Batboard

I recently replaced my VHF Spectra A7 with an Astro Spectra W3 HHCH. I have no user manual. For the intial instal, I requested the Motorola shop to program my 60 freqs into one zone and to leave the scan list Operator Select. I assumed that, like my A7, I could hard-press SCAN, toggle thru (or direct access) modes and, using the SEL button, select the modes that I wanted to put into my user operator selected scan list (SEL 1X for N/P Scan, 2X for P2, 3X for P1. Once the install was completed, however, I noticed that there was no SEL designation appearing below any of the three buttons under the display. When I brought this to the programmer's attention, she went into the program on her laptop and showed me that there was no pulldown choice for SEL. As a result, when I initially selected SCAN (On/Off?) and selected ON, I received a protest tone followed by NO SCANLIST (or something like that). A more senior tech then manipulated the HHCH and found that the top (right) side button that turned the display light on and off, also caused the little ARROW/LIGHTENING BOLT icon to appear in the window when a mode was displayed. He indicated that this indication meant that the mode was now in the scan list. He had no explanation for why it worked this way (unless it is just how the W3/HHCH is supposed to work - he had no manual explaining it). That said, I'm fine with using that side button to SEL and delete modes from my scan list but still do not know how to select its priority (would be fine with the selected/displayed mode being P1). I did put out a WTB ad on the board for a W3 User Manual or a request for an online resource to view or purchase one. Thank you for anyone who can address this or walk me thru it.

FYI, I purchased Astro Spectra (with XTS3000) software several years ago. The updates stopped. It is/was my hope to re-familiarize myself with programming so I can maintain my own programs. I've done it in the past but only with the older DOS programs for Syntor X-9000's and Spectra A4's, A7's and A-9's. I was told, however, that once my newly installed W3 was programmed by the M-Shop, I could not go in with an earlier edition software and read or write to the program(???). Appreciate any help.

You should see PROG as one of the menus on the display. Press that, then you should get the option you can program. You should see SCAN, press that. Then you get SEL And DEL. So go through the channels like you did on the A7 and Sel and DEL the accordingly. Press the Home button to clear out of Scan Program.

To View the scanlist, you should have VIEW as an menu option, press that button. Then you should see SCAN as option and you can see what you are scanning.

Also if you take the buttons with arrows on them that go left or right, and press them. The radio should go through the Menu options they put in the radio.

The only thing is, if the shop didn't program those display menus in the radio, you will have to have them added by you when you get new CPS or the shop.

Thank you Radiokid. That is very helpful. I located a manual locally. Will pick it up today.

Not a problem. Enjoy the radio, I use mine all the time.

One other question for you W3 users. Are the HHCH dispays prone to fading or is the contrast adjustable. The backlight doesn't do much for it. If not for an accessible gooseneck halogen light that I can keep on at a low level over the HHCH, I would not be able to read the display at all. I purchased the W3, used, on eBay some time ago. It looks good but I am unsure of the amount of use it had. If I can locate it, I know I purchased a spare/new W3 HHCH around the same time.

I haven't ripped one apart, but if its like the Astro Saber (same display) their may be a small pot just below the display that makes the contrast adjustable. Of course, this means ripping the head apart.

As for a backlight, its all or none, the backlight isn't (to my knowledge) adjustable.

To adjust the display contrast:

Put the radio into service mode by pressing the bottom side button 5 times after power up.
Press the top side button until you get to "CONTRAST"
Press the Orange Emerg (Middle Top) Button to enter the contrast adjustment
Adjust the contrast using the LEFT and RIGHT Menu arrow keys.
Once you have acheived the appropriate contrast, power cycle the radio.

Enjoy!