Hey /\/\onty or any MT1000 pros!

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Tony Soprano
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Post by Tony Soprano »

I have a 99-channel display model that someone had attempted to program with a Pentium class laptop and corrupted the codeplug. I could not recover the radio with good archives on a slow machine, so I want to replace the codeplug IC. I have done this many times with rotary radios with success, but this controller has what looks like THREE codeplugs. U402 shows up on the schematic, but chips placed in U408 and U409 positions don't show up on the schem. or layout. Am I to believe that this radio has three codeplugs that need replaced? All three chips have 26P85 imprinted on them. Motorola will answer no questions about this as it is now unsupported. Help?

Thanks !

Tony
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Andy Brinkley
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What radios do you own?: FMR80D and a Motrac with Scan

Post by Andy Brinkley »

Tony - Have you tried the recovery methods outlined on batlabs? I have had pretty good luck with "healing" the corrupted plug by lifting the left plug going to the VCO module as described in Method # 1.

E-mail me direct if I can help any further.
Andy / NC4AB
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jim
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Post by jim »

I did the same thing as you Tony! I had no luck with the three methods listed and it went to the depot. It was $110.00 for the recovery.
Tony Soprano
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Post by Tony Soprano »

Thanks for replying guys, I did try the methods listed in Batlabs, to no avail. The closest I have gotten to it being right is the radio will read and program with a good archive, and the radio passes power-up. But change the channel past channel 6, and it goes into full-hose mode. I can only surmise that the radio is half-corrupted at this point.

Anyway, I have ordered three codeplugs, for all I know they all might or might not be corrupted. I don't really want to swap them around, I really want to start the controller on a clean slate, and someone else is paying anyway. I'll keep the board posted.

Thanks again, Tony
radiotech16
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Post by radiotech16 »

I have 2 MT_1000 FLEX boards if you are interested.......I do believe that they hol the plug information......20 bucks each....let me know
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Monty
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Post by Monty »

Hi:

Well, unfortunitely, the 99 ch MT1000 is a bit more difficult to restore than the 16 channel version, however, replacing all the Chips is a far more difficult proceedure in my opinion, and even I would use caution in that approch. To much heat from the Focus head, and you can kiss the Flex Good-by. Unless you are a " Experienced" SMC Tech, FORGET IT !!

I have sometimes restored them but does come
at a price tag of 125.00. Simple hex editing in the 1st group sometimes works. May sound expensive, but Even Motorola is no longer supporting the MT1000's... Typical !! they don't want good radios on the market any more.

Anyhow, depending on the Problem, ( and can be made worse ) by inexperienced techs, the radio can be restored if not damaged to badly. There are some special tools required
to make them play again, but generally too expensive for one shot applications.

Also, when programming older radios, try and just use a 386-486-25 w. 4Mb of Ram, and you will never see a corrupted code plug ever again, assuming you have a good programming hardware.

Monty
Tony Soprano
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Post by Tony Soprano »

Thanks Monty, actually, I am an experienced tech, just not with the 99 chan MT1000! I know the newer equipment better, and am well-versed in convective air soldering, and since we have a Chipmaster, I can do factory-quality work. So changing the chips is a routine exerciese for me.

Unfortunately, I have not developed a comfort level with hex-editing yet, so I'll leave that alone. I suppose it couldn't hurt though, since I'm changing them anyway. Care to divulge any trade secrets on what to look for?

Tony
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Monty
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Post by Monty »

Hi:

Email me direct, and I will give you
a few trade secrets. In short, one has
to have a copy of the un encoded Board, piror to it being initialized.

One you have the Hex code, all you have to do
is " Replace " the values from the uninitilaized Controller, to the target.

Use a good hex Editor, and it should work OK.

I already suspected you were familure with
SMC work, but just stated that for my protection.

I have seen a few hams make a attempt, and
then they want me to fix it....I just fake it, and just give them a new controller.....

And so long as the radio works, they are happy.

MS
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