Batboard

Just wondering if anyone has tried this rib box posted on ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dl ... 1292172627

Thanks

Carlos

Never used that brand before. I bought an aftermarket RIB from Texas-2-way about 3 years ago and have had no problems with it. I think they went out of business or something but if I were to not buy a Moto RIB then I'd buy a Polaris RIB.

The one on Ebay looks ok but I don't like how the 9-volt battery is left to hang off of the connector body...looks like a potential Monty fix-er-up maker

I use a Sandy Ganz built RIB and have never had any compatibility problems. It comes as a kit or prebuilt and tested.

If anyone else has one of these RIBs, did you ever use it on a HT/CDM firmware upgrade?

We tried doing an upgrade yesterday with a Polaris, and they won't work.
The OEM Motorola RIB worked fine, however.

I do not remember the web address for Sandy. If anyone has it, I'm sure they'll post it.

I bought one of these RIB's from 2wayprogramming.com. It works well with my Astro Saber @ Spectras, and a normal Spectra and saber radios. My only complaint is the battery connector. As you can see via the .jpg on e-bay it does not have an on/off switch nor does it have a power on LED. When your done using the RIB you have to remove the 9 volt battey which dangels via the battery connector wires. Other than it it works great (so far)

Dan....

This is the unit I constructed in about an hour. Costs me around $50.00 It has the 9Vdc ON/OFF switch with LED indicator and a switchable front RJ45/ DB25 switch.

Unassembled Version(case extra):

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dl ... 1269991920

And Assembled version:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dl ... 1291640111

All you need is a soldering iron and the time. All the parts are in individual brown envelopes with the value written on them. It is really a breeze to assemble. Parts placement diagram is included. I am using this with an IBM PS/2 Model 56SLC(386 @ 20MHz) Desktop and it works fine on the Sabers.

Don't overlook thrift shops. I bought the computer for $6.99 from Goodwill and it works fine. Just had to blow the dust out of it!(literally)

Eddie

Love the Monty reference!!!!!!!!1

OK, Ok, since someone wants a Monty
( response )Reference, here it is....I guess I will always get into trouble one way or another.

Anyhow, I am still a " Strong" suporter
of Motorola Rib Boxes ( period ) and its
not just because I sell them. They are Built
with superior componets, tested, Dual Power
Supply supports, and overall, a well made
Computrer Interface Box.

I really hate having to tell persons I charge
a fair and reasonable amount to repair radios
that have been corrupted from a Clone rib Box. Some are pretty simple, some take hours
to restore.

NOT all clones are bad !!, however, even Motorola has " Upgraded" there original Rib
Box to make it Friendly with " every" radio
Motorola makes.


With Clones, this is Not always the case. Many times wires " Hanging" off the Side, Nip
Clips ( from the GP300 Clones ) off Ebay actually make me alot of monies.

About 1/2 the persons trying to hold a Nip
Clip to the Programming contact on a GP300/P110/GP350 corrupt the radio, and I just let thme know I can fix it if it happens.

These types of Boxes that are Home-made, with
wires hanging off the sides, and or Nip Clip
Cables, coupled with a pentium class computers can spell certain disaster with " Some " Motorola Radio.

Just because a Pentium might work on a MTS2000, does not mean it will work on a HT50/P100, Maxtracs, Radius Mobiles and the
like. Some do, some don't. I do not risk it !

The only reason I frown on POLARIS Rib Boxes
is due to the Polaris not even willing to send a Diagram of their Box, so when the develope a problem, one can fix it, and I have a good Polaris Grave Yard full of dead
Polaris Rib Boxes, and Polaris has Horrible
( if NO customer support )

Motorola Sends a complete Diagram and
Schmatic with every box they sell,
and will support it as well

Most already know, that with corrupted / Copied Software, and the likelyhood of a problem with a clone, just is not worth the
Difference in the Time and Effort if a radio
becomes corrupted.

I mean really, look at all the revisions the
CDM / Pro series have.....We are doing all the Quality-Control work ( and for free ) when it comes to keeping a customers radio
alive,

Before I push ( F8 ) on any radio I service, I make sure I have the Proper Hardware, including a Factory Rib box, New Battery, and
even a UPS for the Computer " Just in case"
there is a power glich....." it has happened"
and this is to protect the persons radio which has been left in my hands for service &
or programmimg.

Unfortunitely as we enter into the " new "
world of radios, one will have to keep up
with the proper support Hardware to make
these things work right.

Anyhow, I have mentioned this before....

I sure would not risk programminmg my customers radios on sloppy
Clone Cables or Boxes, but most persons here
are pretty savy and probably over 70% of them
could build the Rib Box, and cables from parts laying arounf their shop. Not all persons are that lucky.

MS

I guess I am somewhat of a "risktaker" after reading msisco9939's message on non-"M" RIB's.

I agree with his comments on Motorola's superior quality of parts and documentation and support. They are in a class by themselves.

The RIB clone I purchased seemed to be of above average quality. It had 2% resistors, Mil-Spec. I.C.'s , a quality made double sided P.C. Board, and sufficient documentation for me to troubleshoot if needed down the road.

That was my reasoning for posting the feedback. I figured I would share the experience of what worked in my case here on the forum.

I've been involved in electronics since my teenage years and am also a Ham Radio operator. So, I had a sufficient technical background to build the RIB. It's final testing was on my Saber III. I am fortunate that programming was successful in my case.

However, building a clone RIB assumes a certain basic level of electronics background and maybe I should have clarified that. What took me an hour may take a novice several hours. If you have never soldered before, please don't undertake this RIB kit project. Buy the preassembled one!

I spent many hours researching this whole Motorola Programming deal before I made up my mind to attempt it. I did read many horror stories about code-plug programming failures in the newsgroups and it about scared me away from even buying a Saber and RIB knowing I could end up with several paperweights! However, I knew in the end I could have a radio that would blow away my little ICOM so, I took the chance. I admit, I was a little apprehensive when I went to do the final PF8 on my Saber too!

The reason I opted for a clone RIB box was that I knew I was only going to be programming one type of radio and verified with the seller that this RIB was compatible with the Saber series before I purchased it.

However, in the end I think the price was the primary reason for my choice. This is my Hobby and not my profession so I have smaller budget for these things and hams are known to improvise (scrimp on things)when necessary. Plus, I learned a little about the RIB when constructing it so I won't be afraid to dive in and repair it if ever necessary.

I have seen the mention of Hard Drive reliability factors in the context of programming these radios. Mortality can strike at any moment with any component so maybe it is worth considering.

I was surprised to hear that the Polaris RIB's had such a bad reputation for failing. The unit looks professional as does the info. on their website but looks are deceiving, I suppose. Thanks msisco9939 for that tidbit.

If Two-Way was my profession, I would not think twice about the additional expense for the proper commercial grade quality Motorola RIB.

I think my most important asset has been the information gleaned from the reference material and user contributions here on the Forum at Bat-Labs.

So, with some of the money I saved on the RIB, I simply applied it to a donation to Bat-Labs. The short period this site was down made me aware of how important it really is.

Thanks again to everyone here at the LAB!

Eddie
N4UMJ
Matthews NC

Eddie, Your last paragraph was A+++++

I will be making a donation to batlabs soon and hope that more of "us" out there will also. I also was "pissed" when they went "dont" for a while and am VERY glad Bat is Back.........

Well put CHEFA2001, Batlabs has been an extreme valuable source of information for me. I freeked out with Batlabs went down. Think I'll be donating via PayPal. I don't want Batlabs to ever go down!