Moto APX Gateway/Patching

[Nbraves]

Just curious, would it be possible to take my XTS 800mhz portable and an XTS VHF portable and hook them up to some small, simple circuitry to allow me to Patch channels without having to pay thousands for an ACU or any other big black box I’d have to carry around to be deployable at Fire, MCI scenes or any other large events to increase interoperability.

Sorta how you would make a little duplex repeater through VOX using some baofengs?

Just now sure how to trip the PTT when audio is being sent to a TX radio…

 

[mmckenna]

The pins you'd need to do that, like the ones on an XTL, are not on the side connector of the XTS.

Opening up and modifying the XTS to access that circuitry would void the Part 90 certification, and thus make it not legal to use.

Using VOX control on public safety frequencies, especially when cross banding, is a colossally bad idea, as you can hose up a channel for all users in the area. Usually the COMT or COML will not like someone setting up a cross band repeater without the proper protection.

In other words, there's a real good reason that they want gateways used.

 

[Nbraves]

I’m not proposing I use VOX, I agree terrible idea for public safety. Just wonder if there was a way I could throw together a circuit that detects audio from my 800mhz XTS and could trigger PTT on my VHF portable ti transmit my message and visa versa by just splicing some wires from the accessory ports.

 

[mmckenna]

I’m not proposing I use VOX, I agree terrible idea for public safety. Just wonder if there was a way I could throw together a circuit that detects audio from my 800mhz XTS and could trigger PTT on my VHF portable ti transmit my message and visa versa by just splicing some wires from the accessory ports.

Any circuit that would do that would essentially be VOX, since the COR/TOR circuit isn't available on the side connector.

Mobile repeater would be the way to do it. If your vehicle has a mobile VHF and a mobile 800MHz radio, there are ways to do that that are much easier.

Really gotta have some good control in there to keep it from hosing things up.

 

[GTR8000]

Do it right. And please, find someone who actually knows what the heck they're doing. So far most of your 13 posts have illustrated a lack of understanding of these radios, to say nothing of using radios that have been modified in an illegitimate way. Stop screwing around before you cause trouble.

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, I agree.

Yes, there are ways to do this. But it's not simple. There needs to be some protections built in. The expensive gateways sort of have this solved, but are still problematic.

One of the big issues is people not using them correctly, or not setting them up correctly. It goes beyond a couple of wires soldered.

Quickly tossed up repeaters linking two channels like that is one of the huge "gotcha's" that COMT's and COML's have to deal with, and why they are adamant that people not set things like this up on scene without doing it correctly.
Wanting to "help" is nice, but there's a reason the JPS gateways and similar devices are expensive.

Leave the cross patching to the dispatchers, or use the right radios.

 

[mastr]

I’m not proposing I use VOX...wonder if there was a way I could throw together a circuit that detects audio from my 800mhz XTS and could trigger PTT...

What you describe is VOX. It is not appropriate for public safety uses in most cases.

 

[MississippiPI]

You folks know your stuff for sure..

Have a good Easter

 

[MTS2000des]

Public safety patching should not be done by hams with cheap crap and cobbled together garbage. Stop it. Just stop. Go become a COM-T, COM-L, and get some real instructor led training from SMEs if this is going to be used for public safety (and not whackerism). It really jars me to see people who work in this industry coming to a hobbyist form for PROFESSIONAL advice. Maybe if Boeing wasn't doing that....seriously.

Want to patch radios? Buy one of these, and then get real training on how to set one up and use it.
This is what I carry on my truck, and can deploy in about 10 minutes.
Then again, I am a COM-L and COM-T and do it for a living.
I don't buy junk parts subscribers off Ebay or try to hack crap up. I do it right or not at all.

 

[WB5UOM]

Sadly, the general mindset here is not much different than all the 'NAS' topics.

 

[mastr]

Public safety patching should not be done by hams with cheap crap and cobbled together garbage...I do it right or not at all.

Are you one of the very few people who "do it for a living" and have a virtually unlimited source of funds?
My experience has been that hardware from that part of the country usually carries an eye watering price.

 

[buddrousa]

To all think about this.
In todays sue happy world were anyone can be sued for millions of dollars for anything are you the person that whats your name on the homemade project that may fail and cost lives? If this happens you can and will be charged and lose everything you have because you built it.

 

[MTS2000des]

Are you one of the very few people who "do it for a living" and have a virtually unlimited source of funds?
My experience has been that hardware from that part of the country usually carries an eye watering price.

Actually my agency applied for these things called grants. Professional agencies (not whackers) can do so, and much of the "eye watering" prices are paid for needed equipment this way. We had 200 APX8000s bought under a UASI grant. It takes having someone on staff who knows how to apply for them. Not hard really.

 

[mastr]

Actually my agency applied for these things called grants. Professional agencies (not whackers) can do so...

Turn the smartassery off and realize that everyone who applies for a grant does not get it.

 

[buddrousa]

Sorry not getting the grant does not constitute taking short cuts and doing JACKLEG work not NATIONALLY APPROVED

 

[mastr]

Sorry not getting the grant does not constitute taking short cuts and doing JACKLEG work not NATIONALLY APPROVED

I am not advocating "jackleg" work. (watch it with those capitals or I will make you mad) I have never worked in a place where money was seemingly unlimited. OP probably doesn't either, so "don't do it" becomes the sad answer.

 

[Outerdog]

Turn the smartassery off and realize that everyone who applies for a grant does not get it.

Turn the asshatery off and realize you're out of your depth.

 

[a417]

terrible idea for public safety.

yep.

 

[mastr]

If my post #14 upset you, that wasn't the intent. But it was a nice bonus.
This place is getting to thin skinned to suit me.

 

[Outerdog]

This place is getting to thin skinned to suit me.