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"System Key" please explain??
- Thread starter chris5758
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JohnWayne
Member
When you spend millions and millions of dollars on a new Motorola trunking system, one of the things you get, besides some t-shirts and mugs, is a floppy disk with the system key on it. The system key is a small file that allows you to edit trunking parameters in the RSS software. Say I wanted to program up my new MTS2000 for system 1234. I would need the system key in order to create that system in the RSS. Then, if you want to edit things like the radio ID, talkgroups, or control channels, you will once again need the system to change these parameters. If you don't have the system key, then you can't create a trunk system for that system, nor can you edit any parameters. It is kind of like the key for Windows of Office or what not. If you don't have it, then you don't play.
If you want to buy a trunking radio off like eBay and use it to monitor your local police, then you will need, besides the RIB and software, the system key,
There are ways to create your own system key....
Jeff
If you want to buy a trunking radio off like eBay and use it to monitor your local police, then you will need, besides the RIB and software, the system key,
There are ways to create your own system key....
Jeff
chris5758
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Ahhh, I get. Like having to enter a password to log on to an email account or computer.
And yes, I did just purchase one off of ebay. I am awaiting it's arrival. I have a friend who has one and they sound fantastic.
I would like to get into programming it myself at some point but for now we have a friend who can do that for me. Which brings me to my next question...I read some posts stating that I would need a old 386, 486 computer?? Something to do with the RSS.
Thanks
And yes, I did just purchase one off of ebay. I am awaiting it's arrival. I have a friend who has one and they sound fantastic.
I would like to get into programming it myself at some point but for now we have a friend who can do that for me. Which brings me to my next question...I read some posts stating that I would need a old 386, 486 computer?? Something to do with the RSS.
Thanks
Be carefull with the radios for law enforcement monitoring use, I've been using an MTX8000 for the last 4 years to monitor the local Sheriff's dept trunk system and its never been able to transmit but for some reason about a year ago it started being able to transmit. I have no clue what happened but I disabled it by removing the membrane under the xmit button. I work for a small security company, and before Nextel bought out the commercial 800 trunk systems around here we were on a 800 trunk system, the way we had the codeplug made was our channel would be in the channel 16 position, it he had the ABC switch on A it would stay on our channel unless we manually selected one of the sheriff's channels but if we keyed up it would go back to our channel, if we flipped the ABC switch to C it would scan all channels (sheriff's and ours). It was a pretty cool setup, dont ask me how it was done cause the person who made our codeplug is now deceased. We're stuck on a 400 conventional system now but I still have the MTX8000 to monitor the sheriff's dept.
chris5758
Member
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You raise a very good question because I have no intention of ever transmitting with the radio.
Did you remove the PTT pad yourself? And if so, how easy is it to remove the case? I got about a far as removing the knobs on top. The RIB conection on the side looks a little difficult to remove but my guess is that little round button, push in as you pry up the heatsink on the back bottom of the radio?
If anyone one else has some feedback it would be appreciated because one of the three battery pins on the radio is bent and I would like to replace and or fix it.
AND...I thought you can disable the PTT when programming the radio?
Thanks for your reply...
Did you remove the PTT pad yourself? And if so, how easy is it to remove the case? I got about a far as removing the knobs on top. The RIB conection on the side looks a little difficult to remove but my guess is that little round button, push in as you pry up the heatsink on the back bottom of the radio?
If anyone one else has some feedback it would be appreciated because one of the three battery pins on the radio is bent and I would like to replace and or fix it.
AND...I thought you can disable the PTT when programming the radio?
Thanks for your reply...
Its pretty easy taking the radio apart, pull the knobs on the top off, unscrew the antenna, take battery off, then it just pries apart from the bottom. I just peeled the membrane off the PTT pad for a quick fix, I have no idea where to look in the RSS to disable the transmit, I didnt make the codeplug.
Thornhill20
Member
If you have a copy of MTSX Depot, you can reassign the PTT to another function, so the radio doesn't even know what PTT means.
-Mike
-Mike
Microwavemike
Member
MTSX no Xmit
The best way to prevent a radio from EVER transmitting is to remove the input and output leads from the final amp brick. This would be the first and last lead on the long brick like module on the upper left side of the RF module. This will cause the transmit RF not to leave the radio and have no effect on the recieve.
mm
The best way to prevent a radio from EVER transmitting is to remove the input and output leads from the final amp brick. This would be the first and last lead on the long brick like module on the upper left side of the RF module. This will cause the transmit RF not to leave the radio and have no effect on the recieve.
mm
chris5758
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I like the idea of reassigning the PTT with another function. I have not got around to programming the radio yet. I have no clue on how to use the software or how long it takes? A friend will be doing it and I recall him saying he has the MTSX software.
