MCS2000 Program Cable, Mic vs Accessory

[N6LAU]

Will both the mic connector type and accessory connector type of the MCS2000 program do the same things or does one let you program more/less than the other?

[N4KVE]

I program through the accessory connector because for some reason on my radio, I can't program through the mike connector even trying 3 known good cables, & ribs. There doesn't seem to be any advantages between the two methods on other MCS radios, but in my case, I leave the cable in the accessory jack plugged in all the time, so I never have to look for it. GARY N4KVE

[N6LAU]

Thank you Gary. Looks like I'll probably go with the accessory connector version.

Joe

[thebigphish]

I'm going to agree with Gary, I've just never had luck programming thru the mic connector on the MCS line. Once or twice it would work, but I just got my hand on a spare accessory connector once, made it a programming cable and it's worked every time. I just left it at that, and never looked back. I probably had my left-handed smoke shifter that day, and not the right one...FWIW. :-/

[jackhackett]

That's funny... I've programmed plenty of them through the mic connector, never had a problem. And if you've got a RIB it's pretty easy to make a cable yourself. I use a genuine Moto RIB, maybe that's the difference?

One place I do use the accessory connector cable is when aligning one. I vaguely recall that you can't do that through the mic jack, but it's been so long I've been doing it the other way I can't say for sure.

I'd go with the acc. conn. programming cable if you're going to buy one, but if you can build one for the mic jack or get a good one cheap I'd get that as well as it's often easier to get to that jack for simple programming changes.

[kato56]

I've had better success through the accessory connector. I'm using a factory cable too.

[n7maq]

For the MCS the only problems I have had on the mic jack was with non-OEM RIB (the Polaris RIB would kill them every time thru the mic jack). We had dozens that we took care of, the drawers were hard to get at so in the filed it is the mic connector. On the bench I would go thru the acc connector.

Jim

[Thomas]

Programming thru the mic jack with a remote head unit doesn't always go good. Its hit or miss, mostly miss. For remote head units I would go with the accessory connector for programming. The dash mount model I,II&III never gave me trouble programming thru the microphone jack with oem motororla cables and rib.

[Motradio]

I have recently picked up a few MCS2000's and 3 are remote head and 3 are not. I am using a Hong Kong RIB as I'm too lazy to dig up one of my own Rib boards (sad I know). Cable is a nice well made USA version off of EBAY. I have programmed the remote head units at least 20+ times each (with CPS) fooling with setting and learning the programming options, and in all of those have never seen it glitch or fail with the mic jack programming. Sounds like some MCS2000's work fine others don't. I have programmed the dash mount radios a bunch too and they also seem to work well via the Mic jack. I have seen a lot of complaints on programming the MCS radios, but knock on wood I have not had a glitch yet. Once the remotes are under the seats it's a nice options to pop a cable into the head and go. I'm new to these radios, but the seem to work well in the Ham band (144,220,440 and 900 waiting for an antenna) with people commenting on the excellent audio, even the odd 220mhz version...

Sandy

[N6LAU]

Thanks for all the info guys. Radio in question is a dash-mount model 3 and sounds like accessory connector is the path I'll take.

[GlennD]

I have a factory mic jack cable and a fabricated by batlabs instructions acc cable. I have never had a problem with either. The only time I use the acc cable is with VRMs since the modem replaces the control head.

I have found that since the city insists on upgrading my computer that I can no longer use the desktop with the CPS. My CF-52 continues to work fine. Since they are leased I am stuck with the latest greatest Dell. The CF-52 was purchased with a grant as a programmer. The last time we were audited I had to bring up the CPS to convince them it was a programmer.

[com501]

Keep in mind that if you need to do alignments or flash upgrades, the accessory connector is the only reliable route.

On a side note, MCS software isn't supported on 64 bit O/S's so if your IT department wants to upgrade your PC tell them 'no'.

I have had hit or miss results with most software in Windows 7, except for Astro25, APX and Trbo. (64bit)