FAQ

Is it possible to put T2020 firmware version 5.54 into a 1200 channel T2020 so that I can use DOS software?

Unfortunately not.
The T2020 1200 channel board has additional memory and firmware 5.54 will not address this.The board will not boot up and therefore cannot be used for this application.

When I run T2000/T3000 DOS programming software on my new laptop, The display looks strange and this makes it difficult to use.

New laptops (and some desktop machines) use display chips that no longer support ASCII characters 128-255.
Tait DOS software uses some of these characters to draw lines etc, to make up “windows” for different areas of
the software.
This problem can be overcome by using the software in text mode.
This is done by adding the following switch, to the command line in your shortcut. For example… if your current file is named 2020V254.EXE, then change the command line (not the file name) to read' 2020V254.EXE /T'.
(NOTE there is a space between the EXE and the /T)
This “switch” tells the software to run in TEXT mode, and in this mode, only the lower ASCCI characters are used (0-127). The software will now appear different from normal, but will be fully useable

T2035 has been programmed with PGM ver 1.60 and now the radio's display is corrupt.

T2035s manufactured from the serial number 17173792 have been fitted with a different display driver IC. Under specifications in the PGM, change display type from "old" to "new" and re-program.

Where can I locate information that defines the more technical parts of voting and scan rates are for the T2k mobile units?

Refer to TN719 titled 'Description – T2020 Voting'.

What Hardware do I require for my T2000 conventional radio to operate an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system

For the Radio connected to the Computer running the AVL application (Base Radio) you need to fit a T2000-A75 (CCDI MODEM).

For the Radio operating in the Vehicle and connected to a GPS Receiver you need to fit a T2000-A76 (GPS MODEM)

What is the part number of the speaker pins used in the power plug for a TM8115?

IPN: 318-00001-00, Description: Recep TMA Rmt Spkr

What is an acceptable operating temperture for a T1722?

The operating temperature specifications for the 1722 SMM are:

-10 degrees celsius to +60 degrees celsius.

There is currently no exact default temperature limits with regard to setting up the alarms on these modules, however a typical setup of -5 degrees for the low temperature alarm and +55 degrees for the high temperature alarm application are within the operating ranges and more than acceptable.

The internal operating temperature of the 1722 SMM module is not designed to exceed +60 degrees celsius and continue running effectively and hence must be limited otherwise fault and/or failure may occur.

Should the ambient temperature continue increasing toward the operating temperature limits, air conditioning or extra fan units may need to be considered for extra cooling and air movement within the immediate area of the affected unit(s).

After changing the communication speed for the internal modem I can no longer read/write to the radio.

If the radio’s modem has been set to a speed other than the default, then communications can be re-established by switching the radio ON after initiating a READ cycle.
At power up the radio is in the default modem speed mode, for a few seconds before it changes to the programmed speed, by capturing it during this time, communications is possible.

T800: What programming cables and kits are available?

Please note. The T800 programming lead is different from the standard T700, T2000, T3000, ORCA and Tait Orca 5000 series programming lead.

The following T800 programming options are available:

T800-01-0002 = Standard T800 programming lead to plug into the RJ11 connector on a T800 rack, Backplane PCB, Speaker Panel, T800-04 Interface- card.
T800-01-0003 = Contains a T800-01-0002 & T800-01-0004.
T800-01-0004 = Module interface and micromatch lead to connect to the micromatch in the processor cavity of the T800 transmitter/exciter or receiver.
T800-01-0005=T800 programming cable with PGM800 programming software on CD.

When I turn my T201X back on, the channel selected is not the last channel I had selected before I turned the radio off. Why?

In previous versions of T201X firmware (prior to V3.02), the channel change information was being written to the EEPROM of the radio as soon as the selection was made. However, calculations proved that this reduced the working life of the EEPROM unnecessarily.
Therefore, a change was implemented to only write the newly selected channel information to the EEPROM of the radio after 5 seconds. Therefore the radio must be on channel for at least 5 seconds before it can be switched off.

Please explain the function of SCALER & NORMALISER deviations settings in the TM8000 calibration software

- The Scaler and Normaliser set the operational deviation of the transceiver (in Hz).
- The maximum bandwidth can be changed for each bandwidth Narrow/Medium/Wide to different values should a system require it.
- This is a similar to the Maximum Deviation setting page in the Orca5000 Calibration
Application.
- Scaler sets the receive bandwidth up to a maximum of 7000 Hz.
- Normaliser sets the transmit deviation up to a maximum of 10085 Hz.

