XTS3000 VHF to 800

bellersley · Post by **bellersley** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:11 pm

I'm curious to know what kind of work is involved in converting an XTS3000 VHF to do 800MHz. Assuming I have an 800MHz RF board, and an 800MHz codeplug, am I correct in assuming that all I need to do is to force in the 800MHz codeplug? Obviously I would need to do a proper alignment first.

This wouldn't be used as a PS radio, only as a shop RX radio. While I appreciate that some folks on here are anti using a motorola radio as a "scanner", it's not a concern for me as I have a valid RID on the system so if it does accidently TX I'm not worried.

Thank you for your help!

CTAMontrose · Post by **CTAMontrose** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:10 am

correct..

remove and replace board
shove in 800Mhz S-rec
align

done it a few times...

the alignment part is critical, especially if the S-rec and the RF board came from different places

firemedic4 · Post by **firemedic4** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:21 pm

GREM

IS THAT ALSO TRUE WITH A UHF TO 800 XTS3000 ?

Fuel4300 · Post by **Fuel4300** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:38 pm

firemedic4 wrote:GREM

IS THAT ALSO TRUE WITH A UHF TO 800 XTS3000 ?

Yes,

That is true of any instance where you are changing an RF board to change the band of an XTS3000, Astro Saber, or Jedi portable.

Mike

sglass · Post by **sglass** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:51 pm

hmm
If you decide to sell your vhf rf board, let me know. I am in the market for one.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 8:14 pm

I have an 800 MHz unit, but need a VHF.
PM me the details (flashcode, age, condition).
I will do the same.

bellersley · Post by **bellersley** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 8:55 pm

Alan;

Changing an RF board in an XTS (or whatever) isn't dependant on Flashcode. That's contained in the controller board. If you swap out a VHF for an 800MHz RF board, you need to find a codeplug that's 800MHz, and as such, whatever flashcode that codeplug has, your radio will adopt.

In other words, whatever flashcode your VHF radio is, you will loose once you convert it to 800MHz, or vice-versa.

BTW, where abouts in Ontario are you? I'm up in Mississauga.

Post by **wavetar** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 3:03 am

I think he was offering to trade complete radios...

Post by **xmo** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 7:31 am

"...In other words, whatever flashcode your VHF radio is, you will loose once you convert it to 800MHz, or vice-versa..."
____________________________________________________________

This process does not change your firmware - so be sure the target controller board's firmware version will support the codeplug you plan to force into it.

Mercenary · Post by **Mercenary** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:49 pm

Will this also work on the XTS5000. I have a Vhf Model 2 (123ABC1234) radios that would probally serve me better on Uhf then Vhf.

Post by Pj » Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:29 pm

I'd imagine that the shop guys there shouldn't have any problem doing it...

Post by **wavetar** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:22 am

Mercenary wrote:Will this also work on the XTS5000. I have a Vhf Model 2 (123ABC1234) radios that would probally serve me better on Uhf then Vhf.

The problem being, there's no such thing as 'LAB CPS' for the XTS5000 to do this...at least outside of Motorola. So, no.

Todd

dfc2 · Post by **dfc2** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:13 am

OK, I have read this list of posts and am wondering about the radio after it's converted.

I have a few VHF astro Saber 3's. ( They are Legit radios from a Gov agency, transfered to another gov agency).

My questions are as follows.

Can the Vhf radio be converted to 800 for a type 2 system. ( with conventional repeaters for fill in coverage, will soon go to a multi site system, but still have a few conventional channels)

If this is yes, what happens to the SN or the model number? I MUST send it to our local radio shop for programing.....as they are the holder of the system key, and I DO NOT want to hack into our system, ( YES, I will be auth. on the system as long as the radio shop programs it for us. they will not allow other shops to get the system key).

Wil the moto radio shop or a depot for that matter have a fit over the radio being converted?

My goal is to get decent 800 radios for our personel, without the expense of buying a radio that costs more than our curent payroll. THE VHF radios we got free from a program and as such, have nothing invested in them right now, BUT CAN NOT TRADE or SELL THEM........PERIOD!

Ant thoughts

DFC2

sglass · Post by **sglass** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:11 am

I wouldn't never use a hacked radio for public safety

think of the liability

Post by **wavetar** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 9:41 am

dfc2 wrote: My goal is to get decent 800 radios for our personel, without the expense of buying a radio that costs more than our curent payroll. THE VHF radios we got free from a program and as such, have nothing invested in them right now, BUT CAN NOT TRADE or SELL THEM........PERIOD!

I think you answered your own question. We understand the want & need for inexpensive radios, but think about it...If you cannot sell or trade them, period...then I highly doubt whoever made that rule would look very kindly upon hacking them with stolen proprietary Motorola software.

It would make much more sense to sell them & purchase the units you need through ebay or whatever. Not to mention it would be legal.

Todd

sglass · Post by **sglass** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:11 pm

Let me guess, you got them from the feds?

kb3jkp · Post by **kb3jkp** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 1:05 am

OK... question... in terms of the xts5k... why not put the "other band" RF deck in it, then "flat rate" it , send it to the depot,where for 250$ or whatever, they'll program it PROPERLY as a VHF or UHF or whatever???

or will they yank out the "OB" RF board and put the "right" one in??

mr.syntrx · Post by **mr.syntrx** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:01 am

They're going to see the model and serial numbers, and know at once that it has been messed with.

kb3jkp · Post by **kb3jkp** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 11:35 am

I KNOW that...but wont they still flat-rate it?? or will they "send it back" ?