How long does it usually take to program these radio's? And do you need any special skill in using the software? (fire, police, ambulance).
How long does it usually take to program these radio's? And do you need any special skill in using the software? (fire, police, ambulance).
N
N_Jay
Guest
chris5758 said:
That would stop the PTT from working but would not stiop the radio from TRANSMITTING if commanded to do so by the system.
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2004
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- 1,942
You can also set the concentric switch to "TX Disable" on both positions and it won't transmit.
Guero27
Member
System Key in simple terms is the key that lets the radio on the system to TX. And everything like the first reply is correct also. thanks
Have a good onr
Have a good onr
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PJH
Member
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- Aug 23, 2002
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- 3,622
Even though you can unprogram every push button on the radio, the system controller can send out commands that would cause the radio to transmit onto the system, without the user knowing it. The is dependant upon system setup, and the end user isn't going to know.
If you program a radio as smartzone, the sec you turn that radio onto a smartzone system, the radio WILL transmit an affliation request.
A system key is REQUIRED to program a TRS into a radio, and to change any of the TRS programming.
In short, unless you have an absoulote need to have a two-way radio on a trunked system, use a scanner. The system controller can send out a kill command that will render the radio into a door stop depending on the radio model. With some lines, the only way to bring it back is to send it to the Depot (min $300) and they won't do it unless they have an authorization letter from the agency who killed the radio.
If you program a radio as smartzone, the sec you turn that radio onto a smartzone system, the radio WILL transmit an affliation request.
A system key is REQUIRED to program a TRS into a radio, and to change any of the TRS programming.
In short, unless you have an absoulote need to have a two-way radio on a trunked system, use a scanner. The system controller can send out a kill command that will render the radio into a door stop depending on the radio model. With some lines, the only way to bring it back is to send it to the Depot (min $300) and they won't do it unless they have an authorization letter from the agency who killed the radio.
Thornhill20
Member
PJH said:
True, however it *IS* dependant on them knowing what Radio ID you programmed the radio with.
They can only send a command to your radio based on the RID.
For example, if you ran Trunker to find the Radio ID for the Dispatch Console, program that ID into your radio. That way, they're never going to "stun" the Radio ID or anything like that. Just make sure you never EVER transmit, in any way, that WILL get noticed - the bad way.
-Mike
Thornhill20
Member
Did you bother to read my post before you went blurting your mouth off?
Do this, to make your radio never TX on a trunking system (with a Jedi radio anyway):
1) Use MTSX lab to reassign the PTT to something like the Light.
2) Program both positions of the concentric switch to "TX Inhibit".
3) Program the radio for PTT-ID trunking.
4) Program Coverage Type to "Disabled"
5) Set Affiliation to "On PTT"
6) Set your Radio ID to either a console ID or one that doesn't exsist (FFFE is a good bet).
In regards to a console getting messed up, that's not true at all. The consoles are hardcoded to a particular talkgroup. Even if you program a radio with the RID of a console and transmit, it will NOT mess with the *real* console. At least, if your system designer has any brains at all it won't. I've seen this on 3 Motorola systems, and it's never ever caused an issue with the dispatch console.
But you ARE right in saying that you should make sure your radio never transmits. If you're dealing with VHF or UHF trunking, that's very easy, with 800/900, it's easy, but takes some work.
-Mike
Do this, to make your radio never TX on a trunking system (with a Jedi radio anyway):
1) Use MTSX lab to reassign the PTT to something like the Light.
2) Program both positions of the concentric switch to "TX Inhibit".
3) Program the radio for PTT-ID trunking.
4) Program Coverage Type to "Disabled"
5) Set Affiliation to "On PTT"
6) Set your Radio ID to either a console ID or one that doesn't exsist (FFFE is a good bet).
In regards to a console getting messed up, that's not true at all. The consoles are hardcoded to a particular talkgroup. Even if you program a radio with the RID of a console and transmit, it will NOT mess with the *real* console. At least, if your system designer has any brains at all it won't. I've seen this on 3 Motorola systems, and it's never ever caused an issue with the dispatch console.
But you ARE right in saying that you should make sure your radio never transmits. If you're dealing with VHF or UHF trunking, that's very easy, with 800/900, it's easy, but takes some work.
-Mike
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