VERTEX VX-2000 NARROWBAND Problem

[bigldh]

My local FD has asked me to program a Vertex 2000 VHF for their portable
water-site vehicle. The problem: I need Narrowband frequencies programmed...
(i.e. V-Call 155.5725, etc...) The unit keeps rounding the freqs up regardless
if I set the W/N setting to Narrow. Vertex lists this unit as P-25 (Narrowband, NOT digital) compliant.

Vertex claims this radio is narrowband compliant, but I can't seem to get it to
go. I have tried both CE20 versiond 1.1; 1.2; and 2.0 and have had ZERO luck.

Is this potentially a FirmWare issue? If so, would anyone happen to have access
to the firmware for this unit?

I am able to read / write to the unit just fine with any of the previously mentioned software versions... Just not sure why I can't get it to take the Freqs.

Any help you could provide would great reduce the amount of gray hair and now
bald spots (from pulling it out) )

Thanks a MILLION!!!

Dale

 

[W2NJS]

When I had VX900s, there was a "specification table" at the top of the programming setup page that, among other things, listed the splits available. As I recall, the UHF radio only went to 12.5 kHz but the VHF one showed the "tightest" split as 1.25. Maybe a closer look at your setup will tell you what the radio can, and can not, do.

 

[bigldh]

I too have the Specs table at the top and it lists the steps as " 5, 6.25" . Am I wrong here, but as I understand channel spacing, this should allow me to the Narrowbanding freq (i.e. 151.5725...etc...), correct?

Again, I have selected N from the W(ide) or N(arrow) column (assuming this would tell the software I am looking for narrowband Freq entry).

I apologize if I am asking some 'noobish' questions here. I am by NO means an expert in this field. I have a vast amount of experience dabbling, etc... Just feel like I am out of my element with this programming issue.

Again, THANK YOU for your reply(ies)... I appreciate ALL feedback!

Dale

 

[N0GX]

You need to have 2.5 khz tuning step to tune that freq, apparently that radio doesn't offer that small of a step.

 

[12dbsinad]

It sounds like the radio will not accept the split and is defalting when you type the freq in. This is somewhat of a common problem that is run into excpecially older narrowband capable radios.

 

[MTS2000des]

and this is why you see a ton of these and other late 90's early 2000's era analog radios on brokenstolencounterfeitradios.com aka Ebay. Problem with the VX2000's is firmware is hard coded in ROM and can't be updated to tune the needed 2.5KHz step splinter channels. The earlier (pre revision DN) HT1000, MT2000 (pre 2.11 firmware) also suffer the same fate, as do dozens of other radios from that era.

Replacement is your only option with a more modern radio that supports the 2.5KHz steps. People often get 2.5KHz DEVIATION mixed up with SYNTHESIZER TUNING STEPS. The VX2000 will do the proper 2.5KHz deviation and RX bandwidth, but lacks the capability to tune the 2.5 steps. The synthesizer may be capable, but the radio's firmware is what controls it. and without addressing that, it can't do it.