How To?

[tomsdad]

Well, I've assembled the following:

RSS
RIB
Radio(s)

Now, for the first time in my life I'm going to attempt to read a Motorola....

Ok, so I've tried and it seems that I can't communicate with the radio, my question is - do I need to put the radio into some special mode to read from it (as you do with some others like Icom)?

Or, do you just fire up the radios, let them complete their self test, plug in the RIB and read them?

I've trying to read an MCS2000 and an XTS3000 no luck on either - so thought I'd better ask the above questions;-)

Thanks,

[Tom in D.C.]

Is the RSS set up to connect via your comport?
Does the comport match the RSS setup?
Do you have Com2 set up where it should be Com1?
Assuming that your RSS runs under Windows and NOT
under DOS you should be able to read the radio, or at
least get some info back that there is a connection.
If your RSS is running under DOS then your computer
may be too fast for the RSS. Also, you can NOT run
RSS under the "fake DOS" that you get when running
Windows. You must boot into DOS directly.

Also, go over to http://www.Batlabs.com and read up on
what and how about RSS and programming. It's a
great help.

Tom in D.C.
W2NJS

[Monty]

HI:

Here is some information.

Since you have some " High-Tier" radios, I would
"Only "recomend the Factory Motorola Rib Box. !

That being out of the way, Clone Cables if you are
using them should be OK if built very well...

A bad / cheap clone cable could cause a costly
repair bill if the radio needs to be reinitialized.

Anyhow, next comes the Computer....And if you have
Window Based RSS for the Radios, you should be OK,
however, if you have the DOS Version you will need
to find a Stable / Reliable 386-486-25 Series Computer.

If yoiu are a 1st time programmer, a few points
to remember:

1. Make sure ( in the set up screen ) F9 that your
Com port is configured properly ! Most chose Com 1 or Com 2

2. Make sure you have a Fresh Battery and a External Power
supply is advisable as well for the Rib Box.

3. XTS3000 are a very expensive radio ! Using a 25.00 / 50.00
clone Rib Box can be very risky !

4. The Pogo Pins on the XTS Cable many times will get BENT ! Make
sure the Pins do not short out.

5. Make sure the Battery in portable is charged !

6. When you finally get the radio to " READ " SAVE the
Original Image ! and keep it into a safe place !

It could save you 100's of dollars

Also, if you do a search here on ther Forum Board, you will
find alot of inforamtion on the subject.

So, if you want to list " What Kind " of Computer, OS, Rib Box
Style, Cables, etc, you will get alot of feedback

Positive I hope

Monty

[tomsdad]

Is the RSS set up to connect via your comport?
Does the comport match the RSS setup?
Do you have Com2 set up where it should be Com1?
Assuming that your RSS runs under Windows and NOT
under DOS you should be able to read the radio, or at
least get some info back that there is a connection.
If your RSS is running under DOS then your computer
may be too fast for the RSS. Also, you can NOT run
RSS under the "fake DOS" that you get when running
Windows. You must boot into DOS directly.

Also, go over to http://www.Batlabs.com and read up on
what and how about RSS and programming. It's a
great help.

Tom in D.C.
W2NJS

G'day Tom - RSS for the XTS is native windows and RSS for the MCS is DOS.

I've tried to boot the laptop using a DOS6.22 boot disk, it boots but then it doesn't recognise the hard drive(!) so I can't run RSS.

Com Port is set to Com1. Windows RSS reports unable to communicate and the RSS for DOS reports (from memory as I'm at work today) protocol error (when run from a dos windows box).

Details on the hardware in next message.

Cheers,

[tomsdad]

HI:

Here is some information.

Since you have some " High-Tier" radios, I would
"Only "recomend the Factory Motorola Rib Box. !

That being out of the way, Clone Cables if you are
using them should be OK if built very well...

A bad / cheap clone cable could cause a costly
repair bill if the radio needs to be reinitialized.

Anyhow, next comes the Computer....And if you have
Window Based RSS for the Radios, you should be OK,
however, if you have the DOS Version you will need
to find a Stable / Reliable 386-486-25 Series Computer.

