Motorola Syntor

[HoleInOne]

I want to purchase a Motorola Syntor Low Band but am unsure of all the different types of Motorola Syntor ie: Syntor, SyntorX, Syntorxx, . I was wondering what the best control head will be also. I need the best control head because I want all of the features and plan to install the siren feature later. Also what is the best low profile antenna I can install? i am in Western PA and will be using the radio on 33.860 and 46.560. I would like the most power possible without having a 10 foot antenna on my new Excursion. Any help will be great!!!

[TomSlick]

Your first stop should be Mike Blenderman's excellent Syntor web pages:

http://www.open.org/~blenderm/syntorx/

[wa2zdy]

Yep, that site is where the bible for Syntor stuff is found.

As far as I know, there was no low band Syntor. So you need a Syntor X. And there is no such thing is a Syntor XX. That misnomer comes from unknowing folks looking at the graphic on the name plate. It's just a "fancy" picture, not an XX in the name.

There are two kinds of Syntor X radios on low band. The standard X and the X9000. The X9000 has a digital readout control head with alpha tags. The regular X does not.

If you don't need the alpha stuff on the control head and 32 channels is enough, you can save a chunk of $$$ buying a standard X and foregoing the X9000.

In either event, either radio will do the job for you. They're great, rugged, and yes, will cover that range of frequencies for you with no sweat.

Good luck. Now go look at Mike's webpage LOL.

[kf4sqb]

The only problem with the SyntorX, which may not be a problem for you, is the fact that they cannot be probrammed with a RIB. These units require a Motorola "Suitcase" programmer (R1801, I think), or a conventional PROM burner and a program to generate a codeplug. If you go this route, the Systems90 control head is the way to go.
The SyntorX9000, on the other hand, is programmed with a standard Motorola RIB and a PC, although it does require a really slow PC, like 20 MHz or slower. Same power output, same bandspread (app. 24 MHz), same receiver. As was stated previously, Mike Blenderman's website is the place to go for more info.

[Pj]

The lowband Syntor X9000 out of the box will do 30-50. With the modified "Ham RSS" it will usually do 25-54. The X9000 is a really solid radio. Comes standard 32 or 64 channels and with the right EEPROM's and software its capable of 128 or 255 channel's.

The only Syntors out there are the:
Syntor
Syntor X
Syntor X9000

There are trunking versions of the above, and stay away from them.

I highly recommend the X9000 version.

[wa2zdy]

And since PJ mentioned the trunking Syntor X for 800MHz, the accessories for them aren't even usable with the conventional radios. So don't bother with those "economy" priced trunk version control heads that show on greedbay all the time. They're cheap for a reason - they're useless.

[Mike B]

If you are going to transmit on both frequencies, the antenna may take some extra work. Since the frequencies are 12.7 MHz apart, it will be difficult to get a reasonable SWR on the same antenna. If possible, try a mag-mount with your antenna first. If you can not get it to tune well enough to handle both frequencies, then you may need two antennas. The reason for testing with the mag mount is so you can plan for one mount or two mounts on the vehicle before any decisions are made. The Motorola Diplex Antenna Manual (6880100W86) has dual antenna information. It is best to get help from someone that knows antennas for this kind of project.

Motorola made a HAB1000A (33-43 MHz) and HAB1001A (37-49 MHz) broadband antenna system, but they did not make one in your exact frequency range that I am aware of.

The Syntor X 9000 is best for general purpose HAM use mainly because of the built in operator selectable scan lists, operator select Multiple PL tones and extra modes. The Syntor X operator select controls are limited and harder to install (they take extra optional control heads, dash space, etc.). However, for specific "around home" HAM use or for dedicated public safety use, the Syntor X does a fine job.

The Syntor X does require an extra control head for the Siren/PA, while the Syntor X 9000 uses the same control head. A Syntor X Systems 90 'mode select and Siren/PA' control head stack is much larger than a Syntor X 9000 Systems 9000 control head.

