Command Vehicle Multiple Radio Install

[caterpillar16]

Vehicle is a newer Tahoe police package. We have two XPR5500 radios for the front console area (one on UHF 450 - 470 and the other is VHF 150 - 160). As this is a Chief/Command vehicle, we need comms in the rear hatch area, where we run our command post during incidents. We’ve discussed adding two additional radios back here, but we don’t want 4 antennas on the roof. Is there an acceptable solution for using antenna duplexers/diplexers in this application so that we only need two antennas on the roof? Or is there a solution to allow us to fully control the two 5500s in the front console area from the rear hatch area? We’ve done something like this in our older vehicle, but all we could control was the volume, and there was no control head to see the channel or to be able to switch channels.

 

[mmckenna]

Is there an acceptable solution for using antenna duplexers/diplexers in this application so that we only need two antennas on the roof?

If you had a VHF and UHF radio in the front, and a VHF and UHF radio in the rear, yes, you can combine them using a Diplexer.

The diplexer will have a VHF port and a UHF port, with a common output to the antenna. Place one dual band antenna on the roof for the front radios and another for the rear radios, and you'll be all set.

The challenge is that you need to have some sufficient separation between the two antennas to keep from overloading the other one if both might be in use. Putting one antenna near the front and one near the back should be sufficient.

Or is there a solution to allow us to fully control the two 5500s in the front console area from the rear hatch area? We’ve done something like this in our older vehicle, but all we could control was the volume, and there was no control head to see the channel or to be able to switch channels.

I don't think those radios will do a dual head config, I'm out of the Motorola game.
There are other radios that will do a dual control head configuration. That'll allow you to have one VHF radio and one UHF radio with two control heads for each.

But that would likely require all new radios, and ultimately the cost savings is pretty slim.

 

[cavmedic]

If you had a VHF and UHF radio in the front, and a VHF and UHF radio in the rear, yes, you can combine them using a Diplexer.

The diplexer will have a VHF port and a UHF port, with a common output to the antenna. Place one dual band antenna on the roof for the front radios and another for the rear radios, and you'll be all set.

The challenge is that you need to have some sufficient separation between the two antennas to keep from overloading the other one if both might be in use. Putting one antenna near the front and one near the back should be sufficient.



I don't think those radios will do a dual head config, I'm out of the Motorola game.
There are other radios that will do a dual control head configuration. That'll allow you to have one VHF radio and one UHF radio with two control heads for each.

But that would likely require all new radios, and ultimately the cost savings is pretty slim.

VM's would be the best bang for the buck if getting new radios were needed.

 

[kayn1n32008]

We have two XPR5500 radios for the front console area (one on UHF 450 - 470 and the other is VHF 150 - 160)... As this is a Chief/Command vehicle, we need comms in the rear hatch area, where we run our command post during incidents. We’ve discussed adding two additional radios back here, but we don’t want 4 antennas on the roof. Is there an acceptable solution for using antenna duplexers/diplexers in this application so that we only need two antennas on the roof?

You can buy diplexers that can combine both radios to a single multiband antenna. This would allow 2 antennas to be used by 4 radios.

Or is there a solution to allow us to fully control the two 5500s in the front console area from the rear hatch area?

The XPR5550 are not capable of running multiple control heads.

You don't state whether you are operating analogue or DMR.

If you are just using analogue, then there are a few options for dual control heads.

-Motorola APX series have mobiles with multiple head capability.
-Kenwood VM&NX5x00 series have multiple head capability
-Tait TM mobiles also have options for multiple head capability.

If you are using DMR, Motorola is NOT an option for a multiple control head mobile. If you are running Tier 2 DMR or not a Motorola proprietary format like Capacity Plus/Capacity Max/Connect Plus then Kenwood VP8000 amd Kenwood NX5000 or Tait TM9900 mobiles offer multiple control head capability.

The Kenwood VM8000 and Tait TM9900 both support multiple bands and can be optioned for only the bands you need.

Also, the VM8000 and TP9900 support Analogue, DMR Tier 2 and 3, P25 Phase 1 and P25 phase 2. Again, you only need to buy the options you need.

 

[mmckenna]

Also, the VM8000 and TP9900 support Analogue, DMR Tier 2 and 3, P25 Phase 1 and P25 phase 2. Again, you only need to buy the options you need.

And WAY, WAY less expensive than anything with the batwings on it.

 

[prcguy]

You can buy diplexers that can combine both radios to a single multiband antenna. This would allow 2 antennas to be used by 4 radios.

The XPR5550 are not capable of running multiple control heads.

You don't state whether you are operating analogue or DMR.

If you are just using analogue, then there are a few options for dual control heads.

-Motorola APX series have mobiles with multiple head capability.
-Kenwood VM&NX5x00 series have multiple head capability
-Tait TM mobiles also have options for multiple head capability.

If you are using DMR, Motorola is NOT an option for a multiple control head mobile. If you are running Tier 2 DMR or not a Motorola proprietary format like Capacity Plus/Capacity Max/Connect Plus then Kenwood VP8000 amd Kenwood NX5000 or Tait TM9900 mobiles offer multiple control head capability.

The Kenwood VM8000 and Tait TM9900 both support multiple bands and can be optioned for only the bands you need.

Also, the VM8000 and TP9900 support Analogue, DMR Tier 2 and 3, P25 Phase 1 and P25 phase 2. Again, you only need to buy the options you need.

If interop between other agencies/areas is a consideration I would also recommend at least one radio be an all band with at least P25 capability. A different multiband radio might have an option for remote head which would only require 2 radios and offset the cost of buying multiband radios.

 

[caterpillar16]

We will communicate with multiple agencies but all use DMR with a couple using regular analog in the 150 range, and a very rare scenario where we interface with an agency that uses NXDN. The only mobile radios we currently have in our fleet are TRBO units.

 

[mmckenna]

We will communicate with multiple agencies but all use DMR with a couple using regular analog in the 150 range, and a very rare scenario where we interface with an agency that uses NXDN. The only mobile radios we currently have in our fleet are TRBO units.

NX-5000 series Kenwood's will do analog, NXDN and DMR. Plus you can run dual heads. You can stack the NX-5000 series RF decks, so you'd have one head in front, one head in back, each with both bands, and a VHF and UHF antenna on the roof.

Or, if you really have a budget that needs draining, the EFJohnson VM8000 will let you do VHF, UHF, 700 and 800MHz in one box, along with analog, DMR, NXDN and P25. Plus dual heads. And only one antenna on the roof.

Might be worth talking to your local Kenwood or EF Johnson dealer if you are going to need to add two more XPR's. They might make you a good deal.

 

[caterpillar16]

These are all pretty interesting ideas. We have a good supply of extra 5550 and 4550 radios, both VHF and UHF. As much as I’d love to explore some other solutions, we will probably stick with our TRBO stuff.

 

[prcguy]

These are all pretty interesting ideas. We have a good supply of extra 5550 and 4550 radios, both VHF and UHF. As much as I’d love to explore some other solutions, we will probably stick with our TRBO stuff.

Then the recommendation of two radios in the front sharing one dual band antenna with a diplexer and the two rear radios sharing a dual band antenna with a diplexer is the best idea. But in these times it seems very wasteful installing another pair of radios in the same vehicle when many other models support additional remote control heads.