Syntor X9000 low band programming for 6 meters help needed

[Jim202]

OK group, have had some low band Syntor X9000 radios given to me. Problem is I need to still be able
to use them on 33 MHz, 39 MHz and 46 MHz. I know the antenna is an issue. Will cross that bridge
after I am able to program in some 6 meter repeater frequencies.

Have 2 models in hand. One is a T71KXJ7J04AK and the other model is T71KEJ7J04AK. Don't need
the securenet features. Both are using the HCN1073A control head.

The RSS I have is a virgin Syntor X 9000 version R8.01.00 dated 16 Nov. 93. It won't let me go
above 50.0. Is there a hack to change the band edge like many of the other older RSS programs?

To the best of my knowledge, the SPROG version of the program that is floating around is only
good for 2 meters.

Anybody have any ideas on this subject? Have looked on a number of sites, but haven't come
up with any answers. There is a number of people that have these radios on 6 meters, but
very little info. There is also several references that the radios that are on 6 meters have a
top limit of 55 MHz.

Jim

[motorola_otaku]

If normal Syntor X9000 RSS is in fact hackable, no one has ever published the hacks. None of the standard hacks like you'd use on any other RSS package work, nor can you open and edit the frequencies in a stored codeplug with a hex editor. It is its own beast.

The only way to get 29-54 out of a lowband X9000 is with the SP HAM RSS, and it limits you to 64 channels. Need 128 or 255, you lose 53 and up. And no, you can't create a radio codeplug with Ham RSS then open it up with 128-mode RSS and get extra channels that way either.

[Jim202]

There must be someone out there that is running one of these Syntor X9000 mobiles on 6 meter repeaters.

Jim

If normal Syntor X9000 RSS is in fact hackable, no one has ever published the hacks. None of the standard hacks like you'd use on any other RSS package work, nor can you open and edit the frequencies in a stored codeplug with a hex editor. It is its own beast.

The only way to get 29-54 out of a lowband X9000 is with the SP HAM RSS, and it limits you to 64 channels. Need 128 or 255, you lose 53 and up. And no, you can't create a radio codeplug with Ham RSS then open it up with 128-mode RSS and get extra channels that way either.

[akardam]

The only way to get 29-54 out of a lowband X9000 is with the SP HAM RSS, and it limits you to 64 channels. Need 128 or 255, you lose 53 and up.

I just tried it under the 255 mode SP RSS, and it lets me enter 54.0 MHz. It bitches about it, of course, but it lets me do it nonetheless.

[motorola_otaku]

The only way to get 29-54 out of a lowband X9000 is with the SP HAM RSS, and it limits you to 64 channels. Need 128 or 255, you lose 53 and up.

I just tried it under the 255 mode SP RSS, and it lets me enter 54.0 MHz. It bitches about it, of course, but it lets me do it nonetheless.

Well there you go. I've never used the 255-mode package, just SP 128-mode and 64-mode SP HAM.

[Jim202]

Thanks for the comments from all. Have been playing some this weekend with the Syntor X9000 low band
mobiles. In trying to do my homework, I did find mention that you need a VERY SLOW computer to do the
programming with. Tried a number of them and ended up finding that even my 33 MHz laptop needed the
MOSLO running to get it to work. The comments seem to indicate that a 7 MHz clock is about the limit.

I will try to keep the board updated as progress is made. In working around the public safety people as
much as I do, it seems that a number of these radios should start to be pulled from service. That means
the hams will start to get their hands on these in the future. How many hams dig into these radios, only
time will tell. They don't play as easy as the Spectra family and they don't program any where near as easily.

Jim

[tvsjr]

You're about 10 years behind. The X9000s were plentiful 5-10 years ago - they're starting to get harder to find now. The radios being surplussed these days are Spectras and earlier Astro Spectras, along with Maxtracs/GM300/etc. The X9000 came out several years prior to the analog Spectra...

[SYNTORX71MAN]

Ditto on the above...The X9000 was the low band wide spread KING , the only other item close were GE's 950's and later GE Orions..Since the death moan of low band public safety most are used as boat anchors now...Crying Shame...Built like a tank too...You really need a old 286 or 386 computer in DOS for the programming. The old laptops are usually around minus the batteries on ebay or even here occasionally.

