MTSX Lab 2.0 vs 3.0 on XTS3Ks

PhillyPhoto · Post by **PhillyPhoto** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:00 am

Can anyone explain the pros and cons of each version in regards to using them on XTS3000s? I.E. which will be easier to use, and won't brick the radio. Also, if anyone knows if the CPS version that was used to program the XTS last has any effect on using it. I'm mainly interested in the use of it to read/write s-records with IMBE in them, given the firmware is an "I" or "N" version in the recieving radio. Thanks.

(P.S. I'm not asking for any software, just inquiring about the theoritical use of the software, so please don't lock this thread)

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:54 am

There is a great misconception about IMBE and labs. If you are NOT unpacking a codeplug it doesn't matter what lab you use. Any astro lab or mtsx lab will work fine for reading and forcing non unpacked archive files and s-records.

Jason

PhillyPhoto · Post by **PhillyPhoto** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:21 am

KB9KST wrote:There is a great misconception about IMBE and labs. If you are NOT unpacking a codeplug it doesn't matter what lab you use. Any astro lab or mtsx lab will work fine for reading and forcing non unpacked archive files and s-records.

Jason

OK, but is there that much of a difference between version 2 and 3, that would make someone not want to use v2 (MTSX)? Or if all you're doing is throwing an s-record into an XTS3K, there is no real problem, as long as you don't unpack the archive?

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:39 am

It doesnt matter what version you use.

Jason

PhillyPhoto · Post by **PhillyPhoto** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:56 pm

What effect does the firmware have on s-records? For example:

Donor:
Host 7.23
DSP N8.03

New:
Host 7.03
DSP N7.23

If you throw an s-record from the donor into the new radio, would you get limited functionality, or would you get a fail error?

n7maq · Post by **n7maq** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:51 pm

LuiePL wrote:What effect does the firmware have on s-records? For example:

Donor:
Host 7.23
DSP N8.03

New:
Host 7.03
DSP N7.23

If you throw an s-record from the donor into the new radio, would you get limited functionality, or would you get a fail error?

It will work just fine.

Jim.

Post by **wavetar** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:41 pm

I have for a fact received "fail 01/92" errors when using both Astro LAB 3.04 and MTSX LAB 2.00.01 when reading regular codeplugs (ie: not packed) and then forcing them into a target radio.

Please note, the method I'm referring to is when you read the codeplug, and get the "codeplug too new/old" error, then force it in anyway.

MTSX 3.02.00 will allow you to do this with the Astro radios with no problems.

If you happen to have a 'packed' archive or S-record, or read a radio directly with the "no pack/unpack" option, any LAB version will do.

The error you get when trying to read an IMBE codeplug with Astro LAB 3.04 is some sort of "unrecognized block unpack" message...it's been years so I can't recall it exactly.