W5 -vs- W7 ???

[TWL911]

I tried searching the board, couldn't come up with a solid answer.


is the astro spectra W5 electrically the same as the W7, without the DTMF keys, similar to the analog spectras ????


will a W5 work on an astro spectra with a W7 model number, without making codeplug changes ???

[Conundrum]

From my knowledge the W7 is just the W5 with a different front plastic and more buttons (to give access to the full DTMF number pad), the circuitry is from what I can recall identical.

[Pj]

The W5 and W7 (A5 and A7 for that matter) are the same heads, but different plastic and more buttons.

The biggest problem is that the codeplug contain the model number which dictates if those extra buttons will work (they will work in the self test mode, but once you exit, no-go).

For the Spectra, you can modify the MLM to turn a A5 into a A7, but the Astro Spectra would require a forced srecord from another radio.

In addition, the W4/W5 Astro Spectras will only do 128 channels. The W3/W7/W9 will do 255.

[TWL911]

So I will have to force a W5 S-record into my W7 radio to make the W5 work? or will it work with a W5 head, without any changes ?

[Pj]

If you have a W7, why would you downgrade your radio? Or did you mean your W5?

A5/W5


A7/W7

[TWL911]

I bought a W7 astro spectra, that came without a head. the W5 heads seem to be more readily available on the used market right now, so I want to run it as W5, until the time I can find a suitable W7. Eventually I want to put W7 on it so I can have 255 modes vs 128, so I'm hoping the limited W5 will work without hacking the codeplug.

[jmr061]

You can get a W5 head and use it without changing the s-rec. Get a new face plate and the appropriate buttons and it changes to a w7 head. The s-rec doesn't need to be changed. Leave it alone. Just program your control head buttons accordingly if you get a w5 head versus a w7.

Jason

[TWL911]

GREAT!!!

Thanks for the help, as usual guys.