converting A5 spectra to SmartZone

[steve_eo]

I have a D43KXA7JA5BK and want to use it to monitor a SmartZone site (only one site-analog talkgroups).
I've followed the steps I can find online re converting conventional radios to trunking ones but I'm still not having success.
I currently have a FAIL 001 error while on a trunking mode. If I program a conventional mode to the exact same frequencies, I don't get that error while on that mode. I only get it while going to the trunking mode. In addition, if I select RSSI, I get 31 (IE no signal) but on the conventional mode (of the same frequency), I get 76 (nice and strong).
I believe I've correctly followed the online procedures to convert the radio from a hi-band conventional vhf to a low band trunking version with model number of T41ZGA5JC7AK. No other errors are present.
I can program AMSS so I'm assuming I have the correct firmware.
Am I missing some hardware or something here?
My understanding is that I can convert a conventional Spectra to Trunking (Not SmartZone). Am I wrong?
Do I HAVE to have an E series head?

To summarize:
Trunking setup:
1 site, 1 control channel, 1 talk group in one mode.
FAIL 001 error present, RSSI=31.
I even get the FAIL 001 if I program a frequency from the original hi-band.
Conventional
1 mode of same freq as trunking control channel above.
No FAIL 001 and RSSI=76.
Thanks for any help!
-Steve

[dirtrat]

A FAIL 001 indicates a synthesizer unlock, possibly a bad 16.8 Mhz crystal or other problems. It will be impossible to convert a Spectra to SmartZone operation, however if you do get it to work in trunking and are only monitoring 1 site on the SmartZone system then you can just program it for SmartNet with the control channels from that site and it should work. Sorry I can't help you with your other questions.

[Jim202]

You need to fix the error your getting first. You may have entered a wrong channel
frequency when you tried to make the changes.

You don't need Smartzone with only one site. Use the standard Smartnet settings.

In order to program in any trunking system settings, you will need a systems key.
This you probably don't have. It is Motorola's way of keeping people from putting
radios on trunking systems that are not authorized.

When using one of these type radios to just monitor a trunking system, you need
to make sure that the radio doesn't affiliate and TX on the system. The best way
to do this is to set the radio to PTT affiliation. You also need to disable the TX by
removing any 12 volt feed to the PA. Many people also remove the exciter feed to
the PA stage. It wouldn't hurt to remove the power feed to the exciter stage also.
If you get close enough to the site, it will hear the exciter.

Jim

[RADIOMAN2002]

I maybe missing something here but changing a VHF to Low band can't be done, I believe you made a typo .But if not, it won't work.
BTW I am having some issues with the UHF I converted that are similar. If the channels are programmed in conventional they work, but I cannot put the in the Control Channels listed for each trunking system(there are 6 in this radio for different sites). Do I need to create a new system and start from scatch(Can I)? Or is there some one who has done this successfully before, who can shed some light on this?

It's now about 6 hours later.
Some other thoughts about this problem, most trunking systems are on 800 and 900 mhz with frequency maps located in the radios.(ie 851.0125 = chan 1, etc) Possibly the UHF and VHf have no maps to access when looking for a particular channels, say for a control channel. I know there are some Low UHF government split trunking Spectra's out there, maybe their type of Command Board or MLM is different or are required to take a regular Spectra to UHF or VHF trunking. Also the UHF radio I am modifying, now has a Command Board out of a 900 mhz Type II with a Ver of 6.06. I also noticed that certain options are not availible in programming, even though they seem to be working. I had no receive audio untill I put a Hear-Clear board in it.
I am going to continue to hack away, with some other CB''s and see what I get.

[RADIOMAN2002]

Ok, some more work on this, I really believe now that you CANNOT make a conventional Spectra do Trunking outside of the 800 and 900 bands. Anybody else have success? I have taken a 900 C.B. and installed it in UHF radios, made it work with the right model number and bandsplit (UHF), but there is no way to input the frequencies the radio will trunk to, it will take conventional frequencies and they do work. When I go to the control channel screeens I get all Zeros for them and they cannot be changed (entered and the reset), I changed the model number to 800 or 900 and then I can input 800 and 900 freqs. Also I tried forcing a 900 code plug into a UHF C.B. and no matter what I tell the C.B. what model it is, the radio will only access conventional screeens in software. I believe that there is additional address in the C.B. (and probably channel lists)that have additional info specific to the bandand the type of operation (conventional or trunked)of the radio.

[RADIOMAN2002]

I am looking for some help on this. If anyone has a Govt split Spectra (403-420 mhz) model D44ZXA5JA9 or D44ZGA5JA9 or similar, the type of control head is not really an issue, I would like to trade the MLM and Command Board with you, for a standard D44KMA7JA9 MLM and Command Board. The MLM and Command Board MUST be from the same radio, no mixed serial numbers or options. I am willing to even program the frequencies in the boards for you within reason.

[redbeard]

I'm lazy. Which split command board and MLM do you have to trade? I have a UHF govt. split remote mount mid power that I have no use for. Maybe a swap of complete units would be easiest? I'd rather have something useful in the ham bands. I know my model is trunking capable, will have to dig it out from under the pile to check the model for you though. PM me with details.

[RADIOMAN2002]

Looking for some help here, I need to locate a complete HEX dump of a trunkedSpectra radio, doesn't matter what split it is. My version of software doesn't give me that option, my old copy did. If anybody can provide one I would appreciate it. PM if anybody has one or ideas how to get one . Thanks Jim D.

[RADIOMAN2002]

It's old I know but I would like to update this post for anyone doing a search. Using LaB and cloning a codeplug from a Govt model trunked Spectra C9 into a conventional radio, I created a UHF Smartnet Trunked Spectra. The only problem I have encountered is that the tuning frequencies followed the codeplug, all are on 406-420. I did have to replace the feature string with a trunked one in the MLM to match the command board or it would just complain about not working properly.
I now have a 100w 440-482 255 mode, 128 channel conventional secure with trunking radio. Works great, next project is to get it to work above 482 and trunk. It gives me the dreaded Fail 001.