Data transfer on a P25 Astro Spectra radio

[Astro Spectra]

"Unfortunately there is no such thing in the Astro CPS" well actually there is:



If the target Astro radio is not under modems then you don't have the driver installed. I think it's on the CPS distribution CD.

 

[cyrus]

Astro CPS is different than ASTRO25 CPS. The OP is using an Astro Spectra.

 

[Astro Spectra]

You're right, my bad.

 

[HA5BRG]

Yepp, guys....I am using the old Astro Spectra, not an ASTRO25 radio. I have heard from several sources that it is much more easyer to set up data communication with ASTRO25 CPS? but the real thing is: I can't afford an XTL radio. Yet.


By the way, yesterday evening I enabled these options in the Flashcode....

- APCO Packet Data
- H14/H44 ASTRO Data
- Q947/W947 Packet Data Interface

...and after this I was able to select APCO Packet Data in the CPS, plus I was able to set the IP address. But I did not find any scroll-down menus, tickboxes or other options to select packet as FNE/Repeated/Direct.

 

[HA5BRG]

"Unfortunately there is no such thing in the Astro CPS" well actually there is:

If the target Astro radio is not under modems then you don't have the driver installed. I think it's on the CPS distribution CD.

What is the flashcode of the radio what you took the screenshot of? Maybe I did not select all the flashcode options needed to get into all Astro Data options in the CPS (non ASTRO25).

 

[Astro Spectra]

I'm sorry, I wasn't paying enough attention attention to your thread. My post was about the Astro25 platform.

 

[HA5BRG]

No probs Maybe someone can give useful tips to get the old Astro Spectra working with the Packet Data option.

 

[HA5BRG]

My worst nightmare has come true:

When the Astro Spectra senses serial data on the RS232 input lines, it starts to search for a central controlling unit (Quantar?) or something similar to that. It is trying to reach out for the central unit 3 times and then stops transmitting the data packets.



Now the truth is revealed, the old Astros are not capable of direct communication, I mean radio to radio.

I think there are two options to move forward in this project:

#1: try to emulate the controlling unit's data communication towards the radio. Does anybody know the proper format of these packets?

#2: try to switch to an ASTRO25 radio. Does anybody know if the Astro Spectra Plus is capable of radio to radio direct communication, like an XTL5000?

 

[Alpha]

That's very interesting! Thank you for the report - I bought an Astro Spectra data cable long ago and never got the time to experiment with it, apparently you have saved me the time of messing around and figuring it out for myself! Out of curiosity, did you try it on a simplex channel? Perhaps it can do "talkaround" in data mode on a simplex channel to another radio similarly set up? That would be the last thing to try before calling it quits on the Astro Spectras.

Otherwise, yes, I believe the AS+ should work just like a 5000 in that respect - they run exactly the same firmware and use the same CPS, so hopefully yes, they should act the same.

 

[HA5BRG]

Yes I have tried it on a simplex channel. I will give it a last try on a non-simplex channel with using the talkaround. I will keep you updated on this.


Also found this in the 'ASTRO Digital Spectra HHCH System Manual':

"On power-up, and when the radio is switched to a new channel for
which data has been enabled, the radio will immediately attempt to
register with the fixed-end infrastructure data controller *. This
registration process indentifies the radio to the controller and
establishes the link to be used for future outbound messages from the
data controller to the radio."

* is the key point


P.S.: I am going to get an AS+ Vocon and leave the first generation Astro units behind.

 

[HA5BRG]

PDF supplement for the Data Cable needed when ordering W947 option for Astro Spectra and Astro Spectra Plus units.

Enjoy!