MACOM MDX or Orion?

This forum is for the discussions targeted at converting various models of Motorola equipment to operate in the 900MHz Amateur Band.

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apco25
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What radios do you own?: APX / Astro 25 / Harris

MACOM MDX or Orion?

Post by apco25 »

Anyone know if these will work on 902 ham? That is the 900Mhz edacs models. Probably a long shot, but they are available mightly cheap for such a good radio.

There are few floating around on ebay right now.
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
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abbylind
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Post by abbylind »

I talked to one of the Orion gurus at Ma/com
He said no go on 900 ham bands for now...
They are working on a process though

I dont know about the MDX

Fowler
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nc5p
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Post by nc5p »

That is good to know, there is a guy on ebay selling these and claiming 902+ coverage, there are two of them up there now. A few weeks back there was one that claimed 916 and up coverage. I was suspicious of these claims.

Doug
Blitzbug2u
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M/A com--

Post by Blitzbug2u »

Just picked up a 900 MRK I--Will post results after hooking up. Have seen 800's--this is first 900 I have run across. Later--Blitz.
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apco25
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Post by apco25 »

Did you talk to Mark at the MACOM TAC? That's who I was going to ask.
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
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abbylind
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Post by abbylind »

Yes I did
Mark is in the know when it comes to Orions
Hes helping me with another Orion adventure

Fowler
kb8gvq
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Re: MACOM MDX or Orion?

Post by kb8gvq »

I have a hardware fix for the 900 MDX and 900 MTD's which is in the field for eval as beta. It is a processor which interrupts the pll and micro to translate commercial to ham on the fly. There is no sw fix as I have made it one of my studies for the last 5 years... to no avail.. firmware issues... So I built a plug in -drop in board to fix it.. I can make them available for those interested... Doug KB8GVQ
apco25 wrote:Anyone know if these will work on 902 ham? That is the 900Mhz edacs models. Probably a long shot, but they are available mightly cheap for such a good radio.

There are few floating around on ebay right now.
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apco25
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What radios do you own?: APX / Astro 25 / Harris

Post by apco25 »

How much and define drop in?
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
kb8gvq
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Post by kb8gvq »

Well it is plug in in place of the header strip which connects the logic and rf board from the bottom. Pull the old jumper assy, cut the shields for clearance of the board and plug it in, up from the bottom. Solder 1 ptt wire to the accy header, and replace foam and bottom cover...
Program as commercial with specific 935-941 being mapped to 918,919,920,921, 926,927 pairs....simplex too.. Does not interfere with scan although priority from a 927 among 918's usually causes missed calls but can only do so much with vco swing time.. The radio never knows the difference..however it only ever needed to transit 6 mhz on rx, we are pushing it 9 and those are below the desigbned band. Some specimens do not like 918 ... Filters need to be changed too if you want below 927.. just like all other 935 receivers.... Murata like maxtrac etc... or Toko as on ebay right now....
Preassembled surface mount board, I have not exactly established a price as I am still in proto phase but pre-production maybe about ~$65.00 USD ea... maybe lower if i can reduce board cost...
Doug KB8GVQ
SlimBob
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Post by SlimBob »

does GE have anything that can be used like a VRS at 800/900 MHz? I'm tempted to interface one to some of my car radios, but haven't been able to find anything on 800MHz or 900MHz
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