Well, last night I finally figured out how
to use the DOS programming software for my Motorola Spectra. Turns out
these radios work very well on 2m and 70cm, once you program them and
have a good shop align them. Everyone says it sounds like a million
bucks on the air. There are tons of them on Ebay right now selling for
almost scrap prices, due to the narrow-banding requirements. They make
the 100w trunk mount, and several small under-dash Spectras too. I am
very happy with this radio and would reccomend them to anyone that wants
a super heavy duty radio at great prices...
(http://forums.radioreference.com/attachments/old-classifieds-archives/8433d1175211764-motorola-spectra-vhf-mobile-free-programming-spec1.jpg)
(http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/spectra/pix/high-power-spectra-remote-kit.jpg)
(http://forums.radioreference.com/attachments/old-classifieds-archives/8433d1175211764-motorola-spectra-vhf-mobile-free-programming-spec1.jpg)
(http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/spectra/pix/high-power-spectra-remote-kit.jpg)
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: KD0WZW on January 20, 2014, 11:55:41 AM
mind posting a write up on the programming, the software, and where you can get it?
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: KD8HMO on January 20, 2014, 12:44:17 PM
To program these radios, you need an
older slow computer with a true serial port that runs DOS. The guys on
repeater-builder.com say that only true MS-DOS will work supposedly. I
found an old Pentium Gateway destined for the trash, so I slapped
windows 98SE on it and the software runs perfectly when I start in DOS.
You have to make sure the archive folder is set to be not read-only and
an archive, or the software wont save the codeplug file for you. (you
want to burn a copy of the codeplug file to a cd or thumb drive in case
you corrupt the file in the radio and brick it...) You will need the
Motorola radio interface box (RIB) and proper cable to program the
radio. You can also buy a pre-made "ribless" cable for whatever model
you have. The cable has the rib circuitry built into the ends. The
software is pretty straight forward. It reads the codeplug file first,
then you tell the software what you want to do and change the data
settings, then feed the new codeplug back into the radio, just like the
software for my Yaesu FT-7900. The RSS software is hard to come by,
because Motorola is pretty tight with their stuff. There are a few
places to download it, or you can find someone that might share it for
free. When looking at these radios listed on e-bay, you have to do some
research to make sure you get a model number that will go to the ham
bands. Once you have a model that will work, the latest version of the
software will let you program into 144-148 mhz. Also, the early 90's
Spectras were made with electrolytic caps installed that will eventually
leak. Chances are you will get one that might not have been re-capped.
If so, it should be checked. This repair was bread and butter work for
the moto techs, not a big deal to get done.
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: K4JJL on January 20, 2014, 01:04:56 PM
Bending the UHF models down into the
ham bands takes a couple hours, even for experienced techs. I've done a
half dozen myself. It's not a pleasant experience. The soldering part
is easy. The reassembly is the hardest part.
Be careful with the caps. Even if they don't look like they're leaking, replace them anyway. Catch it before it happens. Trace damage is the hardest part to repair on these.
Be careful with the caps. Even if they don't look like they're leaking, replace them anyway. Catch it before it happens. Trace damage is the hardest part to repair on these.
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: KD8HMO on January 20, 2014, 01:24:31 PM
I havn't tried a UHF model yet. I have
the VHF 100w trunk mount with the A9 System 9000 control head. The model
number on it is T83FWA7HA9AK. You can see a pic of it on my first post.
The tech that refurbished mine was able to reprogram it down to 144 MHz
with no problem. He also flashed the firmware to the very latest
version too. I know the UHF models might need some mods done like that
last poster said. They also have a model that does 900mhz too, if I am
not mistaken.
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: K4JJL on January 20, 2014, 02:34:34 PM
I've done the 900 MHz mod, as well. Not as time consuming as the UHF. Audio isn't the best unless you bypass the hearclear.
IIRC, I had to hex-edit the software to allow the 900 ham frequencies to be entered.
IIRC, I had to hex-edit the software to allow the 900 ham frequencies to be entered.
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: KD8HMO on January 22, 2014, 02:22:59 PM
Here is a video that I made of my Spectra in action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6LJ3aUfH5I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6LJ3aUfH5I)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6LJ3aUfH5I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6LJ3aUfH5I)
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: K4JJL on January 23, 2014, 12:26:31 PM
If you like Spectras, you'll really
like GE Orions. More channels, 2 line display head, smaller footprint, 2
radios on 1 head, Windows software. I have one in a desktop console
with a tone remote interface at home. Since I don't have home phone
service, I plugged the tone remote into the phone outlet and backfed the
phone system in my house. I have a couple tone remotes spread around
(kitchen, living room, desk). Most of it was assembled from odds and
ends at hamfests and ebay.
