Mt2000 firmware upgrade for 2.5 spacing?

[kb0uxv]

I have a MTX838 (Mt2000 version with the 99 ch rotary) VHF programming with rss v.06.00.00

They changed a repeater at work to 151.5125rx 1514075tx, when I go to program an error message appears and states:

"target radio does not support frequencies with 2.5 khz spacing please upgrade radios FIRMWARE"

Can anyone help me do this? I have no idea what to do! Thanks, Nate in MN

[MTS2000des]

it takes a controller board replacement, the firmware in MT2000's are programmed in ROM and not flash upgradeable like Flashport radios (MTS2000, XTS3000, etc). You are honestly better off trying to find a replacement radio, a new controller board easily eclipses the value of the radio.

[tdc4125]

I recall reading a thread on here that discussed converting an HT1000 into a MT2000 simply by switching out a controller board from an MTX radio and placing it into the HT1000. I don't have the particular thread at my fingertips, but I do recall it mentioning that the process was rather easy and could be accomplished with use of lab, and of course getting a new housing with a display.

I'm a newbie to getting down an dirty with the controller and rx boards but it seems to me that it should be rather simple to upgrade a MT2000 to 2.5khz channel spacing, without a heavy expense by buying used parts.

What I don't understand is what does what in terms of the controller board and rx board. Which one is responsible for narrowband capability?

Isn't there a way to swap out components from, say a "D" HT1000 and a MT2000 to make the MT2000 narrowband compliant?

I'm still trying to teach myself this on my own, and still searching threads for the answers so forgive me as I know this topic has been thoroughly discussed, so much so in fact that I am having trouble sorting through all the information.

Regards,
Tom

[wavetar]

You CANNOT upgrade a controller board's firmware version with LAB RSS. You can force in a codeplug from other radio models, etc, and possibly access the extra features which may come with the codeplug, but if the resident firmware in the controller doesn't recognize the feature, it will not work. For instance, forcing in an MDC capable MTS2000 codeplug into an older firmware version MT2000 results in the RSS allowing you to program the MDC parameters...but the MDC doesn't actually work! In the case of the 2.5KHz channel spacing, you would need the firmware to be 2.5KHz capable...simply forcing in a codeplug from another radio which is capable of it isn't enough.

[HLA]

you can try to cheat it if the radio will at least take the frequencies and leave the spacing at 25. it won't sound totally right but it will work.

[tdc4125]

This is the post I was thinking about:

JEEEEZ, come on guys , you killing me here.
If you take an HT1000 RF deck and install it with a MTX8000, MTX9000, MT2000, or MTS2000 controller board, you will get what ever band the RF deck is provided you hacked the controller properly.
NOTE, if you try this with a TOOL PROOF controller without the proper method you will have waisted your time.

If you are using B5's and B7 controllers you get the full feature and all of the 255 channels.

If you are using B3's and A4's you will USUALLY get just the top display BUT, you can get 160 channels.

Now how can you get 160 channels with a top display?

Well I am glad you asked.

You need to take the channel selector apart , VERY CAREFULLY. You will see a small chingas inside the channel selector that keeps the knob from continuously going around and around and around and around and around......, whoa, i'm getting dizzy.

This is known as "Continuous Rotory" when you hack your code plug.

by doing this , you can configure your switches for zones and put as many channels it as you want.

don't go over board and try to get 255 channels.

It will usually piss off the radio. You can try but if it does not work, go back to 160.

So can you take an RF deck from an HT1000 "D" model (2.5khz spacing compliant) and install it into an MT2000 controller and thus make it narrowband compliant? I've never done this before, but it sure sounds interesting.

[wavetar]

This is the post I was thinking about:

So can you take an RF deck from an HT1000 "D" model (2.5khz spacing compliant) and install it into an MT2000 controller and thus make it narrowband compliant? I've never done this before, but it sure sounds interesting.

You're getting confused. The newer RF board might be capable of 2.5KHz steps, but without the proper firmware in the MT2000 controller to allow for actual 2.5KHz operation, it isn't going to work.

The post you refer to didn't change the HT1000 controller into an MT2000 controller or vice versa...that would involve a complete firmware change...they merely swapped RF boards, and turned a VHF MT2000 into a UHF MT2000 for instance...the controller remained the same, but some form of LAB was used to change the band it worked with.