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800 MHz Radio Project - General Radio Questions and Operations

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1. Where can I obtain pricing for OpenSky radios used in Cumberland County?

Pricing for OpenSky radios for eligible agencies are on PA State GSA Contract 5820-06 under rider C. Specific pricing can be obtained from Roger Kohr at M/A Com at 717.565.1226 or Email or Lori Miller at 717.565.1218 or Email

2. Who should install a new M/A Com mobile radio?

Installation pricing is provided for under the state contract. M/A Com will require an M/A Com Authorized Service Center (ASC) to install the radio. Failure to have an ASC perform the installation will void the factory warranty. To obtain a list of M/A Com ASC please contact Robert Arney at M/A Com at 717.565.1230 or Email

3. I have a new vehicle in which I would like to install an existing M/A Com radio. What do I need to consider for the removal of the radio from the old vehicle and installation of this radio in the new

To avoid potential problems with factory warranties it is recommended that a M/A Com ASC perform the services. For information on the ASC please contact Robert Arney at M/A Com at 717.565.1230 or Email. It is also recommended to purchase a new install kit from M/A Com for the new vehicle. The kit includes a new antenna, power cords and CAN bus cabling for the control head. The new kit lessens the possibility of damaged wiring or cabling that could occur during a removal. Leaving the old wiring and antenna will reduce the amount of time of billable hours associated with this removal.

4. I just purchased or received a new radio (mobile or portable) what do I do now?

Call Brian Hamilton at 717.245.8736 or Email and supply him with the serial number of the radio and unit number or individual to be assigned the new radio. Brian will then provision the radio in the system. He will call or email you back with additional instructions. Following this confirmation from Brian you will need to contact M/A Com 1.800.806.0949 and tell them you have a new radio(s) that needs programmed. M/A Com will open a work ticket. Someone from M/A Com or a M/A Com ASC will be in contact to schedule a date and time to complete the work.

5. My radio (mobile or portable) is displaying UNAUTH. What does that mean?

There could be a problem with the serial number and/or IP address in the network voice switch. There could also be a problem with the user ID in the system. Call Brian Hamilton at 717.245.8736 and discuss if it is something he can fix over the air or if it is something physically wrong that would require the radio to be sent back to M/A Com for repair.

6. My radio (mobile or portable) is displaying A634T (or another alpha/numeric combination) and I don’t hear any county radio traffic or see any talk groups that look familiar. Is my radio broken?

The radio could be in OCF (OpenSky Conventional FM – sometimes referred to as the backup network). The following are instructions to return the radio to OTP (OpenSky Trunking Protocol or network operations):

Portable:
1. Using the menu buttons on the top of the radio below the toggle switch press until you see SELMODE
2. Once there, with the sub menu buttons on the side of the radio, press until you see OTP (OpenSky Trunking Protocol)
3. The display will then be flashing
A - GOTO or B - ABORT.
4. Press the A (left) top menu button to say GOTO.
5. The radio will then reboot back into OTP and then should look normal.

Mobile:
1. Simply press the "C" preprogrammed button on the front of the control head and that will toggle the radio back and forth between OCF and OTP.
2. You can go through the menu if you wish. It is the same as the portable other than you use the up / down and left / right arrows. Then when you obtain what you want, press the select button.

If the radio still does not connect to the network, the radio may be in need of repair. To determine if the radio is in need of repair, contact Brian Hamilton at 717.245.8736 for further help.