Batboard

I am trying to read two astros. Both astros come up with the same problem "Communication with radio failed" I have used this same software with no problem in ths past on the same PC with the same programming cable.

I have checked cables,all see to be good,working,& connected

Checked my rib,it has A/C current running no problems there,the rib also reads & writes to other radios with no problem,so I have ruled out the rib being a problem.

Checked correct serial comport

These two astro sabers read & wrote with no problem on another computer & software {same software date}

what Im I missing for troubleshooting?

I am stumped,I am sure its something simple i am overlooking

Does it even make the radio say 1 CSQ when you try to program?

123, you tested continuity on all leads on the cable? I've found just looking at it doesn't tell you if it'll work. You could have a bad solder connection or crimp job.

no it does not say "1 CSQ"

You're not talking to the radio then. Check the cable. Check the RIB battery.

You may also want to make sure that nothing else is using that comm port. Double check see that you are using the proper comm port aswell.

I think my serial port is hung up & in use by the computer somehow,anyone know how to check if the serial port is in use by another application?

I have figured out its not the software or the cables,its the serial port.

If you are using the DOS-based Astro RSS (AstroM), remember that it will not run in a DOS "window" under windows, but only under native DOS.

I am using CPS

well I figured out my serial port is not communcating,so my next step is to replace it since this serial port is connected to the mother board I cant do that . SO I was thinking USB to serial convert, hs anyone ever tryed using USB to serial converters? Do they work on CPS Motorola software?

If the PC in question is not a laptop then just get a PCI serial card. They gotta be dirt cheap these days. I'd go with that over any USB-serial converter.

That's what I did on my new pc (no serial ports). It was like $5.00 on Ebay and it works like a champ.

On the other hand, my newly acquired laptop doesn't have serial ports either, so I'm either gonna have to get a PCMCIA card with a serial port or go with a USB to serial adapter...

Astro CPS will play with a USB-COM port adapter. Depending on which OS you use (I run 98SE), you'll want to have it plugged in prior to bootup, or the computer may not recognize it as a valid COM port.

If you are on 98SE, you can go into Device Manager under System, and verify that your COM port drivers are installed correctly. If your comp has a built-in DB9 COM port, there's no reason why it shouldn't work with CPS.

Zero dbm wrote:Does it even make the radio say 1 CSQ when you try to program?

dbm,

The portable I'm trying to update a few channels on (some PL changes) does say " 1 CSQ " on the screen after a press the Write to Device button. The pop-up box then comes up saying " Communication with Radio has Failed " shortly thereafter. Oddly enough, I unscrew the cable from the back of the portable and " 1 CSQ " remains its screen. I have to shut the portable off, then turn it back on to get it to work again. Any ideas what could be causing such a condition? All connections and hardware appear functional

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

SCANdal

That doesn't sound too good. Is the radio operational now? If so, I think you lucked out that you didn't create a paper weight. I say get rid of the USB/serial converter.

Splat,

Negative on that, using a serial port directly (the computer isn't all that new - the shop I'm friendly with is letting me use it's PC because they don't deal too much with Sabers and I wanted too much put in to make it worth their while to do it themselves. So they sat me down at a terminal and said...have at it.)

SCANdal