EF Johnson 5100 Programming

[mainegrw]

I recently picked up an EF Johnson 5100 portable on impulse. It's a 800mhz unit, that I intend to setup up to monitor some local digital traffic much in the way i have my XTS 5000 configured (trunk system voice channels programmed as P25 conventional channels in a scan). I have an understanding on that aspect here however here's the caveat:

The radio was purchased directly from a local ambulance company (not an individual) that recently upgraded to Motorola APX portables. I was warned at time of purchase that the old portables were still programmed and active on their system, and asked to take care and not transmit on it, something I am more than happy to oblige. As such, I know with EF Johnson radios you need a hardware key to program a trunking system, however do you need one to remove the current system? With Moto CPS you cant make any changes to the trunk systems without a system key, kinda hoping that's not the case here....

 

[kb5udf]

I can't answer directly, but if you are able, why not just program in a new zone with the conventional channels you want to monitor. If its like a moto, you may be able to have that trunking system still in the codeplug but have it not easily accessable from the radio. That is I think I once saw a moto with a trunking system in it, that was not linked to a zone, hence not accessable to the user.

 

[ScanWI]

You only need a hardware key if the radio was setup for hardware key only. While this is sometimes the case usually they are not set up this way. To wipe the radio all you need to do is open the software and create a new file for the correct band of the radio. As long as the radio is not set to hardware key only you can then write the new file to your radio.

Also if you have any questions about how it is set up/optioned, with the radio hooked up, in the software choose Transfer>Read Options from Radio This will tell you what options were bought from for the radio.

 

[n3obl]

you can delete the system without a key.

 

[mainegrw]

Thanks for the responses all! The program cable arrived last night, and after some shenanigans trying to get the software up and running, I'm in. I was a little disappointed to find that these radios are configured for Multinet (LTR?) rather than P25, but I get the impression that unlike my Motorola radios, adding the functionality can be pretty easy...
...maybe.

I am not however too impressed with PCConfigure. I disagree with the idea that it is more intuitive and easier to learn than Moto CPS as others state. Any tips on programming would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mainegrw]

Update and more questions:

I managed to get this radio set up for P25 digital conventional operation among other things. I programmed a set of local frequencies into the radio that I know are active as I have a XTS 5000 with the same programming in it. I did this to test the radio's functionality more than anything else. It does receive signals and unmutes when received as my XTS 5000 does, however it seems like the squelch threshold is a bit too high, and it isnt hearing quite as well. Additionally, on in conjunction with this, the Radio-Wide Scan List doesn't seem to work at all, and I cannot program a scan list directly to the conventional channels either. I am fairly certain I have the scan list configured correctly, but it doesn't seem to catch anything. What little I hear out the radio is by chance while flipping the channel knob. I cannot seem to find a squelch adjustment anywhere in the software, so I'm kinda at a loss as to how it's supposed to work.

Thoughts and advice are appreciated!

 

[mainegrw]

Update 2:

I'm pretty certain now that it's a Scan issue, and not a squelch threshold problem. I sourced a copy of PCTune and in there I was able to manipulate the squelch thresholds, which made no difference. The settings were not the default values, but once set back to default, it seems to unmute about the same as my XTS 5000. What I've found now is that when radio-wide scan is enabled, even though the scan lost incorporates only the channels I have programmed, the radio receives nothing when scan is enabled. It receives just fine with scan off when I catch a call on the selected channel.

Could this be an issue with the receive mode being set to Digital Squelch? According to the help file, enabling this works the same as assigning F7E as the NAC on other radios, because this radio doesn't apparently doesnt recognize F7E as a squelch control.

Also, other interesting oddities: I cannot assign a scan list to any conventional channel, nor can I slave a conventional scan list to a zone either. Then theres the weirdest of all: PCConfigure and PCTune worked fine last night reading the radio from my on board serial port, however this morning, when I tried to load the radio settings in PCTune to try some additional squelch adjustments, i got an error, and suddenly the serial port on COM1 was no longer available to either piece of software. Restarting the pc brought it back, and PCConfigure reads just fine, but whenever I load PCTune and try to read the radio, it just causes the serial port to disappear. In this situation, the serial port is still operational, and I can even read my Moto radios just fine, it's just a problem with EFJ's software. I did install both pieces of software on another laptop and used a USB serial adapter, and everything works as it should, so I dont get it. Reinstalling on my other laptop doesnt solve the situation either, so just more challenges to add to my confusion...

Again any thoughts?

 

[buddrousa]

These Radios are easy to brick which is why I only use software bought directly from EF JOHNSON KENWOOD USA

 

[mainegrw]

Fair enough, please point me to where I may purchase the programming software direct from EF Johnson, because I can't find it.

 

[buddrousa]

Contact Local Representative | JVCKENWOOD

www.efjohnson.com