If yoiu are a 1st time programmer, a few points
to remember:

1. Make sure ( in the set up screen ) F9 that your
Com port is configured properly ! Most chose Com 1 or Com 2

2. Make sure you have a Fresh Battery and a External Power
supply is advisable as well for the Rib Box.

3. XTS3000 are a very expensive radio ! Using a 25.00 / 50.00
clone Rib Box can be very risky !

4. The Pogo Pins on the XTS Cable many times will get BENT ! Make
sure the Pins do not short out.

5. Make sure the Battery in portable is charged !

6. When you finally get the radio to " READ " SAVE the
Original Image ! and keep it into a safe place !

It could save you 100's of dollars

Also, if you do a search here on ther Forum Board, you will
find alot of inforamtion on the subject.

So, if you want to list " What Kind " of Computer, OS, Rib Box
Style, Cables, etc, you will get alot of feedback

Positive I hope

Monty

What parts, ok here's what I'm using.

RIB from eds2wayprogramming
Cable for MCS - from above
Cable for XTS3000 is a RKN4035C (which was sold to me as being the correct cable for programming MT/MTS/XTS series)

Laptop is a Celeron 400 running W98SE.
Com Port = 1 both in the RSS and in the physical attributes of the laptop - I've also disabled the virtual IR port which can reside at Com 2 on this laptop.

I guessing it's either a Com Port or Rib problem? I've got a few mixed computers laying around the house and I'm certain that there's a 486/66 amongst them and a windows machine or two - I guess that can test the com port.

If it still doesn't work, then it's the RIB - what's the opinion on reliability on the Eds product in terms of dead on first use and compaitbilty with the genuine RIB? (btw how much would a genuine rib cost me?)

Is there an easy way to test if a RIB is functioning (short of having it read/write a radio)?

Thanks for the help...

Steve

[Tom in D.C.]

Please read Monty's comments closely.

And please give details about the computer platform you're
using, particularly the processor speed.

Regards,

Tom in D.C.
W2NJS

[tomsdad]

Please read Monty's comments closely.

And please give details about the computer platform you're
using, particularly the processor speed.

Regards,

Tom in D.C.
W2NJS

Tom, Celeron 400 is the speed of the laptop which I'm using, running W98SE.

Steve

[Monty]

Hi

Trying not to be biased, I would recomend reading
the following, make your own decession.


http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... light=2way

Anyhow, since you are having problems, chances are
the Rib box or the Operating System

Might clue us in on the " Version " of Software
being used, and if its Windows based or DOS Based.


If you are using DOS Based RSS, do not attempt to
use a emulation under windows !

Other Pro's know how to get around this issue, new
persons, I feel its not worth the Risk.

Anyhow, again, when dealing with a 3500.00 radio, I would
not risk a corrupted code plug problem on either radio.

One thing for sure, go to the " Set up " screen and try and
" test " to see if the radio communicates with the computer.

If it will not communicate with the Radio in the test mode, it
will never read or write.

Monty

[Will]

The after market "copy cat" RIB does not work on some computers and Windoez combinations and the one you have does not work on the MCS worth a dam.. We did a engineering project to find out why, piss poor design.

Go with the real m'coy, /\/\ rib.

We can upgrade/ mod the 2way-- boxes so they will work.

[tomsdad]

Hi

Trying not to be biased, I would recomend reading
the following, make your own decession.


http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... light=2way

Anyhow, since you are having problems, chances are
the Rib box or the Operating System

Might clue us in on the " Version " of Software
being used, and if its Windows based or DOS Based.


Monty

Monty, I read what was written - no doubt if I had the money I'd buy genuine....

Ok, RSS is as follows:

Astra Sabre XTS3000 CPS R02.00.00
MCS2000 R05.04.00
Steve

[tomsdad]

The after market "copy cat" RIB does not work on some computers and Windoez combinations and the one you have does not work on the MCS worth a dam.. We did a engineering project to find out why, piss poor design.

Go with the real m'coy, /\/\ rib.

We can upgrade/ mod the 2way-- boxes so they will work.

Shame I'm in Australia - it'll cost way too much to post the edrib back to you for mods then back to me...

Don't suppose you'd share how to do the mods with me?

Steve

[Code3Response]

Hnag on - you have the money for a MCS and an XTS - both over $1000 radios each, but you dont have the money to spend $100-200 or so on a new Motorola Factory Rib? Scary. Save your money and wait until you do it right to not risk making your radios bricks.

