Midland Syn-Tech III P25 User manual

www.midlandradio.com
Operations Manual for the P25
Base Tech III Base/Repeater Station
January 2009
Version 5.1
680-090-2042

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Version 5.1
680-090-2042
Introduction
We thank you for choosing the Midland P25 Base Tech III Base/Repeater Station to
meet your communication needs. Properly used, this product will give you many years
of reliable service. To get the most out of your purchase, be sure to carefully read this
manual before operating the radio.
The overall operation of this radio depends entirely on how it has been programmed. If it
is not functioning as desired, please check the programming first.
This manual covers up to firmware version 71BS241 and 71CPV012
If you should need Midland Technical Support, please call 1-816-462-0463 or
[email protected]
Other useful Midland numbers;
Main Line- 816-241-8500
Main Fax- 816-241-5713
LMR Sales- 816-462-0462
Credit Dept- 816-462-0464
Technical Support and Engineering Fax- 816-241-3272
Warranty Service- 816-462-0438
We welcome any comments on how we may improve our products to better server our
customers.
______________________________________________________________________________
WARNING: The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must be fixed-mounted on
outdoor permanent structures with a separation distance of at least 6 meters from all
persons during normal operation. The peak conducted output power at each antenna
terminal must not exceed 250 Watts and the peak radiated output power must not
exceed 1000 Watts EIPR. Users and installers must ensure that FCC requirements for
satisfying RF exposure compliance are met. (See FCC Rules Part 1, Sections 1307 and
1310)
NOTICE: The AMBE+2 ™ voice coding Technology embodied in this product is
protected by intellectual property rights including patent rights, copyrights and trade
secrets of Digital Voice Systems, Inc. This voice coding Technology is licensed solely
for use within this Communications Equipment. The user of this Technology is explicitly
prohibited from attempting to extract, remove, decompile, reverse engineer or
disassemble the Object Code, or in any other way convert the Object Code into a
human readable form. U.S. Patents Nos. #5,870,405, #5,826,222, #5,754,974
#5,701,390, #5,715,365, #5,649,050, #5,630,011, #5,581,656, #5,517,511, #5,491,772,
#5,247,579, #5,226,084 and #5,195,166.

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Table of Contents
Page
1. LCD Display 4
2. LED Display 4
3. Key Controls 5
4. Programming 6
5. Control Knob 6
6. Channel Selection 7
7. P25 Calling Selection 8
8. P25 PTT Mode 9
9. P25 Conventional Messages 10
10. P25 Squelch Adjustment 16
11. Talk Group ID Alias 16
12. Key lock 17
13. Manual CWID Start/Stop 18
14. DTMF Encode 18
15. Analog Channel Data 19
16. P25 Channel Data 19
17. Bar Graph/Channel Display 20
18. LCD Backlight Toggle 20
19. Changing TX Power 21
20. Caller ID 21
21. Emergency Call Reception 22
22. Repeat Mode 22
23. Base Mode 23
24. Remote Control 23
25. P25 Test Mode 24
26. Adjustment Mode 26
27. Key Test 28
28. Displaying Firmware Version 29
29. Displaying Serial Number 29
30. Displaying Program Software Ver 30
31. Data Check 30
32. Error Messages 31
33. Firmware Error Detection 31
34. RS232 Error Detection 31
35. DSP Error Detection 32
36. Option Port Pinout 33

