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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 6:06 pm
by apco25
ok so its basically a 1 meg, 12.5/2.5Khz enabled radio that is IMBE ready?
Like I keep saying the entire astro market has been completely ruined
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 5:57 am
by spectragod
I wouldn't pay more than $500 for it, but getting the DSP changed is not a real issue. Although his auction is mis-leading, it is not a IMBE radio, he would have been better off putting a Astro Spectra
Plus vocoder in it, at least it would bring some decent $$$ and the buyer would be getting more bang for the buck.
SG
Astro Spectra NIB
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 3:31 pm
by Microwave Mike
The radio IS Digital. I programed it and tested it in IMBE digital. The original radio was Analog but it was flashed to a digital with the flash key included with the radio. The second flashcode in white. If the radio did not test in digital and did not have an Astro ID of 999999 , I would say that. The radio was programed in Dos ver 9.00. I respect r 0f. He has had a lot of good info on the labs here, but in this case You are wrong. The radio is what I say it is, and you can take it to the bank.
mm
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 6:01 pm
by The Pager Geek
rOf is correct.
An "A" version DSP (Or any DSP for that matter) will GLADLY take an IMBE codeplug including flashcode. It will look, smell, tase like an IMBE. You will be able to program 9999999 ID, you can set all the timing features... but it WILL NOT TALK IMBE.
Now you'll say, "But I hear digital on my scanner when I transmit." You are correct, it is transmitting digital... nothing useful though. Another IMBE or Vselp radio will hear something similar to Charlie Brown's teacher and beep, boop.
The vocoding process won't happen properly until the correct DSP firmware version (digital) is in it.
tpg
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:06 pm
by ASTROMODAT
This is why when you order the IMBE uplift FLASHport from Motorola for the XTS3000 and/or for the ASTRO Spectra mobile (and I have ordered and installed the $800 IMBE uplift in both types of radios), you MUST include a TON of info on each of your radios!
You must list the sertial number, DSP, Host, FLASHcode, etc. The Motorola Tec has to build a CUSTOM FLASHport kit that is CUSTOM TAILORED for each radio to be uplifted. If you have a non-current load, then many aspects of the software/firmware must be first brought to current BEFORE the actual IMBE DSP is loaded.
This is one reason (e.g., the individual customization and the associated labor and handling to build these individual kits) that the IMBE uplift firmware is so darn pricey!
Larry
Astro Spectra NIB
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:43 am
by Microwave Mike
I will give you a copy of the code plug to those that PM me their E-mail address. Look for your self. The Astro ID is the one for IMBE.
mm
Re: Astro Spectra NIB
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:33 am
by wavetar
Microwave Mike wrote:I will give you a copy of the code plug to those that PM me their E-mail address. Look for your self. The Astro ID is the one for IMBE.
mm
You seem to have missed TPG & r0f's point. The codeplug means nothing. The firmware versions you have listed are VSELP only. This means you can force an IMBE codeplug into the radio & it will happily accept it, but it will not work in IMBE. Even if a FLASHport upgrade was used to lift it from 'analog only' to 'digital', unless it also lifted the firmware to 6.xx or above, it will only be VSELP digital.
Simple question: If you read the radio with RSS/CPS, what does it list the Host & DSP versions as? That's something we cannot verify if you send us a codeplug, since it only gives that info when you read the radio directly. Include the letter at the beginning of the versions in your response.
Todd
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:27 am
by alex
Or how about this version of several peoples explanation:
You can take the pepsi label off a pepsi bottle and put it on a coke bottle. When you open the top and take a drink - you'll discover it's still the same 'ol crap - pepsi.
That's really what they are describing is going on here - Provide the proof that people are looking for and then maybe we'll think differently of it.
-Alex
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:51 am
by ASTROMODAT
One take-away I have from these comments is that the Batlabs FLASHcode Decoder Ring needs to be corrected. It currently indicates that Digit 12 with a B1 indicates "ASTRO Digital CAI (IMBE) Operation."
According to rOf, it should state "ASTRO VSELP or IMBE Operation."
Larry
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 11:18 am
by ASTROMODAT
Too bad the guy doesn't have an IMBE scanner, such as the Rat Shack PRO-96. I have listened to VSELP on my PRO-96, and it sounds like digital on an analog scanner. There is no doubt about it when you hear it.
Larry
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:06 pm
by weco-usa
Oh they are so professional @ dumitall&nannalog !
To member: xxxxxxxxxx
From member: digitalnanalog
--------------------
I don't no who these people are on batlabs, but there wrong we never
ripped anyone off, the feedback will speak for itself. So if you want to
retrack your bid based on a unsubstantiated alagation, then don't bid
on my auctions in the future.
Paul
Give me a call a&&hole (602)-367-1885, or shut up, because you are making
unsubstantiated allegations, so prove it or be a man and come talk to me
face to face.
___________________________________________________________
anyone want there #
hrm
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 12:05 am
by clavo
Doesn't look to good for him at this point
-c
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 12:04 pm
by weco-usa
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 3079388257
The seller ended this listing early because of an error in the listing.
