[aprssig] APRS on 70CM using a hundred "free" UHF radios (Robert Bruninga)

[Brian Webster]

Tech specs on the VRM 850 series of radios. Still looking for the VR 650 series to see what band they do operate on. Looks like private DataTAC systems would possibly operate on simplex channels.

 

http://www.streammktg.com/stream/images/specs/VRM_850%5B1%5D.pdf

 

 

Thank You,

Brian N2KGC

 

From: aprssig [mailto:aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org] On Behalf Of Brian Webster
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 11:26 PM
To: 'Michael Barnes'; 'Robert Bruninga'
Cc: aprssig at lists.tapr.org
Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRS on 70CM using a hundred "free" UHF radios (Robert Bruninga)

 

More good info on the DataTAC systems

 

http://www.derekspratt.com/PDFs/Business/Motorola/Motorola%20Data%20TAC%20Networks%20Reference%20Manual%20-%201992.pdf

 

Thank You,

Brian N2KGC

 

From: aprssig [mailto:aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org] On Behalf Of Brian Webster
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 11:14 PM
To: 'Michael Barnes'; 'Robert Bruninga'
Cc: aprssig at lists.tapr.org
Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRS on 70CM using a hundred "free" UHF radios (Robert Bruninga)

 

Program the frequencies should not be too big an issue. Rib boxes are cheap and it is likely you can find the software for the MCS series of radios. Looking at some web sites sheds more light on the radios and protocols used. Depending on the band the radio operates on simplex links may or may not be possible. This worked on Motorola DataTAC system so it may take other hardware to make this functional.

 

https://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=96927

 

More on the protocol used is listed on the following Wikipedia page as well.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DataTAC

 

Thank You,

Brian N2KGC

 

From: aprssig [mailto:aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org] On Behalf Of Michael Barnes
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 5:37 PM
To: Robert Bruninga
Cc: aprssig at lists.tapr.org
Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRS on 70CM using a hundred "free" UHF radios (Robert Bruninga)

 

Programming these things will be the problem. You will need a Radio Interface Box (RIB) to connect the radio to a computer. Then you will need the Motorola RSS software (pricey and limited availability) to configure the radios. There are tons of these radios on eBay for $5-$50. Unless you have the RIB and proprietary software, all you have are conversation pieces and doorstops. I've fought this battle with Motorola equipment numerous times over the years.

 

Michael WA7SKG

 

 

On Mon, Sep 24, 2018 at 1:51 PM Robert Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu> wrote:

I had forgotten that they first have to be programmed to frequencies...
then we need to understand what kind of serial data in the data port does
what and how or what gets to the other end...


Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: aprssig <aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org> On Behalf Of John Gorkos
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 4:38 PM
To: aprssig at lists.tapr.org
Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRS on 70CM using a hundred "free" UHF radios
(Robert Bruninga)

Geez, that thread is basically a treatise on Why I Hate The Internet, and
Most Human Beings.  Just chock full o' love and help.

That being said, I just bought two of these radios on Ebay for $20.
We'll see what I can do with them.

AB0OO

On 9/24/18 12:52, John D. Hays wrote:
> https://forums.radioreference.com/motorola-forum/179932-motorola-vrm-6
> 50-a.html
>
> On Mon, Sep 24, 2018, 12:06 radio nn4qq <radio.nn4qq at gmail.com
> <mailto:radio.nn4qq at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>     This EBAY post includes a few pictures
>
>
> https://www.ebay.com/p/Motorola-VRM-650-Data-Mobile-Radio-F3454a-VRM65
> 0/1311778416
>
>
>
>     On Mon, Sep 24, 2018 at 2:48 PM Ross Whenmouth <ross at topwire.co.nz
>     <mailto:ross at topwire.co.nz>> wrote:
>
>         The VRM650 is an RD-LAP machine, configured ex-factory for
>         either 9.6 or 19.2 kbps (12.5 or 25 kHz channelisation
>         respectively).
>         I don't know enough about RD-LAP, but presumably, you will be
>         able to encapsulate AX.25 packets inside of RD-LAP packets?
>
>         If the amateur community gets enough of these radios to make it
>         worth while, it is probably within the realms of feasibility
>         (with considerable effort) to reverse engineer the VRM650 and
>         write a "ham" firmware for it "from scratch" which speaks AX.25
>         (and doesn't have copyright issues with Motorola service
> software)
>
>         73
>         Ross Whenmouth ZL2WRW
>
>>         Apparently the Motorola VRM650 UHF data radio should be
>>         available for almost free by the hundreds.
>>
>>
>>
>>         These are Motorola VRM650 modems which I think are a 40 Watt
>>         MCS2000 radio with a different faceplate and only a DB9 rs232
>>         port.
>>
>
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