Batboard

N4UMJ

Re: ASTRO SABER III 403-470 Codeplug Needed

Model Number is: H04RDH9PW7AN

A fellow Batlabs member was so kind as to help me with this matter.

Now to figure out this new beast of a radio! :D

Thanks to all who responded!

I MADE A PAYPAL CONTRIBUTION TO BATLABS TODAY TO HELP SUPPORT THE CAUSE ...

N4UMJ

There is a mic gain adjustment in addition to the deviation setting in the CORE 6D version if you by chance have that version. There you can select -3dB, 0dB, +3dB and 6dB of Microphone Gain. Not too sure what is the most common setting but the default is 0 dB according to the Saber User Guide.

As ...

N4UMJ

I believe this "pin 8 Opt B+" is for powering up active circuitry necessary to activate the VOX feature. I know it is utilized by the SVA (for radio voltage monitoring) too when connected to one.

On a related Saber stuck PTT topic there was a service bulletin about the RTK4203 Program Test Cable ...

N4UMJ

I am trying to align a Systems Saber on coventional channels and found it's completely different from the regular Saber.

I see the Deviation limiting level is 80mV at 1 kHz. Figured that out...

Specifically I am stuck on the TX Deviation Balance / Level adjustment. On the older Saber you used ...

N4UMJ

Hey Tom,

Thanks for the Saber manuals as I just picked them up a couple hours ago at the Post office and am looking through them as I speak.

Lots of other neat service related tidbits in this NST Saber Technician Guide and SB's that I have never seen or heard of relating to the Saber.

Thanks ...

N4UMJ

From the Motorola SVA Instruction Manual it
shows a Part Number of:

3605163T01

and a Description of:

KNOB, Snap-On

Eddie

N4UMJ

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 95368&rd=1

A manual is listed on eBay right now for those still interested.

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

One more thing here is a neat link relating to Oscilloscope Bandwidth that I ran across months back......

http://www.tek.com/Measurement/cgi-bin/ ... illoscopes

Eddie

N4UMJ

Hey Blazeorange,

Buying the seperate boxes instead of a service monitor worked for me but it is not very portable at all. My start in communications was working the VHF Communications Avionics Bench in a commercial airline avionics shop and they relied heavily on the seperate box approach so it was ...

N4UMJ

Just a further note on what I observed......

My Saber idle current (volume down and no receive) was about 200mA on the confused and corrupted Saber.

After the U400 reset and the PTT sequence mentioned above it went to the normal 60-70mA and of course the radio functioned and programmed normally ...

N4UMJ

Abbylind,

I was able to restore one of my long lost Sabers and it was sort of like opening up a combination lock.

Certain documented procedures and of course a well equipped Saber Test Bench to power up the Saber out of its housing makes this a lot easier. I came across a RTL-4225A Motorola test ...

N4UMJ

As usual the Parts have yet to come in via snail mail but I will leave an update on the progress when I give it a try.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

That particular diode is across pins 5 and 7 (3 and 4?) of the 3/4 Pole Filter module in my VHF Systems Saber.

It has a marked Part Number part number of 4151 which I would think would be a 1N4151(listed as a small signal diode).

Lack of the proper schematics for this has me puzzled as to what ...

N4UMJ

My first mistake when I started working on the Sabers was re-installing the Reference Module upside down. Could not figure out for a while what I did wrong.

I tackled one of the Saber TMSS switch changeouts last night and that will try your patience!

All just part of the ongoing Saber learning ...

N4UMJ

I have all the parts here for a VHF Systems Saber 1 build up except for a controller board for it.

Anyone know if you can swap the VHF Systems Saber 1 Controller Board (the one above the speaker) with a UHF Systems Saber 1 Controller Board ?

Looks like from the service manual that the controller ...

N4UMJ

Forgot to mention in case you did not know the NTN4786A and the NTN4734A are both Saber Desktop Rapid Chargers and only differ in what I can tell by the fuse position and label.

Here again I don't have a schematic or other documentation supporting it's use on both 220 and 115 but it seems Motorola ...

N4UMJ

MOTOMAN....

