MicroP25RX

[btt]

Time for a status update on the MicroP25RX. Development is progressing well. One change I wanted to bring up is the operating frequency range. The front end has been matched to provide excellent performance in the 450 / 770 / 850 MHz UHF bands. The match also provides good performance for the 169-174 MHz VHF band. Parts to mod the front-end filter have been acquired and a couple of test builds went very well. @goldmyne99 has been helping me with initial testing. It is very much appreciated! The audio from the line-out sounds great and works well for feeding a standard line-in or driving headphones / ear buds. Initial mobile testing (driving) is excellent. There is a minor firmware issue with P2 decoding. I'm currently working on getting that figured out. Another big change is that zip code search has been added as a stand-alone unit. No PC is required to configure the MicroP25RX. Everything will be configurable via the display. The SD card is used to hold the FCC database and zip code files. Frequencies can be manually entered via the display as well. Talk group management is still in progress, but will also be imported from the SD card and will allow for talk group imports per system. The SD card is only used for frequency search and importing data. The information is imported to a robust on-board flash memory/file system that is resistant to power-glitch corruption. The big items that need to be completed before production / sales are 1) solve P2 decode issue, 2) Implement talk group management functions, 3) finalization of the enclosure / production. I'll post another update when I have more to report.

 

[pro106import]

Time for a status update on the MicroP25RX. Development is progressing well. One change I wanted to bring up is the operating frequency range. The front end has been matched to provide excellent performance in the 450 / 770 / 850 MHz UHF bands. The match also provides good performance for the 169-174 MHz VHF band. Parts to mod the front-end filter have been acquired and a couple of test builds went very well. @goldmyne99 has been helping me with initial testing. It is very much appreciated! The audio from the line-out sounds great and works well for feeding a standard line-in or driving headphones / ear buds. Initial mobile testing (driving) is excellent. There is a minor firmware issue with P2 decoding. I'm currently working on getting that figured out. Another big change is that zip code search has been added as a stand-alone unit. No PC is required to configure the MicroP25RX. Everything will be configurable via the display. The SD card is used to hold the FCC database and zip code files. Frequencies can be manually entered via the display as well. Talk group management is still in progress, but will also be imported from the SD card and will allow for talk group imports per system. The SD card is only used for frequency search and importing data. The information is imported to a robust on-board flash memory/file system that is resistant to power-glitch corruption. The big items that need to be completed before production / sales are 1) solve P2 decode issue, 2) Implement talk group management functions, 3) finalization of the enclosure / production. I'll post another update when I have more to report.

edit: I forgot to mention that the receiver automatically stores all frequency-plan, secondary, and adjacent site information to the flash as it receives them from the control channel. The plan is to add multiple modes for utilizing this information for roaming, etc. There will also be a "generate summary report for all systems" option to write a text file to the SD card.

If possible in the future, NXDN 9600?? Just throwing it out there. I know it's not that popular but I was hoping for it with the RX-II, but would settle for the new model!
Thanks Todd.

 

[shirsch101]

BTT, the product sounds great, can't wait for the release!

 

[dcr_inc]

Two Tone Decode ?? Just asking !

 

[vince48]

PL Code?? Just asking

 

[goldmyne99]

Initial mobile testing (driving) is excellent

To add to the @btt update:

I got the test MicroP25RX unit on Tuesday. After a quick firmware update and Wio config, it was up and running in less than 5 minutes. I must say P25 P1 audio is outstanding on my main 850 simulcast system!

I connected the MicroP25RX audio line out to my car's aux in and took the unit on a 75 minute drive test. Traveling through urban and rural areas. On that 75 minute drive, the P25 P1 audio was excellent!

I appreciate Todd asking me to help test these first firmware updates as he gets it fine tuned for all of you following the MicroP25RX. More updates soon.

Here is a fun picture. The MicroP25RX resting on my P25RX "handheld project"

 

[shirsch101]

That look awesome especially the Micro, Wio with black case

 

[dustinsterk]

Excited for this device! Great to hear the progress.

 

[maus92]

My 2021 vehicle only has USB-C inputs to the audio system (and Bluetooth). Hoping that this device pairs more reliably than the RX-II - I had to use a laptop for audio. Unfortunate kludge.

 

[goldmyne99]

The MicroP25RX does not have bluetooth. The audio is a 3.5 mm jack.

I am using this Bluetooth transmitter with the MicroP25RX. The audio is excellent on all of my bluetooth speakers.

 

[maus92]

Ugh.

 

[goldmyne99]

Your critiques are always entertaining. I hope you find the help you need.

 

[FreqNout]

The front end has been matched to provide excellent performance in the 450 / 770 / 850 MHz UHF bands. The match also provides good performance for the 169-174 MHz VHF band. Parts to mod the front-end filter have been acquired and a couple of test builds went very well.

This is great news! Great work @btt

 

[maus92]

Your critiques are always entertaining. I hope you find the help you need.

Other than being less expensive to produce, this device doesn’t really solve any outstanding issues for the end user. In fact, the more durable packaging of the Rx-Ii makes it a superior product for my use case. Users with other motivations may disagree.

 

[pro106import]

Ugh.

You can get a bluetooth adapter for about 12 bucks. I use it for my Unication G5 to my car and my Bose speakers. Connects fine.

 

[maus92]

You can get a bluetooth adapter for about 12 bucks. I use it for my Unication G5 to my car and my Bose speakers. Connects fine.

I can plug in a battery powered speaker - like I can now with the rx-II. But I hoped to move away from these external devices / kludge factor / multiple cables and have a more integrated solution.

 

[goldmyne99]

I can plug in a battery powered speaker - like I can now with the rx-II. But I hoped to move away from these external devices / kludge factor / multiple cables and have a more integrated solution.

We can agree that the MicroP25RX is not a good fit for you. Noted.

 

[maus92]

It's good that we are having this discussion so people can evaluate their needs vs. what features are being offered. Gotta like transparency.

 

[FreqNout]

It is outstanding that we all are seeing a new product designed and created from scratch in real time. While, it may not have everyone’s desired feature set, it is great to be part of this discussion. The MicroP25RX will not be for everyone, BUT it may allow for @btt to remain in biz to create future products.

 

[maus92]

I get that. What I'd like to see is a spec sheet that describes the product and required interfaces so we can make informed decisions. I want to see BT succeed as a company.