Orions and dual radios

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 12:54 pm

Ok, how would I setup a dual radio Orion system? Say 800 and Lowband.

Cables? Firmware?

n_zero_ndp · Post by **n_zero_ndp** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 3:00 pm

apco25imbe wrote:Ok, how would I setup a dual radio Orion system? Say 800 and Lowband.

Cables? Firmware?

Dual radio setup is in programming:

Under "Network Options" then "Multiple Radio Setup" select "Enable" then choose "MASTER" or "SLAVE" radio

From LBI-38901D: single control head with dual radio contol...
dual radio control cable 19B802554P10 is about 6 foot in length
P1 goes to SLAVE - P2 goes to MASTER - P3 goes to regular REMOTE MOUNT CONTROL CABLE

Should be all you need... we use a single control head/dual radio setup here for KCFD
MASTER=EDACS & SLAVE=Conventional

Ken in Kansas City

Post by **Alex** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 3:07 pm

I've wanted to do one of these setups for a while, however, for the band coverage that I wanted, the splits for the orions are horrible (IMHO). 150-174 doesn't cover the ham band! Bah!

The uhf's were split like much of the motorola stuff. I had a brand new VHF that I ended up selling. I got it from a guy at the Rochester, NY hamfest. $400 wasn't too bad, but I really wanted the systems head too. Never ended up installing it either.

I would be happy with a 42-50 that would cover 6m, but that's pretty much a "if it's cheap enough I'll buy it" kind of project.

-Alex

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 4:33 pm

Thanks for the info, Motorola guy here so not too familiar with some of the MA/COM stuff. I've got a 42-50 Orion Scan coming my way, now if I could just find a Scan or System 800 EDACS Orion to go with it.

n_zero_ndp · Post by **n_zero_ndp** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 6:12 pm

apco25imbe...

Have you seen this post on the BatLabs BatBoard?

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=14565

Some nice pics on there to show the dual Orion/single control head setup.

Glen W Christen · Post by **Glen W Christen** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 10:32 am

We have a lot of dual orion setups for law enforcement: VHF and 800 EDACS. Many are used with data and a word of warning: the data radio MUST be the master!!!! The Orion RADIO does not determine scan/system - it's the control head. If you use the siren/lights controller, BOTH radios must be programmed EXACTLY the same for S/L functions or you will have problems. Also, PA can be used ONLY on the master radio. Otherwise, all functions will work with both radios if programmed correctly. BOTH RADIOS MUST!!!!!! HAVE THE SAME RADIO CODE!!!!

n_zero_ndp · Post by **n_zero_ndp** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 10:47 am

Glen W Christen wrote:We have a lot of dual orion setups for law enforcement: VHF and 800 EDACS. Many are used with data and a word of warning: the data radio MUST be the master!!!! The Orion RADIO does not determine scan/system - it's the control head. If you use the siren/lights controller, BOTH radios must be programmed EXACTLY the same for S/L functions or you will have problems. Also, PA can be used ONLY on the master radio. Otherwise, all functions will work with both radios if programmed correctly. BOTH RADIOS MUST!!!!!! HAVE THE SAME RADIO CODE!!!!

Glen, thanks for that extra info. I was not aware of all those little details - looks like you have found out the hard way... We use the dual setups here for the FD. Both radios are 800 meg but the Master is EDACS & the Slave is for conventional fireground freqs. We don't do any S/L functions, just PA.

Ken in KC

rescue161 · Post by **rescue161** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 8:55 am

So on a dual radio/one head setup, can you mix and mingle frequencies from either radio within zones? Or do you have to 'switch' back and forth between radios to go from one radio to the other? I think I just confused myself.

Anyway, about the radio code, are you referring to the OB3300??? what ever the names of the *.BIN files? Or is it something different?

Thanks for clearing up all this. I am beginning to like Orions better than Motorola, especially if I can get the low band to go out of band. I hex edited the software I have, but I don't have the radio yet.

n_zero_ndp · Post by **n_zero_ndp** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 5:26 pm

rescue161 wrote:So on a dual radio/one head setup, can you mix and mingle frequencies from either radio within zones? Or do you have to 'switch' back and forth between radios to go from one radio to the other? I think I just confused myself.

Scott, I have limited experience with the dual radio setup ORION, but here is what I recall...

[Using a SYSTEM head], you select which radio you want to TX on with the assigned button. Select your talkgroup (or channel for conv. radio). You have to switch radios using the assigned button on the head to control the other radio (I think the keymap allows assignment of 2 seperate buttons - RADIO1 & RADIO2). Basically what you get is the ability to TX/RX from 1 radio at a time but also allowing you to RX all the time on the other radio.

Our FD uses this for incident command. They get in a location that has poor walkie coverage on the EDACS system & assign everyone on-scene to a conv. fireground freq while staying in contact with dispatch on the EDACS radio.

Ken

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 11:29 am

Been in contact with USPSS regardining the dual configurations. I'm getting really close to dumping the A9 spectras and using all Orions for the mobile install.

Glen W Christen · Post by **Glen W Christen** » Tue Jun 17, 2003 4:02 pm

We use one button to TOGGLE between radios. (assign in programming as RAD) This is especially important when you are running out of buttons because of too many S/L functions. A gotcha - you have to set the volume on one radio, then toggle to the other and set its volume. If you don't, one may be high enough to blow your ears while the other can barely be heard.

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Orions and dual radios

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