How to Clone MTX8000 B-3 TO B-7 ?

[Leadenwah]

I've been able to load a codeplug from a B-4 model MTX8000
into an MTX8000 B-3 and it worked fine. The B-3 became
a top display radio.

Now, when I try to lod a codeplug from an MTX8000 B-7 model,
I get the proper audio, but NO readout on the LCD.

All of this with LAB.

Do I have to do something special to the B-7 Codeplug?

Any help appreciated,
Geo.

[MTS2000des]

the B-5/B-7's have a different IC on the controller than the B-3/B-4's, this IC addresses the display, and the B3/B4 controllers can only address a top display. Some older (1992/1993) B3's could be made to work with the full display. How old is the B3 you are trying to blow a B7 c/p into?

[Leadenwah]

Thanks for the reply.

The S/N is 511AVJ, but I don't have the S/N to date of Mfg. code handy.
I have seen B3s cloned to B7s, but did not know their date of mfg.
Lab shows options for display size, but it's already set that way in the
B7 codeplug so I don't suppose that changes anything.

Would switching out the while controller board from a B5,B7
work in a B3, or are there other modifications which must
be done in that case ?

Are there bit-banging opportunities on the MTX series?

[Karfield]

The big differences in the front and top/no display MTX8000's is the firmware version's designator. For example (trying to remember the correct numbers) 1.52a is a top/no display firmware and the 1.52c would be the front display version. This is true if you have the masked rom board or the NCN6147 with updatable firmware just the version numbers are slightly different. Another big difference in the different versions of firmware is the test mode configuration, mostly the control head portion. The top/no display versions do not have a control head test mode whereas the front display versions do. In theory you can actually use a front display masked rom board in a no display radio and it should work fine, however you can't use a top/no display board in a front display unit as you won't get a display.

[Leadenwah]

Thanks a lot for the information.

This helps me understand the situation.
I can see what the difference is now.