Custom Siren system encoder

[Stormsetter4]

Here is a encoder I have made for our city. It has a weather alert radio, a outlet for transformers and a Vertex Standard VX-900V radio that will encode the DTMF tones all enclosed in a Hoffman Type 1 enclosure. This radio will be on a repeater input frequency that will broadcast the tone out across the city. I am going to be getting the programming software and the cable that goes with the radio, and I will program the radio keys to this:
A: Tornado warning (3 Min attack)
B: Monthly test (1 min attack)
C: Cancel
So, without further adue, here is the encoder:

Inside:


Outside:


Weather alert radio:


Without the Vertex Standard radio:


Whole thing:


(I will also be replacing the swivel latch with a keyed lock for security)

Hope you guys enjoyed my latest project!

[PugetSoundStormWatch]

Loving the weather alert radio addition! Please make sure that your local Weather Forecast Office will tone out Required Monthly Tests, so there aren't any malfunctions during test dates.

[PeachtreeSirens]

That's some nice work there! Definitely make sure they tone out RMTs, wouldn't want a failed test due to non-activation on the NWS end...

[mrboojay]

That is very nice, simple and it looks like it will hold up well. My only quesiton though is, do you plan to seal or cover the hole the antenna sticks thourhg? That lokks like an awful place for water and other things to run in and ruin things.

[Stormsetter4]

That is very nice, simple and it looks like it will hold up well. My only quesiton though is, do you plan to seal or cover the hole the antenna sticks thourhg? That lokks like an awful place for water and other things to run in and ruin things.

Actually, this is going to be indoors all the time. It is definitely not a outdoor box. This is to set off the siren system. Anyways, the Springfield NWS sends out a monthly test every Wednesday, so they do test them. Thanks!

[thunderchief]

A hint for programming your radio since you will be running through a repeater. When you set up your DTMF encoding, be sure to program a key-up delay before the tones are sent. This will prevent the slight lag in the repeater key-up from clipping off the first tone in the sequence, which would make your activation fail. There is generally a setting for a key-up delay in the software section where you program your codes. 500ms usually works, but may need to be a little longer, depending on the radio system used.

[Stormsetter4]

A hint for programming your radio since you will be running through a repeater. When you set up your DTMF encoding, be sure to program a key-up delay before the tones are sent. This will prevent the slight lag in the repeater key-up from clipping off the first tone in the sequence, which would make your activation fail. There is generally a setting for a key-up delay in the software section where you program your codes. 500ms usually works, but may need to be a little longer, depending on the radio system used.

Thanks, I will definately take that into consideration.

[PugetSoundStormWatch]

Each NWS office sends out a "Weekly" Test every Wednesday near noon. You should ask NWS Springfield if or when they conduct their Monthly Test.

BTW, do the sirens test every Wednesday? If so, then the Weekly Test will do the job.

[Mark N]

Coolest thing I've seen yet today Cruz. Excellent job!

[holler]

That's pretty slick. Is your weather radio setup to disregard all other messages except tornado warnings?

BTW, might want to have a backup means of activation. Weather radio transmitters do go down. Did you ever get a primary encoder setup?

Another thing to look at, does your charger automatically restart itself when the battery drops below a certain level? I had a Kenwood two way that would only charge when you first put the radio on the charger base. Once it timed out it stopped charging and wouldn't restart until you turned the power off and back on, or if you removed the radio and put it back in. I left it on the charger for a week once when I was out of town. When I got back home it was dead.