MikeOxlong · Post by **MikeOxlong** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 12:33 pm

I'm sure they'll flat rate it.

They'll take a look at the model and serial number on the tags and pull out your rf board and put the proper one back in.

Then they'll program it up with the latest firmware requiring the latest RSS and send it back to ya.

dbusse · Post by **dbusse** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:22 pm

dfc2 wrote:OK, I have read this list of posts and am wondering about the radio after it's converted.

I have a few VHF astro Saber 3's. ( They are Legit radios from a Gov agency, transfered to another gov agency).

My questions are as follows.

Can the Vhf radio be converted to 800 for a type 2 system. ( with conventional repeaters for fill in coverage, will soon go to a multi site system, but still have a few conventional channels)

If this is yes, what happens to the SN or the model number? I MUST send it to our local radio shop for programing.....as they are the holder of the system key, and I DO NOT want to hack into our system, ( YES, I will be auth. on the system as long as the radio shop programs it for us. they will not allow other shops to get the system key).

Wil the moto radio shop or a depot for that matter have a fit over the radio being converted?

My goal is to get decent 800 radios for our personel, without the expense of buying a radio that costs more than our curent payroll. THE VHF radios we got free from a program and as such, have nothing invested in them right now, BUT CAN NOT TRADE or SELL THEM........PERIOD!

Ant thoughts

DFC2

As far as I know, you can't with the Saber, because the motherboard is band dependent.

DLB

Post by **wavetar** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:32 am

dbusse wrote:
As far as I know, you can't with the Saber, because the motherboard is band dependent.

DLB

Yes, but that can be changed with LAB or Depot RSS...which is why it's not exactly 'legal' to do, as you need proprietary Motorola RSS which was meant only for internal company use.

Todd

kb3jkp · Post by **kb3jkp** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:08 am

I think you're thinking of the analog saber,where you cant put vhf modules on uhf board or vice-versa....

the atro saber uses a standalone rf board that can be swapped very easily.....

dfc2 · Post by **dfc2** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 5:02 pm

OK, hypotheticaly here.......

Can you tell from the SN what band the radio was on? Am I correct in thinking the Model number can be changed? So it shows the proper band? If we own the radio the SN is on???

If the radio was changed over to the the needed band, and then the model number changed to match the wanted band, will the SN listed in the Codeplug give it away? ( I know the tag will show whatever....But this's not the question right now...)

AND THEN: sent in for flate rate at the Depot....... Is this possible?

The comment was made about hacking a radio and trusting it for PS use..... are you saying it may not be reliable if you swap out boards? Doesnt the repair shops do this if the fix them at the local level? swap out a bad receiver and pull one from another radio that had a good receiver but bad whatever?

And if somone could clarify.....This will work with the ASTRO SABERS, and the XTS radios? or NOT with the Astro Sabers.

And as far as the comment about where the radios came from....who cares????? ( And can prove it If needed) They are legit radios, I am only trying to get as much information and find out what I can and can't do ( Legally) to get the band of radio I NEED, without spending lots of Money our small town can't afford to spend anyway. We either do this or Do without...... It's hard to get along with ony 2 radios for 10 guys......

Again, I am not trying to violate a copyright, or some federal or state law...Just trying to find a solution to a problem and asking advice from thoes I think might have the answers

Thanks

DFC2

kb3jkp · Post by **kb3jkp** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 2:43 am

you WILL HAVE TO violate copyright laws in order to "change" the radio from VHF to 800 or ANYTHING other than the band it originally was...

"Theoretically" only "LAB" software can "blow in" another codeplug, "hack" it to make it think it's another band....

the astro saber AND XTS series can be easily changed..however..since no xts2500/xts5000 "lab" software is available to the GP, good luck trying to force a different codeplug into those series of radios....

XTS3000's and Astro Sabers are considered "hacker friendly".. the XTS2500/XTS5000 are NOT....

NB2E · Post by **NB2E** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 3:28 am

He's talking about just throwing the board in the radio and not making any programming changes. (Just leaving the old codeplug in from the previous band) Then shipping it in for flat rate repair in hopes that they would blow in the correct codeplug for a radio of the 'new band'.

This won't work, yes from the model number & serial they can determine what band the radio 'should be' along with who it was originally sold to and when it was manufactured..

Ric, NB2E

Post by **wavetar** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 6:42 am

NB2E wrote:He's talking about just throwing the board in the radio and not making any programming changes. (Just leaving the old codeplug in from the previous band) Then shipping it in for flat rate repair in hopes that they would blow in the correct codeplug for a radio of the 'new band'.

No, he's not. He specifically asked about changing the model number, which can only be done with LAB, to have what's read in RSS match the VHF model number, to try & 'trick' the depot.

People can do what they want, it doesn't matter to me. I just feel if the restrictions about trading/selling his units are so tight, there's no way his powers that be are going to approve the use of stolen proprietary software to try & get around those restrictions. In fact, I'd say it's a good way to lose one's job. The fact he wants to save his department money will take a back seat to the legal issues, I assure you.

Todd

dfc2 · Post by **dfc2** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 7:57 am

What I WANTED to do is find out what I could and could not do, both technicly and Legaly, now that I have the answer, It is a dead issue with me.

Thanks for the Tech help.

DFC2

XTS3000 VHF to 800

XTS3000 VHF to 800

uHF

Re: uHF

Astro Saber VHF to 800

Re: Astro Saber VHF to 800

Re: Astro Saber VHF to 800

Re: Astro Saber VHF to 800

follow up

Band Change