Pinout for W3 25-pin connector

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
motorola_otaku
Posts: 1854
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:03 am

Pinout for W3 25-pin connector

Post by motorola_otaku »

Searched high & low, but I couldn't find an answer: what's the pinout for the DB25 side of the W3 HHCH connector? I don't see it listed in either the basic or detailed Astro Spectra manuals.
User avatar
4n6inv
Posts: 410
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 7:39 pm

Re: Pinout for W3 25-pin connector

Post by 4n6inv »

What a pain in the rear... I've heard that running a straight through 25 serial pin cable will work - with take offs for audio and power, but I've never been able to make it work to specs. For the love of God; just buy the Motorola cable... It will do what you want it to without the headaches; and it's not that expensive...
motorola_otaku
Posts: 1854
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:03 am

Re: Pinout for W3 25-pin connector

Post by motorola_otaku »

I'm not trying to fabricate a remote cable for an Astro Spectra. I'm trying to get a W3 head to play with an Astro AVA, and to do that I need to know which pin does what. Like I said, it's not in either Astro Spectra service manual.
User avatar
Astro Spectra
Posts: 669
Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2001 4:00 pm

Re: Pinout for W3 25-pin connector

Post by Astro Spectra »

I'm not 100% certain about these first three pins, they are present on the W3 but I've never tried to find out what they do:

4 = PTT
24 = Spkr Hi
25 = Spkr LO

These I'm certain of:

12 = Mic Hi
5= Bus +
14= Bus -
23 = Bus busy
18 = Shield
22 = SWB +

5 and 14 should be twisted and screened as they are RS-485 style comms and Mic Hi needs to be separately screened but the screen is common at the DB25.
jmr061
was KB9KST
Posts: 3176
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2001 4:00 pm

Re: Pinout for W3 25-pin connector

Post by jmr061 »

I have taken a W3 4044 control head, swapped cables to the XTVA cable and tried it on an XTVA (not AVA). NO GO. The firmware in the 4044 head is different from an XTVA HHCH head. I was told the same XTVA control head is used on the AVA, whether this is true or not I can not verify.

Jason
motorola_otaku
Posts: 1854
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:03 am

Re: Pinout for W3 25-pin connector

Post by motorola_otaku »

The cable for the XTVA head is just a straight-through cable, right?
Post Reply

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