I received a NTN4786A 220VAC charger and it had provisions by reconfiguring (rotating) the fuse holder to set it up for 115VAC operation. There are about three or four wires there that go to the primary of the transformer and also the fuse holder. The fuse holder does double duty as a ...

N4UMJ

Here is a previous post on that subject:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=13471&highlight=board+green

My Saber II backlight does stay on during scan if activated but otherwise it times out in 20 seconds if on a fixed channel/mode.

I can't advise on the resistor mod mentioned but it ...

N4UMJ

I am only going to be servicing the Saber and Systems here and I am thinking of building my own RTX-4005B to save a few dollars (yeah another Ham!) and have come up with a few questions.

Looking at the RTX-4005B and the Service Cable Schematics:

http://www.batlabs.com/images/sabsvc.gif

http ...

N4UMJ

I use the self igniting butane "Master Appliance Ultratorch Model UT-100SI".

http://www.masterappliance.com/selfign.html

It's on the larger size but it has a nice butane reserve. Mine came with a solder tip, heat shrink shield and flameless heat tip. It sure makes an easy job of terminating ...

N4UMJ

Could also be a low power version.....

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

I had washed one of the non-submersible Saber housing here and put the radio back together and noticed the sound was way down. Waited overnite and things were back to normal. That was why I was thinking it was a sponge like felt of some sort that would actually hold water.

Funny you should mention ...

N4UMJ

On another Saber 1 was working on this weekend I found the Housing on a Submersible Saber to have the word (SUBMERSIBLE) embossed into the housing under the large square Motorola Placard/Decal.

You would never see this unless that placard was removed.

Another thing I have observed is the ...

N4UMJ

Somewhat similar to the WD-40 I use the "Solder Seal" Brand - Silicone Spray Lubricant to remove adhesive. Works great and leaves a protective shine.

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

OK...further info.

I disassembled one here and there is an "O"ring under the coaxial plug that in effect helps hold tension on the gold "C" clip.

I pulled the gold strip in an inward direction (unseated it) and that free'ed up the coaxial plug. I was able to get an exacto razor knife under the ...

N4UMJ

Thanks for that Part Number and info Dave.......

I went to the Motorola Site before posting the previous message but was unable to turn anything up on it. Then again I don't have the Motorola Access setup either. Sure miss the old days when I did.

I'm amazed at some of the lower priced manuals ...

N4UMJ

John,

If you disassemble the saber down to having the rear side of the Main Board exposed you should see a flat Gold "U" shaped piece of metal extending below where the "Round Accessory Coaxial Connector" is located. This is where the Public Safety Mic or Service cable would plug/screw in. The RF ...

N4UMJ

Thanks Alan!

I just got one of these a while back off ebay and have been confounded by it also. Now with your help I have the single and two tone figured out.

The one here is a Model R-1151A and I got it mainly to test out the QCII function on the Sabers and the CTCSS/DCS also.

I am not sure how ...

N4UMJ

Just a further note on the low audio TX issue..............

Operator error ( in the "Align parameters" ) was the problem here.

"OO" as a value (bottom of the graph) as shown on the audio processing does not mean the audio processing is disabled.

It needs to show the graph at the bottom and "FF ...

N4UMJ

Anyone ever seen one of these NMN6166CSP01 Saber speaker mics? It has a box about 1" X 3/4" X 1/2" off to the side where the connector clips on the radio. Sure makes it bulky in comparison to the plain connector.

I took the connector apart and saw three wires that connect internally to it. Can't ...

N4UMJ

Physically speaking, there is absolutely no difference between an FM approved radio and one that is not. Ah-hem... WITH the exception of the sticker.
-werdnuts

I am looking at an internal sticker on the frame of my Saber 1 that says

"WARNING: FOR FACTORY MUTUAL APPROVED PRODUCTS, SUBSTITION ...

N4UMJ

I understood when you (Batdude) specified "Bandsplit" when referencing the motherboard swap.

I tried to be specific here as possible. It is somewhat confusing even when asking the question in a detailed manner.

So it is apparent from what you guys are saying that the front face panel is indeed ...

N4UMJ

One thing no one wants or needs is a dead Saber!

