NSO, User, dealer? Anything?
Astro Spectra + upgrade cost?
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Astro Spectra + upgrade cost?
Anyone know (Generally) what the AS+ upgrade kit costs?
NSO, User, dealer? Anything?
NSO, User, dealer? Anything?
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
kit
i was quoted $850
but i can't find the damn file explaining the process.
doug
but i can't find the damn file explaining the process.
doug
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ASTROMODAT
- Posts: 1825
- Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:32 am
pj, I just checked my current price book. There is a TON of information on upgrading an ASTRO Spectra to an ASTRO Spectra Plus, including the fact that the radio has to be opened up.
The price is $750.
However, a few points to consider:
1. The FLASH requires that you use the current CPS 3.0
2. The radio's firmware must be brought current
3. Regarding encryption, you MUST use UCM (none of the older non-UCM modules will not work with AS+, according to the price book).
4. All previous UCM modules will need to be uplifted with the latest UCM FLASH in order to support the AS+.
5. In order to load a UCM with the current/latest UCM FLASH (that is required for AS+), you will need at least a KVL-3000 (which was discontinued some time ago), or you can use the current key loader, the KVL-3000 Plus. However, the KVL-3000 Plus is NECESSARY for AES.
So, it looks like it's smooth sailing, UNLESS you need encryption capabilities with your AS+. I recall a lot of discusion on this board some time ago relative to the UCM modules, and whether the older T-3011DX keyloaders would support UCM. The answer is Yes, UNLESS you have an AS+ (including an AS that is upgraded to an AS+). In this case, 1) you MUST have UCM, and NOT any of the previous non-UCM encryption modules, and 2) the UCM will only work if it is running on the very latest UCM FLASH. And, the very latest UCM FLASH requires you to use either a KVL-3000, or a KVL-3000 Plus (current model) key loader for all UCMs, even the non AES variety.
That damn ASTRO Marketing guy is at it again!!
My information is taken directly from the July R3. It goes into this issue of uplifting an AS to AS+ in a lot more detail (e.g., gets into why you need a torx driver---e.g., why you need to OPEN UP the radio for this upgrade, etc.). I wish I had an electronic copy to post here, but even the ECAT does not let your PC copy it.
pj, ask your Motorola sales guy to get you the price book pages for the "AS+ VOCON Upgrade Kit" (Yes, KIT---there is a bunch of stuff in it!) and tell him the Model Nbr of the Vocon Upgrade Kit to uplift an AS to AS+ is "H1794." Tell him that the upgrade kit, explanations, and detailed tables for ordering, etc. can be found under the "ASTRO Digital Spectra Mobile Radio," under a separate section labeled: "ASTRO Digital Spectra to ASTRO Digital Spectra Plus vocon Upgrade Kits."
Note that this kit is found in the ASTRO Digital Spectra section, and NOT in the ASTRO Digital Spectra Plus section. I assume this is becasue someone that already has an AS+ (or is ordering such) would have no need for upgrade kits.
One other small point. If you purchase a used DIU3000, it will need its firmware brought current in order to support the UCM. Whereas up until last month this entailed 2 EPROMs of firmware at a cost of $500, they now cost $1,200 (as of the July ECAT). However, I believe you could operate with the older EMC's in the DIU3000, although for the most part, most Agencies have tended to switch to UCM across the boards, if for no other reason than this gives them a hook to be able to support AES, when its required.
Hope this helps. The AS to AS+ upgrade kits have been available since April, 2003, so they are fairly new.
Larry
P.S. If you need an explanation of why the UCM that supports the AS+ needs to be the UCM with the latest firmware, and why you now need the KVL-3000, you might want to PM XDC Labs. He's the only guy on this board that might be able to give you a salient explanation for this. I joke about the ASTRO Mktg guy, but in reality, I'm sure there is a good technical reason for this. If there was some way that the T-3011DX loaders could support the latest UCMs in the AS+, I'm sure Motorola would do it. Please, no flames, as this is just my opinion before someone writes that it's just M gouging, etc. I don't believe that for a second.
The price is $750.
However, a few points to consider:
1. The FLASH requires that you use the current CPS 3.0
2. The radio's firmware must be brought current
3. Regarding encryption, you MUST use UCM (none of the older non-UCM modules will not work with AS+, according to the price book).
4. All previous UCM modules will need to be uplifted with the latest UCM FLASH in order to support the AS+.
5. In order to load a UCM with the current/latest UCM FLASH (that is required for AS+), you will need at least a KVL-3000 (which was discontinued some time ago), or you can use the current key loader, the KVL-3000 Plus. However, the KVL-3000 Plus is NECESSARY for AES.
So, it looks like it's smooth sailing, UNLESS you need encryption capabilities with your AS+. I recall a lot of discusion on this board some time ago relative to the UCM modules, and whether the older T-3011DX keyloaders would support UCM. The answer is Yes, UNLESS you have an AS+ (including an AS that is upgraded to an AS+). In this case, 1) you MUST have UCM, and NOT any of the previous non-UCM encryption modules, and 2) the UCM will only work if it is running on the very latest UCM FLASH. And, the very latest UCM FLASH requires you to use either a KVL-3000, or a KVL-3000 Plus (current model) key loader for all UCMs, even the non AES variety.
That damn ASTRO Marketing guy is at it again!!
