Astro25 Programming Cable Problem...Ugh.

[PeterGV]

I'm using CPS11 to (attempt to) program two different radios: An xts-2500 and an xts-5000. Nothing too exotic, no FPP or anything. Both pretty new firmware (the 2500 has host 9.00.05, the 5000 host 10.0.0).

Using a cable from Kawa, I get intermittent "Radio Failed to Acknowledge" errors. If I retry, I can eventually read and program the radio. It's annoying, but it eventually works.

I figured, OK, what the heck. Cheap cable. So, I bought a slightly more expensive cable from Wiscomm (which looks suspiciously similar to the Kawa cable... but how different can two cables LOOK, anyhow). I can't get THIS cable to work AT ALL. I get Open Radio Failed and/or Radio Failed to Acknowledge errors (all in the classic NextGen10 dialog box).

Same errors. Two different radios. Both radios with fresh batteries. With the cable connected either directly to a physical com port on my computer, or connected via a usb to serial adapter on my computer. The com port number is set correctly in CPS.

I've tried holding the connector onto the radio, moving it around slightly... no difference.

SO,given that I'm getting errors with two different cables, I'm starting to doubt my sanity. My questions:

1) Am I the only one having these problems, or is this something that others see and just "deal with"?

2) Is there something obvious that I'm missing about programming these radios? Do I have to face Schaumberg or something when programming an Astro25?? Bend down on one knee? SOMEthing??

3) How different can such an after-market cable be from an OEM Moto cable? The schematics I've seen are pretty darn simple... I don't have to send Moto the $200 or so bucks for an OEM cable, do I??

Peter
K1PGV

[Batwings21]

Here is some info...
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=74702

and some more... This one a ways down has a mod from Compuman81 that sounds like it might fix your problem.
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=74702

If you decide you want an OEM let me know...

[tvsjr]

You are programming multi-thousand-dollar radios. Having those radios depoted is about $400, last I checked, if you blow one of them up. Yes, Moto's cables are expensive. But, they also work.

I'd recommend the USB model - higher transfer rate when you're doing those large codeplugs (especially plugs with channel announce).

[PeterGV]

Yeah, I know. Penny wise, pound foolish I guess.

The interesting news is, according to Mike at Wiscomm these aftermarket cables have a timing problem. They're withdrawing all their aftermarket Astro25 programming cables until this can be cleared up.

I wouldn't be surprised if the same was true with the Kawa aftermarket Astro25 cables.

Soooo... the cable is defective... and back it goes for a refund.

Peter
K1PGV

[Hightower]

Make sure your radio has a FULL charged battery - fresh off the charger. Worked for me

[tvsjr]

Yeah, I know. Penny wise, pound foolish I guess.

The interesting news is, according to Mike at Wiscomm these aftermarket cables have a timing problem. They're withdrawing all their aftermarket Astro25 programming cables until this can be cleared up.

I wouldn't be surprised if the same was true with the Kawa aftermarket Astro25 cables.

Soooo... the cable is defective... and back it goes for a refund.

Peter
K1PGV

$10 sez the Wiscomm cable is a Kawa cable in a fancy package.

[PeterGV]

$10 sez the Wiscomm cable is a Kawa cable in a fancy package.

I'm thinkin' you're right. Except you don't even get a fancy package. They certainly LOOK identical (except the Wiscomm cable doesn't say "Made in China" on it).

I surrender: BatWings21 is going to fix me up with an OEM cable.

Peter
K1PGV

[adfradiotech]

Peter,

If it's any consolation I just purchased a cable (RS-232 serial) from KAWA as well. It does not
work with my XTS-5000. I borrowed a Motorola USB cable and it reads and writes to the radio
with no problem. I also borrowed a serial cable and that works as well.
I contacted KAWA and they say they have had no other complaints. You may want to let
them know as well that their cables are not functional.

Regards, Joe WA4DJU

[nmfire10]

Is this specific to the high-end XTS series radios? I have an eBay RS-232 cable that I use on the XTS1500, MT1500, and PR1500 flawlessly at work and at home. With the fleet of radios at work and my own, I've probably done at least 100 read/writes in the last year without a single hiccup. I even use a USB-to-Serial adapter now as well and still works perfect.

[PeterGV]

Is this specific to the high-end XTS series radios?

Though I have no more information than I posted above, it seems to be related to the Astro25 series cables only. I believe this because (a) Wiscomm only pulled the Astro25 cables from their site and left the 3rd party XTS-3000 (for instance) cables availabe, (b) I have a "ribless" XTS-3000 cable from Kawa that works fine.

I contacted KAWA and they say they have had no other complaints. You may want to let them know as well that their cables are not functional.

I'll email the Kawa people. Not that I've had much luck contacting them for ANYthing, mind you. Even if we all know they're selling cheap crap, it should be at least cheap crap that WORKS, you know?

Peter
K1PGV

[nmfire10]

Thats I'm talking about as well. Those radios I listed are Astro25.

[PeterGV]

Those radios I listed are Astro25.

Sorry... My inexperience showing there

Peter
K1PGV