[Premium-Rx] Q: WJ 8718 micro boards and eproms

[David McGinnis]

I've been working with a WJ8718(-17) receiver.   My questions center
around the two micro processor boards, radio options and firmware.

 The 8718-17 originally did not have a preselector.  After installing a
preselector the radio did not work properly until the micro cards from
the doner radio (radio that originally had the preselector) are
installed.  Everything is okay, except one of those cards had a leaky
battery and are not reliable.   (note: all batteries have been
replaced).

I've found, at least with the radios I'm working with, the two cards
(the one with the battery, the other with the ribbon cable going to the
front pannel) are a set, and dont work if mixed and matched.  

Original 8718(-17) micro card.  Rev 1.  This radio orignially did not
have preselector.  Has additional unused inline jacks (for remote
control?) on micro card with battery.  Has two proms, 8718-17 printed on
them.

Cards from Doner radio.  Rev 3.  This radio had preselector, leaky
battery, and cards function properly.  Card does not have the additional
inline jacks the Rev 1 card has.  Has one prom.  No radio model number
printed, but later software date than Rev 1 card.

I've tried  swapping proms and cannot get the Rev 1 card to work with
the preselector.  I'd also like to have the remote control capability,
and suspect the unused inline jacks on the Rev 1 are for that purpose. 


I've concluded since the preselector wasnt part of the original 8718-17
option set, it is not in the software (prom labled 8718-17) on the Rev 1
card.

THE QUESTION:

1:  Has anybody done any work with the sofware versions in the proms. 
Swapping, or copying for adding options?

2:  Are the unused inline jacks on the edge of the micro card for
remote control?  If so, what else is necessary?  Just cables and a jack
on the back?  Is there also a software update?  The Rev 3 card does not
have these jacks, so how was remote control done in later radios?

Thanks
Dave



David McGinnis
Senior Deputy Sheriff,
Missoula County Sheriff's Department.
Communications Systems Coordinator,
Missoula County Department of Emergency Services.

200 West Broadway
Missoula, Montana 59825
office:   (406)829-4277
cellular: (406)531-0303