Looks like DuMbItALL&Nannalog pulled their auction

Astro Spectra NIB
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 3:27 pm
by Microwave Mike
Well, r 0F was correct. I was wrong. The radio is in fact a VSlep digital radio.
When I first posted the radio on E-Bay I listed it as a digital radio and the Host and DSP.
I did not state what flavor of digital radio it was as I did not know 100% myself.
I tested it for power, frequency and input sensitivity. I also looked at the codeplug and
Saw the Astro ID went past 16 meg, a sign of an IMBE radio. I figured that the host and DSP would allow those bidding to find out if this radio was what they needed. The Flash code in the radio is also what I listed in the description, not the codes on the back of the radio or flashport dongle.
When the radio was relisted my E-bay person change the format of the ad and did his own description .He concluded that the radio was digital/IMBE from the data he found on the labs and the fact the radio was manufactured in 2002. I supported the radio with the same data. Last night I did testing in the digital mode and determined that the signal was
V-Slep not IMBE. I killed the auction, but my partner relisted it this morning, lack of communication. He should have noted it was a V-slep this afternoon after we talked.
The way r 0F spotted and announced the error in the listing could have been handled better. There was no intention to defraud anyone here. I think that a table of Host and DSP pairs and what they support for the Astro series radios would be a nice addition for the labs. I have seen some information listed in the forums here but the administrators of Batlabs should compile a complete list. The reference info would help people who are looking at radios for sell on the online auctions and radios sold here.
Thank you r 0F finding my error and those who posted their comments, also thank you.
It is forums like this that help all of us. Let’s help each other keep an eye on equipment
For sale on the auctions. Let’s also get the Host/DSP information posted as a reference
Data base for all of us to use.
mm
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 5:09 pm
by ASTROMODAT
I assume that a VSELP operational and/or a VSELP capable radio whose DSP is an "A" version is not worth anything more than an analog radio? In fact, isn't it effectively worthless for digital since it can't be economically uplifted to IMBE? (Certainly, no one uses VSELP). Just curious...
Larry
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 6:45 pm
by The Pager Geek
Being a 512K vocon, you could still uplift it to IMBE. You will need a firmware upgrade a few more version before IMBE is supported.
In order for the radio to talk vselp, the radio codeplug must be changed to an N however. It is still "analog only""VSELP Ready" because of the A firmware. It is essentially an analog spectra currently (with the added features of 12.5KHz, and the ever popular 2.5KHz RF board.)
Should you actually get a firmware upgrade to do digital, do yourself the favor, and go right to IMBE. You can no longer get a VSELP upgrade anyways. If I remember correctly, upgrading to either of your choosing (when they were both avail) was ~$800 just to get digital in it.
Because of the condition being new, and all accessories, BUT firmware being so old... $600-700 would be about right.
Good luck!
tpg
(Taking pride in being an expert in providing lots of useless information...)
Spectra A NIB
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:03 pm
by Microwave Mike
That was my partner with the cute comment. He has little use for the Labs here. He does
Not reflect my views. I use the labs all the time and send people here also. I have found almost all the information to be right on. I intend to keep reading all the forums everyday and add my 2 cents in when needed.
mm
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:13 pm
by ASTROMODAT
Am I missing something here? The CURRENT eBay listing for the VSELP radio is still badmouthing The Batboard bigtime! For instance, here is a direct quote from the current ad:
"IGNORE THE IDIOTS ON BATLABS THAT HAVE TO LOOK @ A CHART TO FIND OUT ABOUT A FLASH CODE,AND IGNORE THE IDIOTS SENDING YOU UNSOLICETED E-MAILS THAT MAKE UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLOGATIONS..."
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1
Larry
P.S. I still don't understand something: Why doesn't the ad clearly state that this radio is NOT IMBE, but instead it is VSELP. That way, the Buyer would have no problem in understanding what this radio is, and is not.
spectra A NIB
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2004 2:17 pm
by Microwave Mike
What can I say? He is entitled to his own opinion. It is not mine. I think the best thing to do is let this one drop off the radar screen.
mm
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2004 6:30 pm
by Scott1563
r0f, you seem to be right on most of the time on your tech skills, and I read what you have to say conserning alot of this tech stuff but your people skills suck!
The guy acknowledge his mistake but you can't control what some people say or think and he probably couldn't either, so maybe you could have handled this a little better. You don't know me and I did have alot of respect for you but with the way you handled this I have lost that respect.
Chill out some. you seem to know alot and I have learned from some of the things that you posted. Don't stop with the tech postings.
Scott

Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 3:34 am
by Doug
Anybody who's been around the forum for any length of time knows that if ROF has anything to say he says it. I admire that aspect in him in that you know exactly where you stand. You'll have to admit that the posting on e-bay got alot of us strung out. Even though I don't contribute too much I still take it as a character slam.
Doug
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 10:16 am
by wavetar
Ok, this thread served it's purpose & exposed a mistake in an Ebay auction. Any further discussions about people's character can take place in the Lounge, if it needs to be.
Todd