MT2000 won't "read radio"

[Nolynn3]

I have an MT2000 handheld. When I bought it I took it to the local Motorola dealer and got it programmed. After about 5 months, I realized there was a mistake and I wasn't transmitting on one channel and took it back to get it fixed. After a week I checked in and they told be the radio was bad, they couldn't read it to program it and too bad for me. I told em they'd already programmed it once, and it was working just fine two nights before. I went to an authorized service center to avoid any problems of this type...

first question - must you be able to read before you can write? So if they had saved the code plug on the first go around they could just rewrite it ?

Second question - They've told me that Motorola will no longer fix these and I'm out of luck. Is this a matter of finding someone more familiar with this radio and is more willing to put the effort into it ? The guy who originally programmed it has left and the tech who tried seemed to not be as familiar with this radio and it's problems so to speak. I suspect that's where the problem started actually.... Are there folks out there that can recover this radio ?

third - if "My" code plug can't be found, apparently they didn't save it, could a generic or master code plug be used to recover the radio ?

It was a really nice MT2000 with full keypad, and I can't be buying radios and then tossing em every time things change around here. I know Motorola wants these radios to go away, but out in really rural areas we need access to these less expensive radios to stay functional.

[MTS2000des]

I have an MT2000 handheld. When I bought it I took it to the local Motorola dealer and got it programmed. After about 5 months, I realized there was a mistake and I wasn't transmitting on one channel and took it back to get it fixed. After a week I checked in and they told be the radio was bad, they couldn't read it to program it and too bad for me. I told em they'd already programmed it once, and it was working just fine two nights before. I went to an authorized service center to avoid any problems of this type...

first question - must you be able to read before you can write? So if they had saved the code plug on the first go around they could just rewrite it ?

Second question - They've told me that Motorola will no longer fix these and I'm out of luck. Is this a matter of finding someone more familiar with this radio and is more willing to put the effort into it ? The guy who originally programmed it has left and the tech who tried seemed to not be as familiar with this radio and it's problems so to speak. I suspect that's where the problem started actually.... Are there folks out there that can recover this radio ?

third - if "My" code plug can't be found, apparently they didn't save it, could a generic or master code plug be used to recover the radio ?

It was a really nice MT2000 with full keypad, and I can't be buying radios and then tossing em every time things change around here. I know Motorola wants these radios to go away, but out in really rural areas we need access to these less expensive radios to stay functional.

1. Generally, yes, you have to read a codeplug either from the radio or from a saved archive to write to the radio. It is possible to use the CLONE feature of RSS to clone in a codeplug from an identical MT2000 (firmware versions must match, as well as bandsplit).

2. True, the MT2000 hasn't been sold since 2004/2005 IIRC. It's either approaching or at the end of life as far as depot support. Many reputable shops still should be able to service them, parts are common to other Jedi series radios (ala MTS2000), so at present it should not be too difficult to find replacement parts, though they are getting expensive, especially the display/keypad boards.

3.See the above note about cloning a similar codeplug. I have several MT2000's in service, and would be glad to send a codeplug, but I would need your model, serial and firmware to find one that matches closely to yours. You would of course, have to reprogram completely as your radio will take on all the channels/personalities of the donor codeplug.

Firmware can be found by powering the radio off, then turning back on. Within 10 seconds of turning on, press the lower side button (the one directly above the PTT) 5 times in succession quickly. Then the radios model number, serial number and firmware will scroll the screen.

[Nolynn3]

OK
So then if you have a good codeplug, either a copy that should have been made when they programmed it the first time, or another codeplug that meets all the matching requirements, you can program the radio without "Reading" first. You are reading it from a saved file or archive and then writing to the radio. And if you use another "Generic" you then have to totally reprogram the radio if you want it the way it was. But all doable...

This would work if the radio isn't actually broken. I've been reading that the controller boards go out and then you cannot communicate with the radio at all.

[Will]

I understand they, the supposed Motorola dealer, can NOT read your radio.
If that is the problem, your radio may be at fault, but I suspect there setup is the problem.
Most of us here would be able to help you and see if it is a problem with your radio. I have seen in my many years servicing Motorola radios persons that will cripple a radio so you have to bring it back to them each time it needs a programming change.

There is a known problem in Jedi radios that the terminals on the side connector get intermittent.

I am in So California and would be glad to help.