Batboard

I have a broken XTS radio (fell out of a moving car going down the interstate.... long story) and recently purchased a new one from a well-known Internet e-auction site. I have already programmed the radio and it receives quite nicely, but I am concerned that because the radio does not have the same serial number, that it will be rejected or bricked when I need to use it. So here are my questions....

1. Is the serial number transmitted when the radio affiliates or is keyed up or just the radio id?
2. If the serial number would cause a problem, how could I change the serial number to my former radio's to prevent this?
3. What would be the legality of changing the serial number under these circumstances?

I have been reading up on batlabs and to address certain concerns some may have, I DO have the authority to both monitor and transmit on this system.

mgsullyI DO have the authority to both monitor and transmit on this system.
mgsully


If you have the authority to TX on this system why don't you just tell the radio admin of that system you have a new radio and have them make a note of that so your radio is not bricked

Take the radio to the radio shop for the system on which it is authorized, and have them program the radio for you.

If they have concerns over the serial number listen to them, as they are probably both legitimate and valid concerns.

-Alex

Thanks for the advise. However, is am still curious as to exactly how much information is transmitted when the radio auto-affiliates... and I believe it [question #1 in original post] to still be a valid question.

no, it don't transmit the serial number or model number, only id's programmed to be transmitted. and even then, serial numbers and model numbers are not an option.

Thanks HLA, I appreciate the strait foward answer. I have talked with a friend of mine that know a little more than I, but probably not more than some others on this forum... He suggested that serial number changing was illegal but was not sure. With a simply answer only please: Is modifying or changing a radio's serial number illegal or simply frowned upon?

Actually, if this is a trunked system (as I gather it may be) what is transmitted is the radio's UserID, which is programmed into the trunked personality.

mgsully wrote:He suggested that serial number changing was illegal but was not sure. With a simply answer only please: Is modifying or changing a radio's serial number illegal or simply frowned upon?

I'm not totally sure if it's illegal, but you will never get a shop to touch it if the numbers inside don't match the outside, and if you ever sell it you may get a knock on your door down the road. As long as the serial# is legit and not stolen, you won't have any problems. But as stated before, have it programmed by the system admin. or you might end up in a big legal battle over it later.

Just take a look in General Radio Information for "Nick Radios Being Recalled- By Motorola" just to give you an example of what happens when you alter Motorola radios!

mgsully wrote: With a simply answer only please: Is modifying or changing a radio's serial number illegal or simply frowned upon?

The issue is not the changing of the serial number...it's the use of Motorola proprietary software you would need to do it. Software that isn't supposed to exist outside of Motorola repair depots. Since it would be illegal to obtain & use the software, it makes the act of changing the serial number illegal as well.

that's exactly right, the software to change the numbers isn't available to the public. it is illegal to change the serial numbers, the only time that gets done is if that board is the problem with the radio and it gets replaced, motorola will make the new part match the number on the back of the radio. even if you take two broken radios and combine them to make one good one and the numbers on the backing plate and the control board don't match when they read it, they probablly won't work on it and you might not get it back.

Thanks all. I appreciate you replies. You've cleared up a lot of gray space in my gray matter. I couldn't see how changing a serial number of something I bought could be illegal, but if the only way to change the serial is through software illegally obtained, then that makes more sense. Thanks all.

well look at it this way, it's very illegal to change the serial number on a car or truck or gun and most other things i can think of. this isn't any different.

HLA: not a good analogy: there are statutes on auto and firearms serial numbers, which have to do with the regulation of title and commerce in these products. There are no cognate statutes governing Part 90 radios.

Thats true... but I pretty sure that cars, guns, and a t leatd a few other things have laws written in blank and white, or maybe just one "cover all" law forbids serial number changing without the manufacture's persmission.

I don't know if I should add this as a rule to the top of the board, maybe I should:

Don't take legal advice from a message board - if your not sure - get legal council. At least they will cover your arse if there is an issue with the advice they gave you.

-Alex

That would be a good idea Alex, even if someone claims to be a lawyer, they would be no way for you to confirm that... The only exception, of course, would be past experience... like if you were sued for something related or like mentioning current applicable legal cases.

In the end, it would cover your "end" and prevent bad legal advise from causing someone to unknowningly break the law (and thnk that it was legal) and would probably incourage a great many to seek real legal advice from a pro not a radio joe.

It's also why:

All posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster (except for posts by these people) and hence will not be held liable.

Is on every page...

touché

By the way... to all concerned, I spoke with the radio shop yesterday and all was straitened out. Thanks for you help and advise.

mgsully wrote:By the way... to all concerned, I spoke with the radio shop yesterday and all was straitened out. Thanks for you help and advise.

That's good to hear.

Did the shop expand upon anything that hasn't been covered here?

Yes and no. She explained how trucking worked (which I already knew), but more importantly a few simple questions I had about this specific system. I was good that I checked in with them, Thanks for the advise.