Saber / System Saber RF Boards

[RADIO43]

Guys,

I am looking to make a 482-512 System Saber. If possible, I will grab a saber with the 482-512 rf board in it and then a government split system saber and swap out the RF boards and then reprogram it as a system saber 482-512 mhz system saber.

Questions:

1. Are the RF boards the same or are they difference between the sabe and system saber?

2. If the boards are the same, what other boards have to be swapped out to do this project?

As always, thank you in advance and look forward to starting this project.

radio43

[RADIO43]

I got the answer to my first question, which is yes, the boards are the same... Used the search topic as "sys saber" and stuff came up....

Still wondering about question #2.

[DJP126]

The answer you found to question 1 is wrong. The standard Saber and the System Saber use DIFFERENT rf boards(if by rf board, you mean the main circuit board). Throughout the UHF range the System Saber uses the same board. It is the MODULES (VCO, power amp, filter/detector/switch, and the filter/amp/mixer) in the radio that determines the range. The Saber UHF range is also determined by the modules, the different main boards determine the core version. The same modules are used between the two types of Saber except for the secure comm modules.

[RADIO43]

Dave,

So the controller and RF Board stays in the System Saber and I take all the other MODULES out of the correct band saber and switch them out? Thank you for response.

Radio43

[DJP126]

Dave,

So the controller and RF Board stays in the System Saber and I take all the other MODULES out of the correct band saber and switch them out? Thank you for response.

Radio43

That is correct. Also remember to reprogram the System Saber with the correct frequency range.

[RADIO43]

Dave,

Thank you very much.

radio43

[AEC]

In respect to the modules only, they are all the same, UHF/UHF and VHF/VHF, and will work in ANY Saber in that band.

The main boards are another story...they are NOT similar and can NOT be swapped, EG...Systems Saber main board for standard Saber main board.

Also, standard Saber for a Systems Saber main board....NO GO.

Internal modules are ALL the same, as long as they are for the intended band of use...VHF for VHF and UHF for UHF.

Modules can NOT be swapped from either band, and many can not even be swapped WITHIN the same band, as in the VHF models, the PA is different PER BAND segment, as is the filter(U5) under the receiver module(U4).

The F.D.S has a wider frequency coverage, but the 2-Pole filters do NOT have that wide band coverage and MUST be exchanged for operation within the intended band segment you are using.

The exact differences are minor, when band splits are concerned, as in most VHF band and UHF band segments.

The UHF Sabers(Systems & standard) do NOT have the 2-pole filters or the receptacles for such as they are not needed nor used.

Only the VHF models of BOTH radios will have the 2-pole filters installed.

[N4KVE]

I am confused here. I always thought if I purchased a Sys Saber on say the useless 403-433 split & installed 440-470 modules from a regular saber all would be fine. Of course tuning values would have to be changed for the new freq's etc. Am I wrong? GARY N4KVE

[AEC]

Gary, you are 100% correct!

As long as the band splits remain the same, you can use any module to replace the other ones, you just can't use VHF modules in a UHF and vice versa.

That's what I was trying to convey, but even after I re-read my post, it was not crystal clear...my bad.

[N4KVE]

Thanks for clearing that up. GARY N4KVE

[RADIO43]

Thank you AEC and N4KVE for all your help... Radio43