Astro III LED dilemma.

radiorepair · Post by **radiorepair** » Mon Nov 05, 2001 9:04 pm

I just finished programming an Astro Saber III (ALL 255 channels) and noticed that the LED stopped working on TX. Upon power up the LED will flash however it does not seem to work after that. I checked the codeplug and made sure surveillance mode was off and that the LED field was enabled in the personality. Is this unit defective or am I missing something in programming? If anybody can help I would appreciate it. PHIL

Spectra God · Post by **Spectra God** » Sat Nov 10, 2001 3:01 pm

Wow, that sounds like one that I bought and sent back to the seller, most likely the problem is a hacked CP, and that feature now does not work. GL SG

radiorepair · Post by **radiorepair** » Mon Nov 12, 2001 6:09 pm

Ohh great, is there anyway I can recover the codeplug and get it to operate correctly. This guy I purchased the radio from seems to not want to take my phone calls now. Gotta love Ebay! Phil

junkyardnut · Post by **junkyardnut** » Mon Nov 12, 2001 9:28 pm

Are you saying that the LED used to work and doesn't work anymore?

radiorepair · Post by **radiorepair** » Tue Nov 13, 2001 7:58 pm

Yes the LED worked until I programmed the unit. I used the Windows version R01.01.00, then the unit started getting "flaky". I got a message about having an invalid mem/data feature when I added scan, then the busy/tx LED stopped working. I pumped the original archive using DOS R09.01.00 and got the same message. I have a feeling I have been "skunked" with a defective radio. Is there any way to reset this unit to original specs? I noticed that the Flashcode strongly resembles the LAPD flashcode as well. BTW the rumors about M internal security are untrue, I just received a flash upgrade H14 (digital ID display) for this unit. The request goes through Above The PriceBook at M and I gave them the LAPD code. Thank's for the help!

SeanF · Post by **SeanF** » Tue Nov 13, 2001 9:03 pm

I have received that invalid mem/data warning before on several Astro Sabers and I can't find the cause of it, however, it hasn't effected the scan or busy LED in any way.

radiorepair · Post by **radiorepair** » Tue Nov 13, 2001 9:07 pm

Copy that! For some reason this P.O.S. will only scan in PL off mode. The actual person who purchased this unit from Ebay gave the thing to me (great guy). But as you can see Im starting to get really tired of the thing. Thanks for the help.

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Tue Nov 13, 2001 9:39 pm

I've found that since I reprogrammed my UHF radios with the CPS (version 1.0), I can mute a received signal (with NO PL, mind you) by tapping the monitor button. I rarely use the UHF radios so I haven't as of yet installed the newest updated CPS, but I will and see if that fixes the bug, and believe, me, it's most certainly a BUG! It's a major one that could cause an officer to miss a transmission or a whole bunch of them, and it it an officer safety issue as a result.

Oh well, I can always fall back to the original codeplug these radios had in them and start over with older software.

Elroy

Spectra God · Post by **Spectra God** » Wed Nov 14, 2001 7:42 pm

Spectra God · Post by **Spectra God** » Wed Nov 14, 2001 7:45 pm

I didn't buy that unit off ebay, I bought it at Dayton, he actually sent it to me without paying for it first, glad he did, I had the same problems, I dumped the original CP back in, which I may still have, asked him to fix it and I would buy it, next time I saw it, it was listed on ebay, go figure, had modat and all that good

, I asked Elroy about it, he thought the thing was hacked with the flash, sorry for your misfortune, hope things get squared away and I'll look for the CP to see if I saved it.

DJP

radiorepair · Post by **radiorepair** » Thu Nov 15, 2001 3:30 pm

Thank's for the tip. If you still have the codeplug that would help out a lot. Phil

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Thu Nov 15, 2001 6:37 pm

Oh jeez. I've got a sneaking suspicion I know what radio that is now. It's a problem child I've actually had in my hand...if this is the same one. I evaluated it and told the owner that the best thing to do would be to try to find a new vocon board for it because the one in the radio's an ancient version, actually it's a developmental version, or began life as one, anyway. Your radio may not be the same one as that, though.

