Astro Spectra W3 to W7

[John]

I have a high power Astro Spectra that is currently setup for a W3 head. What does it take to convert it to a W7 head? Can I just dump a W7 s-record in it or does there need to be some other hardware changes? Someone mentioned there may a different interface board inside the high power for a W3 vs. W5/W7 and it might need to be changed. Can anyone confirm this?

John

[jmr061]

Yes the interconnect board for a W3 is different. The board for the W4//5/7/9 are the same but W3 has its own.

Jason

[John]

Is the Astro interconnect board for a W7 the same as an Analog Spectra?

Anyone interested in a swap between a W3 interconnect and a W7 interconnect?

John

[firemedic]

I'd be interested in a swap. I gotta dig out my W9 radio to see that it still has the right board. I ended up with a W3 control head but nothing else during a swap last year. Just let me know.

[John]

I have a board member sending me a W7 interface board. Thanks to all who offered a swap...

John

[SlimBob]

I have a board member sending me a W7 interface board. Thanks to all who offered a swap...

John

I'm sure the board beat a path to your door....

[N9CZV]

Does the low power radio have different hardware for the W3 also.

[SlimBob]

Following from this, is there a list of options and/or hardware necessary to convert a radio to a W3?

[Pj]

You need the interconnect board, the radio zapped to a W3 model, and the W3 Control head/cable. Internally (sans the interconnect board) everything is the same.

[SlimBob]

What's the part numbers for the interconnect board, cable, and control head? It seems that there are several control heads that look the same but are different.

[Pj]

This is the parts breakdown that I have:

HMN4044 W3 Handheld Control Head
HLN6459 W3 Interface Board

Extras:
HKN6095 CABLE, ASTRO (this is the db25 to W3 head, if the head you find doesn't come with the cable)
HLN6185 Rem-Mount, SECURENET Control-Head Hardware
HKN6096 Remote “Y” Cable (used if you have external secure, IIRC)
0102707D81 <-This is the internal W3 control board in the W3 head according to the detailed service manual

[dave.au]

I have never changed the interconnect board, modded two of my W7 astro spectras to W3 with the same interconnect board. Only catch is that you cant turn the radio on via the mic. This is no problem as ive got the B+ wired to accy 12v+

[SYNTORX71MAN]

Which or What one listed above is the extention cable from the W3 head to the trunk mount? (the 12-15 footer)?

[jmr061]

Which or What one listed above is the extention cable from the W3 head to the trunk mount? (the 12-15 footer)?

hkn6096 and it should be 17 feet if I recall right.

Jason

[SYNTORX71MAN]

Ahhhh...Many Thanks..Now if I can Just find one....

[firemedic]

Ok, before I order one, the HLN6459 is the high or low power W3 interconnect board? The only thing I don't have for mine now is the interconnect. Thanks!!!

[N9CZV]

I want to change a W3 to a W9 since my W3 control head died. When I plug in the W9 the controls do not work properly. I changed the interconnect board with one that has a W7 head but no change. Do I need to flash the radio or is there a place to change the control head in the software?

[tvsjr]

You'll need to force in a codeplug with the proper control head type.

[N9CZV]

anyone with a code plug model D04JKH9PW3AN flash code 100001-000000-7 sys package G48

[akardam]

anyone with a code plug model D04JKH9PW3AN flash code 100001-000000-7 sys package G48

If you want to change to a W9, you definitely don't want a W3 codeplug...

[N9CZV]

I gave the code plug that I have presently. I want a W9 codeplug.

[mancow]

So, what happens if you put a W4 remote head on a W3 drawer? I recently got a W3 without a head and would like to read it but with a W4 head plugged in all I get is the fail 01/90 cycle. Is there a way to do this without having an actual W3 head?

[n3obl]

too bad you cant change head types via software.

Frank

[motorola_otaku]

I recently got a W3 without a head and would like to read it but with a W4 head plugged in all I get is the fail 01/90 cycle. Is there a way to do this without having an actual W3 head?

I'm kinda surprised you didn't smoke something doing that.

110W drawer, I assume? HKN4356 remote cable on the W4 remote head? Map out the SB9600 lines (BUS HI, BUS LO, and BUSY) between the W3 front interconnect and the HKN4356 cable plus ignition sense, build a crossover adapter using a DB25 gender-bender hood, and you should at least be able to get the FAIL 01/90 to go away.

[motorola_otaku]

On the HKN4356 DB25 end:
Pin 3 - Ignition
Pin 5 - BUS +
Pin 14 - BUS -
Pin 23 - BUSY
Pin 21 - BUS Shield (the SB9600 lines need to be twisted and shielded)

I'm not having any luck finding the connector pinout for the W3 interconnect in either the Basic or Detailed Astro Spectra service manuals.

[mancow]

I should have clarified. What I actually did was pop the vocon into a hi power w4 radio that happened to have the cover open for testing in the hope that it might at least allow me to read it.

I had no luck with the pinout in the manuals either.