SC2/SC3 HF Selcall/Telcall Microphone
SC51 Selcall/Telcall/GPS internal module
General Notes on Radio Modifications
PTT operation
Most radios require and active low (ground) to operate the PTT circuitry.
The PTT line output from the SC2/SC3 does not go completely to ground
as it is an output from a relay driver IC. The PTT line will go down
to somewhere between 0.6volts and 1.6volts (approximately) depending
on the radios internal PTT circuitry.
With most radios this does not constitute a problem while with some
others strange problems can arise. If you find that the PTT is intermittent
or that the transmit power output is low then we recommend that a small
relay is fitted to switch the PTT. The relay may be driven directly
from the PTT output line on the SC2/SC3 - don't forget a protection
diode across the relay coil !
There are also some radios (notably the Codan 7727 series) which use
a POSITVE PTT (that is 12volts). In this case the use of a relay
is required as above.
The SC51 has two PTT outputs. One for voice and another one for selcall.
The voice PTT normally operates whenever the microphone PTT button is
pressed, while the selcall PTT operates when the SC51 board is tranmitting
selcalls, GPS locations, etc. Some radios can mute the microphone when
sending selcalls by using the selcall PTT (eg. Kenwood TRC/TK80).
Mute and Scan lines
The comments that apply to the PTT line also apply to the mute and scan lines,
but in general there a very few problems with either of these lines.
Out of the two the SCAN line is probably the line which may cause problems
when used in SCAN PULSE mode. Some radios have UP and DOWN lines on
the microphone socket. It is possible to pulse the UP (or DOWN) line
to make the radio pseudo-scan. Try not to scan more than say eight channels
as this may lead to calls being missed.
There are three major problems using the UP/DOWN lines to produce scanning:
1) Some radios use the UP/DOWN lines for other functions as well. These
radios usually measure the VOLTAGE on these lines to determine what
function is required.
2) Most modern radios have a large number of memory channels whcih
are sometimes arranged in "banks" of say ten channels in a bank. Some
radios will allow you to step through a "bank" of channels with the
UP/DOWN lines while others make you step through all the channels.
3) Some radios will bypass empty memory channels when using the UP/DOWN
lines while other radios make you step through all the empty ones.
Alarm Relay Driver
We acknowledge that the internal Piezo alarm in the SC2/SC3 does not generate
a very loud alarm. It is possible to use the Alarm Relay Driver line to
drive an external Piezo or other type of alarm such as a flashing light
or vehicle horn. When doing this select LATCH ALARM or HORN ALARM in the
programming sequence as required.
Better still is to use the Audio Alarm Output line to feed back into
the audio power amplifier of the radio. The audio alarm is fed
down it's own line or alternatively can be fed back down the receive
audio input line by making link LK1.
Microphone Drive Level
Newer versions of the SC2 and SC3 (PCB Version 3 on) have an adjustable
in-built microphone pre-amp. This pre-amp is also fed with a fixed level
of selcall signal so that setting the voice level output power to a suitable
position should result in an adequate selcall output power level.
Radio specific modifications
Note: not all these modifications have been tested by us!
Can't read PDF files?? Get your FREE copy of Adobe
Acrobat reader by clicking on this link:-
|