Batboard

I tried a search and didn't fine my answer, so here goes. I've been seeing some cheap MCS-2000 type 2's on fleabay, and am considering buying one. I'd like to program it myself, but I have a couple questions first. I'm familiar with programming some other radios (Spectra, CDM's, HT-1000's, Radius series, etc) but none that uses Flashport and none which did trunking or used a system key. I have RSS versions R03.10.00 and R04.00.00, but I've never used them before. If I were to get a radio that had a system key, is there a way to reprogram the radio without having that system key? Is a system key only for trunking radios? What would I need to do to program some conventional channels into one of these things? I'm worried that I'll buy a radio and programming cable and will get stuck trying to read or write to the radio because it has a system key or something. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

The radios don't come with a system. To put it simply a system key is like the software key you would use when installing windows on your computer or other software that has a key code you put in to make it work. You can program all parameters of the radio except trunking systems. The system key will let you program a specific trunking system. Each trunking system has a different key. If you're not doing trunking then there is no need for a system key.

The only real bad thing that could happen is you buy a radio that was programmed with an ASK (Advanced System Key) or a passworded codeplug, both of which I haven't encounter with the mcs2000's. I've bought half a dozen MCS2000's off ebay with good results on all buys. You only need a system key for programming trunked systems. For conventional channels you should be fine.

Another thing, if a mcs2000 was programmed with CPS (which most have been now days) I don't think the RSS will work any longer and you would need to get a copy of CPS.

Never mind the syskey, if the radio you plan to buy was last programmed with software newer than what you have, you won't even be able to read the radio. GARY N4KVE

Another point to consider, the MCS2000 radios are very sensitive to low programming voltage. many of the off shore clones to the RIB don't supply enough voltage during writing to the radio and will probably come up with an error. Generally they will read the radio OK.

Jim