[motorola_otaku]

I use a Compaq Contura 386/25 laptop for Syntor X9000s. It's way above the recommended specs, but has worked great so far and doesn't need MOSLO.

Indiana State Police flooded the market about mid-2007 with lowband radios, and there are still plenty out there. Beware their HCN1063SPO1 control head.. it's another SMT-based head that's hard-locked to 32 channels.

[com501]

Here is what I use EVERY DAY at work to program these beasts. Incidentally, I have an X9000 low band on the bench right now for a public safety entity in Northern California.

My laptop is an IBM 486-100, Ithink its a thinkpad 600. DISABLE THE PROCESSOR CACHE IN THE BIOS and it will be happy.

ALL Syntor X9000 original software was based on the 286/386 clocks and timing, as well as processors. They DO NOT understand processor internal cache and will (most likely) crash. I do not use or need MOSLO or any of the other programs. If you can disable the internal cache, the clock timings will be happy and the program will run.

My desktop station is an ultra-reliable ASUS MoBo running a 286-16 processor. I still have some of these boards new in the bag, as well as all the hardware (including a few MFM or RLL hard drives) laying around for those desperate folks.

As far as the channel capacity. It is desireable if you upgrade your firmware image to the W930AA version firmware which is a factory 128 mode capacity. This gives you the memory mapping you need for modes 65-128 for most applications.

[Jim202]

I wouldn't mind upgrading to the 128 channel firmware. My gut says that the IC is no longer available. Unless
you have the part number to order it by, I don't think it will be easy to obtain this chip from mother M at
this late date. Even f you had the part number, the chances of getting it would probably be slim to none.

Jim

Here is what I use EVERY DAY at work to program these beasts. Incidentally, I have an X9000 low band on the bench right now for a public safety entity in Northern California.

My laptop is an IBM 486-100, Ithink its a thinkpad 600. DISABLE THE PROCESSOR CACHE IN THE BIOS and it will be happy.

ALL Syntor X9000 original software was based on the 286/386 clocks and timing, as well as processors. They DO NOT understand processor internal cache and will (most likely) crash. I do not use or need MOSLO or any of the other programs. If you can disable the internal cache, the clock timings will be happy and the program will run.

My desktop station is an ultra-reliable ASUS MoBo running a 286-16 processor. I still have some of these boards new in the bag, as well as all the hardware (including a few MFM or RLL hard drives) laying around for those desperate folks.

As far as the channel capacity. It is desireable if you upgrade your firmware image to the W930AA version firmware which is a factory 128 mode capacity. This gives you the memory mapping you need for modes 65-128 for most applications.

[Jim202]

I have to give a big thanks for the input from a number of people
and sources of information here on the web.

The original radio that I obtained was a low band 32 channel radio.
It functioned just fine, except I was looking for more channels.
Along the way, I learned that the original EEPROM in the radio
was a 2816. In looking through all the available information,
the EEPROM would have to be changed out for a 2864 flavor. It
took a while, but I obtained several from one of the larger
parts supply houses.

Yesterday, I pulled open the 1033 model control head. Pulled out
the original 2816 and replaced it with the new 2864 EEPROM.
You have to move a surface mount zero Ohm jumper from the
2 K setting position to the 8 K position. A few minutes
with the soldering iron and some solder wick and I had the
JU4 jumper removed. Moved it over to the JU5 position and
with a few dabs of solder, I now had the head modified.

As was predicted, you get an error when you power up the head
and radio. After a few minutes with the computer, I had managed
to program the head with an 8 K load and entered in some valid
channel designators to show up on the display.

Next step was to mod the radio itself. Pulled the power, flipped
the radio over and removed the bottom cover with the T15 Torx
driver. Pulled the large aluminum cover off the area where
the EEPROM is. Pulled out the 2 K and replaced it with the
new 8 K EEPROM. Moved the slip on jumper to the 8 K position.

Put the radio back together and powered it up. As was mentioned
before, you get an error from the un-programmed EEPROM. A
few more minutes with the programming computer and we now had
a valid 8 K loads for a few channels in the radio. No errors
and the service monitor indicated all was well with the new
channels that were put into the radio.

