Batboard

I have an Analog Saber II that I have been trying to get tuned up for a friend to use on the ham band. It is a 6D VHF 148-174 Saber II secure.

When the radio arrived, it was showing ERR 0 81 on the display, and was otherwise dead. I was able to create a new 6D codeplug for the radio, but it neither receives or transmits. When I press the PTT key, it gives me an error tones.

Anyone have any ideas as to what might be going on?

Either a bad VCO or out of range frequencies programmed in.

I would open up the radio and check the modules to confirm that it is indeed a VHF radio, or it may be a low or high split and you are creating a code plug fro the wrong band split. The other possibility is you are using too fast a computer, I have had problems with even a 486 25 DX mhz machine. You have to remember that radio was designed around the 286/386 generation of computers.

Yup, would have to guess that what you have there is a high-split saber (or at least one module is high-split (162-174). It sounds like the VCO is out of lock.

Also, make sure since it's a secure-capable radio that you have clear voice enable turned on in the RSS, or it won't work without an encryption module. (I think that's what it's called...I don't have my programming PC next to me to look)

Thanks for the info guys... I will crack open this radio and investigate further.

vhacmowilmob wrote:Also, make sure since it's a secure-capable radio that you have clear voice enable turned on in the RSS, or it won't work without an encryption module. (I think that's what it's called...I don't have my programming PC next to me to look)

Unlike the ASTRO line, the secure sabers needed a hardware "bypass" module for it to work correctly, in addition to changing the model number in a new codeplug that would show it as a non-secure radio (IIRC). One can make a bypass module as well (instructions are on the main batboard page somewhere).

FWIW, I just programmed two sabers up last week using a Toughbook CF-27 (P100 CPU I think).