Batboard

I recently aquired an Astro spectra VHF W9 conventional only radio with the following numbers: T04KLH9PW9AN-UCM and 080001-002000-7
I have the flash decoded and am wondering about some other stuff about this radio. I am familiar with non astro spectras, but these are a foreign animal to me.
1. I know it will do narrowband, but will it do splinter channels?
2. Will it go down to 144 for the full 2M HAM band?
3. How do I know which version of RSS it uses?
4. Does it have 255 channel capability?

Any other info about this radio is appreciated.

Mike

The "-UCM" means that it shipped with a Universal Cryptographic Module installed which may or may not still be there, and if it is may or may not have been flashed with any algorithms. Being that the radio was flashed for Multikey and OTAR (the x8xxxx part of the flash) the UCM was likely flashed for DES-XL.

It will only do 6.25 and 7.5kHz spacing with a 2.5kHz RF board. This is usually denoted by a "2.5kHz" marker on the serial tag, but it could have been upgraded in the field.

Yes, it will do 144-148 with a software hack.

W3s, W7s, and W9s were all 254 mode-capable. Only W4s and W5s were restricted to 128 modes.

Thanks for info. It does have the 2.5 kHz on the side tag and it also has DVP. I did the press home key 5 times for info and DVP displayed. It also has a secure key in the head. I press it and radio does go secure. I deselect and it goes back to clear. I am still unable to get the radio to read and have CPS 5.03 on the way to me. I hope that works. The radio bench tests perfectly. As soon as I get it to read I will post some more info.

Success at last. I have been able to both read and write to radio. Radio performs great in HAM band.....down to 145.190, but seems to have some odd audio TX settings. I have some follow-up questions

1.The audio sounds like a 3-D concert hall and am wondering what is setting to get rid of that?

2. Is there a page on here or somewhere the encryption? If I am able to get a leyloader will it do both DES and DVP? I am a total rookie in this area?

3. Radio was set up for OTAR? I have seen that in some FED stuff, but who else would use? Radio had both some fed and state stuff in it.

4. I am gonna practice with software and get used to it; sure isn't like regular spectra RSS.

Thanks and any other advice appreciated,

MIke

1. Its a digital radio. There is delay between your tx audio and what you hear on your speaker. Talking to someone else, you will sound normal.

2. Search is your friend. DES and DVP are generally mutually exclusive unless you have a special flash. NO, it will only do what the flash says, in this case, DVP.

3. Feds, State, power companies, darn near anyone else who needs OTAR. I use it in my personal radios. Beats having to attach to the radio.

4. Good luck.

I am putting together some more questions but want to know this one ASAP. Does this have zone capability and if so how do I enable it? I see a zone selection and the bottom of the menu, but the fields are shaded and do not allow entry of info.