P400 Programming

[N4FLI]

I recently bought a P400T2 off ebay for ham use. I have Neo 2.4 and Res 5.5.2 & 5.5.3 software purchased from a vendor awhile back. I have previously used Neo for a P150 I have, and one of the Res versions for another p150 that a friend had programming. (I'm somewhat familiar with motorolas stuff programming some Technisonic radios with that for work. Some of that is monkey see monkey do though.) I've had no real issues with the P150 I programmed (All conventional).

I keep hitting issues with this P400 though. Per Neo, it has the software 4.6.2. I have been able to get simplex in and out. I can receive on some repeaters, but somehow I cant seem to get the CTCSS on output to work, even though it's in the codeplug where it should be for conventional systems. (I have 2 p25 repeaters nearby that I might be able to use once I figure out what I need to do for them.) Any thoughts as to what I might be missing. Radio doesn't appear to be in talk around mode. The radio came with a codeplug that had only digital channels. I saved that as the original, then took another copy to modify for my use.

Would it be worth updating firmware to 5.5.0.e or f? Or is one of the older firmware versions a little better/less bugs? Best I can tell I can use those firmwares with 5.5.3.

 

[TurboSportTSi]

I don't know that I would update the firmware unless a newer editor version is available to you. Your RES is pretty old.

Either way, you should be able to put a tx tone on a conventional channel. Can you post a screenshot of RES for a channel you're having trouble with?

 

[N4FLI]

And they changed the PL to a DPL here recently. Databases might not have it yet. I quote the guy setting up the repeater "Finally. Change your radios to 365N for 442.500." Problem is, I'm not sure I'm getting anything out with any PL or DPL. I am getting crosstalk simplex to my other radio. Maybe I should try simplex with a tone and see if the Antenna is junk or if the radio just has no real power. The other radio is a baofeng.

Also, this is Neo 2.4.0. Radio is too old for Res. Wont even read it. I have recieved the repeater output on this channel. Just its not making it out. Maybe I'll try making the DCS one of the CtCSS index numbers and setting it that way?

 

[TurboSportTSi]

Is Invert DCS enabled on purpose?

 

[N4FLI]

It was inverted on purpose. I've tried both ways as well.
Here's a channel with standard tones that I can't gget anything out, but can receive in on.

 

[N4FLI]

I started with a brand new file, only edited two channels. One a repeater, the other a simplex with a PL tone. Again, I come to the conclusion that plain PL's aren't transmitting for some unknown reason. I can turn the tones off on my other radio and hear. Changing nothing but turning on the CTCSS tones back on on the other radio, I see the transmission, but the radio doesn't open up. So..... Maybe firmware it is or the radio has got something else going on that it doesn't want to send a CTCSS/ DCS tone out. I'm not doing the firmware immediately. I just don't know what would cause this. Radio is in great shape physically.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

Alignment? perhaps its CTCSS/DCS deviation is low?

 

[N4FLI]

Alignment? perhaps its CTCSS/DCS deviation is low?

I'll have to research how to do that. I hadn't thought about that, but sort of fits. I did run a PL/DPL scan while transmitting and got nothing to open up, so if it's off, its not enough off that another code is picking up. I didn't really expect it to, but some things surprise you.

 

[N4FLI]

After a brief email convo with a BK rep, and some educated SWAGs, I updated the firmware and when I read it with RES, none of the CTCSS's were saved in there. Updated them with Res 5.5.3 (as per the new firmware reqs) and I'm into the repeaters.

Now I just have a mic issue with the front of the radio that a lapel mic fixes....