FAQ

How do I enable Dynamic Regrouping on my Tait Orca or Tait Orca 5000

MPT Dynamic Regrouping is set to 'Disabled' by default when radios leave the factory.

To enable MPT Dynamic Regrouping you will require firmware v3.10 (or above) for a Tait Orca Elan or Excel, and firmware v4.00 (or above) for a Tait Orca 5030, 5035, 5040.
The option to enable MPT Dynamic Regrouping is available in Factory mode programming software only.
In Factory mode, go to the 'Specifications' page and the field 'MPT Dynamic Regrouping' is available.

It must be noted that due to patents held by competitors in some countries, the 'Tait' dynamic regrouping option may need to be selected, rather than 'Standard'. Please contact your nearest Tait CSO for more details.

The BUSY & TX indicators are flashing simultaneously on the LCD display of my T2020 and the radio does not work.

This is an “out of lock” indicator and will be accompanied by "High Low High Low" tones from the radio. Check the programming to see if valid channels are programmed. If so, the problem lies in the synthesiser which can be a problem on either the RF or the LOGIC board. Check also that the TCXO is seated correctly.

Exchange boards if possible to determine which is faulty.

Does the Tait Orca (5000) have reverse RF power protection?

The Tait Orca (5000) radio has not been designed with any mismatch "automatic protection" as such, but the PA has been designed to withstand severe mismatches under extreme conditions.

The radio has been tested and exceeds the following:

Thermal Ruggedness

Under 10:1 VSWR maximum current phase angle, high temperature, voltage, transmit power, two minutes transmit time at transmit frequency of minimum efficiency.

With open antenna, high temperature, voltage, transmit power, two minutes transmit time at frequency of minimum efficiency.

Voltage Ruggedness

10.5V, 50 ohm and open antenna, four transmit and receive cycles, at three frequencies across the operating band.

My Tait Radio MODEM is not being detected by my computer and can not be programmed.

A very common problem is the Tait Radio MODEM has been previously programmed for 'Transparent Mode Auto Start'. So when the Programming application tries talking to the MODEM the data is ignored and transmitted out through the MODEM.

Hard Fixed into the Firmware of the MODEM is a 'Command Mode' window of 5 seconds on power up. This means for 5 seconds on powerup there is a window that will allow the computer to address the MODEM and therfore a read or Program action can be undertaken.

Once this action has been initiated then the radio will remain in 'Command Mode' until the MODEMs power supply is cycled off and on.

How do I enable Dynamic Regrouping on my T2000?

MPT Dynamic Regrouping is set to 'Disabled' by default when radios leave the factory.

To enable MPT Dynamic Regrouping you will require firmware v3.28 (or above) for a T2030, v3.44 (or above) for a T2035, and firmware v5.58 (or above) for a T2040.
The option to enable MPT Dynamic Regouping is available in Factory mode programming software only.
In Factory mode, go to the 'Own Fleet Parameters' page and the field 'MPT Dynamic Regrouping' is available.

It must be noted that due to patents held by competitors the 'Tait' option MUST be selected in Canada, the U.S.A. and Australia. When "Tait" is selected there is no acknowledgement from the radio that a Dynamic Regroup has been successful.

How do I enable repeater-talk-around on my Tait Orca radio?

This can be defined as function key-press on all Tait Orca models.

In the Conventional Programming Application select the 'Key Setting' page and assign 'Repeater Talk Around' to the preferred Function Key

T2000 Radios - How can I tell what version of Firmware is fitted to my Radio?

1. Switch the radio off
2. Hold down the PTT Switch on the Microphone
3. Turn the radio back on
4a. T2010/30 - The version of the firmware fitted to the radio will be shown using binary displayed on the LEDs on the control head. Most significant number on the top line of LED's and the least significant number on the bottom line of LED's.
4b. T2015 - The least significant number is shown on the LED display and the major number is shown in BINARY on the "Busy" and "Tx" LEDs. Eg - V3.05 will be shown as 05 on the display with both the "busy" and the "tx" LEDs on. V2.05 will also have 05 on the display but only the "Busy" LED will be on.
4c. 2020/35/40 - The version of the firmware fitted to the radio will be shown on the LCD display of the radio.

T2000 What is the indication of synthesiser out of lock on a T2000 conventional Radio.

