Help!!!! What to change in MDF file for MCS2000 900MHz Ham

This forum is for the discussions targeted at converting various models of Motorola equipment to operate in the 900MHz Amateur Band.

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wd9cms
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Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2002 10:29 am

Help!!!! What to change in MDF file for MCS2000 900MHz Ham

Post by wd9cms »

I am new at this. Please help me to get my MCS2000 to operate in the 900 Ham Band!!!What do I need to change in the .MDF file to be able to program my radio into to the 900 band??????? I have searched for the band edges with no luck.....If any one can tell me which line and hex code I need to change that would be great!!!!! I am running CPS software. (Or does someone have the capability to program my radio????)

Thanks,
Bill, WD9CMS
444.775 PL131.8/NAC293
927.900 PL131.9/NAC293
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n7slc
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Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by n7slc »

I too need that info!

I don't think there's a mod(yet) for the MCS2000 CPS.

Dan
radiobug
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Post by radiobug »

Pointless, as mine won't go below about 927.7 anyway, despite reports to the contrary!
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n7slc
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Post by n7slc »

I've got one that'll rx down to 923. Not sure why, but it does.

It's one of six very early models that Motorola in FL traded our company because we found a bug in the LCS2000 firmaware. The MCS was the only other mobile they had at the time that would do SmartZone. The serial number is in the low 200's.

I'm seeing a lot of the newer models not stretching as far as some of the older models.

Dan
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alex
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Post by alex »

You should be able to follow the modification procedure as detailed in the MTS/MTSX/Mt2000 pages to get it to take in the software. From there, it's up to the hardware in the radio to decide where it'll go.

-Alex
PETNRDX
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What radios do you own?: Too many

Post by PETNRDX »

I have my MCS2000 working fine on the 902 / 927 splits, but it won't do the middle of the band simplexes. I get the VCO unlock fail message. If people still need the .MDF info, send me a PM and I will dig it out and post it.
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n7slc
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Post by n7slc »

Please correct me if I am wrong, but the .MDF mod only works on the older, DOS-based versions. So far, there doesn't seem to be a mod for the CPS Windows-based stuff.

Dan
PETNRDX
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What radios do you own?: Too many

Post by PETNRDX »

You may be right. As I said, I did this a couple of years ago. I have in front of me the HEX address of the charaters to change to set the BAND LIMITS on an MCS2000 to make the radio "accept" freqs from 851.0125 to 935.0125 and not run into checksum problems. I don't have in front of me the name of the file I modified, but it was probably not the MDF, more likely ODB. I guess if someone needs it, I better dig out all the info.
PETNRDX
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Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: Too many

Post by PETNRDX »

You change the MCS.ODB file for RSS version 5.05 this is the dos version that came on the original CPS disk if you didn't want to run the Win version. Use your favorite HEX editor like the old Norton Utility.
Use the FIND feature to find:
901.9875 at offset 118,917 h 1D085 change the h30 to h33
Now reads 931.9875 SAVE
find 935.0125 at offset 119,996 h 1DFBD change the h33 to h30
1D4FBE change the h35 to h30
Now reads 900.0125 SAVE
find 935.0125 again, at offset 120,989 1D89C change h33 to h30
1D89E change h35 to h30
Now reads 900.0125 SAVE.
You are done.
Always save an original version, in case you mess up. And the usual disclaimer, don't blame me or anyone else if you mess up.
PM me if you have questions...
wd9cms
Posts: 189
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2002 10:29 am

Thanks!!!!

Post by wd9cms »

PETNRDX

Thanks for the information I will give it a try this weekend!!!!!!!
Bill, WD9CMS
444.775 PL131.8/NAC293
927.900 PL131.9/NAC293
n2rld
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:03 pm
What radios do you own?: Ht1250,MTX9250,XPR6550,MCS2000

CPS hacking

Post by n2rld »

I hacked CPS R01.05.00, I looked you the band limits from a post by PETNRDX http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=13729 (thanks)

and it worked nice I am now able to enter anything from 902 to 928 in the CPS screens and save the file, I have not as of yet programed the radio as i only hacked the MCS2000 exe as of last nite and was up late... I will be doing that over the weekend

Karl
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