Batboard

Using the suggestions for modifying the CPS software for out of band, http://batlabs.com/wincps.html at first it made no sense at all. Then I realized, it's for an older release version. I think I've figured out how to do it with the "new" versioin I just received.

Part of it is using "010 Editor" instead of the suggested "Hex Workshop." The reasons being I was a bit more familiar with it. I did a search for each individual occurence of the upper and lower band edges. 136, 162, 450, 482 etc..

Then copied to location results into a spread sheet. This allowed me to visually compare address locations and develop "trends" as to which occurences are actually the band edges and which are, well, just there.

For example, searching for 482 (as an unsigned long integer) yields about 7 locations. Searching for 512, yields over 2000.

I manually changed the values from 194001 000000 to 184001 000000 (going from memory here, I don't take too good of notes.) which got the program to accept values down to 440 MHz rather than 450 MHz. I then moved the upper limits buy changing 226 (something) to 236, which moved the upper limit to 492 MHz.

Later today, I'll try reading my Astro Mobile that was programmed with the DOS version and a hacked astrom.odb file and see if I can successfully re-write it without turning it into a brick.

Jeff

stay-con wrote: Later today, I'll try reading my Astro Mobile that was programmed with the DOS version and a hacked astrom.odb file and see if I can successfully re-write it without turning it into a brick.

It worked.

The Hex locations I found that seemed to be the band edges are as follows.

B18A28, B27FA0, B2E5A0, B56088, B56688, B744D8 and B7FA70 for the "Unsigned Integer Long 32" value of 450. They are displayed on the left side of the program as 194001 000000 Change this to 184001 000000.

B18B28, B280A0, B2E6A0, B56188, B65788, B745D8 and B7FB70 for the "Unsigned Integer Long 32" value of 482. They are displayed on the left side of the program as 226001 000000 Change this to 236001 000000.

The radio had already been programmed out of band using an earlier (DOS) version that had had the astrom.odb file modified.

On initially reading the radio, it (the CPS software) found all sorts of things to complain about. And left ALL the frequencies blank as a result.

After modifying the new astrob.exe file, it read the radio without any complaints. Saving the codeplug did give an "out of band warning," but did not disrupt any of the values.

Writing the radio with the new CPS version codeplug went smoothly and the radio now does everything I had it doing previously.

Did I mention I love my Astro Spectra A7 mobile unit?

Jeff

Cool deal. How does the average schmo like me undertake such an adventure? I have the software that I downloaded from Motorola's service site, but I've never used a hex editor or screwed around with changing any of the values. How difficult is it and what type of software do I need? Bear in mind, I'm a complete imbicile. I would like to put my ham frequencies in there, though. Mine was previously programmed with a DOS version, but it kept the frequencies when I read it. It does honk at me when I try to write to the radio, but it lets me do it anyway. I just can't add any new frequencies. Any ideas for the technically challenged / timid?

4n6inv wrote:Cool deal. How does the average schmo like me undertake such an adventure?

Well, there's "Hex Workshop" available from http://www.bpsoft.com/
That is the hex editor refered to in other locations of the batlabs site.

However, since I couldn't figure it out myself, and I was already familiar with 010 Editor, I can tell you where to find that and use it. It's available at http://www.sweetscape.com/010editor/

First off, you find the AstroMob.exe file. It should be in folder C:\Program Files\Motorola. Rename it to something like Original.exe then make a copy of that and name it AstroMob.exe. (I hate hosing up the only copy of something that works. Not like I've ever made that mistake before.)

Once that that's done, run 010 Editor then load AstroMob.exe into it.

Use Search to find the varioius band edge values. For example 450 and 482. Set the type of search to "unsigned integer long 32" You should see highlighted values on the left side 194001 000000, and on the right side ....

Move the (mouse) cursor between the 1 and the 9, and type 8. You should see the value change from 450 to 440.

I'll have to run SnagIt http://www.techsmith.com/products/snagit/defaulta.asp and do a few screen captures of what exactly is happening.

Jeff

Not that it has come up in this thread, but keep in mind that the board rules strictly forbid the request for modified parts of the RSS/CPS/etc. Just to be perfectly clear. Asking for a single file, is as bad as asking for the whole thing.

Just a friendly reminder.

-Alex

Excellent. Thanks! I'll give it a try and let you know how I did.

stay-con wrote: I'll have to run SnagIt http://www.techsmith.com/products/snagit/defaulta.asp and do a few screen captures of what exactly is happening.

As promised, the assorted screen shots and a recap of what I've posted here.

http://www.stay-connect.com/mods

Jeff

ok, so let me see if i can get some clarification on this..

i have an R band codeplug, i found the end bandsplit (477.000) and changed it to 510.000 yet the codeplug still wont allow the freqs above 477.. i also searched for and changed 470.000 to 510.000.

does this mod simply allow RSS to add those freqs, and have CPS just not complain much or am i missing something?

[quote="grem467"
i have an R band codeplug, i found the end bandsplit (477.000) and changed it to 510.000 yet the codeplug still wont allow the freqs above 477.. i also searched for and changed 470.000 to 510.000.

does this mod simply allow RSS to add those freqs, and have CPS just not complain much or am i missing something?[/quote]

I thought the frequency bands were 450-482 and 482-512 MHz.

Where did you get 477 MHz?

(I'm not a real engineer, I just play one at work.)

On the 450-482 Mhz range, I widened it 20 MHz, or 440-492 MHz.
When I enter things from 440-450 MHz or 482-492 MHz rather than flat out refuse to accept them, they enter properly, they will write to the code plug in the radio. However, the CPS software does mention "Some frequencies are out of band." But it doesn't drop dead and refuse to work with them.

Jeff

disregard... bad math on my part.

grem467 wrote:disregard... bad math on my part.

"I didn't used to be able to spell engineer, now I are one."

That's OK, I didn't realize that the band spread (edges) on the XTS 3000 are different from the Astro Spectra mobiles either.

Jeff