On all three radio types below there is both a visual and audible Out of Lock indication. The tones are in brackets.

T2010 = The active channel light flashes (single tone).

T2015 = The right hand channel digit flashes (single tone).

T2020 = Both BUSY & TX LCD indicators flash (high, low, high, low)

I have just upgraded site software to SCX V5.09 and MAX V5.19. Why don't I get receiver gate alarms?

The receiver gate alarm has been removed from this version due to conflict with the following features:
* Transmit inhibit on busy
* Pressel frame gate audio

The state of the receiver gate can still be seen in the Site Status window, the Jammed Channel column will have a tick in it when the gate is open and the channel is not allocated to a call.
Timers for this feature are Receiver Activity Timeout, Section H 3.4 of the NMT operations manual.

Further information on the Transmit Inhibit on Busy feature can be found in TN-734

What conditions must be met before control channel rotation occurs on the T1810?

1. The timer running in the existing control channel has to expire.

2. The existing control channel needs to have disposed of any outstanding signalling tasks (calls in mid-setup etc).

3. The RX squelch of the candidate control channel must be closed. (Busy channel lockout mechanism).
Condition 3 is ignored if 'ignore jammed channel' is SET in the programming.

If you have set up FCC Morse ID, this is sent from the control channel prior to the change.

How do I set the T1810 LM parameter 'Remove Leading 0'?

The basic concept of the 'remove leading zero' is that it should only be checked if the host telephone network doesn't use area codes that always begin with a zero.

If 'remove leading zero' is not checked, this is what happens when making a PSTN call:

* The radio user dials the number, always complete with area code, just as if he were using a landline phone. This number will inherently begin with a zero thus simultaneously establishing to the 1810 that this is a PSTN call.
* The 1810 will test the leading digits of the number to see if they match the programmed local area code. If they do, the matching digits, including the initial zero, are removed and the rest of the number passed to line. If they don't, the whole number is dialed as is.

If 'remove leading zero' is checked, this happens:

* The radio user dials the number that should be presented to the landline with an extra dummy zero in front to indicate to the 1810 that this is to be a PSTN call.
* The 1810 strips the initial zero, and passes the rest of the number transparently. No checks are made for a local area code.

In the first example, you dialled 03 358 1033. This correctly produced a PSTN call to 358 1033. The 1810 removed the 03 because it realised that this is its own area code. If you were to dial 04 358 1033, for example, then no digits would have been removed which would be correct.

In the second example you dialled 0 358 1033. This failed because the 1810 thought that this too was a call to an 03 area number, and again removed the first two digits. If you want to use this (add a dummy zero) dialing method then 'remove leading zero' must be checked. The 1810 would then dial 358 1033. To call 04 358 1033 you would have to dial 004 358 1033, etc.

It is possible that the local area code should be entered into the programmer with the zero on the front (so in your case you would set it up as 03 instead of just 3).

How do I make a backup of the T1772 database files in the Data folder - Windows doesn't allow it.

There are 3 files in the C:\Program Files\Tait Applications\Network Management Terminal\Data
directory. These are:
TNMT.DAT
TNMT.LDF
TNMT.MDF

After shutting down the T1772 NMT, the SQL server is still running and is using the above files.
Switch to the Windows Task Manager using Alt-Ctrl-Del, and selecting 'Task Manager'. Click on the process called 'SQLSERVR.EXE and choose 'End Task'. You will now be able to copy the NMT database files.

Alternatively...
You could click Start => Programs => MSDE => Service Manager, and click the 'Stop' button while you backup the files. Then click 'Start' again when you're done. You can also open the Service Manager by double-clicking the icon in the system tray if it's showing.

In the "alarms" file, why is the time of the Node-Up alarm earlier than the time of the Node-Down alarm?

This can occur when the clock on the NMT computer is out of sync with the clock on the node computer.

Node-down alarms are generated by the NMT. This happens when the link to the node is lost, which can occur for a variety of reasons. The time of this alarm will be determined by the current time on the NMT computer.

Node-Up alarms are generated by the node. These occur when the node software starts. The time of the alarm will be determinde by the current time on the node computer.

To prevent this from happening, use NTP to synchronise the clocks on the node and the NMT. See the T1541 Installation Manual for details available on Tait world.com

What is the default username and password of the T1772 NMT?