Next step is to program in enough channels to go over the 32
channel limit that I originally had. have managed to get the
scan feature working. Only problem I have is the radio will not
stop scanning when you go off hook with the mic. This one
stays in scan. Not sure why.

Not having a manual for the 1033 control head, I don't know if
there is a hard wired jumper on the board that is causing the
radio to stay in scan when you un-ground the mic clip. Maybe
one of you Syntor X9000 experts can lend a comment 0r two on
this scan issue. In the meantime, I will go back and read
what info I have collected on the subject.

Jim

[TWEMARS]

FAT Syntor the easy way. First of all, get the firmware that you want to use. Stock, 128M or Dual Radio. I'm not going to go into PROM part numbers right now, just the methodology. If you want to go above 32 modes you will need to change the codeplug PROM to a 2864 EEPROM. Be sure to move the push pin jumper next to the EEPROM as appropriate.

Second, start a radio file with the version of RSS that you prefer. For example for a 128 Mode ham radio install the 128 M firmware, 1-6707T52, in the each radio. Start a codeplug file with the 128 M software. Save it. Now use the Ham version to enter your frequencies. Let's say, as an example that you made a 100 mode codeplug. Make it with 128M software. The scan will have to be done with 128M RSS. Then you can use the Ham RSS to change the freqs as necessary to Ham channels. I seem to remember that the 128 Mode goes a little way out of band and doesn't go nuts like the Dual Radio RSS if it sees an out of band frequency.

That was easy. Just remember that you still need to use the 128M RSS to tweak scan channels above 128 modes.

Now for the Dual Radio. Start by installing the Dual Radio Firmware PROM, HLN5027A SP04 in each radio. Create the file for each radio as PRIMARY or SECONDARY as appropriate. SAVE IT. Take a copy and, using the Ham RSS change the freqs as necessary to Ham channels.

NOW, PAY ATTENTION: You can program the primary radio of a dual radio setup in the vehicle using the dual radio control head BUT you MUST unplug the secondary radio because the Ham RSS doesn't know about dual radios or that there is a mysterious bit or byte in the codeplug somewhere that it doesn't know about and can't change.

KEEP PAYING ATTENTION: To program the secondary radio you will have to unplug the primary radio AND change the head to a simple Syntor head. You could even use an analog Spectra head but don't expect any Syntor RSS to even recognize it much less program it.

If you get that far remember to program the Dual Radio head with Dual Radio RSS. Also, you CAN go over 64 modes in either radio in a Dual Radio setup. I goofed and did it using 128M RSS but you will only get "MODE ##" above 64 modes.

[Jim202]

I had forgotten about this thread.

to let those that might follow in my footsteps, the Syntor X9000 radios are all doing well. have a number of them on low band and one on VHF. Still looking for one for the UHF band.

I found out that you can use a Spectra radio to get a head that might have been used in trunking service to play well in the normal analog mode. You do need to have a good functioning Spectra and control head. Read the radio. Shut the radio off and replace the control head with the problem child. Power the radio back up and write the good program back into the radio. It might complain, but read it back, then write back to the radio without changing anything. Now you have another functional head.

Take the head from the Spectra where you just programmed it. Put it on the Syntor X9000 and go forward with your programming. Should go fine for you.

I have found out the fixed scan programming is a tough nut. Had to start with the original software to get to be able to program fixed scan channels. Just put all channels the same in all positions in the normal radio range. It helps to make up a sheet with all the channels you want in the radio and to which scan lists you want thos channels to go in. Then use the ham software and go back to set the RF channels to the ham frequencies. It is time consuming, but works well. Once the fixed scan lists are made, you can't use the ham version of the software to change them. So make sure you get it right the first time.

These radios are old, heavy and work well. I have had a couple that lost receivers. The problem was traced to a bad voltage regulator back in the guts of the radio near the power amp.

Good luck with your efforts.

Jim

[Will]

I had forgotten about this thread to let those that might follow in my footsteps, the Syntor X9000 radios are all doing well. have a number of them on low band and one on VHF. Still looking for one for the UHF band.

These radios are old, heavy and work well. I have had a couple that lost receivers. The problem was traced to a bad voltage regulator back in the guts of the radio near the power amp.

Good luck with your efforts.

Jim

They just do not build them like that any more. SAD.....