Adding IMBE to an ASTRO Spectra W/O ANY digital flash option

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Fri Oct 03, 2003 7:37 pm

I know questions like these have been asked before, and I tried to sort through the archives for some information but my efforts leave me confused and still without answers. I just picked up an Astro Spectra today. UHF A7 head for $150.00. Thats right. $150.00. There was no flash code on the case of the radio, and as I suspected, it's flash had a 0 as the first digit. The flash code is 000001-000000-9. Nothing at all in there. It does have a 1 MEG codeplug though. I know there has been talk about forcing these radios to take an IMBE codeplug and have them operate IMBE. This this DOES transmit some sort of digital audio when I key it on an astro channel. I cant decode it on my BC785 or IMBE XTS. I dont know what it's doing. Can someone explain to me, or point me in the direction of some information that would outline how to make this do IMBE? I know it's dependant on DSP, LAB 3.02 and some other variables. I dont know how to check DSP... Anyone care to step me though this so I can get this thing on the air with IMBE?

Thanks, Scott.

Post by **alex** » Fri Oct 03, 2003 7:51 pm

Well, $150 is a good deal... depending on what the radio really is...

To get host/dsp out of the radio - turn the radio on, press home 5 times. This will step you through test mode, and you should get all the info from there and post it here....

I think for an IMBE flash, you'd be looking at 600-800 from Motorola - if you have the right hardware...

Interms of forcing codeplugs with this or that software, it doesn't fall under "recomended procedures" and can lead to other problems.

-Alex

Dale Earnhardt · Post by **Dale Earnhardt** » Fri Oct 03, 2003 8:53 pm

$150.00bucks!?!?!?!!?!?!!?!?!?!!!!!!! WHATTTT lol, where you find that at??? yard sale?

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:31 pm

Thats right. $150.00. He wanted $200.00 and I talked him down.

I'll check the host DSP stuff tonight. I'll do the home trick and see what it comes up with. I'm so glad the batboard is back online. I was beside myself without it!

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:33 pm

I'm gonna hack the hell out of this thing. Make it everything I want it to be. I see all the posts on how to do this stuff and think to myself "You guys are nuts!! This is expensive equipment!!!" Well, for $150.00, I'll take my chances. I also want to put an A9 on this guy... but i'll cross that bridge when I get to it. This thing is useless to me if I cant get it to do IMBE. We'll see where we're at after I post my findings tonight. Cross your fingers for me.

Dale Earnhardt · Post by **Dale Earnhardt** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 6:18 pm

I'll buy it from you if it dont work lol.

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 6:31 pm

I got it in test mode. I think. I turn it on, press home repeatedly and finally got it to display 1CSQ. mode changes the 1,2 or 3 and vol changes a number up or down starting at 160. I think I'm doing something wrong here. All kinds problems. Any ideas?

I've also got a buddy with an Astro saber he picked up over last weekend which was programmed with CPS 3.0. Great. I'm working off version 1.04 I think my options there are get 3.0 or do the "codeplug too new" hack. I've got too many projects.

Dale Earnhardt · Post by **Dale Earnhardt** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 8:12 pm

on the test mode, once it turns on press the home bottom 4 or 5 times, then after that, press the vol button or was it chan, then it should start scrolling through the info if I rmember if its the same as my analong spectra.

Yeah, dont you hate that when ppl use a version higher then yours?! its a pain in the butt.

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 9:22 pm

I"ll try hitting channel or vol in the morning. i dont care that they use a higher version... I hate that moto wont let you go backwards. At what they charge for programming software, I can't believe they get away with that.

The Pager Geek · Post by **The Pager Geek** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 6:46 am

You hit "home" too many times.

After the self-check clears, press home 5 times. Once it says "Service" it will scroll thru information about the radio.

Host Version
DSP Version... (Include the letter, I, N, or A)
Control Head Version
Model Number
Serial Number
Vocoder version (512K or 1meg)
Flash code

If you have encryption or siren or other stuff, it will display that too.

Toa answer your original question, you will need:
Host Version
DSP Version
Flash Code
Vocoder Version will help, but not critical.

tpg

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 7:08 am

I tried that too... It powers up. Self test. Then I hit HOME 5 times. It didn't do anything. I'll try again tonight. Another problem I'm seeing is the power button doesn't work. Radio reads with CPS 1.04 and writes fine. I wonder if this has fallen victim to someone elses failed projects? I'll try again this evening to get it into test mode. The only way I can toggle the power is to pull the cord. If I cannot get into the service menu, is there some other way to get this info? Can I get it through CPS?

Scott.

nitornemo · Post by **nitornemo** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:52 am

ssybert wrote: If I cannot get into the service menu, is there some other way to get this info? Can I get it through CPS?

Scott.

After you read the radio in CPS you can get the flash and DSP/codeplug/firmware info out of the "radio Info" sub-tree menu and the "tracking" tab.
ONLY after you read the plug! Once you save the file and reaccess it the info isn't there.

.

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 7:12 am

nitornemo,

Any idea why I cannot get to the service menu from the head? Power button doesn't work either. I tried it on my analog in the car and got in no problem so I know I'm doing the procedure correctly.

Scott.

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 7:02 pm

Ok gentlemen.. I've gotten the info requested:

Codeplug: 000C
Firmware: 75.20.xx.xx
DSP Software: I05.01.04
System Package: G48
Flashcode: 000001-000000-9
External Codeplug Size: 2485

Model #: D04RKH9PW7AN
Serial #: 412WW0xxx

Ok.. Where do I go from here?

Thanks, Scott.

P.S. I never did endup getting this info from the service menu... I had to read the radio per nitornemo's instructions.

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 3:59 pm

front panel program can be disabled if so desired with the RSS

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 7:26 pm

Deleted.

Post by **alex** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 5:53 am

It's pretty much worth what you paid for it.

If you like 800 conventional radios, it's the one for you. You can get it upgraded so it will do 800 trunking and other assorted fun stuff - however, for IMBE, you really need to have the firmware upgraded.

-Alex

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 6:05 am

Deleted.

werdnuts · Post by **werdnuts** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:44 am

hehe... you might never see it again.... anyone ever figure out how to hack in a whored out fc for radios w/ simple ones?

Post by **alex** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 9:09 am

My bad...

I don't know why I was thinking 800.

Honestly, do as you wish with it - either way, UHF conventional is a usefull, good radio - no question. If it was 800, it would be worth a bit less, as you can get an analog spectra and accomplish the same stuff...

Interms of Host/DSP upgrades, flashing, and other sorts of stuff that's on Motorola's we don't want you to know how to do it list falls into gray space. There are always ways to get what you want cheaper - but just think about what price you could be accomplishing those goals.

-Alex

ssybert · Post by **ssybert** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 9:15 am

Deleted.

RESCUE161 · Post by **RESCUE161** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:50 am

I know, I know!!! Send it to NATE! Let him hack the crap out of it. He said he didn't have any Astros to play with...

He is the hack master and maybe could find some way of "getting what you want" out of an ASTRO Spectra...

Saloro-Tom · Post by **Saloro-Tom** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 2:59 am

Hi there,

I have 2 radios with the same details and you will find its VSELP. Digital operation does not appear in the flashcode for these radios using the Decoder wheel, but they all have Digital enabled in VSELP format.

Hope this helps.

Tom