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Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:59 am
by saberjerk
I have 2 astro saber vocons 512k NTN7749B that won't take any other codeplug than the one that came in it or the one from it's mate. In other words I can swap the codeplug from each other but nothing else I have works in them.
The original codeplugs are vhf H04KDF9PW7AN. Doesn't say SP anywhere so what the heck? Are they just too old???
Anyone ever see anything like this? I've tried vhf, uhf and 800 codeplugs from my collection. No go. Just fail 01/92
If someone has a plug I could try that would be great.
Is this some kind of joke??
Like I said I can swap codeplugs between this 2 and they work fine. Any other plug so far results in 01/92. Replace the
codeplug with one of the original results in normal operation again. I'm using mtsxlab 3.02
Dennis
firmware: 02.02.xx.xx I read this in cps. looks a bit old.
current flash in one: 800001-000000-2 I don't know about the other yet.
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:22 am
by alex
saberjerk wrote:I have 2 astro saber vocons 512k NTN7749B that won't take any other codeplug than the one that came in it or the one from it's mate. In other words I can swap the codeplug from each other but nothing else I have works in them.
The original codeplugs are vhf H04KDF9PW7AN. Doesn't say SP anywhere so what the heck? Are they just too old???
Anyone ever see anything like this? I've tried vhf, uhf and 800 codeplugs from my collection. No go. Just fail 01/92
If someone has a plug I could try that would be great.
Is this some kind of joke??
Dennis
The vocon wouldn't usually [well, probably] cause that problem I'd think even if it were SP.
What would determine the codeplug working or not would be the firmware on the radio. Please post what firmware revisions are in the radio along with ANY letters that preceed or come after the versions.
-Alex
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:52 am
by saberjerk
Ok, I added the firmware rev and flash info. Anything else?
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:32 am
by Hightower
What is the current firmware now?
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 5:31 am
by saberjerk
Hi there Hitower.
It's listed in my original post. 02.02.xx.xx
Whatever those xx's mean I have no idea. That's what cps gave me.
I am finding out though that this ancient firmware is probably my problem.
Thanks
Dennis
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 5:42 am
by tvsjr
That's dirt-old firmware... the oldest radios seen in the wild are typically R03, so that might be a pre-release/development radio. Also, that model number is odd... if it's an AS3 (W7) then it should be H04KDH9PW7AN... KDF would be a Saber 2.
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:15 am
by saberjerk
Hi tvsjr
Yea, maybe it's a record for oldest firmware in existance. That should be worth something in it's self don't you think?
No I have the model number correct. I am reading it right off the sticker and it mirrors that in rss. And yes
it is a Astro saber 2. H04KDF9PW7AN Do you think it's a misprint from motorola?
Thanks
Dennis
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:57 am
by jmr061
Model number is correct for that series of radio. All model 2 and 3s were "7"s, the F or H designated model 2 or 3.
Jason
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:08 pm
by Hightower
saberjerk wrote:Ok, I updated with firmware rev and flash info. Anything else?
This statement made me think you had the firmware updated from R02.xx.xx - not your original post was updated....
Your firmware is old as dirt - almost a beta version. Your stuck using R02.xx.xx codeplugs/SRecs OR have the firmware updated. Once the firmware is updated, you should be able to use any SRec or CPS.
Good luck
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:14 pm
by saberjerk
Yes I do need to get the firmware in the vocon updated.
But is it really worth it?
Yes I know there are only about 2 or 3 codeplugs on the planet that would work with this vocon.

Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:37 pm
by Pj
What is your ultimate usability goal for this radio?
If you can get a MSS to order you the firmware upgrade, it should only run ~$75 per radio. I didn't run the flashcode, but I am going to assume that its VSLEP/Convtional only...which would be about right for that firmware time frame.
The problem is, that any firmware upgrade you get will most likely end up being an "analog" firmware upgrade or you will be forced to buy the IMBE option...as you already have ASTRO in it, I am not sure what Moto would come back with for a proper upgrade. There is a list floating around here with firmware revisions and what verison supports what options when it comes to VSLEP/IMBE/Analog only.
Re: Astro Saber Vocon s SP or what???
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:17 am
by saberjerk
Hello pj
Well at this point they are just descrete vocons not associated with any particular radio.
Was going to use them for functional testing of some rf boards...
I had set these aside be I was unable to upgrade the flash and that intrigued me.
Now I am learning that there are firmware out there that is so old that you probably will
never find a codeplug that will work with it.
I don't know if this list you mention has this rev of firmware in it (I don't recall one that low) or not.
But if it does and doesn't mention this problem maybe some one could update it to include this.
Sure would save a lot of frustration and hair pulling. And believe me I don't have a lot left too pull.
Maybe you could provide a link to this list of firmware. I can't seem to find it anymore.
Thanks again
Dennis