KC5DBH
Newbie
I am trying to program a pair of Kenwood Viking VP900 portable radios. They are VHF/700-800 models.
I am by no means a newbie to programming radios but I find the Armada software difficult to use and, lacking features. Here's the list:
1. The radio can only take one codeplug at a time. I can find nothing in the software help file to indicate otherwise. That said, I absolutely have to be able to do VHF and 700/800 MHz zones in the same codeplug. Armada appears to have no provision for that.
2. I need to be able to program frequencies in the 803 and 804 MHz range for interoperability purposes. Armada does not allow that yet other major radio manufacturers do. I need a method to override this limitation.
3. I understand that templates allow the generation of codeplugs that are not specific to the model and serial number of the radio(s) being programmed. It appears that I have to link a codeplug to a template. Problem is I can’t generate new codeplugs with Armada and I can’t program more than one band at a time within a given codeplug. That said, I don’t see how the radio can be a multi-band unit when I can only get one codeplug at a time in it and, when that one codeplug is only good for one band.
4. What on earth is Monitor RX? I’ve never heard of such a thing. If it refers to any function I’m already familiar with; Monitor RX is not the correct term for it. If not, I have no clue what it is or what it does.
5. The Armada help file made a brief reference to profiles and gave me the impression profiles are a collection of codeplugs and templates; maybe something that Armada actually programs the radio with as opposed to individual codeplugs. I can’t find any method in Armada by which to generate new profiles.
6. What does the “save” icon do up in the upper left of the Fleet Window? Best I can figure is it does nothing as I used it to save my work as I progressed and, Armada lost all of it for no reason. If Armada saved it, then where because I can’t find it and I checked the AppData portion of my user directory in Windows 10 Pro where Armada places files it uses.
The above statements were copied from an e-mail sent to my dealer and EF Johnson support.
I have programmed numerous Motorola radios, a handful of Harris radios, Kenwood and, Icom radios; both digital and analog.
I am in serious need of assistance with programming these radios. Absent that, I won't be having my local fire department buy anymore of them.
--Matt
I am by no means a newbie to programming radios but I find the Armada software difficult to use and, lacking features. Here's the list:
1. The radio can only take one codeplug at a time. I can find nothing in the software help file to indicate otherwise. That said, I absolutely have to be able to do VHF and 700/800 MHz zones in the same codeplug. Armada appears to have no provision for that.
2. I need to be able to program frequencies in the 803 and 804 MHz range for interoperability purposes. Armada does not allow that yet other major radio manufacturers do. I need a method to override this limitation.
3. I understand that templates allow the generation of codeplugs that are not specific to the model and serial number of the radio(s) being programmed. It appears that I have to link a codeplug to a template. Problem is I can’t generate new codeplugs with Armada and I can’t program more than one band at a time within a given codeplug. That said, I don’t see how the radio can be a multi-band unit when I can only get one codeplug at a time in it and, when that one codeplug is only good for one band.
4. What on earth is Monitor RX? I’ve never heard of such a thing. If it refers to any function I’m already familiar with; Monitor RX is not the correct term for it. If not, I have no clue what it is or what it does.
5. The Armada help file made a brief reference to profiles and gave me the impression profiles are a collection of codeplugs and templates; maybe something that Armada actually programs the radio with as opposed to individual codeplugs. I can’t find any method in Armada by which to generate new profiles.
6. What does the “save” icon do up in the upper left of the Fleet Window? Best I can figure is it does nothing as I used it to save my work as I progressed and, Armada lost all of it for no reason. If Armada saved it, then where because I can’t find it and I checked the AppData portion of my user directory in Windows 10 Pro where Armada places files it uses.
The above statements were copied from an e-mail sent to my dealer and EF Johnson support.
I have programmed numerous Motorola radios, a handful of Harris radios, Kenwood and, Icom radios; both digital and analog.
I am in serious need of assistance with programming these radios. Absent that, I won't be having my local fire department buy anymore of them.
--Matt