Hi all... I was wondering if there is anyone that can tell me if my Astro equipment is up to date as far as the hardware/software goes. I noticed that I'm missing some features between different unit... this is the information I obtained from my equipment...
ASTRO SABER I
M/N: H04RDC9PW5AN
CODEPLUG: 000C
FIRMWARE: 07.03.00.00
DSP SOFTWARE: N07.03.12
SYSTEM PACKAGE: H38
FLASHCODE: 100008-000000-0
ASTRO SABER II
M/N: H04RDF9PW7AN
CODEPLUG: 000A
FIRMWARE: 04.01.00.00
DSP SOFTWARE: N06.02.00
SYSTEM PACKAGE: H37
FLASHCODE: 100004-000000-4
ASTRO SABER III
M/N: H04RDH9PW7AN
CODEPLUG: 000C
FIRMWARE: 07.00.02.00
DSP SOFTWARE: N07.03.06
SYSTEM PACKAGE: H38
FLASHCODE: 100008-000000-0
XTS3000 MODEL-1
M/N: H09RDC9PW5BN
CODEPLUG: 000C
FIRMWARE: 05.60.00.00
DSP SOFTWARE: N06.05.01
SYSTEM PACKAGE: H37
FLASHCODE: 100004-000000-4
XTS2500I MODEL-3
M/N: H46QDH9PW7BN
CODEPLUG: 0017
FIRMWARE: R08.01.01
DSP SOFTWARE: R08.00.00
UCM: UNKNOWN
TUNING: R01.08.11
PSDT: R01.00.02
BOOTLOADER: R01.04.20
NAUTILUS: N/A
FLASHCODE: 500008-000410-5
If I need to update something to make it the most current available, can you please tell me what equipment I need and what I need to do, thank you.
Astro Equipment Firmware Question
Moderator: Queue Moderator
Re: Astro Equipment Firmware Question
Your ASTRO Saber II, XTS 3000 and XTS 2500i are all WAY behind the times firmware wise.
What you can do is order a firmware uplift for one of your ASTRO Sabers, but order 4 flashes on the flashkey (~$75 each), and you can update all of your radios to the latest version which is:
Host R07.71.06
DSP N08.03.05
This is because the XTS 3000 and ASTRO Saber use the same firmware.
The latest firmware for your XTS 2500i is R12.00.00 DSP 12.00.00. This is assuming your XTS 2500 is an 8MEG version, and not a 4MEG version. MAJOR feature updates since R8, including one-touch access, Tactical Rekey, Preset Zone/Channel enable, 870 mode operation, etc.
If your XTS 2500i is 4Meg, the newest version you can use is R09. R09+ includes rebanding, but this won't matter to you since it's not an 800MHz portable.
As far as your ASTRO Sabers with R05 and DSP6, you should notice some improved audio quality in digital mode, as well as some very minor feature enhancements I cannot recall off the top of my head.
If you want to get your radios upgraded, you need to contact your local MSS and arrange to get it done through them. I'm not sure if they will give you the software/flashkeys and let you do it, or require that you give them your radios and let them do it.
For a flash upgrade on an ASTRO Saber / XTS 3000 you need a SmartRIB, programming cable, and flashkey (either Parallel Port or USB style). You also need the CD with the correct .CVN file which contains the actual firmware.
For an ASTRO25 radio such as the XTS2500, you just need the flashkey & CD, as the programming cables for that series radio are obviously ribless and no SmartRIB is required.
Hope this helps.
What you can do is order a firmware uplift for one of your ASTRO Sabers, but order 4 flashes on the flashkey (~$75 each), and you can update all of your radios to the latest version which is:
Host R07.71.06
DSP N08.03.05
This is because the XTS 3000 and ASTRO Saber use the same firmware.
The latest firmware for your XTS 2500i is R12.00.00 DSP 12.00.00. This is assuming your XTS 2500 is an 8MEG version, and not a 4MEG version. MAJOR feature updates since R8, including one-touch access, Tactical Rekey, Preset Zone/Channel enable, 870 mode operation, etc.
If your XTS 2500i is 4Meg, the newest version you can use is R09. R09+ includes rebanding, but this won't matter to you since it's not an 800MHz portable.
As far as your ASTRO Sabers with R05 and DSP6, you should notice some improved audio quality in digital mode, as well as some very minor feature enhancements I cannot recall off the top of my head.
