Batboard

I just picked up an AS1 at a hamfest, and it has this thing on the accessory connector. Looks like some kind of headset adapter or something. Can anyone shed any light on what the heck this is?






Thanks!
-Daniel
KI4IHC

I believe that what you have on the radio is a device used
for keyloading the encryption module and for an external
audio headset/microphone combination, similar to what we use on standard Sabers. You should be able to remove it by first
unscrewing the antenna from the adapter and then removing
the whole unit by unscrewing the Phillips head screw on the
back of the adapter.

Tom in D.C. wrote:I believe that what you have on the radio is a device used
for keyloading the encryption module and for an external
audio headset/microphone combination, similar to what we use on standard Sabers. You should be able to remove it by first
unscrewing the antenna from the adapter and then removing
the whole unit by unscrewing the Phillips head screw on the
back of the adapter.

Awesome! Thanks for the fast response. That answers one question that I had about this radio - I guess since it has this thing on it, it'll do encryption.

Is there any significance to the "D" that's stamped on it?

I don't know for sure on the Astro's, but in the analog Saber world the one's stamped with the "D" always meant that they were capable of keyloading using the Hirose cable for the KVL.

The radio may have an encryption module in it but it doesn't
have to have one to work. Unlike the Sabers, the AS radios
work fine without the module and don't need a bypass setup
in them to get the audio to work. Most AS radios found do
have the module installed but not all, so you have to look
inside the radio. Take off the case, then lift off the shield,
then unscrew the four small small screws holding the next
board. Eventually you'll get to the inside bottom area of
the radio where the module will or won't be found. The
previous owner may have had the thingie attached to the
radio to use a headset or just because he thought it looked
sexy.

Working "inside" an Astro Saber is a picnic compared to
working inside a standard Saber, by the way, IMHO.

Cool, I'll pop it open tomorrow and check, thanks for the help

I'll probably be asking soon for a codeplug. Right now it's only flashed for analog, but I'd like to open it up to IMBE. I know I'll need recent firmware for it to work
Can I tell the firmware version by popping the case open, or do I need to read it in the RSS?
I ordered a programming cable off ebay, but don't expect it for a week or so . . .

You need to read it to get the firmware version.

RESCUE161 wrote:You need to read it to get the firmware version.

Ok, that's what I figured. Hopefully when I get my programming cable, I'll find out that whoever had this radio before me decided to give it the latest firmware and a whore flash - if not, expect to see a post from me in a week or so asking for some more help . . .

I'm sure that my questions have been answered elsewhere on the forum, but I appreciate you guys taking the time to help out an astro newbie like myself