Got my First AstroSaber Today :)

This forum is dedicated to discussions pertaining specifically to the Motorola ASTRO line of radios (those that use VSELP/IMBE/AMBE), including using digital modulation, digital programming, FlashPort upgrades, etc. If you have general questions please use the General or Programming forums.

Moderator: Queue Moderator

Post Reply
User avatar
Batman
Posts: 973
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: JT1000, Spectras, CB-555, 540

Got my First AstroSaber Today :)

Post by Batman »

It's an 800 model III in a MII Case. I have not made a Saber Cable yet to get it's exact info, but it's my first astro so i don't care :)

Having a hard time getting it in to test mode to read firmware, dsp, host and, rom size.

I will have to build a AS Cable to read the info.
Thank You,

Robert
Top
User avatar
Tom in D.C.
Posts: 3859
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: Progreso soup can with CRT

AS2 test...

Post by Tom in D.C. »

Bob,

Turn it on, let it go through its own test, THEN
push the lefthand RAT button five times.
Tom in D.C.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
Top
User avatar
jnglmassiv
Batboard $upporter
Posts: 512
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2002 4:00 pm

Post by jnglmassiv »

I hit the button like crazy during powerup. Always seems to take more then 5 presses.
Top
User avatar
Tom in D.C.
Posts: 3859
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: Progreso soup can with CRT

AS readout...

Post by Tom in D.C. »

I went through the same thing, now I just wait until it's
finished doing its own thing then I push the RAT button
five times. Seems to work every time.
Tom in D.C.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
Top
User avatar
Batman
Posts: 973
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: JT1000, Spectras, CB-555, 540

Post by Batman »

AP: R03.33.00

DSP: I05.01.04

EMC: R00.60

310AVL0587

I'm no expert but it would appear i got a VSELP Radio.

Is it possible to upgrade these???
Thank You,

Robert
Top
MattSR
Posts: 770
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 10:00 pm

Post by MattSR »

Wow, a beta revision EMC...


U can get those HOST and DSPs uplifted no worries however the EMC version is set. (only EMC > 3.00 is flash upgradable)
Top
User avatar
Pj
Moderator
Posts: 5147
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: X9000 thru APX

Post by Pj »

Not a beta module, just an early release. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of DES-XL modules with that revision floating around. I think I have 6 of them myself.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
Image
Top
MattSR
Posts: 770
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 10:00 pm

Post by MattSR »

Ahh ok

I was under the impression that most betas are 0.xx and production versions started at 1.xx
Top
User avatar
Pj
Moderator
Posts: 5147
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: X9000 thru APX

Post by Pj »

Remember, this is Motorola. Rational thought does not apply! :P

One of the only limitiations with these that I am aware of, is that they will not support CKR management. I am sure there may be something others...but general run of the mill stuff will work.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
Image
Top
User avatar
mr.syntrx
Posts: 1587
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2004 10:09 pm

Post by mr.syntrx »

Most software release engineering works that way, but not Motorola.
Top
Hightower
Posts: 976
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by Hightower »

Batman wrote:AP: R03.33.00

DSP: I05.01.04

EMC: R00.60

310AVL0587

I'm no expert but it would appear i got a VSELP Radio.

Is it possible to upgrade these???
With that old of firmware, you more than likely have a 512K vocon which is upgradable to IMBE
Host: 05.60.05
DPS: I06.05.02

As far as the UCM, ya its old but probably worked just fine with the old firmware. Where you may run into problems is if you upgrade to IMBE, the old UCM may give you problems. Not saying the UCM won't work anymore, but might do some dumb stuff - like at random, dump your keys :o
Top
User avatar
Pj
Moderator
Posts: 5147
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: X9000 thru APX

Post by Pj »

FYI-The module works fine on the newer firmware...mobile and portable.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
Image
Top
User avatar
mr.syntrx
Posts: 1587
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2004 10:09 pm

Post by mr.syntrx »

I know EMC 2.xx modules show some really weird bugs with HOST 7.xx.xx, that don't present themselves with older HOST versions.
Top
motorola_otaku
Posts: 1854
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:03 am

Post by motorola_otaku »

Hightower wrote:
Batman wrote:AP: R03.33.00

DSP: I05.01.04

EMC: R00.60

310AVL0587

I'm no expert but it would appear i got a VSELP Radio.

Is it possible to upgrade these???
With that old of firmware, you more than likely have a 512K vocon which is upgradable to IMBE
Host: 05.60.05
DPS: I06.05.02
According to the serial number, it's only a couple of weeks older than my very first Astro Saber. I can guarantee you it's got a 512K VOCON.
Top
User avatar
fogster
Posts: 386
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:38 am
What radios do you own?: XTS2500/5000, XPR7550/5550

Re: Got my First AstroSaber Today :)

Post by fogster »

Congrats! I think you'll find, as many of us have, that the ASTRO Sabers were some of the finest HTs ever made.
Batman wrote:I will have to build a AS Cable to read the info.
For what it's worth, the AS cable is very similar to the 'normal' Saber. It's literally a matter of swapping one pin; it's not pretty, but it's easy to just jury-rig an adapter. (Many here have come up with more elegant solutions.) Of course, if you don't have a Saber cable, this is a moot point.

Of course, you're missing one of the most valuable pieces of information: what's the Flashcode?
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Legacy Batboard Motorola ASTRO (VSELP/IMBE/AMBE) Equipment Forum”