Com failure - CDM1250-Polaris PA II RIB-CPS R06.05.00

[mattgraves]

Hello everyone. I am brand new here and have been reading all of the post's with much enjoyment. You guys are some smart cats. I have some radio knowledge, but am a newbie when it comes to programming Motorola Radio's. I am having a com port failure when I attempt to read my CDM1250's.

I have included the email I wrote to my tech and his response. The names have been changed to protect the innocent/guilty. One note, I am using the CPS 6.05.00 on a new HP Laptop running XP. This laptop is connected to a network inside our communications trailer by ethernet which runs to a serial converter box which coverts DB9 in to RJ45out to a network switch.

I have the Polaris RIB coming out of the converter using DB9 to DB25 cable into the the RIB. Out of the rib I have a female to female DB 25 gender converter adapter (Radio Shack). From there the the DB 25 male to RJ 45 programming cable (remember NOT ribless...it was made in their shop) plugged into the CDM 1250. In the email below I describe the issue and have included the tech response, Any idea's would be appreciated.

Email to tech:

I am attempted to program the CDM 1250’s in our Communications Trailer. As you know Doug was nice enough to make and send me a cable (DB25 male to RJ45). Friday you advised that I did not need the Polaris RIB box. This is the one we have .

http://www.polarisradio.com/cgi-bin/vie ... plate_id=1

You advised that the white serial interface box was set up so we did not need the rib. You advised that the rib is for programming our HT750 handhelds. In addition I did not have the correct cables so I went to Radio Shack and got a couple of adapters to make it work. I tried everything to no avail.


I called back late Friday and you were already gone, but I talked to Dave ****. He advised that since the cable Doug made and shipped was NOT a ribless cable, I did indeed need the Polaris RIB to program the radios. I went back to Radio Shack and got another adapter and still was not able to get the software to “read” the radios.

The Polaris RIB green power led is on and red data led blinks when I attempt to “read” the CDM 1250’s, but after the red data led flashes for about 25 seconds I get an error message saying “could not open the com port make sure the connections are good and the rib is powered on....etc” I am on the com port 4 which is the one that is set up for the ACU1000. When I bring up the software it gives me a choice of choosing com 3 or com 4. If I choose 3 and try to read, the com port failure message pops up immediatley.


I am sure this must be operator error, but I have spun my wheels for hours this weekend and I am at an impasse. Dave indicated I might need to be sent a ribless programming cable, but this configuration should work as long as the DB 25 cable pin-out’s were soldered correctly for my setup and I have no reason to believe otherwise.


I realize there may be a programming mode I need to have the CDM 1250 in before the software will read it. I have been reading the manual which says I have to have the “Optional Enhanced Keypad Microphone” to access the radio “Menu” options. We have only the standard mic’s. This may have everything or nothing to do with it. On the Motorola Radius m1225 I have in my truck it’s just plug in the RJ45 to the mic jack and go. The CDM1250’s may require additional steps. Where should I go from here? Thanks for your kindness.

Techs answer:


You may need to configure the port to COM1 or COM2. I believe when the software is loaded that works with the Ethernet to RS232 adapter, it assigns, and is expected to process all RS232 commands through the Ethernet port and not through the local COM port on the PC. Are you using this through the white adapter box or directly through the PC? If your PC does not have a COM port on the back, I assume you are using it through the white adapter box.



One other item to check is the lights on the white box to make sure you have a link status. Let me know after you check those items. If you pull up the software program that is needed for the Ethernet to RS232 box, it should provide some sort of status or check to see if it is operational.

Dave

Ok - To repeat, all the data and power lights are active on my serial converter and RIB(which I have plugged into to AC power).
Guy's forgive my stupidity here, but since I see active flashing data lights on the Serial Converter Box and the RIB after I click on "read"
in the software, would'nt that indicate that it's NOT a comport port issue? I am seeing communication. Might my computer be to fast? Should I slow down data buffers for com port? Is XP the problem?Any idea's

[HLA]

the problem's real simple, you have to plug the rib box directly into the laptop. no way around that. you're gonna turn your radios into a brick doing it that way. and the shorter the cable the better.

[mattgraves]

Well I hope not, but.....the company who built these trailer told me they designed it this way for ease of programming. No Joke. I did not com up with this method on my own. Oh well ,I have read your post's and trust you. Let me ask you this. My laptop does not have a serial port only USB. I have to connect to a DB25 in to the Polaris RIB. What sort of adapter do I need and where can I get it? Radio Shack?

[escomm]

The rib should connect to your computer via 9pin serial port. The 25pin should connect to your radio, and you will need an adaptor for that as well since the CDM series uses a 10pin connector in the mic jack. If you don't have a serial port, you can get an adaptor to run it through the USB port. However your mileage will vary as some models will refuse to be read/written with this adaptor and a computer with a genuine serial port must be used.

Ps. That website is selling an aftermarket rib for $160? Full list price on a Motorola rib is $200, why not splurge and get the real deal for another $40