Saber II won't transmit

[surgeon]

Hi all,
I have a Saber II (secure) which had the "omit memory" option set. I took a peek inside and found no less than 5 circuits, making it in fact a 10-zone Saber and not just a 4-zone ditto. Hence i proceeded to shake it up as per the batlabs instructions and programmed it with a brand spanking new codeplug identical to the previous but having the "omit memory" option UNset. Everything went like charm apart from a small detail: the radio won't transmit. The red LED comes on just fine and the slight interference of my old computer monitor tells me that it is transmitting SOMETHING, SOMEWHERE. I just don't have a clue where. It receives just fine on all the channels programmed into it, but it just won't transmit as per instructions... (And no, I haven't mistakenly put the clear/encrypted selector on encrypted either).
I went ahead and set the "omit memory" option to see if there was any change, but no joy. I'm quite lost, has anyone else heard something like this before?

The RSS used was 07.01.00 and the radio is a Saber II (Secure).

[mike m]

Lets see if I understand correctly your programming and testing your radio without proper RF test equipment, you said that you are using a PC monitor to determine that it's transmitting somewhere.

Also you haven't told us what frequencies you programmed in, what the model # is, what other options are programmed in, how new is your battery what your programming setup is, what you PC is, your programming cable and your rib box.

Before you go any further with everyone here speculating for you as to what the problem is, get some type of test equipment to determine where it is transmitting since it sounds like it may be transmitting somewhere and there may not be a problem at all.

Even a cheap scanner that covers the frequency range of your radio will do.

There are a lot us on here who are well versed in the Saber line but without knowing if there is a real problem with your radio, well then we can't help you any further.


Mike

[surgeon]

Mike,

You're quite right - i wrote the post without proper (if any) thought as to what I was writing. My sincerest apologies for this behavior. I'm a guest at this outstanding site, and I will make every effort not to do the same mistake twice.

The radio is a Saber II (secure) with the clear/secure switch, radio model number H43QXJ7139CN. The cable and the RIB is aftermarket versions that's worked excellent with my other Sabers and the PC is an old Victor 386. The options I've set so far are: H371, H346, H380, H153 and H359.

The problem seems to be the codeplug. If I program the radio as a clear radio (SA instead of QX in this case), the radio transmits just fine. Creating a new QX codeplug (or using one from another radio) creates the beforementioned behavior of transmitting dead air.

So, my question is thus: what do I need to do to a newly created secure saber codeplug in order to convince it to accept clear transmission with the DES module in place? Is there any "Saber codeplug creation for complete and utter idiots (such as myself)"?

[N7QQU-Ken]

You mentioned that it transmits dead air. So the radio does transmits but no audio is heard.

Check to make sure there is an encription module installed or a jumper installed.

Common problem when someones sells radio and wants to keep the module to sell or keep.

Let us know what you find.

N7QQU-Ken

[surgeon]

Ken,

the encryption module is there all right, and my conclusion that the problem seems to be related to the codeplug stems from the fact that the radio worked just fine before I decided to "adjust" it to a proper 8K radio. I read somewhere that the Saber might decide to behave like this on clear transmission (i.e not transmit anything but dead air) unless something is set in the RSS, I'm just trying to figure out what (Note to self: if a radio works as a 2K, DON'T touch it.)

/Alexander

[vhacmowilmob]

Make sure you have the option "Clear voice slaved to a mode" selected, and I would also select "Delete secure/clear switch". I don't have the option numbers in front of me, but that might do it.

Brad
W0VHA

[surgeon]

Brad,

both options checked and unchecked, no difference whatsoever. I'm going slightly mad over this; a Saber II *with* a DES module that's decided ONLY to transmit if the radio is programmed as a clear radio. I'm beginning to suspect the DES module in itself unless someone comes up with a better idea

[mike m]

Sorry I didn't mean to be rude with my comments but just the thought of the radio transmitting on some unknown frequency and possibly interfering with someone is scary, especially if it's for public safety use.

If you think there's something causing the problem that's related to the encryption module then why not make up an encryption bypass module and wire it in, this eliminates one less problematic module.

If the problem still exists then it's somewhere else.

If you do a search for bypass module you should come up with some information.


Mike

[surgeon]

Mike,

No worries, I didn't take it as rudeness at all

I'll yank out the DES module and insert a piece of wire in it's place and see what happens.