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Saber II programming questions
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:44 pm
by kf4sqb
I have recently acquired a Saber II, model H43SAJ7139CN, with 5D CORE and 5C COPE. I am using version R07.01.00 RSS to program it. I am able to program it, but have a few questions about options.
First, what are the two side buttons under the PTT programmable for, and where do I program them? I can't find anything in the RSS about them.
Second, I can't get scan to work right. I programmed a few frequencies in it a couple of days ago, with scan set up, and it worked properly. I hacked the RSS last night to allow Ham frequencies to be programmed, reprogrammed the radio, with scan set up the same way in the RSS, and I can no longer select a scan list in the menus on the radio. I press "MENU" until I get to the "SCAN" selection on the screen, then press "SELECT". The radio "bonks" at me, and displays "UNPROG". What's the deal? I have two lists programmed via RSS, and I have confirmed that they are, indeed, programmed in the codeplug. The "SCANLIST" selection in the radio's menu gives me the same response as "SCAN".
Third, there is a funky-looking "m" in the top center of the display. What is it for/what does it mean?
Last, does anyone have a scan of the user's manual for a Saber II they'd be willing to send me?
Thanks!

Re: Saber II programming questions
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:43 pm
by Tom in D.C.
The small buttons under the PTT switch are emergency
signalling buttons, settable in the options menu. You don't
need them.
The M in the window means the transmit is not the same as
the receive frequency, so in effect you're in repeater mode.
The Saber has mode-slaved scan. When you're in zone 3 you
can only start scanning the channels you've assigned to scan
under zone 3. In each channel setup you assign the channel
to a scanlist. The scanlist runs under a zone, zone 1 runs
scanlinst 1, zone 2 runs scanlist 2, etc. etc. After you assign
a channel to a scanlist you have to write the scanlist itself.
The only thing you can "do" on a scanlist when it's running is
to drop a channel, which is done with "drop/nuisance" function.
It's been a while since I worked on a scan-capable Saber but
those are the basics.
Programming manuals for Sabers appear every so often on eBay,
as do the operating instructions which are helpful but not as good
as the programming manuals. There are some relatively minor
differences between V6 and V7 Saber software but either book would be what you need.
Re: Saber II programming questions
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:45 pm
by FireCpt809
On a regular saber II depending on the CORE the side buttons are programmable. The majority of the sabers are 5D and are not programmable.
Did you set up a scan list in the RSS ? Saber IIs need a Mode Scan set up..
oh here is the manual Its for a III but most everything is there..
http://www.motorola.com/governmentanden ... ER_III.pdf
http://www.washcoares.org/eq-manuals/Mo ... manual.pdf
Re: Saber II programming questions
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:38 am
by billy7834
Tom in D.C. wrote:
The Saber has mode-slaved scan. When you're in zone 3 you
can only start scanning the channels you've assigned to scan
under zone 3. In each channel setup you assign the channel
to a scanlist. The scanlist runs under a zone, zone 1 runs
scanlinst 1, zone 2 runs scanlist 2, etc. etc. After you assign
a channel to a scanlist you have to write the scanlist itself.
Tom...Aren't the scan lists on a Saber tied to the channels (modes) and not the zones. ie: Ch. 1 has a scan list tied to it, Ch. 2 another, etc.
Re: Saber II programming questions
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:53 am
by Tom in D.C.
Billy,
As I recall, scanlist 1 "appears" or operates when you have
the radio on zone 1, although you can set ANY zone/channel
at any position in any scanlist. So, again as I recall, you can
put, for example, all the channels in zone 6 on scanlist 1, though
it would make for a confusing setup. What I mean is that the
channels on a zone are usually related, so the scanlist would
most likely be made up of channels from that zone.
Re: Saber II programming questions
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:57 am
by kf4sqb
Tom, what you said is what I've done. I have two scanlists set up. All the channels in the first are in zone 1, and all the channels in the second are in zone 4. No matter what zone I'm in, or what channel I'm on, I get the same result when I try to select scan.
Re: Saber II programming questions
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:55 am
by Tom in D.C.
Two scanlists are fine. But...did you assign individual
channels to either of the two scanlists? The assignment
box is at the bottom right when you write each channel's
rx, tx, PL/DPL, etc.
Regards,
Re: Saber II programming questions
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:43 pm
by kf4sqb
Tom, you hit the nail on the head that time! That's exactly what I did (or didn't do, as the case may be

). I'm new to Saber programming, so Its gonna be a learning curve for me. Thanks for the help!