XTL5000 - RIB and XTS5000 cable??

[g8tzl2004]

I presume you CANNOT use a standard RIB to program an XTL5000?

Can you modify a serial XTS5000 portable programming cable to program an XTL5000?...ie make a homebrew adapter which converts the XTS5000 side accessory programming plug into an XTL5000 mic plug.

I plan to get an O3/O5 head but the XTL5000 currently has an old W series "Spectra" head. Do I need to program the XTL5000 via the "Spectra" mic plug?? Most of the prog cables you can buy seem to be for the O series heads.

[Astro Spectra]

No RIB needed and you can make your own USB or RS-232 cable.

See: http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=79644

Ignore the XTS comments to avoid confusion.

[g8tzl2004]

Thanks.

So if I use the rear accessory connector on the XTL5000, I just use a "straight thru" cable to the laptop DB9 serial socket..no RS232/TTL level conversion (Max232) is required???? RS232/TTL level conversion is only required if you prog via mic socket on an O3 head??? Maybe I've read it wrong !!!

[Astro Spectra]

The connections on the 26 pin connector are already RS-232 voltage level compatible.

[g8tzl2004]

Great news..no need to buy an expensive programming cable!!!

A few more questions:

- Is the 26 pin XTL5000 accessory socket a totally unique Motorola socket or can you buy a standard plug which sort of fits...a bit like a DB25 serial plug will fit an MCS2000 accessory socket with a few minor mods?

- I read that you can add extra "programming pins" to the accessory plug but I guess you could just use 5 extracted pins from a DB9/25 plug and a cardboard/plastic template to make a temporary programming plug..if you know what I mean.

- can you use the rear accessory plug to flash new firmware etc

- If an 03/05 head requires RS232/TTL level conversion to program, can you use a real RIB rather than a MAX232?

Thanks

[g8tzl2004]

Another question.

Does the pin alignment on a 26 pin XTL socket use the same pin "spacing" as a standard DB9/15/25 serial plug....almost like two "DB13" sockets next to each other?

If so, then I could cut away the screening around a DB9 plug and then the "exposed" 9 pins might fit the relevant section of the 26 pin XTL socket....the programming pins (1,4,5,10,11) seem to fit into a DB9 space...if you know what I mean.

Thanks

[g8tzl2004]

Any thoughts?

[Jim202]

Why don't you just buy the connector and spare pins from Motorola. They are not that expensive and easy to get. If you have an MOL account, you can order them yourself.

The connector is part number HLN6863A. It comes with the ignition wire, and fuse already connected. Plus the speaker connector is also there. Think the list price is under $30.

Spare pins are part number 3980034F04. Believe they come in a pack of 25.

Jim

[g8tzl2004]

I'd rather build one for free!! I already have DB9 plugs etc.

I'm surprized that there is not more internet chatter about how easy it is to build your own straight thru XTL5000 lead. I have a real RIB but normally build my own RIB to radio leads using old ethernet RJ45 plugs etc. I ended up buying a real XTS5000 programming lead which cost a fortune...but the parts would only have cost $5 if I had used an old Jedi mic plug and a max232.

Anyway, anybody have any answers to my above questions?

[Astro Spectra]

Answer to your questions:

- Is the 26 pin XTL5000 accessory socket a totally unique Motorola socket or can you buy a standard plug which sort of fits...a bit like a DB25 serial plug will fit an MCS2000 accessory socket with a few minor mods?

Yes it is unique.

- I read that you can add extra "programming pins" to the accessory plug but I guess you could just use 5 extracted pins from a DB9/25 plug and a cardboard/plastic template to make a temporary programming plug..if you know what I mean.

That is what I said in my post. Most people already have a plug to connect the ignition wire and speaker (in a dash mount). You could just poke the pins in the connector but I wouldn't recommend that. The cost to service a bricked radio will be a lot more than following Jim202's advice.

- can you use the rear accessory plug to flash new firmware etc

A flash update is more way more expensive than a decent home made cable with a proper Motorola connector.

- If an 03/05 head requires RS232/TTL level conversion to program, can you use a real RIB rather than a MAX232?

If you make a cable to plug into the XTL it will program the head - I don't get what you mean here. The head is not programmed separately.

- Does the pin alignment on a 26 pin XTL socket use the same pin "spacing" as a standard DB9/15/25 serial plug....almost like two "DB13" sockets next to each other?

I have no idea - try it and let everyone know.

- If so, then I could cut away the screening around a DB9 plug and then the "exposed" 9 pins might fit the relevant section of the 26 pin XTL socket....the programming pins (1,4,5,10,11) seem to fit into a DB9 space...if you know what I mean.

It is just so much easier to use the proper plug.

[g8tzl2004]

Thanks Astro Spectra.

Rather than just pocking in the pins, I was thinking that I could make a homebrew plug using some plastic with 5 holes drilled in it and then sticking in some pins pulled out of an old DB9/15/25 plug....or if the pin alignment is the same as a DB9, then just modding a DB9 plug??

With regard to the O3/05 heads, I thought you needed to match the head firmware with the body firmware but it looks like you just need to make sure that the brick has a later version of firmware as the O5 head is not recognised if the radio firmware is too early.

Although I'm sure I read somewhere that you need to be able to program via the mic socket in order to do something...although hopefully the rear accessory socket will do everything!!!

I know its easier to spend $30 on a real Motorola plug....but that probably represents a 1000% profit margin!!!