Programming Cable for both Astro Saber and non-Astro Saber

cryptoman · Post by **cryptoman** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:19 pm

I just bought my first Astro Saber HT and should be receiving it
in the next few days.

I would like to have a single programming cable for both the Astro
and non-Astro radios and was thinking I could start with a cable for
one radio or the other and then put a small SPDT switch in the DB
connector shell that would switch between pins 6 and 8.

Is this all that would need to be done? Is there any risk to either
type of radio if programming is attempted with the switch in the
incorrect position?

-CM

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:35 pm

Yes it can be done, no I don't think there's any risk. That's how my programming cable is configured, anyway.

Note that the service cables have additional differences... I've only tried this for a simple programming cable.

If you want a simpler method, you can use a DB-25-->DB-25 adapter hood and just move the pin that way... less sexy, but a whole lot easier to build.

bellersley · Post by **bellersley** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:55 pm

If you do decide to put a small switch, try to get the highest quality one you can find. I'd hate to see the radio get bricked due to a faulty switch. Personally, I think a better idea would be to wire an additional DB25 in parallel with the one you have and just label one "Astro" and the other "Analog" or something, then just use the correct one.

cryptoman · Post by **cryptoman** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:06 pm

Thanks for the great responses. I think I will use the DB25 M-F adapter
method. I have a generic one in my parts box, so all I'll have to do
is to solder it up.

-CM

Post by **alex** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:13 am

You can also go to radio shack and simply buy one of the boxes that have a pc board and a db25 on both ends. You can then make an adapter you can toss on the cable to convert it from Saber to Astro Saber. Don't forget to pass throught he other connections, not just cross the needed one(s).

That's a much better idea than relying on the switch if that's your main concern.

-Alex

cryptoman · Post by **cryptoman** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:35 pm

Hi Alex,

Thats pretty much exactly what I did. I had one of those PC boards
in a DB shell with M and F DB connectors on each end. It works great!

This lets me use my authntic Motorola programming cable for both
Saber types.

-CM