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1. LCD DISPLAY
1.1 LCD display consists of 4 x 20 characters as shown.
Line 1: The Incoming RSSI with 10 steps
Line 2: The output power levels with 10 steps
Line 3: The left 4 letters show channel numbers. The middle 8 letters
shows the channel name (if not programmed, it will be blank).
The right 4 letters displays the status of the radio as described below.
a. RX mode: M= Mix, both analog and digital can be received
D= Only digital can be received.
b. TX mode: D=PTT digital transmission A=PTT analog transmission
c. Monitor mode: ⌧= Monitor off
S= Selective squelch
d. P-25 squelch: N= Normal squelch
S= Selective squelch
e. Low Voltage Icon: = Low Voltage state (Icon flashes with ALM LED)
f. Key lock mode: =Key lock (Not displayed if in Low Voltage alarm)
g. Shift mode: SHIFT KEY ICON (reverts to normal within 2 seconds)
Line 4: The left 2 letters show GPC (GROUP CALL), AC (ALL CALL),
IC (INDIVIDUAL CALL).
The right 18 letters displays the GROUP NAME, INDIVIDUAL
NUMBERS, ETC.
RX = = = = = = = = = =
TX = = = = = = = = = =
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
GPC 500
2. LED DISPLAY
The Midland Base Tech III has 5 LED's
From left to right;
DIGI= The LED is on when receiving a digital signal
REP= The LED is on when in repeat mode.
(The BASE TECH III can be programmed for,
SIMPLEX -SEMIDUPLEX - DUPLEX- REPEATER on a per channel basis.)
ALM= The LED flashes when an error on either TX or RX occurs
TX= The LED is on when in Transmit
BUSY= The LED is on when receiving a signal.

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3. KEY CONTROLS
3.1 Key entry without SHIFT key
0-9: channel numbers and individual call address (target address)
A: P-25 calls (Group Call, All Call, and Individual Call)
B: The beginning and the end of individual call number
C: TX Transmit mode (Clear or Secure), only models with encryption.
D= P-25 mode (analog or digital TX)
*= Cancel channel number, individual number
#= Ending channel number, individual number
CH= Channel number entry, depress CH, then 0-9 for channels
F (Scan) = P25 Conventional Control Messages (SBC)
MON= monitor ON or OFF
Rotary knob: Volume, Squelch, Back Light Dimmer and Timer
3.2 Key entry following SHIFT key
0= P-25 test mode start and finish
1=Backlight ON/OFF
2=TX power Hi/LOW
3=Talkaround ON/OFF
4=Change
5=No function
6=No function
7=Indicates Analog channel data
8=Key lock ON/OFF
9=No function
A=Manual CWID send key
B=Programmed CWID Start/Stop key
C= Cryptogram Test
D= No function
*= Indicating P-25 data (while depressed)
#= DTMF Entry
CH= Toggle Bar-Graph or TX RX Frequencies
F (Scan) = SBC (Conventional Control Messages) Mode / Emergency Call
MON = P-25 squelch normal or selective and analog MONITOR modes.

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4. PROGRAMMING
The Midland Base Tech III must be programmed with Windows 2000, XP or Vista
operating system.
The 91-1480CD software and 91-1303B programming cable are required to
program the radio and are available through your Midland dealer or LMR Sales
Department.
Note: During actual data transfer the radio will not operate but should be complete
within 30 seconds or less.
5. CONTROL KNOB
5.1 VOLUME
Rotate the knob to change the volume level.
The volume level varies from 0 to 34. If the local speaker is active, the audible beep
level will change as the knob is rotated.
Figure 3 shows the Volume at level 12
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Volume-12
Figure 3

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5.2 SQUELCH CONTROL
Push the rotary knob once to select the squelch level and then turn the knob to vary
the level from 0 to 15. 0 is open squelch.
Figure-4 shows the Squelch at level 6
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Squelch-6
Figure 4
5.3 LCD BACKLIGHT DIMMER
Push the rotary knob twice to select the dimmer level and then turn the knob to
select a level from 0 to 15, 0 is the darkest.
Figure-5 shows the Dimmer at level 5
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Dimmer-5
Figure 5
5.4 LCD BACKLIGHT TIMER
Push the rotary knob three times to adjust the Backlight Timer. The Time varies from
0 to 30 seconds. This function is inactive when the Backlight has been turned on
with SHIFT + 1 (Backlight ON/OFF).
Figure-6 shows the Backlight Timer set for 15 seconds
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Light-15
Figure 6
6. CHANNEL SELECTION
The Midland Base Tech III has capability of up to 500 channels.
Press CH, and then enter the channel number.
Example-1 CH-8; Press CH + 0 + 0 + 8 or CH +8 + #
Example-2 CH-500; Press CH + 5 + 0 + 0

