Spectra PROM versions and features

[Tishers]

I have seen this question partially asked and partially answered in several places without a good explanation of exactly what advantages come from different Spectra PROM versions.

I know that there are certain features that become available at newer firmware versions like "Zones" on versions newer than 6.0 and RSSI on versions newer than 6.14.

Did the big M issue release notes for the different PROM firmware versions when they came out? I would assume that there would have been some sort of system planning guide that a dealer could use to know what capabilities the existing hardware as they were turning on more functionality for a system.

I ask this question as I have 11 VHF and UHF Spectras with firmware versions from 2.09 up to 6.16. Not being afraid of using a hot air soldering station on the surface mount chips I can pull the EPROMS and install a newly flashed EPROM with the latest version. While I am at it I will take a spare MLM board and install sockets for the EPROM and EEPROM to experiment with different code keys as I could always manually reflash the EEPROM's to undo a hosed up configuration.

Here are the versions I have;
2.09
2.15
5.21
6.02
6.06
6.10
6.15
6.16

Does anyone have a more complete list of firmware releases and release notes? I would like to put them into a spreadsheet format with a features comparison. If I go through the hassle of upgrading to 6.16 would there be any newer versions like 6.17 or 6.2 that may add other capability or clear up some issues?

I have considered sticking a debugger/ development workstation under the CPU to map out functions as the software calls it out and I can halt code execution to look at what is happening with what commands. This would be to develop some sort of logic map of what is going on inside of the FPGA chip (where the real magic happens)

If you have parts of a firmware version list or features can you please email or PM them to me?

thanks lots!
Ms. Tisha Hayes
Senior Communications Systems Engineering Consultant

[Jim202]

I have seen this question partially asked and partially answered in several places without a good explanation of exactly what advantages come from different Spectra PROM versions.

I know that there are certain features that become available at newer firmware versions like "Zones" on versions newer than 6.0 and RSSI on versions newer than 6.14.

Did the big M issue release notes for the different PROM firmware versions when they came out? I would assume that there would have been some sort of system planning guide that a dealer could use to know what capabilities the existing hardware as they were turning on more functionality for a system.

I ask this question as I have 11 VHF and UHF Spectras with firmware versions from 2.09 up to 6.16. Not being afraid of using a hot air soldering station on the surface mount chips I can pull the EPROMS and install a newly flashed EPROM with the latest version. While I am at it I will take a spare MLM board and install sockets for the EPROM and EEPROM to experiment with different code keys as I could always manually reflash the EEPROM's to undo a hosed up configuration.

Here are the versions I have;
2.09
2.15
5.21
6.02
6.06
6.10
6.15
6.16

Does anyone have a more complete list of firmware releases and release notes? I would like to put them into a spreadsheet format with a features comparison. If I go through the hassle of upgrading to 6.16 would there be any newer versions like 6.17 or 6.2 that may add other capability or clear up some issues?

I have considered sticking a debugger/ development workstation under the CPU to map out functions as the software calls it out and I can halt code execution to look at what is happening with what commands. This would be to develop some sort of logic map of what is going on inside of the FPGA chip (where the real magic happens)

If you have parts of a firmware version list or features can you please email or PM them to me?

thanks lots!
Ms. Tisha Hayes
Senior Communications Systems Engineering Consultant

Been a long time since I went through this. Have you looked at the 2 sites that may point you to your answers.
batlabs.com and the repeater builders site? There is another site by Mike B that you should find a couple of
links in both the batlabs and the repeater builders site that will point you to his site. He probably has the most
info in any one site for the Spectra.

Jim

[Code3]

6.16 is the newest version of Spectra firmware.

[JPOPatents]

6.16 is the newest version of Spectra firmware.

I thought that 8.12 (which I have in mine) was the latest version of firmware.

[Code3]

6.16 is the newest version of Spectra firmware.

I thought that 8.12 (which I have in mine) was the latest version of firmware.

6.16 is the latest version for the original spectra series with an MLM, you must have a "Spectra II" or an E series spectra, with a once piece command/MLM board.

[JPOPatents]

6.16 is the newest version of Spectra firmware.

I thought that 8.12 (which I have in mine) was the latest version of firmware.

6.16 is the latest version for the original spectra series with an MLM, you must have a "Spectra II" or an E series spectra, with a once piece command/MLM board.

Yes, I have a Spectra II (E series).

[Tishers]

Thanks for the guidance. I had gone through the batlabs and repeaterbuilder sites looking for details on firmware versions. I have not seen anything similar to a set of release notes and most information appears to be empirical or based on anecdotal.

I had hoped that by comparing the machine code between firmware versions I could reverse engineer the evolution of the firmware.

Too bad there are no retired Motorola software engineers who want to write a tell-all book.

[Will]

Too bad there are no retired Motorola software engineers who want to write a tell-all book.

I think all the retired Motorola software 'engineers' are busy doing retired.