Showing posts with label Motorola Spectra UHF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motorola Spectra UHF. Show all posts
Motorola Spectra UHF Mods - capacitors leak
Motorola Spectra UHF Mods - the capacitors in older spectra tend to leak so it may be a good idea to replace them if they haven't already.
Motorola Spectra Amateur Radio Conversion
Motorola Spectra 110w trunk mount programmed for 2 meters. Notice the current draw on the ammeter. This radio makes a very nice base station with a desk mic.
Spectra Tips For use with Lab RSS R05.03.00
Spectra Tips For use with Lab RSS R05.03.00
Consider the following before trying any of these tips. When using the Lab software "Bit Banger" feature it is very easy to create an absolutely brain dead MLM, so be careful. Also, there is no guarantee that all tips will work with every Spectra. Forget about using this RSS with an Astro Spectra.
Bit Banging the model number
This is necessary if you want to clone a different model number Spectra's features into your radio.
The model number starts at location 0x6048 on the MLM and after location 0xB670 on the command board. After making any changes using the Bit Banger read the radio and then program the radio before doing anything else. When the clone operation is started you will most likely get a warning message that the radios features are different, tell it to proceed.
Now you have changed the model number in your radio to match your source, perform the following:
Consider the following before trying any of these tips. When using the Lab software "Bit Banger" feature it is very easy to create an absolutely brain dead MLM, so be careful. Also, there is no guarantee that all tips will work with every Spectra. Forget about using this RSS with an Astro Spectra.
Bit Banging the model number
This is necessary if you want to clone a different model number Spectra's features into your radio.
The model number starts at location 0x6048 on the MLM and after location 0xB670 on the command board. After making any changes using the Bit Banger read the radio and then program the radio before doing anything else. When the clone operation is started you will most likely get a warning message that the radios features are different, tell it to proceed.
Now you have changed the model number in your radio to match your source, perform the following:
- Load a codeplug from the "source radio" (the model number you want)
- Connect the programming cable to your radio
- Select clone from the menu, and in a few seconds RSS should tell you that your radio has been cloned.
Spectra LAB RSS and Moflag Bits
Spectra LAB RSS and Moflag Bits
The Spectra Lab RSS (R04.04.04) has a utility called the MOFLAG Programmer and it lets you edit a series of MOFLAGs "bits" in the codeplug.
The list of the Moflags and what feature each bit controls is listed in the chart below.
The bits control what features are available, and what aren't. The problem is the MOFLAG programmer only edits the codeplug. You could program features in, but when you read your newly upgraded radio the features disappeared in the RSS. If you keep reading below you will see why.
Note that not all features are available with all MLM firmware versions. If you think you are going to turn on zone operation in your version 2.0 MLM, keep dreaming. It takes at least version 6 for zones to be supported. Other features (MPL, RSSI, etc.) may have other requirements. Another thing to remember is you cannot read or open a codeplug from a firmware version 6.xx radio with the LAB RSS.
Spectra Hacking History
Just prior to the true MOFLAG breakthrough, to properly hack more features into a radio involved taking a radio that had lots of features, and cloning Command Board Location range B681 - B693 to another radio which you wanted to clone the feature set to. You could also upgrade the firmware (with an EEPROM burner) to the same or newer level than the radio you cloned the feature string from. Then you would virtually have a clone of the original good radios features and get Zones, Securenet or whatever else the original had. At this time it was known that this string controlled the features but it wasn't cross referenced to the individual moflags... yet.
This method works a lot better than the original way people added features to their radios. That way involved just cloning a more featured codeplug into your radio, overwriting the feature string in the codeplug only and usually giving you what you wanted. The problem was that when you read the radio with the RSS, your features would vanish because the RSS got the feature data from the MOFLAG bits on the command board and the new codeplug only changed data in the codeplug. If you read carefully below, you will see why that happens.
The latest and greatest method, which this page is all about lets you selectively enable/disable the exact features that you want. No more all or nothing!
The Spectra Lab RSS (R04.04.04) has a utility called the MOFLAG Programmer and it lets you edit a series of MOFLAGs "bits" in the codeplug.