Specifically my two UHF Systems Saber Front Panel part numbers are NTN5934G and NTN5934H.

The VHF Systems Saber seem to be hard to come across in the plain 1 version. I don't really care for the keypad or extra bells and whistles (higher $$ of ...

N4UMJ

Appreciate that info!

I have been waiting for a VHF Systems Saber 1 to pop up but have not been lucky.

Looks like it will be a piece together version for now with the information you gave me.

I have everything here except for the Motherboard.

Thanks again,

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

Systems Saber Hardware question.........

Are the front panel boards (above the speaker) the same between a VHF and UHF Systems Saber 1? I have a UHF Systems Saber 1 and was wondering if all I need is just a main motherboard and the necessary VHF modules to convert it to VHF?

On the same topic are ...

N4UMJ

Don't overlook John's Programmer seen here:

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=barnwell%40vnet.net&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=25

works well on the Saber series.

The 9 volt battery is secured in a holder and will certainly stay put unless it is prised out ...

N4UMJ

Hey Tom,

Check the last message in this eham review for ICOM wiring info.

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/628

Turner Plus 3 is a great Desk Mic !

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

Also where is the channel info / core ID stored on the motherboard or in a module ???

CORE is stored in the Microprocessor on the Main Transceiver Board (Mu'tha Board) :lol:

Sounds like the CORE is different between the two Sabers you have there.

Are you using 6D or 8D options in your older ...

N4UMJ

If you have an external Speaker Mic try it out and see what happens.

If the TX audio comes up in volume you have some sort of internal problem. Could be a radio Mic element bad, blockage etc.

I have a Saber III here with low audio and I am waiting for a UHF main board to arrive to see if that ...

N4UMJ

Anytime Jonathan........

Let me know if you find a source that does not have a minimum order. I figure these would go for around $5.00 and I only need two.

Eddie

N4UMJ

Check out:

http://www.rfparts.com/connectors.html

9N looks like a close match.

Be sure to look for the proper depth on this.

I picked up one at a Hamfest and it turned out to be too deep.

I plan on converting both my Icom 2800H's to "N"'s eventually

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

Jonathan,

Also do a search on ebay under the words "Hobbs Meter".

These are used in Aviation quite a bit.

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

Here's a neat Hummer Mod Page:

http://www.rickcrider.com/compendium.htm

This guy really does things the right way!

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

Maybe the micro crystal is failing on this one too...did you replace yours and did it cure the problem??

I had a spare x-tal in my Saber junkbox here and yes it fixed it.

Could be my radio suffered a drop or something and therefore made it intermittent. It was one of those "As Is" units ...

N4UMJ

I had System Saber that was intermittent and it turned out to be a faulty Microprocessor Crystal.

It would fail sporadically and heat (hairdryer) would bring it back to life. Component cooler spray would kill it.

Not sure if this is the same with yours but mine would beep a couple times before ...

N4UMJ

Anyone got one of these they could scan and send to me?

I have a Telex Boomset Mic I am trying to adapt over for usage with the Saber and am going to use the insides of a Saber Mic to accomplish this.

Thanks,
Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

Check out this guys website.

http://www.dapcom.com/mobileradios.htm

He has hooked a Motorola Maxtrac Mic to his IC706MKIIG which may be very similar.

I always wanted to try that on my Icoms here.

Eddie
N4UMJ

N4UMJ

Heat and Cooling applied to the area of Y400 (Crystal for Microprocessor IC400) on the main board seems to trigger the problem. Component ID was done with my regular Saber schematic as that is all I have here.

Removed and Replaced Y400 and it looks like it may be fixed.

Luckily it was not a ...

N4UMJ

One Zone only 16 Ch. I'm not completely sure if you lose a channel or not by setting a channel to "scan" the other channels in the radio.

This would be for conventional. If you are using the radio for trunked talkgroups, then I don't know because I have not tried
that. It would probably be the ...

N4UMJ

I was sort of thinking the same thing and originally took the radio housing and gave it a good toothbrush washing with warm water and a Lab type detergent for electronics. I even tried some positive pressure from within the casing to try and drive any foreign debris out that might have been in the ...

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