Username: administrator
Password: banjo

Why don't phone to group calls work on my single site SMM with DAS?

Reason:
Incoming phone calls on a single site SMM are treated as intersite. This forces the traffic channel to send and receive its audio via the intersite audio cable, which is connected to the relevant DAS audio port.

Solution
There is an option, on the T1772 NMT, called 'Enable intersite group calls' (found under the Configuration => Network => Network Features Tab).
If this is not checked then incoming group calls on the DAS, located at the site, will fail with an call end reason $42 (Intersite group calls disabled).

How does the T1810 handle a radio with a barred ident?

A barred Radio on a T1810 will continue to show it's service indicator and will also be able to participate in Group calls intiated by other partys. This will continue until the Radio loses Service.

The barred radio cannot make individual calls and the radio will respond with an error such as 'NU' on a T2000. It will then be removed from service.

If the Barred radio attempts to register the atttempt will be rejected and the radio will lose service.

In T1541 MPT system call record, what does a caller address of 8190 signify?

These call records are generated when the T1541 Node proforms an ESN poll on a radio. The ident 8190 indicates that the trunked radio network made the call.

If the T1541 Server NMT happens to be turned off, can a Client NMT still modify the fleet table?

No. The fleet table cannot be directly viewed or modified in any way on the Client NMT, in fact it does not exist on the Client. The Client must be restarted before it will be able to communicate with the NMT Server/master again.

It is possible to configure an NMT Client to become a Server. You may wish to do this on a temporary basis to modify or repair the network. However, you will not have a copy of the fleet table or call rights templates etc. If you wish to retrieve this information you must perform a system restore from a backup file.

Do T1541 NMT Clients update the NMT Server whenever they change their fleet tables?

NMT Clients do not change their own fleet table (they have no permanent record of this data). The Client informs the NMT Server/master of the changes that neeed to be made. The Server modifies its own fleet table and notifies all clients of the changes that were made.

Why do I see ESN alarms for bad ESN's from fleets I don't request ESN checks from?

If a user has enabled alarms for bad ESN checks, they will see alarms for bad ESN's for fleets they are not requesting ESN checks. This is caused by the nodes background task, locating radios that that are unavailable (Not Home) using ESN checking.

Radios failing an ESN check are barred by the node. The NMT validation settings for the RU will remain unchanged. The node log contains details of the RU's it has barred. It is neccessary to telnet to the node and use the grep command to list them.

grep 'esn' node.log

This will list all the lines in the log associated with ESN's.

grep 'suspend' node.log

This will list all the units that have been barred.

Note: If the node configuration is set to bar radios with bad ESN's (from the NMT), radios found with bad ESN's by the node in its background location task will not be barred. This applies to T1541 node V3 and above.

Does the T1810 support PSTN/PABX calls with just the control channel and no traffic channels?

It does work. The information here is based on CM V2.14 and LM V2.08.

There are a couple of issues as follows:

* Incoming phone calls do not use FOACSU, the channel reverts to traffic and ringing tone is generated by the LM and is audible to the RU and phone party. Once the RU presses the PTT, the audio path is opened between the phone and radio parties.
* The LM answers the line, even if the channel has reverted to traffic, entering a RU number results in an engaged tone.

What important details should operators be aware of in the T1541 Number Bar Table?

- The number bar Table checking is done before the port table digit processing.
- The number bar Table does not apply to short form PSTN numbers and network operator numbers.
- The number bar table applies to all phone calls, both PSTN and PABX calls.

Is enhanced scanning available on the T2010?

Unfortunately no, this is a feature of the T2015 from firmware version 2.11 and above.

However firmware version 2.15 does not support this feature either.

How much current does a Tait Orca Vehicle Kit (TOPA-VK-002 / TOPA-VK-002A) draw in idle mode?

The Tait Orca Vehicle Kit draws approximately 25mA DC in idle mode, with no radio inserted.

Note: The Vehicle Kit monitors the supply voltage. If the supply voltage drops below 11V DC then the Vehicle Kit will switch to Standby Mode to protect the Vehicle battery. It will remain in Standby Mode until the supply voltage attains 12V DC.

Is it possible to disable the channel switch so channel selection is only possible through the keypad on a Tait Orca?

This feature has been introduced to the Tait Orca 5000 series ( 5015, 5018 and 5020) with V2.08 firmware or later. Unfortunately this feature is not available on a Tait Orca Elan, Excel or 5010.