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: K6LCS on January 23, 2014, 08:14:30 PM
I maintain a couple of IBM ThinkPad
760ED laptops just for this type of OLD Kenwood and Motorola RSS ... And
to think we paid up to $300 for those programs back then ... PLUS Moto
cabling!
And people gripe when they are told that MODERN software with much more functionality, compatibility, import/export of datafiles, and USB cables that totally eliminate COM port nonsense costs a whopping $49.95 ...
(grin)
And people gripe when they are told that MODERN software with much more functionality, compatibility, import/export of datafiles, and USB cables that totally eliminate COM port nonsense costs a whopping $49.95 ...
(grin)
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: KD8HMO on January 24, 2014, 09:11:33 AM
I
maintain a couple of IBM ThinkPad 760ED laptops just for this type of
OLD Kenwood and Motorola RSS ... And to think we paid up to $300 for
those programs back then ... PLUS Moto cabling!
And people gripe when they are told that MODERN software with much more functionality, compatibility, import/export of datafiles, and USB cables that totally eliminate COM port nonsense costs a whopping $49.95 ...
(grin)
A good example of this is the RT Systems software for my Yaesu radios. Cable and software cost about that much..And people gripe when they are told that MODERN software with much more functionality, compatibility, import/export of datafiles, and USB cables that totally eliminate COM port nonsense costs a whopping $49.95 ...
(grin)
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: K4JJL on January 24, 2014, 09:25:35 AM
I made my own cables. DB25s aren't hard to assemble.
HTs were done with broken speaker mics.
HTs were done with broken speaker mics.
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: K6LCS on January 24, 2014, 09:47:10 AM
If for myself for occasional use, I
would have DIY, too ... But when you have commercial clients demanding
perfection, I went first-class ... (grin)
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: K4JJL on January 24, 2014, 11:11:37 AM
Only time I've ever had a homebrew
cable not work was my MSF5000 cable. I built it out of an old phone
cord. The wires were too fragile and repeatedly snapped off the solder
joints. Fixed it on site, but rebuilt it from CAT5 and a crimp-on RJ-11
when I got home.
Hi-jacking the thread... Sorry...
BTW, I've been programming my Spectra lately with a ToughBook CF-28 I picked up for $10. Using DOSBox, it seems to work pretty good on both Kenwood and Motorola radios. Still have the old cream-colored Compaq laptop with a Pentium 100, but it's a little long in the tooth. It's starting to get a little cantankerous.
Hi-jacking the thread... Sorry...
BTW, I've been programming my Spectra lately with a ToughBook CF-28 I picked up for $10. Using DOSBox, it seems to work pretty good on both Kenwood and Motorola radios. Still have the old cream-colored Compaq laptop with a Pentium 100, but it's a little long in the tooth. It's starting to get a little cantankerous.
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: KD0YMC on January 29, 2014, 09:45:55 PM
I just picked up one of these for my
home setup, mainly to tinker with as I learn the hobby (new ham as of
december). I haven't received it yet, but I think i might have bitten
off more than I can chew with the programming. looks like I will spend
twice the cost of the radio for programming cables, then the finding the
software and a computer that can run it! (where does one find a DOS
computer these days without it being called "vintage" and charging an
arm and a leg!!).
Unfortunately, on this one, i am doing my research AFTER the purchase as opposed to before. I won't give up on this one, but looks like a more long term project than expected.
Unfortunately, on this one, i am doing my research AFTER the purchase as opposed to before. I won't give up on this one, but looks like a more long term project than expected.
Title: RE: Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
Post by: K4JJL on January 30, 2014, 06:19:40 AM
Try running the programming software
with DOSBox on a modern PC. I've got it to work before. Otherwise,
there's always old computers at hamfests. I use an old cream-colored
Compaq laptop (Pentium 100, I think). You'll need a USB to serial
converter ($15) if you don't have a serial port. You'll also need a
RIB. Chinese knock-offs are available on eBay ($22). You can make the
RIB to Spectra cable yourself with some Cat5 and solder-cup DB25
connectors.
Tons of info on batlabs.com and repeater-builder.com
Tons of info on batlabs.com and repeater-builder.com
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