TM8000 - How do I use the Tap Points for connecting external equipment?

Select the Tap Point type you need for your equipment.
For full details of Tap Points, run Programming Application HELP and run a search for “Tap Points”.
The TX & RX tap points are on the AUX connector on the rear of the radio, TX is on pin 7, and the RX is on pin 13. Ground is brought out on pin 15.
The nominal levels for both TX and RX are –10 dBm.

What is the weight of a Tait Orca 5000? With and without battery attached?

Below is a list of approximate weights for the Tait Orca 5000 radio and TOPBXXX battery:

Tait Orca 5010/5011/5030 (without battery) = 305grams
Tait Orca 5018/5035 (without battery) = 325grams
Tait Orca 5015/5020/5021/5040 (without battery) = 330 grams

TOPB200 = 220grams
TOPB600 = 185 grams
TOPB700 = 205 grams
TOPB500 = 245 grams

Is there a version of Tait Orca 5000 trunked firmware that supports the MAP27 protocol?

Yes, a special version of Tait Orca 5000 firmware has been developed by Tait Custom Integration.

Please contact your nearest Tait Customer Service Organisation for further details.

When I try to calibrate my Tait Orca I cannot set the Maximum Deviation level correctly

This only occurs if a Hewlett Packard RF Communications Test Set (8920 or similar) is being used.

On the test set:
- Go to the 'Duplex' screen.
- Check that 'Audio Out' is set to 'DC'.
- Check that 'FM Coupling' is set to 'DC'.
If these are set to AC then the Modulation Balance test (performed immediately before the Maximum Deviation test) will be set too low, and therefore you cannot attain the required level for Maximum Deviation.

Note: All other settings as described in the TOP Calibration Application must still be set. ie 15kHz Low Pass filter, <20Hz High Pass filter, &gt50kHz IF filter and De-emphasis set to 'Off'.

What is the order code (IPN) for the cable between the exciter and PA on the front of a Series 1 T800?

The IPN is 219-02617-00

I ordered an auxiliary power supply for a TB1800 PMU but it was not supplied with a cable to go between the power supply and the reciter. What is the part number?

The part numbers are as follows (Note that older SIFs use the 4 way connector, new ones use the 2 way connector).

219-02936-00 Cable for a dual base station (2 reciters) with a 4 way connector on the SIF

219-02937-00 Cable for a single base station (1 reciter) with a 4 way connector on the SIF

219-02939-00 Cable for a dual base station (1 reciter) with a 2 way connector on the SIF

219-02940-00 Cable for a single base station (2 reciters) with a 2 way connector on the SI

My radio is displaying "System Error" and some numbers. What does this mean and what do I do?

The TM8200 radio has the ability to display system error information in the event of a problem with either the firmware or the programming data file. However, the information does not mean much to the user and depending on the error, will either leave the radio in an unusable state (requiring Tait Intervention) or will not fault again.

What a user needs to do in these instances is to plug the radio into a computer (via the TM8000 programming lead) and using a terminal program, enter in the following codes and send the results to the nearest Tait CSO.
To read the information from the radio body (Torso), enter in CCTM code "204". Copy the information sent back to the terminal application by the radio body and send the information to Tait. To clear the error log from the radio, enter in CCTM code "203"
To read the information from the Control Head, enter in CCTM code "1204". Copy the information sent back to the terminal application by the Control Head and send the information to Tait. To clear the error log from the Control Head, enter in CCTM code "1203"

What are the specs on the E&M input (opto keying input) of the Isolated E&M SIF on the TB8100?

This input accepts an input of 10V to 60V with a maximum current of 10mA

Is there some way to dial a selcall other than using a TMAA02-08 Keypad Mic?

Local/Network and Preset/Address calls and options can be assigned to function keys (Up to 4 Function Keys).
Preset options can also be selected from the menu.

My radio is displaying "System Error" and some numbers. What does this mean and what do I do?

The TM8200 radio has the ability to display system error information in the event of a problem with either the firmware or the programming data file. However, the information does not mean much to the user and depending on the error, will either leave the radio in an unusable state (requiring Tait Intervention) or will not fault again.