[kf4sqb]

And since PJ mentioned the trunking Syntor X for 800MHz, the accessories for them aren't even usable with the conventional radios. So don't bother with those "economy" priced trunk version control heads that show on greedbay all the time. They're cheap for a reason - they're useless.

Actually, the trunking heads can be converted to conventional use. I have an "ex-trunking" head now that I use on a conventional radio. I does require special RSS (Spectra Lab), but isn't hard to do. The only problems are the "Home" and "Select" buttons, as these are a rocker on most trunking heads. Still works the same after conversion, but you can't get (as far as I know) a rocker with "Home" and "Select" on it. So you have to either replace the front housing, make your own labels for that rocker, or just live with it that way. I will back-track a little here to say that not all trunking heads can be converted to conventional use. Once again, check Mr. Blenderman's website. He has a pretty detailed list of which heads will do what, and which can be made to do what.

[Mike B]

Actually, PJ and WA2ZDY are correct. The Syntor X 800 MHz trunking heads are Systems 90, not Systems 9000. For a Systems 90 head, the equivalent of RSS is a pin removal tool and soldering iron . There is no trunking Syntor and the trunking Syntor X 9000 uses the infamous HCN1032, which is not really a Systems 9000 head. You are thinking about trunking Syntor X 9000E and trunking Spectra Systems 9000 heads that can be converted to conventional Syntor X 9000 heads.

[kf4sqb]

Opps! I missed the fact that WA2ZDY was refering to the X, instead of the X9000. I did, however, put a disclaimer on my last post that not all Systems9000 trunking heads can be converted.

Guess I should've payed a little better attention, huh?

[wa2zdy]

And the only reason I knew that about the trunking X heads being useless is because I read it on Mike's site!!! (I think I've read the entire Syntor X sections word for word - several times. Some of it I don't "get" since I don't have all the accessories discussed, and I learn best hands-on.)

I have to say though, sometimes I still think it might be worth the effort to rewire a trunking X clamshell to make use of the 1-8 mode switch and the A-D on the subfleet switch for the banks - a la 32 mode Systems 90 head!

Of course the scanning indicators wouldn't be duplicated, but if you have more than 8 modes on a scan list it is confusing anyway. So what the heck.

I might pick up one of those "useless" trunking heads one day and just go and try it. What's the worst that could happen? It won't work?!

[Jim202]

And the only reason I knew that about the trunking X heads being useless is because I read it on Mike's site!!! (I think I've read the entire Syntor X sections word for word - several times. Some of it I don't "get" since I don't have all the accessories discussed, and I learn best hands-on.)

I have to say though, sometimes I still think it might be worth the effort to rewire a trunking X clamshell to make use of the 1-8 mode switch and the A-D on the subfleet switch for the banks - a la 32 mode Systems 90 head!

Of course the scanning indicators wouldn't be duplicated, but if you have more than 8 modes on a scan list it is confusing anyway. So what the heck.

I might pick up one of those "useless" trunking heads one day and just go and try it. What's the worst that could happen? It won't work?!

I know this is an old thread, but thought I would inject some feedback here on the control heads for the Syntor X9000. I had someone inform me that the heads that wouldn't program on the X9000 can in many cases be brought to a usable fashion by first programming them on a Spectra.

Here is what you do, fire up a Spectra on say VHF. Read the radio with a good control head. Shut the radio off and swap in the bad head you couldn't program on the X9000. Turn the radio on and then write back to the Spectra radio with the bad head. In many cases, you will now end up with a control head you can use. Shut the radio off, pull the X9000 head and take it to the Syntor X9000.

Bad side here is that if you don't already have a good head, you will have to load all the channels into the head as a fresh start. If you have a good head, read the control head. Shut the radio off. Swap in the new head. Then write back to the restored head. If all went well, you now have a usable control head.

Jim

[icom98]

Ebay is currently flooded with good deals on Syntor X9000 radios. Especially the low band radios. I just bought a transceiver unit only for $50 shipped and it was returnable if not working. It worked fine and was well worth the price.

Review this informaion before you make any decisions. Lots of good stuff here.

http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorol ... index.html

Regards,
Larry