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Systems Sabere Programming ?
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:32 am
by ff1520
I have several Systems Saber (model#h99QX id#h43tuk5170cn) portables that I am trying to program. I have extensive experience programming other Motorola models, but have never programmed Sabers before. I have built the programming cable as indicated on this site. The COM check shows OK but when trying to read the portable the lights on my RIB flash briefly and I am presented with an error message that says 'unable to aquire busy line'. Since I have no Saber experience im asking for help!
When I power up the portables the display shows 'Z1 ****' and the speaker emits a constant tone. Is this normal? When I try and read the portable with RSS the beep stops until the RSS error messagae appears. The programming PC is as slow of a pentium as I could find, and I'm booting it in MS-DOS mode (win 98). I have tried using mo'slo at several different speeds. Any words of wisdom from some of you experienced Systems Saber folks would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You!
SysSaber Programming
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:59 am
by Tom in D.C.
Duplicate message.
SysSaber Programming
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:59 am
by Tom in D.C.
Probably a very good first step would be to boot in
DOS 6.22 and not the so-called DOS that runs under
W98 or any other GUI platform. The com port does
not work the same under the Windows platforms as
it does under 6.22 and
always presents problems
that keep the program from running properly.
Also, it would be good to list your processsor's speed,
whose RIB and cable you're using, the software
version you have, and if you're certain you have the
programming cable from the RIB to the radio wired
correctly.
My experience is all with standard Sabers and Astro
Sabers, so you might want to take a look as the
System Saber section at
http://www.batlabs.com under "model
specific" information.
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:54 pm
by RKG
1. Based on your post, I see at least two problem areas:
A) As Tom observes, you cannot run the Systems Saber RSS in a so-called "DOS Window" under Windows; you must run it under native DOS.
B) I infer that you are using a third-party RIB and, possibly also, a third-party RIB-to-radio cable. Systems Sabers are particularly finicky about sticking to Motorola OEM equipment.
2. Once you have the proper equipment, the Systems Sabers are pretty straightforward to program. The RSS, which bears no relationship to the "standard" Saber RSS, is a step above, though nowhere as refined as MTSX.
3. While the Systems Saber RSS purports to give you the ability to create a codeplug from scratch, do not do this. Rather, read the radio you want to program, save that file, then save if a second time under a different name and edit the second file.
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:11 pm
by ff1520
I'm not running in a DOS window, I actually have booted the machine in MS-DOS mode. I am well aware of the issues with running DOS based RSS in a windows environment. I was using a 3rd party rib (polaris), but will get out my Motorola OEM rib and give that a try, also have a Motorola smart rib I could try as well; thanks for the tip, hopefully the rib will cure the problem. I am using a homemade cable, but given the simplicity of this particular cable I cant imagine that there would be any problems in that respect. I am unable to read a radio at this point, but the com check indicates ok.
As far as the initial display on the radio of "Z1 ****" and the continuous beep, is this normal? Is it an indication of an empty codeplug?
Thanks for the continued informaiton
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:46 pm
by HLA
try cleaning the contacts on the radio with a pencil eraser.
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:08 pm
by EMS Geek
I've run into similar problems:
On the programming end, had to use a 386 laptop running DOS - worked fine after that.
The continuous beep tone may be the result of a missing reference oscillator - had gotten government decommissioned radios in the past and they remove that module to disable the radio.
Hope this helps.
Eric
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:19 pm
by NB2E
The majority of my experience is with conventional sabers as well but I'll try to address a couple of the things you mentioned and if I'm incorrect I'm sure someone will pipe up and point it out
Z1 typically means that the radio is set up for multi-zone operation. This is in essence multiple banks of channels. This allows for more channels to be programmed than the 10 channel selector would normally allow.
The un-ending tone could mean several things. The first thing I would try is the rocker switch that is present directly next to the on/off/volume knob on the top of secure capable sabers. If it's in the Ø position with no key loaded it will give a continuous tone, try switching to the 0 setting.
