converting an Astro Spectra to an Astro Spectra Plus

[matt_tjaden]

I was just wondering if anyone has done this or if it is possible?

[batdude]

well, considering at one time there was a "kit" from motorola to do it --- yep, it's certainly possible.

pretty much replace the command/vocon board with a new board (single) - reminescient of the Spectra "E" (or spectra II)


doug

[libuff]

what would you get extra thats not on the astro spectra?

[Josh]

Actually, it's even easier than that....

Pull the vocon out of the astro spectra, and put in a new one for astro spectra plus. Done.|

The command board remains the same.

[matt_tjaden]

I'm asking becouse I have an T04UJH9PW7AN Astro. The county I volunteer in is going APCO25. I'd like to upgrade this unit to 9600 trunking. I just wanted to see if anyone else has done this. I know the Plus vocons are 4MEG. Has anyone had problems doing this?

Aslo, dose anyone have a price on a Plus vocon?

[Josh]

I'm asking becouse I have an T04UJH9PW7AN Astro. The county I volunteer in is going APCO25. I'd like to upgrade this unit to 9600 trunking. I just wanted to see if anyone else has done this. I know the Plus vocons are 4MEG. Has anyone had problems doing this?

Aslo, dose anyone have a price on a Plus vocon?

XMO has some, PM him about it.. you may get a response.

The "upgrade manual" shows that you read the radio as-is and save the archive in CPS
Then you swap VOCONs, read the radio again with Astro25 CPS, and use the "drag and drop" thing to put your radio info into the upgraded radio. This is how you're supposed to get your frequencies, etc moved over

The only problem with this method is that I'VE NEVER GOTTEN IT TO WORK. I get an error message about incompatible drag and drop versions, which is ********.

So, you'll probably just end up retyping all your stuff into the upgraded radio.

That said, before you do the work, read all your radios current tuning values and write them down so you can re-enter them after you do the upgrade, this way your radio works to-spec still.

If you do get an XMO board, make sure after you convert your radio you take it for a firmware uplift as they come with like R4, DSP4, and they can go up to Host/DSP9 and you'll want that for rebanding stuff if you're using 800Mhz.

[akardam]

The "upgrade manual" shows that you read the radio as-is and save the archive in CPS. Then you swap VOCONs, read the radio again with Astro25 CPS, and use the "drag and drop" thing to put your radio info into the upgraded radio. This is how you're supposed to get your frequencies, etc moved over

The only problem with this method is that I'VE NEVER GOTTEN IT TO WORK. I get an error message about incompatible drag and drop versions, which is ********.

Not to toot my own horn, but my Astro->Astro25 Converter can help you move zone/channel data from an Astro radio to an Astro25 radio, either mobile or portable. It does not, unfortunately, work for trunking information, though I may play with that at some point and see if I can get it to work. Anybody want to donate an Astro25 U split codeplug?

Another thing I've found is usefull is not to do a top down drag and drop - I select specific sections at a time (Trunking to Trunking, etc). Since the Astro25 conventional personality/zone channel layout in the codeplug differs somewhat from the Astro version, this might help avoid errors.

[matt_tjaden]

If you do get an XMO board, make sure after you convert your radio you take it for a firmware uplift as they come with like R4, DSP4, and they can go up to Host/DSP9 and you'll want that for rebanding stuff if you're using 800Mhz.

Is the uplift something I have to order from big M?

[compuman81]

The reason why doug brought the command board up was because according to Motorola, older command boards were not compatibile with the plus vocon and they would have to be replaced along with the Astro Spectra controller. I don't know which Rev board it was first compatibile with, however I've had varying results trying it with older boards. Some work, others not.

Actually, it's even easier than that....

Pull the vocon out of the astro spectra, and put in a new one for astro spectra plus. Done.|

The command board remains the same.

[Josh]

The reason why doug brought the command board up was because according to Motorola, older command boards were not compatibile with the plus vocon and they would have to be replaced along with the Astro Spectra controller. I don't know which Rev board it was first compatibile with, however I've had varying results trying it with older boards. Some work, others not.

Oh. Very interesting. They must have to be really old. The command board in my astro spectra plus is from 1996, one of the first IMBE models.

-Josh

[matt_tjaden]

The Astro I have is a 2003 model. Probably the last model year.

[groundrat99]

Hey all, what software are you using to make this work? I have a astro spectra plus vocon and command board that I would love to put in to my VHF astro spectra. Thanks in advance.

Bill

[alex]

You need Astro Spectra software to program an Astro Spectra, and XTL software to program an XTL or Astro Spectra Plus.

[groundrat99]

So, I would read the codeplug from the Spectra as it is now. Then convert it all to the ASTRO 25 software and push it in. IT sounds almost too easy. What happens to the serial number and flashport options? Sorry for the rudimentary questions. I would like to not end up with a really nice door stop. Thanks again!

[spectragod]

You need Astro Spectra software to program an Astro Spectra, and XTL software to program an XTL or Astro Spectra Plus.

And a new programming cable, $$$$$$$$$$$$$

SG

[kt2728]

SG,

you wouldn't happen to have the part number for that cable?


kt

[spectragod]

Off hand, no, but..... it is the same cable that is used for the XTL 5K's with the Astro Spectra head on them, not the 05 head.

I hope that I am remembering that correctly.

SG

[akardam]

Spectragod is correct. For Astro Spectra Plus radios you will need the following cable:

HKN6155A
PROGRAMMING/FLASH CABLE, AS PLUS
List: $105

This cable will also service Low/Mid Power XTL 5000's with the W series head in dash or remote mount configuration.