Batboard

I'm very familiar with the warnings about using an Astro Saber or a newer vintage Saber in an SVA and vice versa.

Does anyone know the true differences between the two? I know that there are some physical design differences. I'm fairly sure that the pinouts on the accessory connector changed from the SVA to the AVA. Are there firmware differences?

I'm just looking for a secure way to keep my Astro Saber charging in my truck. I have a porta-pocket charger that would work fine - except it isn't all that secure. AVAs are tough to come by for a reasonable price, and SVAs can be had for a dime a dozen.

Could you modify an SVA to play nicely with an Astro Saber? All I'm looking to do is to charger the radio and keep it locked up. If it's as easy as swapping pinouts on the flex inside the SVA or cutting it altogether, I can do that.

Thoughts? Comments?

Actually I've seen fed surplus AVA's for dirt cheap on ebay over the last year.

Heck I remember when I bought a systems saber SVA for $700 15 years ago with the display mic!

There is firmware differences since the display mics aren't compatible between the saber/sys saber and the astro saber.

Sometime in 1996 the SVA's all became AVA's compatible with Astro sabers and late model saber/ sys saber radios.

Display mics are not even compatible between Sabers (6150) and System Sabers (6169). I believe that audio and PTT may work but nothing else will, making the display etc. useless when you put the wrong spkr/mic with the wrong radio in the SVA.

The SVA uses an electronic antenna switch, The AVA uses a mechnical antenna switch as well.