Hi there - advice on programthe Motorola SP50 from a newbie.

[jjco2]

I'm very new to the RF world (still studying for my technician's
license) and just purchased a Motorola SP-50 handheld a few hours ago
for work (going to operate on MURS).

I've spent a few hours now reviewing batlabs.com and other forums
looking for tips on programming this handheld. There are many posts
saying to stay away from the alligator clip kits and to use official
hardware. I'm a full time college student and really am "dirt poor." I
can afford a RIB box and maybe a few other things here and there but
not much else.

So I was wondering if you (pros) were in my position what hardware you would
buy (which aftermarket rib box to buy, which programming cable to buy
- should I make my own, is there one that I should buy?)

I don't know much about this subject and I have learned plenty today
but I'm stuck and I don't want to waste money on something that I
can't use.

Thanks

[601]

Welcome to the radio world!

First off, if I were you, i'd stay away from the alligator clips for programming these radios. I speak from experience. One wrong move while the radio is programming and you'll end up with a brick. I had this happen to me. Your best bet is to get an actual programming cradle, or build one yourself out of an unused charger. I understand that money is an issue, but if you want to be 100% sure you do it right, you need the right equipment. If not, the inevitable will happen. When using alligator clips, you have to hold the clips onto the side contacts of the radio while pressing keyboard commands to initiate the read/write functions.

As far as a rib box is concerned, I've used the aftermarket ones offered on ebay with no problems. I myself cannot afford a genuine Motorola RIB (one day I will break down and get one) but this works for me. I only do personal equipment so it's not an issue of doing other peoples stuff.

Your best bet if you don't want to spend too much is to look on here for someone that can program them for you with the proper equipment until you have a little extra money to get programming equipment for personal use.

[kf4sqb]

Welcome to the Wonderful Word of Radio, as well as to the Batboard! Congrats on the SP50 purchase, and congrats on knowing when to ask for help.

I'll second what 601 said about the "alligator-clip" style programming cables; they're a bricked radio waiting to happen. Get a Moto original, or make your own from a charging base. You can actually make a "dual-purpose" base that will do charging and programming. All the info needed to do so is on the main Batlabs site, and you can always post back here if you need additional help.

As for a RIB, you have several options. The best is, of course, a Moto original, but there are a few high-quality aftermarket units out there also. One of the better ones is built by a guy named Sandy Ganz (he goes by the username of "Max-Trac" on the board), and is, electrically, almost identical to the Moto original. Another good one is built by a company called "Polaris USA". Some of the ones you can find on places like EBay are good, some are not; part of what makes some of them good or not is determined by what radios you are trying to program. There is also the option of, as with the programming cable, building your own, if you're handy with a soldering iron. There are a few different schematics for RIB's on the main Batlabs site. Which you need will depend, again, on what radios you plan on programming. If the SP50 will be it, there are a few pretty simple circuits you can use. If you plan on adding to your Moto fleet in the future, especially if you plan on buying higher-tier products, you may want to go ahead and build a "clone" of the original. Depending on whether or not you have a "junk-box" of parts laying around, it may be cheaper than you think to build one. For instance, I've got a clone of the original, and only have about $12 in it. Its programmed everything I've hooked it to so far, including some of the most particular. As with the cable, if you need any more help with a RIB, just ask. I'd also advise that you ask for advise here before buying a particular aftermarket RIB, especially off of EBay. Best of luck!