Quantar doesn't want to play nice.

[speaker-mic]

Ive looked over the posted info and have hit a brick wall. This unit does not have a wire line board and was part of a larger system prior to being decommissioned [ch4 of 8]. It was a trunked channel as shown by a pl of 76.60. Here is the issue. It does connect to RSS but gives 2 distinct error codes: [1]"Connected Device Error: No Response From Device. Check Serial Cable or Modem Connection." [2]"Error No.20 Possible PC Hardware Error. Cannot Write To Serial Port."

No matter what computer is used, RSS Version, and Win OS, its the same result. The cable is a standard Null Modem, i.e.: 2-3, 3-2, 5-5, 7-8. 8-7 5 wire configuration.

Other than that, it powers up, self checks, and goes into a status where the Tx Lock light and Station On lights are on. The Station Fail and PSC Link lights alternate.

There are no emissions, this was confirmed by a frequency counter. It is not transmitting a control channel either. When tested with a meter and run into a dummy load, everything works with regard to the transmit section on a manual PTT.


It cant even have a codeplug dumped into it as it gives the same error messages.

That said, any help would be great.

 

[prcguy]

Sounds like a problem with the Station Control Module and maybe with the eeprom that holds the programming and cal info. I had a quantar that worked fine but would not read or write and I replaced the eeprom, built up a new personality from scratch and a complete cal and its fine now. I also once swapped SCMs between Quantars and instead of building up a new personality on the info read from the SCM I uploaded another personality which seemed to brick the SCM where it would not read or write, plus it was stuck with an 800MHz personality in a VHF repeater. Swapping the eeprom and building up a new personality from scratch fixed that one.

Do a search on Quantar SCM and eeprom and you should find discussion on what the P/N is and where its located on the board. Its a plug in device and I got a few off eBay cheap.

 

[N4KVL]

+1 on the eeprom. Cheap and easy to check.

What version SCM is it? If it's an EPIC IV (CLN7692), these only work for SZ trunking and have their own CSS to talk to them.

 

[speaker-mic]

+1 on the eeprom. Cheap and easy to check.

What version SCM is it? If it's an EPIC IV (CLN7692), these only work for SZ trunking and have their own CSS to talk to them.

Where do I find that? I read about the EPIC types but it was lost on me.

 

[prcguy]

Where do I find that? I read about the EPIC types but it was lost on me.

Find the part # on the board then look here for what version it is and what it does.

Quantar - W9CR

wiki.w9cr.net

 

[speaker-mic]

Find the part # on the board then look here for what version it is and what it does.

Quantar - W9CR

wiki.w9cr.net

I found nothing relating to the part #:CLN8730A. there is no removable parts. there is also another sticker with CLN8767A and one with CLN8778A. I did find one like mine on EBAY with this description of it:

Motorola Quantar Fru Epic 6 Control Module DLN1229A or CLN7692F/CLN8768A​

Looks just like mine.

 

[prcguy]

I found nothing relating to the part #:CLN8730A. there is no removable parts. there is also another sticker with CLN8767A and one with CLN8778A. I did find one like mine on EBAY with this description of it:

Motorola Quantar Fru Epic 6 Control Module DLN1229A or CLN7692F/CLN8768A​

Looks just like mine.

I've had my hands on about 20 SCMs and have never seen one like that.

 

[speaker-mic]

I've had my hands on about 20 SCMs and have never seen one like that.

Figures. It doesn't have the removable chips and there's no place for a wire line to connect. Looks like this may be a dead project..... Whats odd is most Ive seen have RSS marked for the DB9. This has CSS. The 4 buttons, from top to bottom have Local PTT, Disable, [BLANK]. Shift. Everything else looks typical.

 

[speaker-mic]

Tried a new cable. Now it gives "Wrong Prompt Received" error. I'm really getting ready to toss this thing!!

 

[prcguy]

Tried a new cable. Now it gives "Wrong Prompt Received" error. I'm really getting ready to toss this thing!!

I’ll offer $100 plus shipping.

 

[radiocrazy123]

There isn't a problem, you just do not know what you have. I'll offer $125 and add it to my system

 

[prcguy]

Doing a little research there never was an Epic 6 made. What band is the repeater and where are you located? I have spare SCMs and can build up a personality to get a Quantar talking and working.

 

[y85csm]

What you have there is a Quantar that came off of a P25 Trunking System.
The SCM is specific for that function.
You set the IP address with CSS on the front panel serial connection.
All the rest of the programming is thru the ethernet port on the back.
It is designed to talk to the Site Controller on the network.

It will not do conventional.
Get a new SCM.

 

[speaker-mic]

Doing a little research there never was an Epic 6 made. What band is the repeater and where are you located? I have spare SCMs and can build up a personality to get a Quantar talking and working.

im in massachusetts. would you entertain a trade?

 

[speaker-mic]

im in massachusetts. would you entertain a trade?

id like to set it up as a VOC single site.

 

[prcguy]

im in massachusetts. would you entertain a trade?

I have no use for the version you have, I was thinking if you were close by I could try one of my boards in your repeater just to check things out. Then you would know if an eBay board is the right thing to do.

 

[speaker-mic]

I have no use for the version you have, I was thinking if you were close by I could try one of my boards in your repeater just to check things out. Then you would know if an eBay board is the right thing to do.

when i can, ill get all the specifics. backplane, amp, etc. Do you think that will be enough? i know its like asking a mechanic why your car is making a clicking sound but not having it at a shop... perhaps if i order a station controller?? whats odd is it has an analog frequency for tx/rx, with a pl tone that it hears/transmits.

 

[prcguy]

when i can, ill get all the specifics. backplane, amp, etc. Do you think that will be enough? i know its like asking a mechanic why your car is making a clicking sound but not having it at a shop... perhaps if i order a station controller?? whats odd is it has an analog frequency for tx/rx, with a pl tone that it hears/transmits.

What band is your Quantar? The P/Ns off the receiver, exciter and PA will tell what band it is and if they are all on the same band. I've purchased 800MHz trunking versions cheap just to get a good chassis, power supply and SCM and it appears any Quantar can be programmed to be an analog or P25 conventional repeater if the SCM will allow it.

BTW an 800MHz Quantar is basically useless except for a few parts as you can't get a license to use it so they are usually cheap at around $150. Some other bands can be put into amateur or GMRS or commercial service.