iButton?1?

Alex663 · Post by **Alex663** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 1:05 pm

I've got an XTS3000 that I cannot program trunking information in. After some reading appears it may have been programmed with an iButton. Is there a definitive way to verify this? Also, is there a known workaround? Lastly, with sending it to the depot get the problem resolved?

I think I located what system the radio was associated with in Colorado (Aurora County), with primarily fire channels. Would it feasible to have the System Administrator remove the iButton programming or something along those lines?

Thanks for any info....
Alex

compuman81 · Post by **compuman81** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:02 pm

That may be irrelevant. Remote that trunking system since you don't need it. Add your own with your system key and then you'll be able to delete that one, since the RSS/CPS will not permit all the trunking systems in the codeplug to be deleted. Then you wo'nt have to worry about it.

Bruce1807 · Post by **Bruce1807** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:48 pm

By Ibutton I asume you mean the ASK or advanced system key.

The ASK is a great tool it just means that you you can give your system key to someone and it has an expiry date as well as other configurations

You need a new system key in your case.
You may want to check that the radio is not stolen with the administrator.

Post by **xmo** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:10 pm

I don't think most people have grasped the seriousness of the ASK issue.

If a radio has been previously programmed with an ASK, the CPS will not let it be programmed again without an ASK. Not necessarily the same key - but you MUST have an ASK connected to your computer to program ANYTHING into that radio - even just to change a conventional channel.

You can have all the regular system keys for every system it the radio and it won't help at all. If a radio has ever been touched by CPS using an ASK - it will need one ever after.

There is no known workaround for this for Astro25 radios, however, an XTS3000 could conceivably be dumbed back down IF you had saved a RSS archive for that radio before using CPS on it - then just use DOS RSS to revert the radio to its old codeplug.

There is no provision in regular user level CPS to remove the ASK requirement . The CPS warns you before you program a radio for the first time with an ASK, after that it is set for life.

Alex663 · Post by **Alex663** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:59 pm

I can't add or modify trunking channels, but I can edit conventional channels till I'm blue in the face, and program the changes to the radio.

What is required to get a new ASK (hardware and/or software)? And again, would sending it to the depot for a firmware update, or even a flashport upgrade, revert the radio back to a non ASK programming mode?

Unfortionatly I got this through and estate sale, the origional owner passed away and I can't get any help from the family, altough it was 1 of several pieces of radio equipment so I believe it is most likely legit. I ran the serial through NCIC and it came up clean, so again, i doubt its stolen. The thing is the system it was associated with appears to be very well maitained and it would not suprise me in the least bit if the administrator used ASK (or iButton) on the radio.

Bottom line..... what are my options?
Thanks

compuman81 · Post by **compuman81** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:23 pm

you're going to have to get someone that manages a trunked system that uses the ask's to program your radio or get him to lend you theirs, which is NEVER going to happen, unless well...you know.

i'm not sure what approach a motorola shop takes to these types of radios because many might not manage any trunked systems and won't have iButtons.

your best course of action is to find someone that has a copy of lab and have them blow in an s-record for your model xts 3000 and retune it with a service monitor. at that point, you will have the capability to use old standard system keys ( if your trunking system uses one, which it would since you didn't have the iButton in the first place).

Post by **xmo** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:27 pm

Since you are able to program the radio - it would seem that your problem has nothing to do with the iButton ASK.

Still, you must have a regular System Key file if you want to change the trunking information. If you are planning on putting the radio on a trunked system, you should obtain that key file from the System Administrator when you obtain authorization to put the unit on the system. At that time you will be issued an ID which will be activated on the system.

Some System Administrators may require the programming of radios on their system to be performed only by authorized entities, so you may not be able to do it yourself.

If you are planning on using the radio as conventional only, simply leave the existing trunking information alone and just don't map any of the talkgroups to zones & modes.

If you are planning on replacing the old trunking programming with programming for a different system, once you have entered the new system information in CPS for the system you are authorized on, you should then be able to delete the unwanted system as suggested by compuman81.

If you are trying to put unauthorized trunking information in the unit - forget it and buy a scanner.

Alex663 · Post by **Alex663** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 2:57 am

Our trunking system here does not use iButtons, so my local service center has not been much help. Im not following why I would still need a system key to program the trunking info if I had an old S-record forced in, would that be the system key which is afilliated with my 800Mhz system to allow me to use the system and not an key which prevents the CPS from allowing me to modify the trunking info?

I've had 2 XTS3000's now for a couple years on the VHF and UHF fire band and program them without any problems, I guess I was just caught off gaurd when I started working on this 800. 2 Local departments had to move to 800, so several other agencies are scrambling to get a few portables to use on the Mutual Aid talkgroups they created which they aren't requiring monthly fees... I am authorized to use the system, just never expected to have trouble programming it.....

I still don't understand the whole system key thing...... why can't they keep it simple like it used to be?

Alex

Victor Xray · Post by **Victor Xray** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 4:29 am

Alex663 wrote:I am authorized to use the system

If you truly are, then your system's radio manager should have provided you the system key file and a unique radio ID. Programming a trunked 800 radio is nothing like programming a VHF or UHF radio. If you have not been provided with your system's key file and ID, then you cannot program your radio.

Alex663 · Post by **Alex663** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 4:42 am

Victor, after some reading I realised I was looking for an iButton key (in my mind) but talking about the system key which I now know is provided to a system administrator when a radio system is built. Now that I know my radio isn't locked down, it's just requesting a system key to allow modification of the trunking information I will contact the necccesary peron(s) to accuire it. Thanks for the help and for your patience. I wasn't aware of the difference in trunking progamming.... But now I feel educated in the matter. Until next time......

Alex

spectragod · Post by **spectragod** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:28 am

Alex663 wrote:Victor, after some reading I realised I was looking for an iButton key (in my mind) but talking about the system key which I now know is provided to a system administrator when a radio system is built. Now that I know my radio isn't locked down, it's just requesting a system key to allow modification of the trunking information I will contact the necccesary peron(s) to accuire it. Thanks for the help and for your patience. I wasn't aware of the difference in trunking progamming.... But now I feel educated in the matter. Until next time......

Alex

All you should have to do is create a new trunking sys and delete the old system, related talkgroups, scan lits etc..

SG

Alex663 · Post by **Alex663** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:44 am

SG, I can add a new trunking system, but I can't modify the fields or add control channels under the new system. Wouldn't the system key allow this once the key is loaded, or is this requiring an Adanced system key (iButton)?

spectragod · Post by **spectragod** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:18 am

You need a sys key to add features such as talkgroups, call lists, hex id's to trunking systems. You can add your conventional without any sys key.

SG

Alex663 · Post by **Alex663** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:26 am

Right now, under trunking, I can:

1)Add a trunking system, but can't add Astro 25 site alias, Channel ID, or Control channels.
2)Add a trunking personality, but can't add talkgroups or prefered sites
3)Add and modify call lists.

Sounds like I have some access but not all? Can anyone verrify that the access I have is correct....?
Thanks

spectragod · Post by **spectragod** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:47 am

You need a sys key to program the rest. If you are authorized, access to the key should be no problem.

SG

Alex663 · Post by **Alex663** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:53 am

Thank you.

arlojanis · Post by **arlojanis** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 8:22 am

Bruce1807 · Post by **Bruce1807** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 9:07 am

You need a system key from the system admin. If you are not going to use trunking just leave the system in there.
Yot must have at least one system in the radio.
just dont add it to a zone.
If you are a legit user ask the system admin to give you they key or program it for you.
The key is a software file for the system