Batboard

I’m hoping someone can help me with this weird problem that I’m having programming a Nick special Astro Saber. I’m using CPS, version R03.00.00 and the radio reads and writes well until I ENABLE “Secure Hardware Equipped” then things start to get weird.

Background:

I bought this Astro Saber about a year ago and it worked great on the local LA Astro system and I’m completely happy with it so far. Today, I installed a DES/OFB/DES-XL module. I read the radio using CPS version R03.00.00 and went to the Secure tree, checked “Secure Hardware Equipped” box and got a invalid field tone. When I went to save the codeplug, I got an error message which read as follows:

Invalid Field

Revert Table Ch 1 General MODAT
Revert Table Ch 2 General MODAT
Revert Table Ch 3 General MODAT


I checked the MODAT tree and it shows that the following zones and channels revert:

Zone 1 Channel 38
Zone 1 Channel 38
Zone 1 Channel 38

I do not have MODAT enabled on any of the Zones or channels and I only get the “Invalid Field” when I enable “Secure Hardware Equipped” Box under the secure tree.

Any Ideas???

R07.09.02
DSP N08.02.04

r0f wrote:You must set it to a zone/mode which is a conventional personality, with MODAT enabled.

So your telling me that I have to devote three personalitys to conventional with MODAT enabled ? Thats stupid !!!!! I don't need MODAT and I don't understand why I can't keep it off. I guess I'll give it a try and see what happens.

Dan..

Only one channel needs to have modat. Not 3.

Just direct each group to the same channel.

tpg

Thanks for all your help. I did exactly what you guys recommended and it solved the “Invalid Field” problem. However, I can’t seem to load code into the module. I enabled the secure hardware equipped box in the CPS, made all of the personalities DES-XL default and reprogrammed the Astro.

I then powered up the radio and put it in service mode. The radio now sees the DES module and it reports the EMC, (R03.43) KG-1, (DES-OFB) KG-2, (DES-XL) and KG-3 (None) However when I attach the key loader plug onto the radio the display won’t change to “Key loading” and my 3011DX KVL reads “Fail”. I know for a fact that this module was working. Did I miss something in the Secure setup?

Thanks

Dan..

These are great examples of why the genuine Motorola firmware is the correct way to go. Hacked firmware creates never ending problems. If you add up all your labor costs needed to limit (and never completly eliminate) all of the tons of problems created by hacked firmware, even at the minimum wage rate, it's probably cheaper in the end to go with 100% legit Motorola firmware.. Of course, with the newer radios (XTS5000 and XTL5000), there is no choice but to use legit firmware.

Larry

r0f wrote:Sounds like a cable issue. Even if you hook up the radio to the KVL, and the KVL is turned off, the radio will still display "Keyloading" on the screen.S

Well, I thought of that too. The KVL and cable will load code into my other Astro Saber without any problems. So I thinl that it's going to be something else.

Dan..

ASTROMODAT wrote:These are great examples of why the genuine Motorola firmware is the correct way to go. Hacked firmware creates never ending problems. If you add up all your labor costs needed to limit (and never completly eliminate) all of the tons of problems created by hacked firmware, even at the minimum wage rate, it's probably cheaper in the end to go with 100% legit Motorola firmware.. Of course, with the newer radios (XTS5000 and XTL5000), there is no choice but to use legit firmware.

YES I agree with you on this too. But who can afford to buy a genuine Motorola radio at what they're charging ? I can't so I'm left to do the next best thing.

Dan..

You can find them used, with genuine software. Just have to look, and use sources besides just ebay.

Larry

The difference is, that when I sell my ASTRO stuff (we're upgrading from UHF to 800), I will guarantee my radios, as they are original Motorola. They will have zero bugs, and everything will work 100%. No weird hums when you transmit while on the toilet upside down, etc. I can't recall how many posts I have seen here referring to bizarre performance issues, and 97% of the time it relates back to hacked radios.

Larry

Our ASTRO portables had a slight (albeit very noticable) hum problem on TX with the stock stubby antenna (UHF). With the quarter wave whip (speedometer cable), this problem completely went away. This was years ago with the origina firmware from 1998, and we have never gone back to the standard, stcok stubby ant. I guess you are saying that the stubby ant should now work OK with the portables, so long as we have current firmware.

Interesting.

Larry

Hey all, Can we get back on subject here ? The lack of me being able to load code into my AS III.

Thanks

Dan..

r0f wrote:You haven't related back to us if you've checked your KVL cable yet? S

r0f,

You were 100% correct !!!! I had used the wrong cable. I switch to the othercable and then what do you know the radio went into "Keyloading." It works now. Thanks for all your help and I agree with you Nicks radios arent that bad. It works well for me here in LA.

Take care,

Dan...

Hey Dan, where are you in the Ventura area? There is a group of us that meet out in Pasadena every month and we'd love for you to join us. Several of us have Astro's and we have people in the group that are very good at tuning the radios to give you the best performance. Let me know if you're interested and we'll meet up, I'm out in Ventura county about once a week.

KG6EAQ
I'm also in the area (Simi Valley). I'd love to meet up and see if someone can solve my digital receive problem. Analog works great, transmits fine on both analog and digital, but in weaker digital areas I get chopped and broken audio on the radio while my other one works fine.
KG6EPF

have you measured direct receiver sensitivity and frequency error?

George

No I have not, I don't have the equipment.

I've brought it in for tuning 3 times and I end up with the same result. It acts like it is off frequency on the receive side, but I lack the equipment and expertice to be able to tell.

BrentLA wrote:KG6EAQ
I'm also in the area (Simi Valley). I'd love to meet up and see if someone can solve my digital receive problem. Analog works great, transmits fine on both analog and digital, but in weaker digital areas I get chopped and broken audio on the radio while my other one works fine.
KG6EPF

Have you compared HOST/DSP versions of the two radios? There was a significant difference between how earlier firmware versions sounded in fringe areas compared to later versions. I'm willing to bet you have an older version (6.xx.xx).

Todd

Actually it shows as 8.02.08
As I recall, the crossover freq was correct... I'm stumped

Brent
KG6EPF