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→Wiring/Connections
[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:Hardware]]
This page discusses interfacing the Motorola Quantar to the RTCM/VOTER interface, for use with AllStar.
{{Infobox PTTLink
| image = Quantar.jpg
| caption = Motorola Quantar Radio
| category = How to
}}
This page discusses interfacing the Motorola Quantar to the [[RTCM Client|RTCM]]/[[VOTER]] interface, for use with AllStar.
=Background=
=Background=
The following links are useful for reference:
The following links are useful for reference:
*[https://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Quantar W9CR Quantar Site] Bryan has a LOT of useful and relevant info on his page including manuals and firmware
*[https://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Quantar W9CR Quantar Site]<ref name="W9CRWiki">[https://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Quantar W9CR Quantar Site]</ref> Bryan has a LOT of useful and relevant info on his page including manuals and firmware
*[http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/quantar-index.html Repeater Builder Quantar Site] Go here for additional documentation
*[http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/quantar-index.html Repeater Builder Quantar Site]<ref name="RepeaterBuilderQuantar1">[http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/quantar-index.html Repeater Builder Quantar Site]</ref> Go here for additional documentation
*[[RTCM_Client | RTCM]] The RTCM page on this site
*[[RTCM_Client | RTCM]] The RTCM page on this site
*[[Radio_Connections#Quantar | Quantar Connections]] The Quantar section on this site
*[[Radio_Connections#Quantar | Quantar Connections]] The Quantar section on this site
=Firmware=
=Firmware=
==Quantar Firmware==
==Quantar Firmware==
You will want to have newer (ie R020.014.048) firmware in the Station Control Module (SCM). Head on over to [https://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Quantar Bryan's site] to download the firmware files. You will also want to get the RSS manual and Service Manual when you are there.
You will want to have newer (ie R020.014.048) firmware in the Station Control Module (SCM). Head on over to [https://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Quantar Bryan's site]<ref name="W9CRWiki"/> to download the firmware files. You will also want to get the RSS manual and Service Manual when you are there.
Upgrade the firmware in your SCM and Wireline module, using the instructions in your RSS manual. You should end up with something like this when you go look at the versions screen in the RSS:
Upgrade the firmware in your SCM and Wireline module, using the instructions in your RSS manual. You should end up with something like this when you go look at the versions screen in the RSS:
<pre>
<syntaxhighlight lang="text">Station Control Firmware R020.14.048
Station Control Firmware R020.14.048
Station Wireline Firmware R020.14.003
Station Wireline Firmware R020.14.003
Station Exciter Firmware R020.09.018
Station Exciter Firmware R020.09.018
Station Boot2 Firmware R020.14.015
Station Boot2 Firmware R020.14.015
Station Boot1 Firmware R020.09.011
Station Boot1 Firmware R020.09.011
Codeplug Version 14
Codeplug Version 14</syntaxhighlight>
</pre>
Note, you will want to update your codeplug too, that is under the Tools --> Codeplug Upgrade menu.
Note, you will want to update your codeplug too, that is under the Tools --> Codeplug Upgrade menu.
The RTCM needs the "smt" version files, the VOTER uses the non-smt version files.
The RTCM needs the "smt" version files, the VOTER uses the non-smt version files.
Firmware is available at [https://github.com/AllStarLink/voter/tree/master/board-firmware Github]. Instructions and the other utility needed are all listed on the [[RTCM_Client | RTCM]] page.
Firmware is available at [https://github.com/PTTLink/voter/tree/master/board-firmware PTTLink Github Repository]<ref name="PTTLink Github Repository">[https://github.com/PTTLink/voter/tree/master/board-firmware PTTLink Github Repository]</ref>. Instructions and the other utility needed are all listed on the [[RTCM_Client | RTCM]] page.
=Wiring/Connections=
=Wiring/Connections=
A good primer on the connections available on the backplane can be found over on [http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/q-interfacing/quantar-interfacing.html Repeater Builder], or dig through the various manuals.
A good primer on the connections available on the backplane can be found over on [http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/q-interfacing/quantar-interfacing.html Repeater Builder]<ref name="RepeaterBuilderQuantar2>[http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/q-interfacing/quantar-interfacing.html Repeater Builder Motorola Quantar Interfacing]</ref> , or dig through the various manuals.
It is best to use the "Telco" connector, J17, to make the interface cable. This requires a 50-pin MALE Amphenol connector and 90 degree hood. Carefully solder the connections if you have to, or find your local communications installer buddy with an Amphenol "butterfly" tool to crimp one for you.
It is best to use the "Telco" connector, J17, to make the interface cable. This requires a 50-pin MALE Amphenol connector and 90 degree hood. Carefully solder the connections if you have to, or find your local communications installer buddy with an Amphenol "butterfly" tool to crimp one for you.
As mentioned above, you don't get "true" discriminator audio out of the shelf, but you do get a reasonable facsimile.
As mentioned above, you don't get "true" discriminator audio out of the shelf, but you do get a reasonable facsimile.
If you go dig DEEP in the Quantar Digital-Capable Station Instruction manual, p/n 6881095E05, (on [http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/quantar-index.html Repeater Builder]), and dive in to [http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/qim/part-14-station-configuration.pdf Part 14 - Station Configuration], you will find a section called "Fast Keyup Feature".
If you go dig DEEP in the Quantar Digital-Capable Station Instruction manual, p/n 6881095E05, (on [http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/quantar-index.html Repeater Builder]<ref name="RepeaterBuilderQuantar1"/>), and dive in to [http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/quantar/qim/part-14-station-configuration.pdf Part 14 - Station Configuration], you will find a section called "Fast Keyup Feature".
