Building Radio Console Software

[TTACsniper1234]

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a fun DIY project to build a console similar to Motorola’s MCC7500e. My goal is to interface a Motorola MCS2000 with a PC and route audio to/from the radio via the console. Here’s what I’ve done so far and where I’m looking for advice:

What I’ve Accomplished So Far​

• Audio Output from Radio to PC:
  • I’ve routed the radio’s audio output to the PC using USB audio adapters.
  • The audio is then sent to “channels” on the console for playback through PC speakers.
• Proof of Concept for PTT Control:
  • I’m considering using an Arduino to control a relay for the PTT function. The idea is to send a serial command from the PC to the Arduino to toggle the relay, which will trigger the radio’s PTT.

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What I’m Stuck On​

1. Sending Audio from the Desktop Mic to the Radio:
   • I need to send audio from a desktop microphone to the radio’s mic input when PTT is active.
   • My plan is to route the audio through the USB audio adapter back to the radio.
   • The issue: Is the PC’s audio output compatible with the radio’s mic input (impedance, signal type, etc.)?
2. PTT Control:
   • Will using an Arduino to fire a relay work reliably for triggering the radio’s PTT?

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My Current Ideas​

• PTT Control:
  • Use a relay controlled by an Arduino. The relay will short the PTT circuit on the radio.
  • Serial communication from my C# console app will command the Arduino to engage/disengage the relay.

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Questions for the Community​

1. Has anyone attempted a similar project? If so, what challenges did you encounter?
2. Does my plan to use an Arduino and relay for PTT control sound feasible?
3. How can I ensure the PC’s audio output matches the radio’s mic input requirements?
4. Are there better ways to route the audio from the PC to the radio?

Any input, ideas, or resources would be greatly appreciated!
Here are some current pictures of the project
(I used ChatGPT to help explain this because I'm terrible at explaining)


Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[ff026]

I’ve done 3 radios with 1 gooseneck mic and 3 PTT buttons.
How it's done:
Unsoldered the mic element from a donor Motorola desk mic. Removed the Shure Mic element soldered the Motorola element on.
Connected that to the circuit board from the same desk mic.
Used the board from the desk mic to feed a terminal block that I use to feed the audio in on 2 XTL5000 and 1 maratrac.

Works great.

 

[wgbecks]

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a fun DIY project to build a console similar to Motorola’s MCC7500e. My goal is to interface a Motorola MCS2000 with a PC and route audio to/from the radio via the console. Here’s what I’ve done so far and where I’m looking for advice:

You might want to check out the work done by W3AXL on just such an application written to communicate with Motorola radios using the
SB9600 signaling protocol. See URL: W3AXL/RadioConsole2

 

[dispatchgeek]

You might want to check out the work done by W3AXL on just such an application written to communicate with Motorola radios using the
SB9600 signaling protocol. See URL: W3AXL/RadioConsole2

Thanks for pointing this out. I’ll keep an eye on this. If this ever supports the APX consolette, I would be all over it!