Page 1 of 1

Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:09 am
by bradlington
Hi
I am new to the spectra range .
I have two Spectra's-one (D43 )is 900mhz trunked and the second is the remote mount chassis(D37) vhf excluding the remote head /mic(awaiting )

Is it possible to swap these two around so I can use the conventional VHF in the mean time .

Thanks in advance .

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:52 pm
by ke4zdg
Umm... The D43 is the VHF model and the D37 is the 900 MHz model. What heads are they? As long as the heads have the same kind of configuration (both rotary, both standard, or both enhanced) you shouldn't have a problem, as the heads don't store any info.

On the other hand, if they're System 9k heads, the mode names will follow the head and you will be thoroughly confused.

If you mix head types without reprogramming/bitbanging, it might "kinda" work, but it won't be pretty.

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:38 am
by bradlington
I powered up both radios and no life-even after I jumpered the dB15 pin 2 and 8.

Found the small white fuse Blown in the dash mount head -still not working .

It looks like these have been modified and some repairs so I may be trying to get something working that is going to be too much in the doing .

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:06 am
by ke4zdg
Did you apply +12V to pin 5 of the 15 pin accy connector? It won't turn on unless you do.

The jump you made just fixed the emergency error.

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:09 am
by bradlington
I was not aware that pin 5 had to have the voltage -will try that and let you know.
Thanks Brad

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:04 pm
by Will
bradlington wrote: Found the small white fuse Blown in the dash mount head -still not working .
.
Hmm, that IS NOT a fuse. That is a uP crystal, there is no fuse in the control heads.

Speaking of fuses, make sure the you have a fuse in the IGN lead going to the DB15 connector.
The fuse should be 1 amp, larger and you can burn up the Spectra command board if there is any short or failed components.

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:44 am
by bradlington
OK Thanks for that I will look at it again.

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:06 am
by bradlington
I have managed get the vhf and 900 radio up using the one dash mount head .
I am still without a mic and have not programmed it yet .

In the test mode it came up as ver. 203 .

Thanks for all the help.

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:18 pm
by bradlington
Thanks for the help .

I have managed to program the vhf radio , all seems ok at this stage .

Thanks Brad

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:19 am
by bradlington
Thanks for the help -have managed to program the vhf radio and all seems to be working .

I don't have a mic so will have to make do with the 15 pin d connector for now .

Thanks for all the tips .

Any place to download a user /service manual in order to make my self more familiar with the radios functionality .

Thanks again .

Regards
Brad

Re: Spectra D43 and D37 head swap around

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:32 am
by ke4zdg
http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorol ... manual.pdf

That's the user manual describing how to make basic functions work (phone mode, talkaround, MPL, etc). It's made for the end user and does not contain service or programming info.

Your RSS help screens (F1) should give you enough info to program it.