SP50 VHF Bandsplit?

fogster · Post by **fogster** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:48 am

Hey guys, sorry if this is really obvious, but what is the official bandsplit for a VHF SP50? (The page here on the SP50 talks about how to modify the bandsplit, but I can't find a mention of what the bandsplit is.) I'm interested in using one on the 2 meter ham band. Will they work there natively?

How much does programming run? Are most radio shops willing to program outside the standard bandsplit? (As I said, I'm interested in the 2-meter band. I am licensed to operate there.)

Thanks in advance for the help, and apologies if these are really obvious questions.

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:27 am

150-170 is the listed bandsplit, my SP50's will only go down to 146 using the shift key method but they can probably be bit banged further.

fogster · Post by **fogster** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:32 am

146 should be fine, actually, as most activity is up there. Are radio shops okay with doing stuff like this?

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:01 pm

Depends on the shop. Some look at you like you are an alien or something when you ask for something such as this, others do anything they can to help you out. If you're really lucky, one of the techs at your local MSS is a Ham, and may even know how to 'hack' them for you. Either way, the worse they can do is tell you "no", and send you out the door.

EKLB · Post by **EKLB** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:26 pm

Or better yet ask for help here on the bd.

Several here are up to the task with experience to boot.

Thats assuming your willing to pay shipping ect .

EKLB

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:55 pm

Very true. I've got some experience at hacking the SP50 myself. His local MSS may be cheaper than trying to ship it to another board member, though. Fogster, let us know what your local MSS tells you. If you can ship it to me and back to yourself cheaper than they will do it, if they will do it, I for one will be glad to help you out. What area are you located in? How many radios are you talking about having programmed?

fogster · Post by **fogster** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:15 pm

Thanks. (I'm in Massachusetts.) I was actually only looking into buying one (used), and wanted to ensure I'd be able to actually use it. I'd just be bidding on one.

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:33 pm

OK. The only reason I asked is the fact that the more you are looking to program, the more shipping would be. It shouldn't be too bad to ship one to myself or another board member if your local MSS can't/won't do it for you at a reasonable price. Keep us posted.

fogster · Post by **fogster** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 6:58 pm

Hey, as long as I'm talking about the SP50... What does it entail to convert a 2-channel to a 10-channel? I've seen the stuff about software; what sort of hardware stuff is necessary?

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 8:24 pm

The only hardware 'nessasary' isn't really nessasary. The top escution (did I spell that right?) can be replaced if desired to 'show' the extra channels. Simply a matter of removing the 2-channel decal, and replacing it with the 10-channel one. As far as the inside of the radio, there is no difference between the simplest (2 channel, no signalling), and the fanciest (10 channel, with signalling). They are all the same, and the RSS 'tells' the radio which model it is. I've made quite a few 2-10 channel conversions on these, and it's pretty simple. However, if you're not familiar with hex editing files, it can be pretty confusing at first. All you do is make a few changes in the file in the RSS that tells the RSS and the radio what features the radio has, and re-program the radio with the 'new' features. The only caveat to this process is that the radio will have to be programmed with a 'hacked' copy of the RSS thereafter, of it will revert to it's 'original' state. If you have any other questions, just ask!

fogster · Post by **fogster** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 8:33 pm

I'd seen a cheap VHF SP50 on eBay, which is what sparked my interest. I just found another one, but they say it beeps when you try to transmit. Could this be something simple like low battery or not being programmed to transmit on that frequency, or could it be a sign of bigger problems? (Or can you not tell? From what I've seen here, people are almost magic in knowing answers.)

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:47 pm

Could be several things. Could be a low battery, but I wouldn't think so. I'd say most likely it just isn't programmed to transmitt. The SP50 certainly isn't the greatest HT Ma /\/\ ever made, but it's a pretty decent unit if you don't need a lot of bells and whistles, and are using it for a non-critical application.