My information is taken directly from the July R3. It goes into this issue of uplifting an AS to AS+ in a lot more detail (e.g., gets into why you need a torx driver---e.g., why you need to OPEN UP the radio for this upgrade, etc.). I wish I had an electronic copy to post here, but even the ECAT does not let your PC copy it.
pj, ask your Motorola sales guy to get you the price book pages for the "AS+ VOCON Upgrade Kit" (Yes, KIT---there is a bunch of stuff in it!) and tell him the Model Nbr of the Vocon Upgrade Kit to uplift an AS to AS+ is "H1794." Tell him that the upgrade kit, explanations, and detailed tables for ordering, etc. can be found under the "ASTRO Digital Spectra Mobile Radio," under a separate section labeled: "ASTRO Digital Spectra to ASTRO Digital Spectra Plus vocon Upgrade Kits."
Note that this kit is found in the ASTRO Digital Spectra section, and NOT in the ASTRO Digital Spectra Plus section. I assume this is becasue someone that already has an AS+ (or is ordering such) would have no need for upgrade kits.
One other small point. If you purchase a used DIU3000, it will need its firmware brought current in order to support the UCM. Whereas up until last month this entailed 2 EPROMs of firmware at a cost of $500, they now cost $1,200 (as of the July ECAT). However, I believe you could operate with the older EMC's in the DIU3000, although for the most part, most Agencies have tended to switch to UCM across the boards, if for no other reason than this gives them a hook to be able to support AES, when its required.
Hope this helps. The AS to AS+ upgrade kits have been available since April, 2003, so they are fairly new.
Larry
P.S. If you need an explanation of why the UCM that supports the AS+ needs to be the UCM with the latest firmware, and why you now need the KVL-3000, you might want to PM XDC Labs. He's the only guy on this board that might be able to give you a salient explanation for this. I joke about the ASTRO Mktg guy, but in reality, I'm sure there is a good technical reason for this. If there was some way that the T-3011DX loaders could support the latest UCMs in the AS+, I'm sure Motorola would do it. Please, no flames, as this is just my opinion before someone writes that it's just M gouging, etc. I don't believe that for a second.
"the fact that the radio has to be opened up. "
------------------------------------------------------
Well - they do tell you that the radio has to be opened up.
Remove cover, pull old VOCON, put in new VOCON, replace cover, procede to programming. That all seems simple enough.
What you don't find out until you read the instructions that come with the kit: it is just that simple SO LONG AS YOUR RADIO IS NEW ENOUGH. Earlier radios [made before 2000] require that two parts must be changed. The parts are provided.
Now the first of the bad news is that you have to get the command board out of the radio to install these parts. That requires virtually total disassembly of the radio - the PA and the front of the radio have to come off in order to unplug them from the command board.
The second part of the bad news is that the components are suface mount. To do this properly - you will need a surface mount re-work soldering station.
Lastly - any time you open a radio that far and do major surgery - you are going to want to go through a full bench test [with an Astro service monitor] to verify complete radio functionality.
Don't get me wrong - this kit is still a great deal for the money - you just need to understand the scope of work involved - it's not 'plug-n-play'.
As Larry pointed out - the programming software is another issue. Once the radio is an Astro Spectra Plus - it will need Astro Spectra Plus programming software. The old Astro Spectra software won't program the newer radio - and there never was a DOS RSS for the Astro Spectra Plus - so you will need the new CPS. You can get this for just the mobile - or in a bundle that includes the CPS for the XTS2500 / XTS5000.
BTW - the same CPS programs the Astro Spectra Plus and the XTL5000.
------------------------------------------------------
Well - they do tell you that the radio has to be opened up.
Remove cover, pull old VOCON, put in new VOCON, replace cover, procede to programming. That all seems simple enough.
What you don't find out until you read the instructions that come with the kit: it is just that simple SO LONG AS YOUR RADIO IS NEW ENOUGH. Earlier radios [made before 2000] require that two parts must be changed. The parts are provided.
Now the first of the bad news is that you have to get the command board out of the radio to install these parts. That requires virtually total disassembly of the radio - the PA and the front of the radio have to come off in order to unplug them from the command board.
The second part of the bad news is that the components are suface mount. To do this properly - you will need a surface mount re-work soldering station.
Lastly - any time you open a radio that far and do major surgery - you are going to want to go through a full bench test [with an Astro service monitor] to verify complete radio functionality.
Don't get me wrong - this kit is still a great deal for the money - you just need to understand the scope of work involved - it's not 'plug-n-play'.
As Larry pointed out - the programming software is another issue. Once the radio is an Astro Spectra Plus - it will need Astro Spectra Plus programming software. The old Astro Spectra software won't program the newer radio - and there never was a DOS RSS for the Astro Spectra Plus - so you will need the new CPS. You can get this for just the mobile - or in a bundle that includes the CPS for the XTS2500 / XTS5000.
BTW - the same CPS programs the Astro Spectra Plus and the XTL5000.
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ASTROMODAT
- Posts: 1825
- Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:32 am
There must have been some sort of a significant hardware issue with the pre-2000 ASTRO Spectras versus post-2000 ASTRO Spectras. Besides the VOCON "tear-the-radio-apart" syndrome, the same thing exists for pre-2000 AS mobiles that are being retrofitted with UCM encryption modules (as opposed to the older ECM's). You are required to remove the Command Board in order to insert several new surface mount components, as well as remove several surface mount components.
Larry
Larry
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Microwave Mike
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2001 4:00 pm
AS+
I noticed that when I ordered a new UCM for the XTS3K I got a few parts for use in the AS only. They were a resistor and Transistor to be placed on the command board of the radio. Don't tell me why they sent this with the kit for the XTS. My guess is the kit is part of the book showing how to install the UCM in each radio series.
mm
mm