If you want to get your radios upgraded, you need to contact your local MSS and arrange to get it done through them. I'm not sure if they will give you the software/flashkeys and let you do it, or require that you give them your radios and let them do it.
For a flash upgrade on an ASTRO Saber / XTS 3000 you need a SmartRIB, programming cable, and flashkey (either Parallel Port or USB style). You also need the CD with the correct .CVN file which contains the actual firmware.
For an ASTRO25 radio such as the XTS2500, you just need the flashkey & CD, as the programming cables for that series radio are obviously ribless and no SmartRIB is required.
Hope this helps.
Re: Astro Equipment Firmware Question
Couple of additions to the above:
Whenever you order a firmware refresh from Motorola, you just specify how many radios of what types you have. They may or may not ask you to provide serial numbers (usually for a large batch they'll ask for representative serial numbers, one for each type of radio you have).
Once you lay your moola down, they will send you a refresh key for however many refreshes you ordered. The refresh keys are not radio type specific, so in your case you'd get one key with 5 refreshes included. They will also automatically send you the necessary firmware files for whatever types of radios you've ordered the refreshes for.
A note on the XTS2500: As mentioned your radio might only have a 4mb firmware ROM as opposed to a newer 8mb firmware ROM. Either way it's not an issue with having to figure this out yourself, as the firmware files that Motorola will send you will automatically determine this for you and upgrade the radio accordingly.
Either way you'll typically only be able to order the refresh kit (containing key and CD(s)) through a MSS. Depending on where you are, this may be easier said than done, but if your local MSS is even half awake it's usually a fairly simple proceedure.
Now you need to decide whether you want to do this yourself or have the MSS do it. As mentioned, you'll need certian equipment to do it yourself, but let me strongly recommend that you use strictly Motorola OEM service/flash cables (and a SmartRIB where necessary). If you don't already have this gear it may be considerably cheaper to have the MSS take care of it for you. In addition to the price of the refresh kit, they'll likely charge an additional labor fee.
Whenever you order a firmware refresh from Motorola, you just specify how many radios of what types you have. They may or may not ask you to provide serial numbers (usually for a large batch they'll ask for representative serial numbers, one for each type of radio you have).
Once you lay your moola down, they will send you a refresh key for however many refreshes you ordered. The refresh keys are not radio type specific, so in your case you'd get one key with 5 refreshes included. They will also automatically send you the necessary firmware files for whatever types of radios you've ordered the refreshes for.
A note on the XTS2500: As mentioned your radio might only have a 4mb firmware ROM as opposed to a newer 8mb firmware ROM. Either way it's not an issue with having to figure this out yourself, as the firmware files that Motorola will send you will automatically determine this for you and upgrade the radio accordingly.
Either way you'll typically only be able to order the refresh kit (containing key and CD(s)) through a MSS. Depending on where you are, this may be easier said than done, but if your local MSS is even half awake it's usually a fairly simple proceedure.
Now you need to decide whether you want to do this yourself or have the MSS do it. As mentioned, you'll need certian equipment to do it yourself, but let me strongly recommend that you use strictly Motorola OEM service/flash cables (and a SmartRIB where necessary). If you don't already have this gear it may be considerably cheaper to have the MSS take care of it for you. In addition to the price of the refresh kit, they'll likely charge an additional labor fee.
Re: Astro Equipment Firmware Question
Thank you for your reply. Can anyone suggest a radio shop that will do the upgrades for me if I was to ship it to them? In the past, with my local radio shops they have charged an arm and a leg and then some extra for even simple radio service (such as preventative maintenance)... so if anyone can refer me to a safe, reliable, trustworthy radio shop that will allow me to ship my radios to them... I'm all ears. Thanks!
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MotoFAN
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Re: Astro Equipment Firmware Question
Ask escomm. Nice guy with friendly service! /\/\ dealer...DEMCERT14 wrote:Thank you for your reply. Can anyone suggest a radio shop that will do the upgrades for me if I was to ship it to them? In the past, with my local radio shops they have charged an arm and a leg and then some extra for even simple radio service (such as preventative maintenance)... so if anyone can refer me to a safe, reliable, trustworthy radio shop that will allow me to ship my radios to them... I'm all ears. Thanks!
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.