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7. P-25 CALLING SELECTION (Digital Base Mode Only)
Press and release A repeatedly to scroll through the menu
Radio displays GPC 00001= Group 1 Call, GPC everygroup= All Call,
IDC--------- = Individual Call
Figure-7 Shows Talk Group Identification (TGID), Group 1 Call
Figure-8 shows an All Call (everygroup), to everygroup on the same NAC
Figure-9 Shows an Individual Call, to and individual unit ID on the same NAC.
(Refer to Section 11, Figure 11 and 12 for ID entry).
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
GPC 00001 Figure 7
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
GPC everygroup
Figure 8
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
IDC -------------------
Figure 9

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7.1 INDIVIDUAL CALL ENTRY (Digital Base Mode Only)
Press and release Arepeatedly until IDC----- is displayed.
Press B, and enter the numerical Unit ID.
To deleted a digit, Press the star ( *) key
Press B or # to complete entry.
Figure-10 shows entry start, when B is pressed
Figure-11 shows completed entry, 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + B
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
IDC __ Figure 10
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
IDC 12345 Figure 11
8. P-25 PTT MODE
Press D to select PTT (Push-To-Talk), mode.
When the display shows PTT is Analog, the radio
transmits in analog mode.
When the display shows PTT is Digital, the radio transmits in digital mode.
Figure-12 Shows Analog
Figure-13 Shows Digital
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
PTT is Analog
Figure 12
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
PTT is Digital
Figure 13

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9. P25 CONVENTIONAL CONTROL SIGNALLING (SBC) (Digital Base Mode Only)
Please note: SBC functions are selectable in the Programming Software.
The Base Tech III has been developed to work with any P25 radio under the TIA
specifications. However not all subscriber radios have the capability of these
functions.
9.1 EMERGENCY MODE TX-
Press and hold the F key to send an EMERGENCY call. (Note: The radio will
transmit on the programmed EMERGENCY channel not necessarily the channel
that appears on the display.)
Reboot the radio to clear the Emergency Alert.
EMERGENCY MODE RX-
To clear a received Emergency call, Press and release F twice.
Press F to enter the SBC mode.
Key functions after entering menu selection;
Press A for the next and Bfor the previous menu item.
Cstops transmission (The radio transmits the SBC 4 times until acknowledged.)
Dmoves the cursor between items within the selection.
* deletes the last digit.
# transmits the selected SBC mode.
Please Note: When the radio is in SBC mode, it can receive Group calls, All Call and
Individual calls but no source address (caller unit ID), is displayed.
Emergency calls can be received when in SBC mode but the radio gives priority to
Radio Inhibit. Both Emergency and Radio Inhibit are ignored when in SBC
transmitting mode.
The radio will revert to normal operation if no key is pressed for 10 seconds.

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9.2 CALL ALERT-
To send a Call Alert, Press F then Press A or B until the selection is displayed,
then enter the target ID of the radio to alert and Press #. If the target radio has
received the Call Alert the display should show “ACK” (acknowledgement).
Figure 14 displays a Call Alert ACK
Call Alert
To: 366
MD⌧N
Fm: 00000366 (ACK)
Figure 14
9.3 RADIO CHECK-
The dispatcher can send a message to a subscriber unit requesting a response from
the radio (for example, to check if it is in operation).
To initiate a Radio Check,Press F then Press A or B until the selection is
displayed, then enter the target ID of the radio to alert and Press #. If the target radio
has received the Call Alert the display should show “ACK” (acknowledgement).
Figure 15 shows Radio Check Display.
Radio Check
To:_
MD⌧N
Fm: 00000366 (ACK)
Figure 15

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9.4 RADIO INHIBIT-
This function is used to disable a subscriber unit (Mobile or Portable). The
subscriber unit cannot be turned on at all until an Uninhibit Command is sent. The
password must match the password entered in the BTIII program for inhibit to occur.
To Inhibit a radio,Press F then Press A or B until the selection is displayed then
enter the target radio’s ID. Press D and enter the programmed password, then
Press #. The target radio will be totally disabled. If the target radio has received the
Call Alert the display should show “ACK” (acknowledgement).
Figure 16 shows the Radio Inhibit entry display.
Radio Inhibit
To:_
Password: MD⌧N
Figure 16
9.5 RADIO UNINHIBIT-
Used to enable a subscriber unit that has been disabled, the password must match
the password entered in the BTIII program.
To Uninhibit a radio, Press F then Press A or B until the selection is displayed and
enter the target radio’s ID, enter the password and then Press #. The target radio will
be returned to normal operation. The target radio should send an ACK if successful.
Figure 17 shows the Radio Uninhibit entry mode.
Radio Uninhibit
To:_
Password: MD⌧N
Figure 17

