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saber III PROGRAMMING HELP
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 5:11 pm
by tazman632000
i purchased some saber iii radios from a government auction. when i read the radio using version 7.01 software this is the info i get is
model saber iii secure. core 5d. model h43qxk7139cn. zones 8/10. number channels 66/120. frequency range 0 mhz to 0 mhz. i also used version 5.0 and it read the same. the radio still has channels programmed such as 156.800 which it receives fine on. the problem im having is that when i try to program a frequency into the radio software such as 156.900 it tells me out of range. no matter what frequency i try it still say out of range. i suppose it has something to do with the radio reading 0mhz to 0 mhz. i hope someone can help me with this as this look to be very well made radios? thanks in advance. george
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:45 pm
by kb0nly
It could also be a low split 136-150 and someone hacked in the higher frequencies. Start by opening it up and get module numbers to determine the actual bandsplit, once you have that just build a new codeplug from scratch and try again.
For module part number reference go here..
http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorol ... index.html
Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:05 am
by mike m
Your radio could also have been previously programmed with version 6.1 special RSS. This was the special version of 6.1 RSS that let you program a VHF radio for instance from 138 to 174 without using hex edit. As I remember it gives some strange error messages if you try to read a radio with a newer version of RSS.
Mike
saber III programming help please!
Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:08 pm
by tazman632000
the problem im having is that when i try to enter a frequency it says out of range the only frequency it will let me enter is 0000000 i took the radio apart and it has the nld8180a module in it and i found a saber info site that says this is a 136 to 174 split
http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorol ... index.html on the receiver i dont know were to find the voc number. i think the key lies with the radio info page it says from 0mhz to 0mhz on the range. dont know were to go from here. thanks george
Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 12:56 am
by AEC
The NLD8180 is the core receiver module and it is designed for the entire VHF band coverage, the remaining modules are frequency dependant and must be of the same band split in order to function properly.
If your version of RSS is older than what the radio was programmed with, you will get errors such as "software version too old".
Many times, government surplus radios are 'demil'd' by programming useless frequencies in the codeplug and then trying to write this data to the radio, if you have channels with not only the zeros, but a lot of these:(??????) showing up where a P.L tone or frequency should be entered, the radio will not program and an error flag would pop up.
Try creating a fresh codeplug and program the radio with the new data.
Remove the internal modules from the radio and write down the numbers, you will have to remove the rear cover to gain access to the retaining screws holding the receiver module(NLD8180) and the large synthesizer module(NLE8201) or (NLD8210) Etc..
NOTE: Under the square Rcvr. module is a filter(5-pole) that will have a number printed on it, it's located under the red rubber pad, the number should read something like this: NFD6091A or NFD6092A.
You will need to GENTLY spread the two gold colored tabs on the bottom apart to remove this filter, but be careful, the tabs are weak and will break if you bend them too far!
Look for the number under the red pad, you may have to use a magnifying lens to read the tiny numbers.
The next modules you will need to pull are as follows:
1. Filter/Detector/Switch: NLD6131(module closest to frame on top right of the board)
2. 2-Pole filter module: NFD6111( 136-150.8 ) your numbers may vary with all modules depending on the radio's operating frequency)(Next to the FDS on upper right of frame as well, and just left of the outer module).
3. P.A module: NLD8122, NLD8123, NLD8773...Etc....Again, your actual numbers may be different.
Write down these numbers and post them here so we have the proper information to determine the radio's actual band split.
Aside from the normal precautions about ALWAYS saving your original codeplug info, save these module numbers so you have a working reference should you wish to change the radio's operating band split to a higher or lower one.
Don't hesitate to Email myself or anybody else if you have questions, that's what the board is for....to help.