[tomsdad]

Hnag on - you have the money for a MCS and an XTS - both over $1000 radios each, but you dont have the money to spend $100-200 or so on a new Motorola Factory Rib? Scary. Save your money and wait until you do it right to not risk making your radios bricks.

See, you go jumping to conclusions - I don't own the radios, the people I work for do.

All I want to do is add some additonal channels that are of more use to us than the statewide defaults that are in them.

S.

[wavetar]

First I'll state your problem is likely in the RIB, since your Windows Astro CPS can't communicate with the XTS3000.
I'll also assume you're running the MCS2000 RSS in a DOS window, since you've been unsuccessful using a DOS 6.22 boot disk. Or you're using the 'reboot in MS-DOS mode' from the shut down menu, or using the 'F8-command prompt only' option upon start-up. All of these would be a bad idea.
The reason the DOS 6.22 boot disk can't 'see' your hard drive is because Win98se has formated the drive as FAT32, which DOS 6.22 doesn't understand.
Since you're running Win98, go to your 'C:\Windows' directory, and find the "MS-DOS Mode for Games with EMS & XMS Support". Copy it onto your desk-top for easy access. Double clicking that will reboot your computer into a superior DOS emulation, one which has proven to myself & some others to be even better than a DOS boot disk. You will be able to acces your hard drive & run the RSS normally.
The DOS RSS version you are using shouldn't have a problem with a 400MHz processor, as long as the PC has a 'proper' serial port & is 100% IBM compatible.
Using "direct cable connect" with a null-modem serial cable between two Win98 computers would verify the serial ports to be functional.
As I stated in the first line of the post, It seems your RIB is the likely culprit in the end, but the above advice is still good for future reference.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Todd

[tomsdad]

First I'll state your problem is likely in the RIB, since your Windows Astro CPS can't communicate with the XTS3000.
I'll also assume you're running the MCS2000 RSS in a DOS window, since you've been unsuccessful using a DOS 6.22 boot disk. Or you're using the 'reboot in MS-DOS mode' from the shut down menu, or using the 'F8-command prompt only' option upon start-up. All of these would be a bad idea.
The reason the DOS 6.22 boot disk can't 'see' your hard drive is because Win98se has formated the drive as FAT32, which DOS 6.22 doesn't understand.
Since you're running Win98, go to your 'C:\Windows' directory, and find the "MS-DOS Mode for Games with EMS & XMS Support". Copy it onto your desk-top for easy access. Double clicking that will reboot your computer into a superior DOS emulation, one which has proven to myself & some others to be even better than a DOS boot disk. You will be able to acces your hard drive & run the RSS normally.
The DOS RSS version you are using shouldn't have a problem with a 400MHz processor, as long as the PC has a 'proper' serial port & is 100% IBM compatible.
Using "direct cable connect" with a null-modem serial cable between two Win98 computers would verify the serial ports to be functional.
As I stated in the first line of the post, It seems your RIB is the likely culprit in the end, but the above advice is still good for future reference.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Todd

I'm starting to think it's the RIB too, but haven't yet found a definitive way (read nobody lives close with another RIB I can try) to test it.

Had a look in the c:\windows directory and found "MS-DOS Mode for Games with EMS & XMS Support" will try your suggestion and see how it goes.

Thanks,

Steve

[RapidCharger]

If I were you, I'd call up Ed (the guy who sold you the RIB) and ask him how you know if yours is defective. I'm sure he will send you a new one to try. I have one of those and every time I think it's not working, it turns out to be something stupid like the com port cable is not pushed in tight enough or the battery is dead. I bought mine and used it before I knew better. It works like a charm, but I wouldn't dare use it on my most expensive radios. Before I read this post I didn't know how cheap Monty was selling the real thing for. Hock the fake on ebay and get the real one. Not worth the nervousness.

[tomsdad]

If I were you, I'd call up Ed (the guy who sold you the RIB) and ask him how you know if yours is defective. I'm sure he will send you a new one to try. I have one of those and every time I think it's not working, it turns out to be something stupid like the com port cable is not pushed in tight enough or the battery is dead. I bought mine and used it before I knew better. It works like a charm, but I wouldn't dare use it on my most expensive radios. Before I read this post I didn't know how cheap Monty was selling the real thing for. Hock the fake on ebay and get the real one. Not worth the nervousness.

I've emailed Ed and awaiting his reply, don't really feel like making an International phone call to him....

Steve