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Re: Tektronix CMD80 cellular test set

PostPosted: 2014 Jun 03, 16:16
by Tailor
I'd love to have one of these.
I'd happily blow 100 GBP to get the In-service light on and be able to make them ring.
This may lead to wanting a conversation, etc but hey ho.

Is there anything I should look out for in buying one of these, take this one for example?
Would I need anything else?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271483708322

Thanks

Re: Tektronix CMD80 cellular test set

PostPosted: 2014 Jun 03, 18:17
by TheMaritimeMan
Hi Tailor,

The CMD80's power supply is compatible with 240V/50 Hz, so you're good on that front. All you have to make sure is that whatever unit you're getting has the options installed for the cellular system(s) you want to play with. Standard, the CMD80 can only interface with CDMA phones. Option CMD-B82 gives you the analog systems (AMPS, JTACS, ETACS, NTACS, and TACS), option CMD-B84 gives you TDMA, and option CMD-K2 gives you PCS. The machine will have stickers placed on the back (to the left of the middle fan) listing the options installed.

As for the one you linked, the picture of the back is too small the read the stickers (I can see CMD-K2, though), but given the number of them on there, I would bet it contains the analog and TDMA options. All you would have to do is message the seller and ask if stickers for CMD-B82 and CMD-B84 (or whatever option you want) are present on the back.

Trent

Re: Tektronix CMD80 cellular test set

PostPosted: 2014 Jun 03, 18:21
by pena
Tailor wrote:This may lead to wanting a conversation, etc but hey ho.

That's what I've been thinking since I saw the machine. If it had a microphone, you could wire speaker & mic to a computer and use Skype or whatever -- IFR 2959 has an two-way audio connector, not sure if it's similar to CMD80. No idea what serial ports does on these machines, but if they would output some information about incoming call, or a call could be initiated over serial port, a phone would work as if it was on a real network. Lots of ifs, and my two cents...

Re: Tektronix CMD80 cellular test set

PostPosted: 2014 Jun 03, 21:36
by TheMaritimeMan
While the CMD80 doesn't have a microphone or two-way audio port, it does have an audio frequency input port. However, based on a quick look at the manual, it's only purpose is to measure the level of audio tones coming from the phone into that port, and it seems unlikely that there is a way to broadcast audio fed into that port.

As for the serial port, I've read that Tektronix issued a Windows program that allows you to remotely control the machine, and update the software (I've yet to bother looking for it). If I had a serial cable on me I would connect it up, run HyperTerminal, and see if I got anything.

Re: Tektronix CMD80 cellular test set

PostPosted: 2014 Jun 04, 05:57
by spectreman
Cool stuff guys. I would be interested in getting an IFR 2959 test set one day too, since it does have the audio in/out port on the rear. My JRC test set works well for now.
I have tried placing a DECT handset on top of the JRC test set handset, acoustically coupled, & it works ok into the phone line.
Can place calls from a mobile handset when the DECT is off hook with dial tone.
But this was just testing, perhaps one day I will do it properly. Using a skype connection is a good idea.

Re: Tektronix CMD80 cellular test set

PostPosted: 2014 Jul 12, 12:18
by retrocellphones
I´m so angry, can´t be used for NMT. And no existing cellular test set for NMT. Only tests on card for so expensive Stabilock (+- $4000), :(

Re: Tektronix CMD80 cellular test set

PostPosted: 2015 May 01, 17:39
by Tailor
Just bought one on eBay, now to wait for it to arrive!
Did you progress any further with it?