The list of the Moflags and what feature each bit controls is listed in the chart below.
The bits control what features are available, and what aren't. The problem is the MOFLAG programmer only edits the codeplug. You could program features in, but when you read your newly upgraded radio the features disappeared in the RSS. If you keep reading below you will see why.
Note that not all features are available with all MLM firmware versions. If you think you are going to turn on zone operation in your version 2.0 MLM, keep dreaming. It takes at least version 6 for zones to be supported. Other features (MPL, RSSI, etc.) may have other requirements. Another thing to remember is you cannot read or open a codeplug from a firmware version 6.xx radio with the LAB RSS.
Spectra Hacking History
Just prior to the true MOFLAG breakthrough, to properly hack more features into a radio involved taking a radio that had lots of features, and cloning Command Board Location range B681 - B693 to another radio which you wanted to clone the feature set to. You could also upgrade the firmware (with an EEPROM burner) to the same or newer level than the radio you cloned the feature string from. Then you would virtually have a clone of the original good radios features and get Zones, Securenet or whatever else the original had. At this time it was known that this string controlled the features but it wasn't cross referenced to the individual moflags... yet.
This method works a lot better than the original way people added features to their radios. That way involved just cloning a more featured codeplug into your radio, overwriting the feature string in the codeplug only and usually giving you what you wanted. The problem was that when you read the radio with the RSS, your features would vanish because the RSS got the feature data from the MOFLAG bits on the command board and the new codeplug only changed data in the codeplug. If you read carefully below, you will see why that happens.
The latest and greatest method, which this page is all about lets you selectively enable/disable the exact features that you want. No more all or nothing!
Spectra Hacks and Bit-Banging
First things first: Anyone attempting these modifications should be aware of the fact that you could render your radio inoperable with one wrong keystroke. This guide may seem a little too simplified for the experienced bit bangers, but it's for the ones that want to break into the world of new and exciting Spectra Features.
With that out of the way, on with the fun. This was done in Lab Version 6.00.05 but the screens are similar on older versions of the software. The location of the BitBanger from the main menu is in the Alignment/Service Menu. When entering this menu you will need your radio powered up and connected to the computer with the RIB and cables. It will read the radio quickly every time you move up or down a menu item in this section. Not to worry; this is normal.
With that out of the way, on with the fun. This was done in Lab Version 6.00.05 but the screens are similar on older versions of the software. The location of the BitBanger from the main menu is in the Alignment/Service Menu. When entering this menu you will need your radio powered up and connected to the computer with the RIB and cables. It will read the radio quickly every time you move up or down a menu item in this section. Not to worry; this is normal.
This is where you should be now
In this Service Menu there will be several areas for alignments and board replacements. You will want the F8 option for "Service Aids and Trouble Shooting Aids".
In this Service Menu there will be several areas for alignments and board replacements. You will want the F8 option for "Service Aids and Trouble Shooting Aids".
Motorola Spectra For Ham Use
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.
MOTOROLA codeplug download
MOTOROLA codeplug download
http://www.hackersrussia.ru/Radio/m_motorola.php
***** warning I have not confirmed the follow file.
P50 (Radius P50+Portable, ver R02.00.00)
SP50
P200
P200 (low band only!)
CP50; GP68 (only adjusting, no programming frequency...)
GP88
P100; HT50
P110-5t (PC не выше 286!)
P110-5t (PC Pentium!)
Editsoftware for GP300-5t (It only runns on slow PC`s without FIFO RS232)
P210
P110; GP300
GP300 (cracked!)
http://www.hackersrussia.ru/Radio/m_motorola.php
***** warning I have not confirmed the follow file.
P50 (Radius P50+Portable, ver R02.00.00)
SP50
P200
P200 (low band only!)
CP50; GP68 (only adjusting, no programming frequency...)
GP88
P100; HT50
P110-5t (PC не выше 286!)
P110-5t (PC Pentium!)
Editsoftware for GP300-5t (It only runns on slow PC`s without FIFO RS232)
P210
P110; GP300
GP300 (cracked!)
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