To disable the channel switch go to the 'Channel Selection' form in the Conventional Programming Application. The 16-way selector mode can be altered in this form. Set to 'Disabled' to disable the channel switch.

What are the TM8000 DC voltage requirements?

The TM8000 platform was designed to operate to specification between the DC inputs range of 10.8V and 16.0V.

The platform will allow input DC variations down to 10.2V and up to 16.8V although the radio would not be operating within specification at that time.

Powering-up the radio with greater than 16.0V or less than 10.8V, will force the radio into a standby state with a blank display while it awaits a return to normal operating voltages. The radio will auto-recover if the input DC returns to normal operating voltage (10.8V - 16.0V).

Nominal input is 13.8V DC.

What causes a "Called ACKV" end reason on a T1541 MPT system

This is due to one of two reasons:
1. The called party is in quiet mode (do not disturb) or
2. The incoming call queue is full.

My Trunking T2000 connected to a GPS receiver does not report back a position or velocitiy reading.

The Direct connect Firmware fitted to the T2000 Trunked radio (to allow Direct connection to the T2000 via a T2000-A66 UART) expects NMEA Data at 4800 BAUD, which is fixed in the Firmware of the radio.
The NMEA sentences that the radio is looking for from the GPS Receiver are $GPGGA and and &GPVTG.
$GPGGA is used for position reporting and the &GPVTG string is used for velocity. If these strings are not enabled in the GPS Receiver then Position and Velocity will not be reported back by the radio.

All of Tait factory supplied GPS RX's have these strings enabled.

I have a series II T800 that has been modified to be a T800 series I look-alike. How do I program it?

The modification involves removing the programming connection internally from the 1st D range connector and
re-establishing it as an audio line as per in series I units.
The unit may be programmed in one of two ways.
1. Via the 2nd D range connector, if fitted.
2. Via the internal micromatch connector.
For the first option, use the T800-01-0004, plugged into the second D range (power up the unit through the first
D range connector) and switch the switch on the adapter to DR2 position.
The second option is also done using this adapter but with the supplied micromatch lead to connect to the T800
internal micromatch connector. Power the unit via the D range one connector. D range two is not used in this
configuration.

What is the part number of the mounting bracket used for mounting the power supply used in the slim-line base station?

IPN: 303-11098-03 Description: Chass A1M2582 T800 Opt Tray
Note that this tray is now only used on the T800-23 Series 1 slimline racks. The T800-23-0011 power supply has been used in slimlines from about September 2003 and does not require this tray.

What is the part number of the ribbon cable that links the modules at the rear of a T800 Slimline unit?

The ribbon cable for the rear of the T800 Slimline is a 219-02727-00 and it is described as "Loom Rbbn 10way
M/Match 60mm".

T807/T808 transformer connections on the T807/T808 PSU circuit diagram, in the immediate area around T1,Pins 1 to 6 can be seen but not 8 and 9. What are the allocations for these pins?

To confirm; Pins 8 and 9 of Transformer T1 are joined directly via tracks to PL1.
As all versions of circuit diagram outline, TC1 (Thermal Cutout) [Reference: E3, Sheet 1, 220-01183-03, Issue C) is actually the internal loop and cutout switch - copper joined to the transformer for overload protection.
This is a standard feature on all T807/T808 modules.
Note that where SK1 is placed on the circuit diagram for the input/output of TC1 the pin numbers of the transformer should have also been included (i.e Pins 8 and 9).
Due to the thermal cutout of transformer T1 possibly being hardwired in prototype versions this pin allocation and clear labelling of the schematic may have been overlooked.
Also note that TP5 is in place for testing of the 15 Volt output from the regulator.
Should a fault occur in the transformer the internal switch will drop out causing loss of 15 Volt supply and consequently shutting down the power supply unit.
If PL1 pads are shorted the Thermal Cutout is bypassed and will not operate. (i.e: the module will continue running under possible T1 Fault conditions).

How do I configure a multi-Node T1541 system

There are serveral key steps:

Both Nodes must be on the same software version, and have IP connectivity, over a stable link.
Each Node must have a different Node number (node.cfg), typically these would be 0 and 1.
The Nmt must have connectivity to both Nodes.

