Batboard

Hi all, just want to say first you are all a big help with me. I am new to almost all of this stuff and I always seem to get an answer with every question I post. Just wanted to say thanks!

Alright here's my question. I have read stuff about converting Maxtracs to handle more channels. Is that possible on a two channel Maxtrac? What all do I need to do? I am pretty sure that I would have to get a new head for it. Like I said, I am new at this and am curious at how hard or easy it is. Is it something that almost anybody can do, or should a professional do it? I would do it if I new what I was doing, but I use the radio now and I only have a few radios and really don't want to mess this radio up. Any info would be appreciated.

The two-channel heads (two buttons, four LEDs) can only do two channels. As you surmised, you'll need a new multi-channel head to do 6, 8, 16, or 32 channels. These have up to 5 buttons and two 7-segment LED displays.

You'll also need to blank and initialize the radio to change the model number to one that supports more than two channels. There are several good MaxTrac articles on http://www.repeater-builder.com, in the Motorola area, MaxTrac section, describing the entire process.

Depending on the firmware in the radio, you may have to replace that as well. Not all logic boards are capable of accepting new firmware.

After you go through all this, you might be better off trading your 2ch radio for a multi-ch radio, or just buying a used one. It's not difficult, but it does require some familiarity with the procedure.

Bob M.

That was full of helpful info and pics. The only problem is, I don't have the software to do all of that. Will radio shops do that for me, and is the price usually reasonable?

I highly doubt you will get a radio shop to upgrade a Maxtrac, no money in it for them other than labor, and its beyond what most of the techs even know how to do these days.

If the logic board is a model that would support an upgrade, and if you have the multi channel front panel, that's something i can do for about $50 including shipping.

I usually do a couple a month these days. Hence why i also wrote those articles on RB, figured i could at least show some others how!

Just a little more info for all to keep in mind.
You can still upgrade a two ch radio with the 5 pin logic bd to 16 ch with scan.
However the scan will not automaticly return to scan after you pick up the mike from the mike hook = You must press the scan button after you hang up the mike again to start scan function again.
Other than that the radio can do 16ch with scan as is after blanking and reinitiation.
You will still need the multi ch front to be able to select and show 16ch and the scan function.
I have run into several types of 5 pin logic bds as masked and the dallas battery backed chip as well as the removable prom type.
The removable prom type can do full feature scan with auto scan again after mike hangup where the masked and dallas type do not do auto scan after mike hangup but press the scan button after you hangup the mike and your scanning again.
I have tried everything i could think of and was not able to get the dallas or masked 5 pin logic bds to do auto scan.
Im thinking it has to do with the 16 pin logic bds reinitation that allows this where the 5 pin does not.
Yes i even tried reinitation as a 16 pin logic bd on a 5 pin and its a no go.
Satelite

I took the case off and took a look inside, and on the RB site it had listed models numbers for the pins to have. Unfortunately, I have the 5 pin that "you don't want to have," is that still able to be converted?

motofreak008 wrote: I have the 5 pin that "you don't want to have," is that still able to be converted?

Yes out to 16 channels....