This is where it talks about using Pins 5 and 30 on J17 to get audio in and out of the station, using the "Splatter Filter Connection Configuration". It also talks about using Pin 23 on the MRTI connector for PTT, but ignore that, we'll use the EXT PTT input on J17 instead.
This is where it talks about using Pins 5 and 30 on J17 to get audio in and out of the station, using the "Splatter Filter Connection Configuration". It also talks about using Pin 23 on the MRTI connector for PTT, but ignore that, we'll use the EXT PTT input on J17 instead.
This is the important one to actually turn on the discriminator audio output on the backplane when the station boots/reboots:
This is the important one to actually turn on the discriminator audio output on the backplane when the station boots/reboots:
<pre>
<syntaxhighlight lang="text">Description: DISC AUDIO ON
Description: DISC AUDIO ON
State: COLD RESET Cond: OR State: WARM RESET
State: COLD RESET Cond: OR State: WARM RESET
Action: RXDSC-AUXRX-ON
Action: RXDSC-AUXRX-ON
Inaction: NULL
Inaction: NULL</syntaxhighlight>
</pre>
This is how we allow external PTT, and gate the AUX TX audio from Pin 5 to the Exciter:
This is how we allow external PTT, and gate the AUX TX audio from Pin 5 to the Exciter:
<pre>
<syntaxhighlight lang="text">Description: TX AUDIO
Description: TX AUDIO
State: INPUT 9
State: INPUT 9
Action: DEKEY FROM WL; AUXTX-TX OFF
Action: DEKEY FROM WL; AUXTX-TX OFF
Inaction: KEY FROM WL; AUXTX-TX ON
Inaction: KEY FROM WL; AUXTX-TX ON</syntaxhighlight>
</pre>
=AllStar (Asterisk) Configuration=
=AllStar (Asterisk) Configuration=
The RTCM/VOTER connect to AllStar (Asterisk) using the voter channel driver. Make sure you have that set up in rpt.conf, something like:
The RTCM/VOTER connect to AllStar (Asterisk) using the voter channel driver. Make sure you have that set up in rpt.conf, something like:
<pre>
<syntaxhighlight lang="ini">rxchannel=voter/<nodenumber></syntaxhighlight>
rxchannel=voter/<nodenumber>
</pre>
The rest of the configuration is done in voter.conf. We won't go in to all the details on the options here, but will go through some basic settings to get on the air and levels lined up.
The rest of the configuration is done in voter.conf. We won't go in to all the details on the options here, but will go through some basic settings to get on the air and levels lined up.
You are going to want to start with something basic in voter.conf like:
You are going to want to start with something basic in voter.conf like:
<pre>
<syntaxhighlight lang="ini">[general]
[general]
port = 667
port = 667
buflen = 500
buflen = 500
txctcss = 100.0 ; set to your desired TRANSMIT PL tone, MUST set it to SOMETHING
txctcss = 100.0 ; set to your desired TRANSMIT PL tone, MUST set it to SOMETHING
txctcsslevel = 0 ; set to 0 for now, until audio alignment is done later
txctcsslevel = 0 ; set to 0 for now, until audio alignment is done later
txtoctype = phase ; the type of "reverse burst" to send when de-keying
txtoctype = phase ; the type of "reverse burst" to send when de-keying</syntaxhighlight>
</pre>
That takes care of the basic settings required in AllStar. During the audio alignment, the txctcsslevel will be adjusted for the correct deviation.
That takes care of the basic settings required in AllStar. During the audio alignment, the txctcsslevel will be adjusted for the correct deviation.
==Prerequisites==
==Prerequisites==
With the configuration above, you should have GPS lock, and the RTCM should be connected to the AllStar Host.
With the configuration above, you should have GPS lock, and the RTCM should be connected to the AllStar/PTTLink Host.
You should have already tuned the pre-selector on the receiver in the station. If not, follow the instructions in the manuals. Pro tip, with the station powered on, look in to the receive port with your return loss bridge, and tune for a null (best match).
You should have already tuned the pre-selector on the receiver in the station. If not, follow the instructions in the manuals. Pro tip, with the station powered on, look in to the receive port with your return loss bridge, and tune for a null (best match).
Duplex Screen Settings:
Duplex Screen Settings:
<pre>
<syntaxhighlight lang="text">Tune Mode: Manual
Tune Mode: Manual
Tune Freq: repeater TX frequency
Tune Freq: repeater TX frequency
Input Port: RF In
Input Port: RF In
De-emphasis: 750uS
De-emphasis: 750uS
Detector: Pk+-Max
Detector: Pk+-Max
SINAD meter changed to AF Freq meter
SINAD meter changed to AF Freq meter</syntaxhighlight>
</pre>
Confirm that when you turn on the RF Gen, the station keys, and you should get audio demodulating on the test set as audio goes through the AllStar host and back out. If not, troubleshoot your AllStar configuration, check your RSS settings, wiring, etc.
Confirm that when you turn on the RF Gen, the station keys, and you should get audio demodulating on the test set as audio goes through the AllStar host and back out. If not, troubleshoot your AllStar configuration, check your RSS settings, wiring, etc.
==AllStar (Asterisk) Alignment==
==AllStar (Asterisk) Alignment==
As mentioned above, we are starting by sending audio through the AllStar host.
As mentioned above, we are starting by sending audio through the AllStar/PTTLink host.
*Send 1kHz @ 3kHz on-channel in to the receiver
*Send 1kHz @ 3kHz on-channel in to the receiver
=Further reading=
=Further reading=
For further reading on the Motorola Quantar visit [https://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Quantar W9CR's Motorola Quantar Page]
For further reading on the Motorola Quantar visit [https://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Quantar W9CR's Motorola Quantar Page]<ref name="W9CRWiki"/>
=References=
<references />