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9.6 STATUS UPDATE-
Used to send user status. The status numbers relates to an actual message list.
Indicates the User status (0-255) and Unit status (0-255).
To send a Status Update, Press F then Press A or B until the selection is displayed
and enter the target radio ID. Then Press D and enter the User (USR), message
number, Press D again and enter the Unit number, then Press #. If the target radio
has received the Call Alert the display should show “ACK” (acknowledgement).
Figure 18 shows Status Update ready to be sent to 366.
Status Update
To:366
USR : 1 UNT : 0 MD⌧N
Figure 18
9.7 STATUS REQUEST-
Is used to request the status of another unit. After the request is sent the target unit
should respond with the current status. In the example below USR: 2, means the
number 2 status message.
To send a Status Request, Press F then Press A or B until the selection is
displayed and enter the target radio ID then Press #.The target unit should respond
with the message number, unit ID and ACK.
Figure 19 shows Status Request received from 366.
Status Request
To:366
USR: 2 UNT: 0 MD⌧N
Fm: 00000366 (ACK)
Figure 19

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9.9 PREDEFINED MESSAGES-
Is used to send a predefined system message.
To send a Predefined Message, Press F then Press A or B until the selection is
displayed, then enter the target radio ID, Press D and enter a message number and
Press #. The target radio should send and ACK if successful.
Figure 20 shows message 2 ready to be sent to 366.
Short Message
To:366
Message:2 MD⌧N
Figure 20
9.10 RADIO MONITOR-
Used to key up a target radio from 10 to 60 seconds and monitor the transmit audio.
To monitor a radio, Press F then Press A or B until the selection is displayed, then
enter the target radio ID, Press D and enter 1 (10sec),2 (30sec), or 3 (60sec).
Figure 21 shows Radio Monitor request to 366 to transmit for 30 seconds.
Radio Monitor
To:366
TX Multi:1 MD⌧N
Figure 21

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9.11 TELEPHONE-
Used to initiate a telephone interconnect request on the RF subsystem.
Press F then Press A or B until the selection is displayed, then enter the complete
telephone number including country and area code. (max. 16 digits), then Press #.
Figure 22 shows the Midland Radio Corporation telephone number.
Telephone
To:18162418500
MD⌧N
Figure 22
9.12 SBC LOG-
To toggle the SBC LOG ON, Press SHIFT+F, to turn the LOG OFF Press F.
When the SBC LOG is entered, the last SBC call is displayed. Press B to scroll to
the previous records and Press A to scroll to the end of the list.
The radio will store up to 99 log entries. When more than 99 entries are made the
oldest log will be deleted.
Note: When the radio is reset or reprogrammed, all logs are deleted.
Figure 23 shows the fifth entry of the SBC Log.
< SBC Log >
5: To: 00000366 F
Radio Monitor
TX Multi: 3
Figure 23

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10. P-25 SQUELCH ADJUSTMENT
Press SHIFT + MON to choose the P-25 squelch mode.
Normal SQL= If NAC is the same, the receiver will unmute
Selective SQL= If NAC and GROUP is the same, the receiver will unmute
Figure-24 Shows Normal SQ
Figure-25 Shows Selective SQ
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Normal SQL
Figure 24
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Selective SQL
Figure 25
11. TALKGROUP ALIAS ID
When GPC is selected with the “A” key, the TGID alias is indicated as programmed
(Max 8 characters)
Figure-26 shows POLICE for the TGID alias.
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
GPC POLICE
Figure 26

