ASTRO Spectra Hardware Changes!

[ASTROMODAT]

FYI, regarding the current UCM that replaces ALL previous ECMs...

If you install any flavor of the UCM in an ASTRO Spectra mobile manufactured prior to 2002, you will first need to do several hardware changes. These h/w changes are mandatory for any pre-2002 ASTRO Spectra to be able to support the UCM. It entails a number of small components that need to be replaced on the Command Board and on the RF Board. Several chip capacitors and a VR are involved. All are tiny flatpacks, of course. To get at these various tiny little surface mount components, it is also necessary to basically tear the radio apart. You have to pull both covers, then the shields, several boards, and even the heat sink, plus more...

Another KEWL feature of the current UCM is that it requires the DIU 3000 to be loaded with the most current firmware (4Q2002), which entails 2 new firmware EPROMs to be replaced at a cost of $700. (The FLASH upgrades on the DIU involves new EPROMs containing the current firmware, as opposed to a FLASHport upgrade that is downloaded from a PC.)

Another hidden cost of staying current with the UCM!

I'm currently awaiting a quote from the Motorola Service Depot to do the UCM install work on the Spectras (trying to get a quantity discount)---looks like it would be like working on the main movement of a Rolex! UGH! At least the DIU is a simple swap out of 2 EPROMs, so there's no labor issue here, just the high cost of the dang firmware.

BTW, Motorola said again today (when we discussed these little upgrade requirements) that AES has been MANDATED for ALL 3 & 4 digit Federal Gov't Agencies. He's mailing a letter to me that has the details and the schedules, etc. He thought they have about 2 years or so to upgrade from the 56 bit DES-OFB to the 256 bit AES, but he at least recognized what a horrendous task this will be. Motorola can't wait to kill PIDs and go with CKR!

But, don't confuse AES w/ UCM. Even the old DES-OFB algorythm now requires the UCM from now on forward, unless you have an old non-UCM DES-OFB ECM board that was born prior to the current UCM NTN1712 (e.g., such as a NTN1562A thru G DES-OFB board).

And they call this "progress?"

I still say: I'd like to hire that Motorola ASTRO Marketing GENIUS---he ALWAYS wins!! (Darn!)

Larry

[wazzzzzzzzup]

if an astro spectra has a UCM, can it still be loaded with a "DX" loader? and from the post, im guessing that you cant pull a UCM and put in a traditional DES module without alot of un modding of the radio?

[515]

As long as "CKR Key Management" isn't enabled in the radio, you should be able to keyload an Astro radio with a "DX" KVL.

if an astro spectra has a UCM, can it still be loaded with a "DX" loader? and from the post, im guessing that you cant pull a UCM and put in a traditional DES module without alot of un modding of the radio?

[alex]

I can confirm that AES is a mandate for the fed's. If your in one of the major cities or part of the major cities initiative, there is a huge push to get those agencies up and running on AES.

However, there has been a FSB or SRN regarding the use of encryption modules in Astro Spectras detailing the board level changes for quite some time. I don't know many community people who have performed this upgrade(s) in the radios that they have, but simply dropped in the UCM and the radio has worked fine.

Granted, I don't know how many "community" people are running around with AES in their Astro Spectra/Saber/XTS3000 radios.

-Alex

[wazzzzzzzzup]

next question, i understand the UCM eliminates having different model secure modules for each type of enc, and they can be flashed for different enc types, but seeing as how i dont have flash capability, and if i do buy a astro spectra with UCM and its NOT des-ofb....am i able to find someone else who has a UCM flashed for DES-OFB and pop it in, or is there more to it than that?

im just trying to see what my secure options are if i buy a UCM astro spectra.

wazz