SVA vs AVA Convertacom

[k5hdm]

Hi, I wanted to find out for sure what revision of NTN5487 (A,B,C,D etc) will work with the ASTRO Saber.. I know some have the ASTRO logo on it, and that's a giveaway, but I understand there are some with just MOTOROLA that will work with the ASTRO.. is it B, C? or is there a whole different model # for the ASTRO Saber.. If anyone happens to have just the holder unit for sale, I'd be interested.. I already have the wiring.. Also, if I get one for the ASTRO Saber will I still be able to use it with a regular saber?

Thanks!!!
Harmon

[FireCpt809]

the astro saber uses a pin in the connector to the radio to switch the RF from the radio to the external antenna in the AVA. If you were to put a analog saber in there it would break the pin off. If you put an astro in a SVA ther antenna wouldnt switch to external.

[N4KVE]

the astro saber uses a pin in the connector to the radio to switch the RF from the radio to the external antenna in the AVA. If you were to put a analog saber in there it would break the pin off. If you put an astro in a SVA ther antenna wouldnt switch to external.

I have both the AVA & SVA unit's & the above quote hits the nail on the head. My AVA is pt # is NTN7227E. Any NTN7227 should work fine in an Astro Saber, but I don't know what the difference is between the A,B,C,D, & E.. GARY N4KVE

[N7QQU-Ken]

Here is a copy and npaste from another section of Batlabs:

"Astro Vehicular Adapter (AVA) Information

We have heard the question often, "What's the difference between an Astro Saber Vehicular Adapter (AVA) and a normal Saber Vehicular Adapter (SVA)?".

The front panel of an AVA IS physically different than the one on an SVA. If you look at the bottom area of the accessory connector on an Astro Saber you will notice that there is a raised area (bump) on it. That bump is there to keep you from putting an Astro Saber into an SVA. The AVA's front panel has additional clearance in that spot to allow the radio to enter.

Furthermore, the firmware chip in an AVA is believed to be an updated version of the firmware in an SVA. The main boards in both the AVA and the SVA may be the same otherwise. The firmware changes adds the support for the Astro.

An AVA has been confirmed to be UNIVERSAL to ALL radios that carry the Saber name of any type. Astro Sabers, Sabers, the Saber SI, and Systems Sabers will work in an AVA. You can switch display microphones as required for the individual radios. That is not true of the SVA.

To date, no ConvertaCom for any RUGGEDIZED Saber series radio of any description has ever been sighted.

The part number for the Astro AVA is NTN7227BSP01. Other revisions exist, in which case the B in that part number is replaced with a C, D, or E, which is the most current version.

The part number for a standard SVA is NTN5487A.

There is a decal on top of the Astro SVA that gives the following useful data:

"CAUTION: Inserting the wrong radio may Damage the Adapter. This Adapter works with ASTRO Digital SABER, SABER and Systems SABER radios manufactured on or after September 1, 1994. These radios can be identified by their serial numbers: The 5th character (year) must be "U" or later (V, W, X, Y, or Z). If 5th character is U, the 6th character (month) must be "S" or later (T, U, V, W, X, Y, or Z). Use Adapter ONLY with approved radio models. For radios manufactured prior to this date please contact: Motorola at 1-800-523-4007 (ext. 112) for upgrade details."

One thing to note when using your AVA, if you pull the radio out while it is on, you may loose your volume control (any other controls). This may be intentional, or it may be a firmware issue. Since the AVA doesn't know when you are going to remove the radio from the cradle, it can't completely return control of the radio to the user before it is detached. As a result, some radios still pretend that they are in the AVA, and don't respond to user controls without a power cycle. On the other hand, there are some radios that seem to work fine some/all the time when they are pulled out of the AVA. This points to the firmware in the radio and the newer revisions may be able to compensate for the loss of the AVA control without the radio being power cycled. Just something to be aware of."

I have a Astro SVA that has the decal. The correct SVAs are hard to find. I had a long wait to get one on eBay and it was on the spendy side. About 5 times the rate as an old, non-Astro version. Good luck and keep hunting.

Ken - N7QQU

[motorola_otaku]

TL;DR no NTN5487 cradle will work with an Astro Saber. You have to have a NTN7727x.

You can modify pre-1994 analog Sabers and System Sabers to work in the NTN7727 AVA. Using a post-1994 Saber or Astro Saber as a guide for the pin location, drill out a 1/8'' recess with a 3/32'' bit adjacent to the external antenna connector for the actuator pin to drop into. The AVA cradle will recognize that it has an analog Saber or System Saber inserted (this may be where the A/B/C/D revisions come in; I've personally tested it with a NTN7727D and 1993-vintage/CON4 System Saber) and accordingly activate the Saber's external antenna connector. You can even use a SVA display mic and the AVA cradle will pass the display and button data (but ONLY when an analog Saber or System Saber is inserted.)

[MotoFAN]

Guys,

NMN6150 will work with Astro Saber installed in NTN7227?

[motorola_otaku]

No. The NMN6150 mic will only talk to a Saber or Systems Saber. I'm not sure if it will even function as a normal PTT microphone with an Astro Saber.

[MotoFAN]

No. The NMN6150 mic will only talk to a Saber or Systems Saber. I'm not sure if it will even function as a normal PTT microphone with an Astro Saber.

Thanks. I will try.