Astro Saber M3 Programming Issue

[alex4659]

hi everybody,

I just got my Astro Saber & XTS 3K CPS R05.02.00 and cant get it to read my radio... it just says, "Communication with radio failed"

I have an Astro Saber M3 with aftermarket accessories including,
a Saber programming cable converted to an Astro Saber cable and also an after market rib box

I checked the connections to see if that was the problem and also tried different com ports.

But nothing seems to solve the problem...

any suggestions, comments or advice will be gladly excepted.

thanks,
Alex

[txshooter]

Are you using a real com port?

Are you sure the converted cable is working properly? Have you tried this with any other Astro Saber? Have you previously used this aftermarket rib sucessfully with another cable and radio. There are a lot of different variables at play in this situation. You really just need to start trying to rule them out one by one.

Do you know anyone in your area with a good working setup to program Astro Sabers? Try your radio with their setup and see what happens. There is always the possibility that the radio is not seated exactlly right in the housing.

Like I said there are many different reason this could be happening, you just need to start ruling them out.

BTW, nice job on posting the particulars of your setup. It gives us a good idea on where to make suggestions.

[alex4659]

Are you using a real com port?

i think i am but to be sure, what do you mean by a real com port?

Are you sure the converted cable is working properly?

Yes, i looked up the diagrams of the pin outs

Have you tried this with any other Astro Saber?

No, this is my first and only astro saber.

Have you previously used this aftermarket rib sucessfully with another cable and radio.

lets put it this way... i was able to read this radio with this rib and cable with Motorola RSS version R09.03.00 and only to find out that the code plug is too new; so i know it works... and i correctly soldered the pin outs right.

There are a lot of different variables at play in this situation. You really just need to start trying to rule them out one by one.

Do you know anyone in your area with a good working setup to program Astro Sabers?

Nope but if there is anyone in or near alpharetta Georgia... please reply or P.M. me

Try your radio with their setup and see what happens. There is always the possibility that the radio is not seated exactlly right in the housing.

Like I said there are many different reason this could be happening, you just need to start ruling them out.

BTW, nice job on posting the particulars of your setup. It gives us a good idea on where to make suggestions.

thanks for the quick reply,
Alex

[Hightower]

When all else fails, replace the 9V

[alex4659]

When all else fails, replace the 9V

I'm not using a 9V battery... I am simply using a 12V AC power source; the wall outlet; in fact, I've never tried that

and i have tried different wall outlets and that doesn't seems to be the problem

so thats ruled out

thanks,
Alex

[alex4659]

if i dont restart my computer when im done installing the software when it asks me to, will this prevent me from reading the radio?

In other words is this why i cant read my AS3?

thanks,
Alex

[jmr061]

Going simple here but have you made sure the correct port is selected for reading the radio within the cps, sounds like you may have but just want to double check.

My guess is the rib or cable is not setup/wired correctly.


Jason

[alex4659]

Going simple here but have you made sure the correct port is selected for reading the radio within the cps, sounds like you may have but just want to double check.

My guess is the rib or cable is not setup/wired correctly.


Jason

Ok, first off thanks for the advice, and yes i actually triple checked

second, what is the proper cable setup for the astro saber? its pin 6 right?

here is a link to the diagram from the rib to ASTRO SABER:
http://www.batlabs.com/images/astrosab.gif

if this diagram is wrong for my cps, let me know please

thanks,
Alex

[jmr061]

Use a continuity tester to check the proper build of the cable. Remember that the view of the radio end is shown as if your were looking at the back of it while it is attached to the radio.

Jason

[AEC]

The problem may be simple, use a rubber eraser to clean the programming cable pins as well as the accy. port pins on the back of the radio.

Simple oxide buildup is rarely seen, but it's there, and making the contacts clean and shiny will remove all doubt.

It's worth a try, especially when there's no loss in the effort.

[AEC]

One other possibility might be caused by the pins not making good electrical contact with the port connector.

Proper seating is essential.

Just another penny's worth of advice.

[alex4659]

The problem may be simple, use a rubber eraser to clean the programming cable pins as well as the accy. port pins on the back of the radio.

Simple oxide buildup is rarely seen, but it's there, and making the contacts clean and shiny will remove all doubt.

It's worth a try, especially when there's no loss in the effort.

thanks

i already found my problem and it was that the wire came loose from the pin and detached itself from the connector... nothing a little solder cant do.

one more thing... what do the reading glasses mean in the CPS... like when i drag my curser over a check box the arrow turns into a set of reading glasses.

or where can i find a website that i can locate the name and reason of every icon from CPS Version R05.02.xx

thanks and this thread can be closed if necessary.

thank goes to everyone who replied and for those who viewed this thread

[Tom in D.C.]

The sunglasses' appearance means that the function you've hit with the cursor is not available under your radio's system and/or flashcode.

[Mfire39]

The sunglasses also means it's a "read only" field..



-Marc

[ctencore]

I saw this thread was kind of in line with a problem I'm exploring. I'm trying to change the trunking system setup (frequencies and adding additional systems) but everything is read only. I don't have the green + icon or red x icon to modify trunking frequencies. I can't even see how to add another trunking system. Any ideas?

[Mfire39]

I saw this thread was kind of in line with a problem I'm exploring. I'm trying to change the trunking system setup (frequencies and adding additional systems) but everything is read only. I don't have the green + icon or red x icon to modify trunking frequencies. I can't even see how to add another trunking system. Any ideas?

Thats because it requires a system key for the trunking system you are trying to setup... Contact your system admin for more details on that.


-Marc

[ctencore]

I bought this radio on ebay, I'm just trying to get the existing system out of there so I can add ours.

[Mfire39]

I bought this radio on ebay, I'm just trying to get the existing system out of there so I can add ours.

Well, if your organization is on a trunking system, then contact your system admin for the system you are trying to program in the radio. If the radio is legit, capable of operating on your system, and you are an authorized user on the system, then I'm sure the system admin will have no problem loading the correct system key and getting you set up on the system with your radio.


-Marc

[ctencore]

Thanks, we got it all dialed in today. I thought it was something I could do without bothering them.....