram the ID number the board transmits, you have to open up the radio. Comapred to Motorola where you can have a different MDC "system" or ID per channel if you want, all controlled from the software.
2. The Kenwoods do not have the capability of decoding the MDC received, so you will hear the annoying "squaaaaawwwwwk instead of the "bleep" and it will also not display the ID number being received. Compared to Motorola, where you can also set call lists so instead of decoding "1234" it will say "TOWN PD CAR 123." The ICOM's however, do have the same features as the Motorola, but we chose the Kenwood because the ICOM's have a quirk when you change the channel, it takes it off SCAN. We monitor both the Town and County, and alot of people forget to hit scan again when they change the channel to talk to one or another.
Personally, I like the Kenwoods over the Motorola because of their ease of programming and I don't like to be limited to 16 channels on scan. Just wish it had the MDC decode capability. The Kenwoods support Fleetsync, both encoding and decoding, but our Town decodes MDC only at the console now. We are trying to get a grant for a Midian decoder at the console that will do both MDC and Fleetsync, and then will eventually switch to Kenwood and use Fleetsync, no MDC board for saved costs. They run over $100 per radio.
A few things to consider though:
1. Whatever the ID # is on the board is it, period. In order to reprogram the ID number the board transmits, you have to open up the radio. Comapred to Motorola where you can have a different MDC "system" or ID per channel if you want, all controlled from the software.
2. The Kenwoods do not have the capability of decoding the MDC received, so you will hear the annoying "squaaaaawwwwwk instead of the "bleep" and it will also not display the ID number being received. Compared to Motorola, where you can also set call lists so instead of decoding "1234" it will say "TOWN PD CAR 123." The ICOM's however, do have the same features as the Motorola, but we chose the Kenwood because the ICOM's have a quirk when you change the channel, it takes it off SCAN. We monitor both the Town and County, and alot of people forget to hit scan again when they change the channel to talk to one or another.
Personally, I like the Kenwoods over the Motorola because of their ease of programming and I don't like to be limited to 16 channels on scan. Just wish it had the MDC decode capability. The Kenwoods support Fleetsync, both encoding and decoding, but our Town decodes MDC only at the console now. We are trying to get a grant for a Midian decoder at the console that will do both MDC and Fleetsync, and then will eventually switch to Kenwood and use Fleetsync, no MDC board for saved costs. They run over $100 per radio.
dmonty83
Member
...
I thought I would inject a little life into this thread.
I have my hands on the new programming software for Kenwood 180 series mobiles and portables. They now posses the ability to encode and decode Moto's MDC1200 and also you have the option for data operated squelch. This does require a firmware change for older radios. I am also told that the Kenwood P25 product line also has this capability.
Seems like MDC1200 is more of a standard than Kenwood thought.
David
I thought I would inject a little life into this thread.
I have my hands on the new programming software for Kenwood 180 series mobiles and portables. They now posses the ability to encode and decode Moto's MDC1200 and also you have the option for data operated squelch. This does require a firmware change for older radios. I am also told that the Kenwood P25 product line also has this capability.
Seems like MDC1200 is more of a standard than Kenwood thought.
David
I have a TK2180 and 3180 and flashed them with the new firmware. I assume by data operated squelch you can mute the MDC-1200 noise burst??? will that work for post PTT-ID??? where is that in the MDC-1200 options menu?
searchrescueff
Member
Kenwood recently put out a software and firmware update for the TK-x180 series radios that allow them to ENCODE and DECODE MDC-1200. So no more purchasing the extra optional board to go into the radio. So now, you can program the radio for either FleetSync or MDC-1200.e911god said:
It's not in the MDC-1200 options menu. Go to the OPTIONAL FEATURES menu and click the CONVENTIONAL tab. You have to set the MUTE HOLD TIME (ms). And in order to set it to catch the Post-PTT ID, it will have to be set pretty high for those who are long winded.
You can also have a PTT PAUSE TIME which ceases the ID from YOUR radio for a certain amount of seconds from the end of the first transmit period. That you set under COMMON PAGE 3 where you set the PTT ID TYPE. It's pretty cool. I have mine set for 30 sec. And after my first transmit, it won't send a PTT ID for 30 sec.
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Thanks I saw that in there now that you mention it, but wasn't sure what time to set it for. I kinda figured it might be like data operated squelch.
CommJunkie
Member
If you hear/see one for the NX series radio, please let me know!
wkredick
Member
Is any other radio brand out there offering 2400 baud rate (MDC2400) other than HYT in signalling?
Just curious
Just curious
searchrescueff
Member
Sure is. If you know how to setup the Kenwood TK-x180 series radios before switching to MDC-1200, you can do MDC-2400. Obviously, when Kenwood done the firmware upgrade for MDC-1200 compatibility, they didn't check to see if the FleetSync setting would affect the MDC-1200.
If you are running FleetSync at a Baud Rate of 2400 before selecting the MDC-1200 as signalling type, the MDC-1200 will be upgraded to MDC-2400. Neat eh?:lol:
If you are running FleetSync at a Baud Rate of 2400 before selecting the MDC-1200 as signalling type, the MDC-1200 will be upgraded to MDC-2400. Neat eh?:lol:
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