astro spectra cable issue

IMBEJames · Post by **IMBEJames** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:19 pm

hi all, Im having an issue....

I built a RIB to radio program cable for a hi-power astro spectra. I keep getting an error message that says "communication with radio failed." The RIB has power, the astro spectra CPS is updated (it's licensed), and i triple-checked the cable i made...

now for the strange part. when i went to replace the RIB battery, i forgot to shut it off first (oops). when the radio was powered on, even without the battery i the RIB, the LED on the RIB came on, like it was getting power from the radio.

anyone seen this?

any input would be great. thanks!
-jamie

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:25 pm

Have you plugged the computer/RIB into another radio, preferably a mid-power Astro Spectra, and tried it? Does it work?

Work through the components one by one until you narrow it down.

I'd suspect your homebrew cable if you're using an otherwise-known-good programming setup... make sure you're counting those DB25 pins on each end right. Of course, I've never made such an error... yeah.

I don't like the RIB LED coming on... wonder if you've got a ground loop somewhere? Everything plugged into the same outlet/outlet strip?

kcbooboo · Post by **kcbooboo** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:49 pm

Real Motorola RIBs can utilize DC power from the radio, if the cable is wired to provide it, and if the radio has it available. The regular Spectra provides switched +12V on pin 4 of the 15-pin accessory jack just for this purpose, so you can operate your RIB without a battery.

By the way, if you do not have the +12V wire in your radio cable, or if you're using an after-market RIB that doesn't provide this feature, if the RIB is turned off when you turn the radio on, you'll get all sorts of errors on the radio, including having it cycle power to itself and continually reset. It'll look like the radio has been killed; all you need to do is turn the RIB on before turning the radio on.

The RIB powering itself up from the radio is nothing to worry about, but it doesn't address your original problem.

Bob M.

Will · Post by **Will** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:50 pm

If the DB25 to DB25 cable for the High Power Spectra is built correctly, the radio connecctor provides 12 volts that powers the factory RIB on pin 12.

IMBEJames · Post by **IMBEJames** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:21 am

Well, now that im pretty sure the RIB power isnt because of something i screwed up, I think Im going to spend a good portion of the day sorting some stuff out, including this.....

Ill let you guys know what i find, hopefully soon. thanks so far

-jamie

IMBEJames · Post by **IMBEJames** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:31 am

ok, so im done scratching my head. stupid mistake on my part. When we powered the radio initially, it was powered by a battery that apparently wasnt fully charged. It didnt click that that could be the problem until i got the FL01/90. I borrowed a 12V p/s and everything works fine.

thanks, everyone for the suggestions and info on this stuff