CDM 1550's - clone - firmware questions????

[rrfd43]

I have a number of vhf CDM1550's, 1550ls', and 1550ls+. When I went through the fleet to update them (new channels) I could not clone inside each model type. I was able to clone some 1550's with others, but not all 1550s. The same with some 1550ls+'s (i could clone some and not others). I got errors such as this model has unsupported functions.....I have varied firmware between each model such as 5.08.05, 5.03.00, 5.05.10, etc.

1. Should I be able to clone all 1550's together? Or will they only clone 1550 to 1500 and 1550ls to 1550ls, etc?

2. Would firmware flashing all cdm's to the current firmware (IE they all have the same) allow them to clone? Or at least clone within the same sub-model type?

[Jay]

From my experience, it looks at the model # of the radio (i.e. AAM25KHF9DU5AN). You can clone from that model to another with exactly the same model, and that is it. Always keep in mind that you could have a mix of 25/45w radios, which is going to cause a different model #.

As far as upgrading your firmware, it's always a good idea, but I don't think it will help you in this case.

Jay

[RADIOMAN2002]

I too have quite a few radios with different firmware versions, even after I upgraded the firmware versions of those radios to all the same they still won't clone or program. I have found it's not just the firmware but the Tanapa numbers have to be the same. Obviously you can't clone or program an LS codeplug into a non LS, but even the same model numbers will give the software fits, unless the Tanapa numbers have at the very least the same suffix IE: A,or B,C,D (A are 1 meg, D are 4 meg). Those Tanapa numbers also tell the radio and software what options are allowed and also the size of the flash rom. You can't flash a 4meg rom into a 1 meg rom.
As a result of my findings I now have multiple default code plugs with the Tanapa's listed for each. PITA.

[escomm]

And it's not just the tanapa but also the DPN images, which are basically the OS of the radio. Had a bunch of 1550LS+ go through the depot for repair and depot was loading the wrong DPN file, so while the radio had a model of M259DP5AN (CPS doesn't require or care about the region code with the appropriate registry mod) the radios still would not take a clone. Could not upgrade firmware since depot had already done it. Basically was left with two choices, either re-depot the radio or build a new codeplug.

[HLA]

No, firmware will stop you from being able to clone even same model numbers. If you are starting with a newer codeplug and try to put it in an older radio with older firmware, the old firmware won't be able to understand how to use new options that have been added. You should be ok tho if you start out with the oldest firmware radio, it should clone into the newer ones fine. Simplest thing would be to first upgrade the firmware to new while you have the radio plugged in to re program it. That will only take about and extra 5 minutes per radio

[rrfd43]

Thanks for all the input. HLA I think that if I upgrade the firmwares I hope I can at least clone same submodels.

Can I firmware upgrade over the front mic program port, or rear only on these radios?

[The Pager Geek]

My experience with the Pro series, if it aint broke, don't touch it.

If you aren't seeing any issues or having problems, I'd leave well enough alone. I can't count the number of physical eeprom issues (codeplug or firmware proms), or firmware bugs that keep occurring with different versions.

Also, (to be clear) the firmware doesn't prevent you from cloning, the CPS does. Same with passwords, the firmware doesn't prevent reading and writing with a password, the CPS does. That is where the logic for programming resides for the Waris. (and most M radios.) The CPS does a compare to the model number and tanapa revision. If they don't match, you're SOL.


tpg