In addition to the batlabs systems saber information page (
http://www.batlabs.com/syssaber.html) you may also find some of the generic saber information (
http://www.batlabs.com/saber.html) useful or for a bit more detailed explanation you can also check out
http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorol ... index.html
Ric, NB2E
Re: Systems Sabere Programming ?
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:27 am
by newmoto
ff1520 wrote:I have several Systems Saber (model#h99QX id#h43tuk5170cn) portables that I am trying to program. I have extensive experience programming other Motorola models, but have never programmed Sabers before. I have built the programming cable as indicated on this site. The COM check shows OK but when trying to read the portable the lights on my RIB flash briefly and I am presented with an error message that says 'unable to aquire busy line'. Since I have no Saber experience im asking for help!
Thank You!
Hello all. New here and I have to say this is one great forum. I have the exact same problem with my System SaberIII as this gentleman does minus the error code. I am using a Compaq Armada p166 which works fine on my Maratracs with a ribless cable. I'm using RSS ver 03.00.2 in Win95 DOS and aftermarket rib and cables. I have checked the pinouts on the cables and they are the same as listed on here. Do you think an O.E.M. rib box would be the answer, or should I just send it out to be programmed and be done with it? Would the newer RSS 4.00.2 solve anything or would it just be a waste of money. Do you think COMMCHEK would help me, if so what all do I need to do to get this software? I didn't really want to invest a fortune in this radio project, but guess that's the fun part of this hobby...hihi. Thanks for any help.
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:57 am
by RKG
Systems Saber RSS will only communicate with a radio if run under native DOS -- i.e., MS-DOS 6.22 or PC-DOS 7.1 -- not a DOS emulation.
I have heard that folks using third party RIBs cannot program Systems Sabers. I can't confirm that from personal experience, but am not surprised.
For what it may be worth, I have a collection of 486-33 NEC laptops for RSS-based radios, and they work fine with Systems Sabers.
update
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:18 pm
by newmoto
Well knowing I couldn't give up with out a fight, I tried moslo, slowdown and cpucache. Got errors with moslo, with slowdown I failed the comm test, then I tried using cpucache. With the cpucache disabled, it reads it like a book. I have read and loaded back to the radio several times with out a hiccup. Now I just have to figure out all these features in this software....hihi. I did notice the deviation is a little low, might be because I am using it in the ham band, the rss says the band split is 148-174. Thanks for your help!!

Finally
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:28 am
by ff1520
Just thought I'd share some informaiton for those who may fight a similar battle. I finally won the war and was able to program these Systems Sabers. After trying everything I could think of and using mo'slo etc...etc... I was ready to give up. I finally found one of my OLD...OLD laptops a NEC ProSpeed 386...took some doing to get it running again, floppy drive was bad, hard drive boot sector was bad. Finally got the machine to boot, transferred the SystemsSaber programming to the harddrive via serial port download from another comptuer (as floppy wouldn't read) and WALA .... everything worked fine. Truly was simply a speed of the PC problem. Going to have to keep this old dinasour of a computer around a while longer.
speed kills
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:55 am
by newmoto
Yes I have had real good luck programming my System Saber now that I use the cpucache tool. Also I bought a Digital 386 (20mhz) laptop with all drives working. Can't wait to try that one out. Should be a winner. Thanks for the update.
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:02 am
by ff1520
Where did you get the CPUCACHE tool?
cpucache
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:08 am
by newmoto
It is part of the slodown zip file you can down load here for free...
http://members.aol.com/bretjohn/ . You just copy the cpucache.com file to your boot disk after you un-zip the slodown file. Then after booting to dos, just type cpucache.com at the dos prompt and it will tell you the current status of your cpu cache, then to disable the cache, type cpucache.com d at the prompt and it will disable your cpu cache until the next time you reboot your computer. Works pretty slick!!