If the vocon board LOOKS like a standard version when compared to the diagrams in the service manual, then you might consider an accident involving a microwave oven and a circuit board resting over a piece of crinkled aluminum foil. That'll totally scramble and fry its eggs. Then take it to the local shop for a trip to the depot for a flat rate 330 dollar repair plus handling fees. Of course, the radio would have to pass a visual inspection for signs of tampering or unauthorized repair, so make sure all the hardware's there and correct, and wipe off fingerprints!

You'd get a new controller with current firmware and a basic feature set...but you'll be able to clone in any codeplug via the F4 features.

I'm not telling you to do that. I'm telling you that it's a theoretical possibility.

Elroy

radiorepair · Post by **radiorepair** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 8:32 pm

Hmmm, The infamous Rockford Depot! OK I'll give it a shot and tell you what happens. If you don't hear from me in the next couple of weeks it will mean that M's secret police took me away (ha ha). Thanks for all the help, everybody! Phil

Post by **/\/\y 2 cents** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 1:31 pm

Im not a lawyer or anything, but in your post you stated (refering to the LED) "It worked fine until I re-programmed the radio." which means if the product was sold as-is, you probably arent getting your money back. All the guy has to say is that it is a result of your hardware/software or computer problems or lack of knowledge and thats why it dosen't work anymore. It worked when he sold it, the product was agreed to in the terms of sale as being AS-IS, soon as you re program or alter it, it dosent work anymore...in no way can you rpove it is his fault...it sucks but its a dog eat dog world.

radiorepair · Post by **radiorepair** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 8:16 pm

As I said before Im not too concerned about getting any money back for it, (it was given to me). The radio works fine except that the TX/Busy led does not work. I figure for a "free" radio Im not going to complain about it. I was able to correct the scan problem with the unit by omitting the emergency id scan feature in the radio. Im still not impressed with this unit (ok ok guys don't jump on me), but I find that my MTS2000 performs better. I have benched both units and even though the Astro is putting out 5 watts compared to the 4 on the MTS the audio quality seems clearer. Im not talking about the digital sound either, however sensitivity is about the same at .5mV. Is it just me or can anyone out there attest to the same? In any case it still is a cool radio and I can finally say Im radio "chic" by having one. Thanks fellas. Phil

Post by **/\/\y 2 cents** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 9:01 pm

I can believe that an MTS seems to have somewhat better performance. It all depends what kind of condition the electronic components are in. One time I had a p110 that was recieving much better than an HT600 that I had aquired. I couldnt believe it, but the HT600 had been dropped, thrown, and used in extreme heat, while the p110 had spent its entire ife in a charger on a desktop. In result, a radio model that should normally outperform another one, didn't because of the fact that it operated in extreme conditions and wasn't properly serviced (alignment, spec check).Its like saying a toyota that is reguarly serviced will outperform a Ferrari that has never had its oil changed at some point. Bottom line is that for optimal performance, radio equipment must be properly maintained

Post by **/\/\y 2 cents** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 9:02 pm

P.S. thats quite a deal you got for the radio..... I wouldnt complain too much either.

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Sun Nov 18, 2001 10:05 am

If you've got an MTS that performs better than an Astro Saber, then I'd think that there was something wrong with the Astro Saber, which is definitely a possibility if it's been hacked. The problem is probably a software problem rather than firmware.

Once I got an Astro Saber, I immediately sold all of my other radios because thew was no need to keep them. They simply weren't as good as the Astro Saber in any way.

Elroy

radiorepair · Post by **radiorepair** » Sun Nov 18, 2001 7:42 pm

Well lets hope the depot can correct the problem, I think flat rate for Astros is $285. I sent the unit to M on Friday so I will let you all know what the outcome was. I had a few XTS3000's that I sent in for warranty repair (U.S. Mint Police) and I just put the Saber in the mix. Phil