P5100 Public Safety Speaker Microphone antenna question

[ocguard]

Hello all.

I am hoping someone can tell me if, when a public safety speaker microphone is connected to the P5100 or P7100 series radios, the connector disables the radio's antenna connector, requiring that the antenna port on the PSSM be used? This would be similar to the operation of a Motorola Jedi series radio, where the small "nub" on the PSSM's adapter pushes in on a switch in the accessory connector, disabling the internal antenna connector.

If this is the case, does anyone know where (preferably online) I can find documentation? I've looked through the pdf user manuals for both series radios on M/A-Com's website with no luck.

 

[Thunderknight]

On M-RK's, you can unscrew the antenna port from the side of the UDC so that when the mic is connected, it has nothing to press against and thereby does not disable the antenna. I think the same applies on the P7100s...you need a small needlenose or someother type of tool to grip the slots on the sides of the connector.

 

[ocguard]

I'm hoping someone can give me a 100% certain answer to this topic. Does the attachment of a public safety speaker microphone to the P5100 disable the radio's internal antenna port?

 

[Gator2823]

I can say that with 100% certainty that when you install a M/A-Com or other approved speaker mic (with antenna) on a P7100 or P5100 series radio, the antenna on the top of the radio is disconnected.
You have to dig inside the service manuals for written proof. It doesn't come out and say so, but when you dig into the circuitry you find the mechanical switch that is activated by installing the appropriate mic.
Or if you have a trunked radio, leave the antenna off your mic, install the mic and see if you go into "cc scan".
In any case, the answer is defintely "yes."

 

[ROOFLIFECO]

I have one of these speaker mics for the P7100s and I NEVER use the antenna on the actual mic...I've had no problems receiving or transmitting with just the antenna on the radio

 

[ocguard]

Gator -- Thanks! I just needed someone who was completely certain. I'll deal with the written proof when time permits.

Roof -- be careful! I always thought everything was fine when using my MTS2000 (Motorola Jedi line) 800mhz radio the same way. Then I got into a basement, and had NOTHING from my radio. Turns out, I just happened to be in areas where I could operate without an antenna and still hear the system. Pure luck.