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12. KEY-LOCK
Press SHIFT+8 to enable and disable the Key-lock. This symbol
shows on the LCD. Key-Lock and Key-Unlock icon is displayed
for 2 seconds and then reverts to show the TGID.
The PTT, MON and SHIFT key are not locked
If PTT, MON and SHIFT needs to be locked, select DISABLE in the
programming software. If the station is to be remotely controlled it is
recommended to leave PTT enabled, Remote PTT will not work when PTT is
locked.
To release key lock, Press SHIFT+ 8 again.
Figure-27 shows key locked
Figure-28 shows key unlocked
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Key-Lock Figure 27
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Key-Unlock
Figure 28

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13. MANUAL CWID START AND STOP
Press SHIFT + A to manually send the programmed CWID.
CAUTION: THE TRANSMITTER WILL ENERGIZE IMMEDIATELY WHEN “A” IS
PRESSED!
To turn OFF CWID, Press SHIFT + HOLD B for 2 seconds
(This disables both programmed and manual CWID)
To return to normal operation, either reboot the radio or
Press SHIFT+ HOLD B for 2 seconds
(CWID must be enabled in programming to use these functions).
Figure 29 shows CWID Sending
Figure 30 shows CWID function stop
Figure 31 shows CWID function start
CWID sending
Code: MIDLAND
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Figure 29
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
CWID function stop
Figure 30
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
CWID function start
Figure 31
14. DTMF ENCODE
Press SHIFT + # and then enter 0-9, * or # to transmit DTMF.
The DTMF modulation level will be the same as the CWID level.
Figure 32 displays DTMF Encode mode.
DTMF Encode
123456
MD⌧N
Figure 32

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15. ANALOG CHANNEL DATA
Press SHIFT+7 to scroll through the data. 7 must be depressed to scroll.
1) Rx width (narrow/wide/4kHz)
2) TX width (narrow/wide/4KHz)
3) Base mode (Simplex/Semi-duplex/Duplex/Repeater)
4) Rx CTCSS/DCS, CTCSS and DCS are used in Rx
5) TX CTCSS/DCS, CTCSS and DCS are used in TX
6) TX RX Modulation type either PM or FM (PM is the default)
(The INFORMATION DISPLAY selection in the 91-1480CD MISCELLANOUS MENU must be
set to ENABLE to display this information.)
Figure-33 Displays indicates a narrow channel during scroll.
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
RX Narrow Channel
Figure 33
16. P-25 CHANNEL DATA
Press SHIFT+ * to scroll through the data, * must be depressed to scroll.
1/ Unit ID (source address) 8/ Radio Inhibit RCV
2/ RX NAC 9/ Radio Un-inhibit RCV
3/ TX-NAC 10/ Status Update RCV
4/ TGID 11/ Status Request RCV
5/Emergency Alarm RCV 12/ Short Message RCV
6/Call Alert RCV 13/ Radio Monitor RCV
7/ Radio Check RCV
These functions may be enabled and disabled in the programming software’s
“MISCELLANEOUS/ INFORMATION DISPLAY” section.
Figure 34 Shows the Unit ID
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Unit ID 00000047
Figure 34

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17. BAR GRAPH/CHANNEL DISPLAY
Press SHIFT + CH to eliminate the channel name/bar graph and display the
frequencies for TX and RX.
Press SHIFT + CH to toggle back.
Figure-35 Displays the frequencies instead of channel name.
The 1st and 2nd character on line 1 indicates Receive Channel
The 3rd character indicates Wide band
The 4th character indicates Simplex mode.
The modes of operation are: “S” = Simplex, “H” = Semi duplex; “D” = Duplex and
“R” = Repeat Line 2, “TXN” indicates TX is Narrow band.
RXWS 154.600
TXN 154.600
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
GPC 00001
Figure 35
18. LCD BACKLIGHT TOGGLE
By Default, the Backlight illuminates for 5 seconds after any keypress then goes
out. Press SHIFT +1 for the backlight to stay on. Press SHIFT+ 1 again to return
to default operation.
Figure-36 Indicates the backlight is ON.
See section 8 for backlight timer settings.
RX
TX
C001 TAC 2 MD⌧N
Light turn ON
Figure 36