What a user needs to do in these instances is to plug the radio into a computer (via the TM8000 programming lead) and using a terminal program, enter in the following codes and send the results to the nearest Tait CSO.
To read the information from the radio body (Torso), enter in CCTM code "204". Copy the information sent back to the terminal application by the radio body and send the information to Tait. To clear the error log from the radio, enter in CCTM code "203"
To read the information from the Control Head, enter in CCTM code "1204". Copy the information sent back to the terminal application by the Control Head and send the information to Tait. To clear the error log from the Control Head, enter in CCTM code "1203"

How do I enable the 'Auto Acknowledge' beep on the radio receiving a SELCALL Ack.

When the "Auto Acknowledge" is set to "Beep" it is only audible on the channel (i.e can be heard by the radio receiving the acknowledgement or any other radio monitoring the channel).
See Networks > Features > Transmit Auto Acknowledge.
Also ensure the tickbox(es) on Networks > Alerts > General are enabled.

Can I make the T2020 decode Selcall from a System with a 9-tone Selcall Sequence?

A T2020 fitted with firmware v5.48 or later will decode the number of digits defined in the RXDECODE field (maxiumum of 8 digits per burst separated by a gap) and ignore the rest. Earlier firmware will not decode if the number of digits do not match the defined number.

If status decode is enabled, the next digit after the number of digits defined in the RXDECODE field will be regarded as a status digit. However, if further digits follow this, they may make status decoding unreliable.

If some of the incoming digits vary, then use wid cards in the RXDECODE sequence. ie 10000***, here the first five digits are fixed and the following three are variable.

Make both RXDECODE sequences that same number. A sequence of zeroes is a valid sequence.

How do I add a basic scanning or voting group and assign these features to a function key operation?

- Scan / Vote Groups for each Zone can be set up under the "Channel Setup > Scan groups" area of the PGM application.
- Group I.D and Group Members (Channel Number Identities) are required in the "Scan Group / Membership" domain.
- "Scan Groups > Common options" will provide basic parameters such as "scan / vote select" and "group hold time" etc.
- "Scan Groups > Scan" will provide such options as "Scan Type" (Standard/Background), and "Channel To Respond On" parameters.
A total of up to 4 Function key actions can be assigned to "Group Scanning Activity" under the "Key Settings" Menu
When a Function key is assigned as Scanning in the TM8200 the two 'Settings" fields un-grey and define the Zone and then Channel ID.

How do I add a basic scanning or voting group and assign these features to a function key operation?

- Scan / Vote Groups for each Zone can be set up under the "Channel Setup > Scan groups" area of the PGM application.
- Group I.D and Group Members (Channel Number Identities) are required in the "Scan Group / Membership" domain.
- "Scan Groups > Common options" will provide basic parameters such as "scan / vote select" and "group hold time" etc.
- "Scan Groups > Scan" will provide such options as "Scan Type" (Standard/Background), and "Channel To Respond On" parameters.
A total of up to 4 Function key actions can be assigned to "Group Scanning Activity" under the "Key Settings" Menu
When a Function key is assigned as Scanning in the TM8200 the two 'Settings" fields un-grey and define the Zone and then Channel ID.

My keypad microphone does not appear to work after I have programmed my TM8200. Why is this?

After programming, the TM8200 PC application sends a reset command to the radio to bring it out of "programming mode". However, for the TM8200 to detect that it has a TM8000 Keypad mic attached, the radio needs to be reset again.

The reason for this is that the TM8200 samples the MIC port at turn on to find out whether a TM8000 keypad mic is attached. Once the radio has been reset with the keypad microphone attached, the keypad microphone will operate correctly.

Please note: The radio does not have to be reset every time the keypad mic is removed. If the radio had a keypad mic attached at turn on and the keypad mic is consequently removed, it can be replaced again with no interuption to the keypad mic operation (as long as the radio was not reset in the meantime).

How do I setup the External Alert on TM8200 ?

After setting Selcall External Alert in the PC Application you need to enable “External Alert” in the TM8200 menu too.
See MENU > RADIO SETTINGS > ALERT SETTINGS > EXTERNAL ALERT > ON.

You will then see an icon (attached) on the display of the radio indicating that the external is now active.

Why can I not connect to my TM8200 (That is operated with a keypad Mic) using TM8200 pgm?

When reading or writing to a TM8200 that has a TMAA02-08 Keypad Mic attached the radio will need to be power-cycled.
At power-up the TM8200 tests to see if a Keypad Mic is attached and if successful sets the data rate through the head to suit.
This is a different Baud rate to a read/write operation used in the programming application.

Pressing a Function key defined as "Change Mode" will also achieve the same power-cycle requirements.