Posted: 6/3/2026 5:18:14 PM EDT
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Anyone ever monkeyed with one of these ? I have one in uhf I want to use for GMRS. Just seeing if anyones had any practical hands on. I haver the cables (RIB)the DOS based sw -- RSS-- and a computer capable of not bricking radios of this era but reading the manual is not clear as to wether you pug into the radios individually or you program them through the controller --or just the controller or perhaps all three? |
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Might be able to find some info here: https://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/maxtrac/maxtrac-index.html |
This is...a clue - Pat_Rogers
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
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You need a RIB box/ correct programming cable and a DOS emulator program. I had one many years ago I got cheap to play with, ended up selling to a homesteader to use with his family that covered his land, GMRS. At least that's what I recall needing. They're OK but long in the tooth being RADIUS mobiles in a box with a controller between them. I come across enough of them that are still in service to not automatically require an upgrade to an SLR series. ETA--reading your post OP, you have what's needed already, sorry for the non-help. IIRC, you program each radio not the RIC. I probably used the repeater-builder link posted above as a guide, actually. |
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No that actually helps. the service and programming manuals are unclear on that point. With RSS I found DOS emulators don't always work ...I have a 286PC running DOS that works on these radios just fine. Unfortunately I bricked a SABER before I figured that out. Port speed is important too try to write these old radios too fast and they can sometimes loose thier mind literally. This one is NOS as it was programmed as a spare for a county fire dept system and never put in service beyond periodic checks. and the price was right. Im basically gonna make it a one channel repeater for the local area GMRS as that's what we use out off roading and trail riding. So ill read each radio --save that config--then read each again and alter the frequencies and tone info for the GMRS repeater channel we choose then probably have to re-tune the diplexer a little bit |
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Originally Posted By offctr: No that actually helps. the service and programming manuals are unclear on that point. With RSS I found DOS emulators don't always work ...I have a 286PC running DOS that works on these radios just fine. Unfortunately I bricked a SABER before I figured that out. Port speed is important too try to write these old radios too fast and they can sometimes loose thier mind literally. This one is NOS as it was programmed as a spare for a county fire dept system and never put in service beyond periodic checks. and the price was right. Im basically gonna make it a one channel repeater for the local area GMRS as that's what we use out off roading and trail riding. So ill read each radio --save that config--then read each again and alter the frequencies and tone info for the GMRS repeater channel we choose then probably have to re-tune the diplexer a little bit Yeah probably have touch up the notches a bit. I know I used DOS BOX, on pretty sure a Windows Vista OS desktop. NOS? Nice--they're pretty bulletproof, all-in-one deals. The ones I replace are probably 20+ years old. Also the continuous duty cycle on the power supplies was an issue with the GR300s but the 500 might have a beefier power supply, probably some form of an Astron linear. You'll be on easy street once you read them, just need a good antenna and higher than it's possible to put it. 
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