What to look for in Astro mobiles and portables

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Tue Nov 06, 2001 4:32 pm

Ok. I'm considering to start shopping for astro replacements for my analog radios (MTS2000 and Spectra A9) and while I have an excellent understanding of motorola equipment, trunking and digital systems as well as fluency in the model # and flashcode ID I still have some questions. What specifically should I look for in the way of model numbers on Astro Saber and Astro Spectra radios? What features sets are basic to say conventional only or trunked radios? I ask this because I've never seen astro radios with the same flash code. I understand that a lot of features and flashed as requested by an the purchaser, but there has to be a basic setup. What firmware and flashcodes should I look for? What should I stay away from? I'll be replacing VHF, UHF and 800 Mhz mobile and portable, one of each.

Post by Pj » Tue Nov 06, 2001 10:53 pm

Well, figure spending lots of $$$ for all three radios.

As a real basic reponse since I am at work and my brain is more fried then usual, I will offer this.

IF you need digital, look for radios that are already flashed for IMBE, at the least. If you can get one with the APCO-25 flashed into it, you will pretty much have a univeral digital radio (in reguards to talking with other radios in the digital mode).

Flashport upgrades are EXPENSIVE and difficult to obtain. Just about every option is available with any of the models, however not all options will work with each other, and some may be limited by the type of control head used (ie having all the MDC1200 buttons available, DTMF etc).

As for basic flashcodes, 100001 000000 1 will get you APCO 25 CAI (basic digital radio, conventional), and 000001 - 000000 - 0 will get you plain old convential operation "standard radio". Most will come with MDC1200 PTT standard (never seen one without) and DTMF.

There are many radios out there that are VSELP which was one of the first digital formats. These radios can by flash upgraded, but still, that gets expensive.

As for a model number, it works just like the spectra's. Go to the Astro Saber detail page here at batlabs. It applies to both the mobile and portable, and you can figure out what you want.

Another thing to watch for are some of the Ebay astro's. Make sure that you a model number and flashcode before you bid, and check them vs the flashdecoder here on batlabs (interactive version). There are a few radios that were hacked to have options that were never properly flashed into a radio. I picked up a UHF radio that it thought it had Smartzone trunking. Sure, the flashcode in the RSS and the radio said it, but there was no trunking options that were available. Also this radio showed that it had the advanced MDC1200 on it. Problem was that once it received a MDC data burst, the radio would reset. Hmmmm.

Is this what you are looking for, or need more?

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Tue Nov 06, 2001 11:09 pm

I should have mentioned I'd be looking for IMBE CAI radios. There is only one digital system here right now and its IMBE CAI. TO my knowledge no VSELP systems exist in my state (IL) At minimum I'd be looking for smartnet/smartzone conventional on all bands, MDC, DTMF, QCII, IMBE CAI, and of course analog, encryption is purely a bonus right now. Also which portable? Astro Saber or XTS? I've had saber and systems sabers in the past ( I know entirely different animal) currently using MTS2000 portables. Anything I should watch out for besides early vselp radios? How hard is it to get Flash upgrades? I get conflicting info. The shop i frequent can get them for MTS2000 has no idea about astro as they don't deal with that model at all.

Post by Pj » Wed Nov 07, 2001 12:24 am

Check your private messages

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Pj on 2001-11-07 03:24 ]</font>

Spectra God · Post by **Spectra God** » Sat Nov 10, 2001 3:03 pm

If your looking for a 800 and vhf saber, I have one of each, both are IMBE CAI, neither are hacked, the V is conventional only, the 8 is H38 smartzone, both currently have dvp-xl/des-xl in them, I will have them at Ft. Wayne hamfest if you want to see them in person and try them out.
SG

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Sat Nov 10, 2001 6:33 pm

Depends on what your asking price is and if you're interested in trade in. I'm just starting to gather information to upgrade but may be interested. send me a private message and we'll talk. thanks

Hightower · Post by **Hightower** » Sun Nov 11, 2001 4:33 am

SpectraGod, please check your private messages in reguards to your VHF astro. Otherwise please contact me [email protected]

Thanks!

Post by **/\/\y 2 cents** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 4:11 pm

what you want to look for is be sure they power up, and go through the self test OK, other than that, it depends on what your system requirements are.