Upgrade Astro Saber2 from 512k to 1Meg+Astro HELP!!

[themedic66]

Hello All,

I would like to upgrade a newly acquired Astro Saber 2 512k to a 1 meg to include IMBE/Astro Digital operation.

Here are the specs on the radio;
512k
Host/DSP of 03/04
Flashcode is 409001-002000-8

Unlike some people who ask questions before researching the topic on the board, I have read and bookmarked over 10 pages using the search but I'm getting some conflicting information and it's kind-of confusing.

From reading other posts, It is my understanding that I need to; (i may be totally off)
(1) Get a 1meg board installed - I have access to a AS1 1Meg to swap the board with
(2) Order a Digital Flash which will automatically update the radio's firmware (Host/DSP)
*Where/who do I go to to get these things done and how much doe they cost?

Can some of the gurus or knowledgeable members here on the board shed some light on exactly what I need to do if I'm missing something?

Any/all help is GREATLY appreciated!!

[Josh]

Hello All,

I would like to upgrade a newly acquired Astro Saber 2 512k to a 1 meg to include IMBE/Astro Digital operation.

Here are the specs on the radio;
512k
Host/DSP of 03/04
Flashcode is 409001-002000-8

Unlike some people who ask questions before researching the topic on the board, I have read and bookmarked over 10 pages using the search but I'm getting some conflicting information and it's kind-of confusing.

From reading other posts, It is my understanding that I need to; (i may be totally off)
(1) Get a 1meg board installed - I have access to a AS1 1Meg to swap the board with
(2) Order a Digital Flash which will automatically update the radio's firmware (Host/DSP)
*Where/who do I go to to get these things done and how much doe they cost?

Can some of the gurus or knowledgeable members here on the board shed some light on exactly what I need to do if I'm missing something?

Any/all help is GREATLY appreciated!!

First, I don't know why triple posting in three different forums was necessary, but anyhow.

You may be able to post here in the forums for a 1-meg board, or find one on eBay- at this point I would think that astro sabers are cheap enough that you could just buy a radio with a 1 meg board altogether. If it's in the band you want, all the better. If not, then a board swap can be done.

Before you do any work, you will want to read and save an s-rec from your current radio in its configuration as a safe-guard. You will want to go into the service mode of the tuner/RSS and copy to paper all the softpot settings.

From there you will need to have handy an s-record in the band you want with the flash you want (typically whore code) and model you want (I, II, III)... someone here on the forums can probably help you there easily.

Write the s-rec to the radio, go into tuner/service mode and manually put the tuning data back into the radio.

As for a firmware refresh, I guess it's around $75 and a dealer/MSS has to do it.

[Batwings21]

Do you know the specs on the 1 meg vocon? Mainly host/ dsp in it? If moto will sell you an imbe upgrade, it will be >$200 at least. There are cheaper ways to do it.

[N4KVE]

A 1 meg board is not necessary for Imbe/Astro operation. Just before the 1 meg board came out in '96, the Astro Sabers were doing Imbe with the 512k board & the current firmware of the time. 5/6. While this firmware is not available from "M" anymore, some people here might be able to help you with an upgrade. Good luck. GARY N4KVE

[themedic66]

Just to Clarify:

The radios that I acquired are in the exact bandsplit that I need (t-band). The only reason why I did not just buy the radios with the 1meg board is because the 512k's are surplus from another agency and are about $50 bucks each - this is why I am going this route (cheaper).

Just a few more questions'
-What is a "s-rec" and how do I access/save it?
-How do I access the "softpots"?
-Since the radio is the model and band that I need would I still need to do what Josh said, "handy an s-record in the band you want with the flash you want (typically whore code) and model you want"?

-Someone said that I do not need a 1meg board to do Astro Digital operation. However, for the amount of channels being programmed (about 200) and the different options that I want, I was told that I would need a 1meg board.

-How and where do I go to get the radio flashed for IMBE. What are the "cheaper ways to do it"?

Thanks!