FA1 Kenwood FleetSync Adapter

The FA1 is a special adapter unit designed for use with the Kenwood FleetSync system. The unit has eight opto-isolated inputs and eight relay ouputs with isolated change-over contacts and is designed to connect to a data port on a FleetSync capable radio via a simple 8 way RJ45 to RJ45 cable.

Each input can be programmed to recognise every time the input becomes active or inactive. For each change of state the FA1 can be programmed to send either a status message or a short message or it can ignore the change (send nothing). The status message number or the short message (up to 32 characters) is user programmable.

All inputs are opto-isolated and current limited to approx 10mA. When driven from a voltage source the inputs are not polarity sensitive. A link is provided which optionally feeds the internal FA1 supply voltage to the opto-isolator which can then be activated simply by grounding one of the two input connections. If it is required to control the FA1 input from an external relay contact then another link is provided to feed a ground out of one of the input connections.

Each output relay can be switched ON or OFF by sending a suitable status message to the FA1 from a base, mobile or a handheld radio. Sending STATUS 21 switches ON relay 1, STATUS 22 switches ON relay 2 and STATUS 28 switches ON relay 8, etc. Likewise sending STATUS 31 switches OFF relay 1, STATUS 32 switches OFF relay 2 and STATUS 38 switches OFF relay 8, etc. A special command (STATUS 30) can be sent to switch OFF all output relays at the same time.

All output relays can be programmed to either LATCH into the required position or PULSE for a programmable period of time. The pulse time can be programmed to be between 0.1 Seconds and 99 Minutes 59.9 seconds in 0.1 second steps. The pulse can also be terminated by sending a relay OFF command (STATUS 3x - where x is the relay number) to the FA1.

Sending a STATUS 55 message to the FA1 results in the unit sending back a short message containing the present status of all it's inputs and outputs. The message is in the format :-

INPUTS - 12345678 OUTPUTS - 12345678

where each number is either shown (if the input is active) or is replaced by an "x" (if the input is inactive).

The FA1 can be programmed to communicate with one specific radio, all radios within a specific fleet or all radios in all fleets. The FA1 does not have it's own FLEET/ID programmed but takes the FLEET/ID of the radio it is connected to.

Programming of the FA1 is easily accomplished by using a PC running the freely available configuration programme and plugging a standard Kenwood programming lead into the RJ45 connector on the FA1 (separate power needs to be supplied to the programming lead). The RUN/PRG switch on the FA1 must be set to PRG (Programme) before running the configuration programme and then set to RUN when programming is complete. See HERE for a screenshot of the programming software.

An LCD option is available which allows the display of the operational status of the FA1. The normal display shows the various input and output states while any change in inputs or outputs will be displayed for a short period on the LCD. Additionally the status of each input and output is shown by an associated LED with additional LEDs to indicate power and running.

Click here for the FA1 manual