CDM and Zetron model 6 compatible?

[ryan81986]

Hey everyone,

I'm batting around idea on building a station alerting system. We currently use a two tone system w/ Minitor pagers. We have a CDM1250 in the station as a base and I'd like to try and build the system off of that. Basically so we can have a system without having to change anything at our dispatch center.

I have found info on using a Valcom tone generator and relays, however I have a spare Zetron model 6 and I was wondering if there is a way to use the CDM to trip it to set off the tones and broadcast the audio, or is it proprietary to Zetron's system?

Thanks in advance

 

[mmckenna]

It uses 1200 baud FSK, so should be doable over radio. What you trigger it with would be the question. I haven't found any info on the exact protocol used, but there is some sort of ack that happens between the units. Unless you have the base unit, this might be pretty difficult.

http://www.utilitycommunications.com/dealer_downloads/005-0341 Model 6-26 Spec.pdf

 

[ramal121]

The model 6 is the on the receive end of the system and is used to control lights, public address, etc. and provide status of apparatus. It gets its commands from the model 26 which is the encoder used by dispatch. You cannot get the model 6 to do much except manually enable some relays inside and of course talk to the model 26 master. As mentioned the system uses FSK and the code is proprietary Zetron. Don't think you'll get a model 6 to do what you want. Stick with two tone and go to Midians and get something that will easily hook up to your CDM.

 

[ryan81986]

Out of curiosity, is there a way to bench test the tones on a model 6 without a 26?

 

[ramal121]

Well yea, but not much you can do with them. If you put the model 6 into test mode it will send alternating mark and space tones at the 1200 baud rate (hell, it's been a few years, something like 1800Hz and 1200Hz. I don't remember) Only use would be to set levels in the system.

I'm not sure what tones you think are going to get out of a model 6 but one thing I will grant you is it is NOT a paging encoder of any type. It is a remote control device that will only operate correctly with a model 26 master. If that is the only piece you have, chuck it into the recycle.