Batboard

First of all, I apologize for what's probably a stupid question, but I'm new to mobile stuff.

How easy is it to change control head 'types'? I'm seeing a lot of W9 radios, but need a small head to mount in my car. Is it as simple as buying another head and reprogramming?

And, one better, where can I find the dimensions of the various head sizes? I might be able to make the W9 work, but I can't even go out and measure it.

On an astro spectra its not as simple as a swapping control heads. You must either have an s-rec for the head your going to be using that matches the rest of your radio or there are a few people out there that can modify the existing record to change head types.

Jason

KB9KST wrote:You must either have an s-rec for the head your going to be using that matches the rest of your radio

So you just have to dump in a 'good' S-Record and you're good to go with the new head?

Also: are Spectra and ASTRO Spectra heads interchangeable? (E.g., would an A7 head work on an ASTRO Spectra?)

If you get a good s-rec that is good but if you can't change the serial # your radio will take on the serial # of the s-rec.

Jason

KB9KST wrote:If you get a good s-rec that is good but if you can't change the serial # your radio will take on the serial # of the s-rec.

That's not a big deal, and is the current state of affairs of my ASTRO Saber, in fact. Although I've been wondering for a while: if you save an archive/codeplug (not an S-Record) in Lab and view it with a hex editor, it looks like it has the serial number right near the beginning. Has anyone ever tried just changing that and dumping it right back into the radio? Do you have checksums to worry about?

And just so my other question doesn't get overshadowed:

Are Spectra and ASTRO Spectra heads interchangeable? (E.g., would an A7 head work on an ASTRO Spectra?)

No the A7/W7 head is not interchangable.

Jason

The exception to that is the W9. You can convert an A9 head into a W9 head, all you need is a chip swap. IIRC, it isn't overly expensive, certainly less than a W9 head would be.

KB9KST wrote:If you get a good s-rec that is good but if you can't change the serial # your radio will take on the serial # of the s-rec.
Jason

You don't necessarily need an s-record. A codeplug with the correct head would work. If you use the clone screen, you can input your serial number, and using MTSX lab, you can dump it into your radio. It'll then have whatever s/n you entered, and will work with whatever head the codeplug is for.

bellersley wrote:If you use the clone screen, you can input your serial number, and using MTSX lab, you can dump it into your radio.

I never quite got the deal with MTSX lab. Why would you use it instead of ASTRO lab?

You could use Astro lab as well, it's just that MTSX is more uh... available.

Something to take into consideration...

The W4/W5 radios will only support 128 channels. W7/W9 will do 255. Plan ahead..

So my W4 that does 255 channels is a figment of my imagination?

Its an easy hack, I can change it back to 128 if you like.

Jason

KB9KST wrote:I can change it back to 128 if you like.

I'm good

would that lab trick work with a w4 vselp radio. I would like at least a w5.. (Want to loose the rotary knobs.)

Frank