Batboard

I have looked around and cannot find info on the high power astro spectra W3 - regarding the DB25's and the extension cable - as far as how to set this radio up connection-wise. Maybe if someone can just point me in the right direction. Really looking for the hookup instructions.

I must be having some sort of brain lapse. Any help is appreciated. (With either the brain lapse or the radio. Probably more interested in the radio.)

pfd radio wrote:I have looked around and cannot find info on the high power astro spectra W3 - regarding the DB25's and the extension cable - as far as how to set this radio up connection-wise. Maybe if someone can just point me in the right direction. Really looking for the hookup instructions.

I must be having some sort of brain lapse. Any help is appreciated. (With either the brain lapse or the radio. Probably more interested in the radio.)

Have you tried both the batlabs site and repeater builders site? Both have information on the radio. Just a matter of what details your looking for.

If you have a trunk mount unit, use the db25 connector on the left side as you look at the face of the front plate. I believe it should have 2 db25 connectors.

Jim

I did find Spectra stuff (Repeater Builder) but they didn't have much on the Astro Spectra (and I don't even know if that matters). So I guess the real question is can I use both DB25's one for my HHC and the other for accessories ignition sense & speaker (space is tight in the vehicle and that "Y" cable is a lot to hide)

Pin 3 on the radio control head drawer unit DB25 (the one under the main power connector) is ign. See if you have continuity between the two radio DB25 connectors at Pin3. If you do then you can hook the "control head" power there. Speaker can be run off Pin 25 (hi) and Pin 24 (lo).

Jason

Do I use one of the DB25's to program the radio or the plug next to the power (I thought the top one was for key loading). I ask this because I use this connector to program a XTL5000 with Astro A7 heads.

Thanks Jason - I'll check those pins

Not a plus model right? You use a rib and cable to the 2nd db25 to program.

If they do not have continuity then the board is setup for RS232 operation. You will need to move a solder jumper. If that is the case I can help you out with directions for that. As far as programming goes you would probably have to add that ignition power to your DB25 end of the programming cable as well.

Look for the cable diagram in the Astro Spectra Service Manual. The W3 remote cable has the 15 pin connector pig tail, like the old Spectra remote cables had. That is where you get speaker, IGN and A+.
The W3 head needs Option B+ which winds up on pin 1 inside the HHCH, to make it work. I do not have the diagram for the HHCH's coil cord/db25 connector.

I have removed the 15 pin connector and it's short cable on the older remote mount control cables. Adding two wires out for the speaker connector pig tail, and a fused jumper to route A+ from the radio to the control head connector to use as IGN and A+ for the control head.

No more 15 pin cable to try to hide...