Syntor X EEPROM / PROM speed?

[SlimBob]

I'm trying to replace a 2804 in a Syntor X codeplug with an EPROM; what speed should I be using?

I have a 2732-45, and a 2732A-2 but so far nothing seems to work except for my original Motorola codeplugs.

[jackhackett]

Have you seen this article? There's some info about access time in it.

http://www.shout.net/~rieslabs/EpromAdapter.htm

[WB6NVH]

There seems to be some confusion here, at least the way I read the messages, perhaps you could clarify a bit.

Are you talking about the IC in the memory module of a Syntor X, and if so, the orange label style module? That is an EEPROM, a 2816, not a 2804, as I recall. The radio's bus speed is so slow that practically any speed EEPROM you can buy will work. Someone once mentioned that they had a problem with an eeprom which was in the 150 speed range, but I've in fact used those without any problems at all. I'm not sure why you would want to replace an EEPROM with an EPROM and have to mess with UV erasers and all that, but as I say, I may be confused about the question.

The Ries Labs article refers to the original Syntor, not the X, and those use a one-shot PROM. I would think that any speed EPROM would work in that radio if you were trying to convert those to something re-programmable. As I recall, PieXX makes a pretty popular re-programmable mod for those, but you can buy a Syntor X9000 drawer for hardly anything on eBay these days which for most of us makes more sense.

[ka7wnf]

I ordered 3 eeproms of off EBay awhile back. They are EXEL xls28C16AP-200. 200 nano second. They work great. I used the Willems programmer to write to them.

[WB6NVH]

Yes, I have used those too and they were fine. CMOS EEPROMs are typically slower than the originals but they are widely available at good prices. I use a Data I/O System 29B and Unipak 2B programmer fed with Paul Bennett's Syntor X software via a 286 laptop. Paul's software has some feature limitations (i.e. no support of operator select multiple PL or operator select NP scan) but it's about the only game in town unless you have an original suitcase programmer.

[ka7wnf]

I used the sprog program which can be downloaded right here on Batlabs from the Syntor page. It has some problems with the NP scan features but I was able to hexedit it into submission. If one doesn't have the scan head and only needs basic programming then either software should be fine.

[SlimBob]

Have you seen this article? There's some info about access time in it.

http://www.shout.net/~rieslabs/EpromAdapter.htm

Yeah, there it is... I thought there was a comment about needing to bypass that transistor somewhere. I never had to do it before, but I'm not really worried about it. I'll get out the soldering iron again.

[SlimBob]

There seems to be some confusion here, at least the way I read the messages, perhaps you could clarify a bit.

Are you talking about the IC in the memory module of a Syntor X, and if so, the orange label style module? That is an EEPROM, a 2816, not a 2804, as I recall. The radio's bus speed is so slow that practically any speed EEPROM you can buy will work. Someone once mentioned that they had a problem with an eeprom which was in the 150 speed range, but I've in fact used those without any problems at all. I'm not sure why you would want to replace an EEPROM with an EPROM and have to mess with UV erasers and all that, but as I say, I may be confused about the question.

Yes, it is an X. Yes, I am replacing it an EEPROM with an EPROM. This is because I have an EPROM programmer, not an EEPROM programmer. And this application (if I ever get it programmed right) is a fire-and-forget application).

The Ries Labs article refers to the original Syntor, not the X, and those use a one-shot PROM. I would think that any speed EPROM would work in that radio if you were trying to convert those to something re-programmable. As I recall, PieXX makes a pretty popular re-programmable mod for those, but you can buy a Syntor X9000 drawer for hardly anything on eBay these days which for most of us makes more sense.

Yes, correct as well. The Synthesizer has a special mode that lets it read the eprom in a Syntor. In the X, it has a microprocessor. I have several Xs. I agree, an X9000 would be preferable except that a) I already have three VHF X's not doing anything, b) this is a fire-and-forget application, i.e. mountaintop packet node or repeater, c) X9000 requires a control head and a control cable, both of which are availible at additional cost and d) I don't want to spend a dime more than I have to when I had this working Once Upon A Time two years ago.

If I could control an X9000 without the head, that would be preferable, but I don't have the time to sit down and develop a compact control head for it, nor do I want additional hardware at the site other than the absolute bare necessity. It's difficult to change the channel on a radio when it's jumpered and soldered to use channel 1.

[SlimBob]

I ordered 3 eeproms of off EBay awhile back. They are EXEL xls28C16AP-200. 200 nano second. They work great. I used the Willems programmer to write to them.

The chips are cheap, but the programmer often makes them look insignificant in cost....

[WB6NVH]

Isn't that the truth... Get a radio cheap or the chips cheap and then spend ten times that getting something to program them. Or, buy a radio for $ X and then have to pay $ 2X for the manual or the head.

I went through several Data I/O programmers (eBay etc.) until I finally got one with enough internal RAM to do what I wanted, then went through several programming socket-packs until I found one that worked and had the right firmware upgrade, then my DOS 286 laptop PC died, and on and on...

On the other hand, there are some bargains on eBay on cheap Needhams programmers because Needhams sold their product to one or more less familiar manufacturers who painted their own names and model numbers on them. Most people, not knowing that, avoid them and don't bid.