Problem with Spectra control head programming

[stevekatkus]

I have been trying to program my VHF and a UHF 45W low power Spectra with the A9 Remote control head HCN1073A. When I read the RSS codeplug data fron the radio it only shows the A7 button keys for the configurations. And after programming the display modes on the A9 head only reads "MODE 0" on all modes and when I hit the squelch button it stays on the lowest setting and will not come out of the "squelch 0". And when I programmed the VRS and PA/Siren Option as soon as I tried to power it up from the assigned buttons from above the display, the control head power went of and went thru a "self check" start up after the attempts.
What is this and how can I fix it?
Thanks,
Steve
KL2NS

[kc7gr]

It sounds as though the radio was not manufactured as an A9 model. It can be modified to be such, but doing so requires some hex-level editing directly inside the radio's memory, which requires special software.

This is not without risk. Flip the wrong bit, and your radio will become a doorstop in short order.

Following the bit-flip, you would need to read the radio and reprogram it to get rid of the FAIL 01/82 indication that invariably results from direct memory editing. You would then make your changes and program it again.

Happy tweaking.

[ai4ui]

If your radio's model number indicate that it is an A9 radio, then go into the settings menu and select the enhanced control head. If not, before you go and bit-bang your radio (which is a task for an advanced programmer) I would look around for an A7 head. There's not a whole lot that an A9 head will do that an A7 won't do. Its' not worth the risk because like kc7gr said, you can make a permanent, non-recoverable error bit-banging your radio.