1. Add each Node to the Nmt. Add the Node that is Node-0 first, and the Node that is Node-1 second.

2. For each Node, right click the Node in the Nmt window, and choose InterNode Data Links. Add the IP address against the remote node. When this is correct, the link should show as UP in this window.

3. For each Node, right click the Node in the Nmt window, and choose InterNode Audio Routes. This configuration screen allows for multiple routes in a multinode network. However in a basic network, simply choose the Remote Node from the drop down list under route 1, so that Node-1 is the route taken to get to Node-1.
This setting also controls the sharing of registration between Nodes.

It is important to know that the Nmt registration report only retrieves data from the lowest numbered Node, typically Node 0.
If the registrations seen are not updating with remote Node data, the routing or InterNode Data Links may not be correct.

In a multi-site emergency GROUP call, if all the channels at a site are fully occupied, will the system clear down one channel and assign it to the emergency group call?

The activation of an emergency group call should take precedence and clear down any current call(s) should a free traffic channel be unavailable.
To enable this feature the "Emergency preemption" needs to be selected in the control block parameters in the NMT software.
If this is not activated the emergency group call will be queued until such time as it can be processed.

What is the maximum allowable temperature for the site temperature alarm setting in the NMT site configuration parameters for a 1722 Site Management Module?

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 after conferring with members of the senior system design department 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).

How long can a Tait Orca battery stay in the TOPA-CH-200 Fast Charger?

The latest Tait Orca charger (V3.09 firmware onwards) supports the ability to have batteries sitting on the charger in a charged state. This is ideal for applications like "Civil Defence" where the radios are required to be fully charged and operational at short notice.

The charger achieves this requirement by compensating for the self discharge of the battery whilst it is in the charger.
On completion of a full recharge the charger "maintains" the charge of the battery by supplying the battery with a low maintenance current.

If you do wish to use the batteries in this type of application, please remember to use the radios (and therfore batteries) every month to ensure they are still operating as per your expectations.

What is a SFE and what can I do with one?

SFE is an acronym for Software Feature Enabler. Most modern products developed by Tait Electronics Limited have the ability to turn on specific features by use of a software key code (SFE Key). The SFE key is a code that is loaded into the radio product using the associated programming application for that product. Once programmed in, the user will be able to use features such as MPT Trunking or Tait High Speed Data (to mention a few)

To get a list of all available SFE's for a particular product, please contact your local dealer or CSO.

How do I enable channel change using CCDI on my T2010/15 fitted with a T2000-A75 MODEM

To enable the fitted T2000-A75 to control the channel selection of the T2010/15, the radio has to be enabled for this feature.

Under settings in the 'channel' field of the T2000 programming Application select 'BCD Channel Selection' field.
This needs to be selected to enable the A75 to change channels of the radio through the internal BCD connections on the logic Board of the Radio.

Can The TOPA-VK-002 recharge the Ni-MH battery packs?

The TOPA-VK-002 Vehicle Kit will re-charge Ni-Cd and Ni-MH cells only with Firmware v1.05.

Any Orca Vehicle Kit product built after 22 August 2003 has this Firmware version. First Serial Number 16906192.

Can a Tait Orca 5020 display a status transmitted from another radio?

Yes. However you need to have a C burst (Caller ID burst) in the TX Call Sequence. If the C burst is not defined then no status will be displayed.

This is because the only time the Channel display alters from the default is when a Caller ID is also displayed. This therefore means you need to have the 'Automatic Caller Identification' field ticked.

When a TX Call is received by the Tait Orca 5020, the radio display alters to display the Caller ID on the top line and the Status is shown on the bottom line. The status will either be displayed as a status digit, or if a status label has been defined for the particular status digit, the alphanumeric label will be displayed instead.

The drawing in the T2000 service manual series II Page 8.3.2 T2000-500 & 600 1-7 W versions, shows Q308 being bridged by a zero ohm resistor. There is no mention of this in the text.

This is not a frequently asked question, but still might be of interest.
The modification is ONLY required in 500/600 RF's with a PCB revision of 220-01205-13 or below.
From PCB revision 220-01205-14 and above, a change was made to the circuit resulting in high power and low
power versions being the same (in that part of the circuit). Thus the modification is not required.
The modification switches the pin diode fully on via the 8V line, rather than sensing off the TX RF.