Flashcode Question

[Vercomm]

Hello,

This is a flashcode from an XTS3000 that I am considering buying. I see the MDC, but will this unit encode/decode MDC1200 PTT ID?

Options Installed on this Flashcode:

580001-000000-0

Q806/G806 IMBE / APCO-25 Digital Operation
H14/G114 Digital ID Display
H868/W298 Conventional Multikey and Analog Conventional MDC OTAR
H35/G48 Conventional Operation


Also what is required to update firmware in the XTS3000? Do you need a smart Rib?

Thanks,

Jamie

[motorola_otaku]

I see the MDC, but will this unit encode/decode MDC1200 PTT ID?

Assuming the firmware supports the flash, yes, it will encode and decode MDC1200 all day. Ask the seller for the HOST and DSP versions.

Also what is required to update firmware in the XTS3000? Do you need a smart Rib?

Yes, along with the dongle containing the upgraded firmware. Much confusion and speculation abounds as to whether or not Motorola will sell firmware or flash upgrades to John Q Public, but most folks seem to have good luck by sending the radio in to the depot for flat-rate repair. Note: you will NOT turn an analog-only radio into an IMBE-capable radio this way.

[Rod Farva]

There is a windows based software that will upgrade the firmware, you do not need a dongle to upgrade the firmware, flashcode yes (FlashKey) and you will need a smart rib and a cable that has the bootstrap line in it.

[RESCUE161]

There is a windows based software that will upgrade the firmware, you do not need a dongle to upgrade the firmware, flashcode yes (FlashKey) and you will need a smart rib and a cable that has the bootstrap line in it.

I'd like to know more...

[xmo]

The original flash upgrades for the XTS3000 came with a set of disks that contained the firmware files and a parallel port dongle / flashkey that contained the authorization information, i.e. model number being upgraded, existing flashcode, new flashcode, and number of upgrades purchsed.

Those kits worked with either DOS RSS or CPS and used an S-RIB with your regular programming cable. They are no longer available.

Currently shipping Flashport upgrades for the XTS3000 come with new firmware on disk and an iButton flashkey authorization device in either a parallel port or USB reader [as per your order]. These kits work only with the CPS [Windows based] programming software.

[RESCUE161]

Do you still need the SRIB?

[MattSR]

I have heard (somewhere on here) that the new firmware upgrades (NOT the flashport ones) work with a normal RIB.

Can anyone confirm?

[Rod Farva]

Software upgrades and accessories change depending on how powerful your agency is with Moto.. I have seen the firmware upgrade software and there was no key needed, just a smart rib. That is all I can say...

[mr.syntrx]

I thought the idea of an SRIB was to provide the write voltage required to erase and program the flash, which isn't normally available inside the radio.

[Vercomm]

I am confused about asking for the host. I thought the flashcode would determine what the radio could do. I am not looking to flash upgrade the radio.I am wondering if the current radio will support MDC1200PTT ID on Conventional Analoge systems.

i though if it were easy to update firmware I would do so if it were easy like dn HT750,1250,or1550. But if I need a srib I really don'w know if it would be worth it for 1 radio

[Pj]

The flashcode is the features of the radio.

However, it is the HOST and DSP what actually makes it works. In a non-hacked radio, this will not matter.

In a hacked radio, this does matter.

In a new or properly upgraded radio, the HOST and DSP will be updated (if needed) to properly support the features in the radio. In a hacked radio if a new flashcode is forced in, the HOST and DSP may not be new enough to support the features being crammed into the radio. Cramming in a codeplug does not upgrade HOST/DSP firmware.

For instance, Astro Saber radios with HOST firmware 3.x will not support IMBE Digital if a codeplug with it is crammed in the radio. RSS/CPS may let you change all the settings concerning it, but when you go to TX, it won't be speaking IMBE.

[motorola_otaku]

i though if it were easy to update firmware I would do so if it were easy like dn HT750,1250,or1550. But if I need a srib I really don'w know if it would be worth it for 1 radio

No. The procedure for upgrading the firmware in an Astro radio is completely different from the procedure to upgrade firmware in a Waris radio. And to be fair, I thought flashing Waris radios required a SmartRib too.

As far as whether or not it's "worth it for 1 radio" to obtain a SmartRib, I look at it this way: you can never have too many tools.

And to back up what PJ said, Astro radio firmware has two components (HOST and DSP) where your Waris radios only have one. This is because the Astro radios support digital voice; the HOST controls the actual operation of the radio, and the DSP handles the analog-digital and digital-analog conversions. Most any Astro radio will support MDC1200 encode, but to be able to see PTT IDs, the radio has to have the Digital ID Display option and a high-enough HOST version to support it.

[Rod Farva]

The waris radios do not need a smart rib just a dongle that puts ground on to the bootstrap pin, thus putting it in bootstrap mode. This is one of the reasons you can not use a normal cable on a waris radio when using a smart rib, the smart rib puts ground on the pin causing it to go into bootstrap mode when the radio is power cycled after programming. There is a section on on the program cable section of batlabs that tells you to remove that wire from the db25 connector if you are using a smart rib....

[Vercomm]

"Most any Astro radio will support MDC1200 encode, but to be able to see PTT IDs, the radio has to have the Digital ID Display option and a high-enough HOST version to support it."

That being said this radio does have that in the flashcode. What version of DSP and Host would I need in order for this radio to display the ID's?

Thanks,

Jamie