Posted: 10/17/2015 8:18:58 AM EDT
|
I purchased 2 Astro Sabers, Model 1E's I think on UHF, had them programmed at Sunny Communications/Used-Radios.Com, great people, they don't do custom work on programming though, I get that. I am using these for GMRS (I have 3 Motorola PM400's for base, even got an old Moto mic, the grey and white ones, and mobile as well as a Vertex Repeater).
I have searched hi and low for an operators manual as well as called locally for possible reprogramming eventually as I want to do a mobile extender with a Vertex or Pyramid mobile repeater. So looking for a way to reprogram, No one has a PC that is slow enough, nor the RSS and RIB (I think that is the correct term). Does anyone have a operators manual? Also these are supposed to have 48 channels but only 16 are programmed, it has the encryption switch, but I want to say it's not set up, I am fine on that since it isn't allowed on GMRS. I asked for scan to be initiated since I have my main repeater, talk around and some local PD/Sheriff departments. It looks like scan is set when you flip from (A) to (B) on the radios. (A) seems to stop scanning. The monitor button was not set up, so everything is monitored by CS or on public safety they are open squelch. I am assuming I can't radio program the buttons near the PTT switch? Does anyone know of someone that programs these old radios? They are gigantic (I love that, they will be my non-lethal weapon if needed 
Note: I realize they aren't Part 95 accepted for GMRS, but based on some posts at myGMRS.Com the FCC is pretty much looking the other way if they are Part 90 and not programmable from the radio itself. Any tips appreciated or direction. Hoping to get the repeater up and running next week once my 1/2 hardline is setup with connectors. Mast and antenna arrived, feel like a kid on Xmas. 
|
|
All the buttons and switches can be programmed if you have the correct RSS/CPS and RIB box. There are typically several people on ebay that offer saber programming for about $20. I do not have an operators manual, but you can try batlabs for a lot of motorola information.
As they are astro sabers, final release of xts3000 / astro saber cps should program, runs on current PC under windows 7 32bit. |
|
Thanks Captain!
I have one other shop locally I haven't tried, he is an old ham and always had moto gear laying around, I tried my local /\/\otorola shop buy he laughed when I said I had sabers. Good to know on the XTS3000, that might be a backdoor. I am pretty sure I can't get my hands on any RSS software, the RIB's are all over eBay and I have seen those folks on eBay. Again thanks |
|
Thanks Zap, I am going to grab a couple of different RIB's and a couple other items that Captain suggested, I was able to find options on RSS/CPS, results you guys have offered me is encouraging for maintaining these radios and as time goes, snag more and not worry about programming, well take the free setup to know they work if offered.
I have been researching at BatLab, RadioReference, CryptoMuseum, Repeater-Builders, most seem to be on the same line of information as was P25 Forums. I did some research and looks like I have the encryption version, though it doesn't say SecureNet, it is the extended length. Hmmmm. Unrelated but still part of my setup, I want to secure the connectors (N type) for outdoors, I am thinking old electrical tape is not the way to go, but instead rubber tape, I saw Menards has tape that is self healing and fuses to itself, good from -65c to 280c Is that what I want to watertight my outside antennas? Repeater and Control station. |
|
Quoted:
Thanks Zap, I am going to grab a couple of different RIB's and a couple other items that Captain suggested, I was able to find options on RSS/CPS, results you guys have offered me is encouraging for maintaining these radios and as time goes, snag more and not worry about programming, well take the free setup to know they work if offered. I have been researching at BatLab, RadioReference, CryptoMuseum, Repeater-Builders, most seem to be on the same line of information as was P25 Forums. I did some research and looks like I have the encryption version, though it doesn't say SecureNet, it is the extended length. Hmmmm. Unrelated but still part of my setup, I want to secure the connectors (N type) for outdoors, I am thinking old electrical tape is not the way to go, but instead rubber tape, I saw Menards has tape that is self healing and fuses to itself, good from -65c to 280c Is that what I want to watertight my outside antennas? Repeater and Control station. There isn't a great write-up on Astro Sabers on Batlabs and Repeater Builder. Repeater builder focuses mainly on the Saber and what they fail to mention is that all Astro Sabers are long bodied radios (and they all have the Ø /O rocker switch on them). The secure boards are plugin boards (NLA) like the most recent generations of Astro radios. The major down flaw to the Astro Saber/Spectra was unlike their analog counterparts and the later Astro 25 series (including the Astro Spectra Plus), Motorola choose not to include MPL on the first generation Astro radios. Here is two VHF Astro Sabers (correct antennas) and then a UHF Astro Saber (with an XPR UHF antenna). 
I haven't read the UHF radio yet, but I will read it and get it to you if you'd like so you can play around with some of the features in the CPS. |
|
Quoted:
Thanks Zap, I am going to grab a couple of different RIB's and a couple other items that Captain suggested, I was able to find options on RSS/CPS, results you guys have offered me is encouraging for maintaining these radios and as time goes, snag more and not worry about programming, well take the free setup to know they work if offered. I have been researching at BatLab, RadioReference, CryptoMuseum, Repeater-Builders, most seem to be on the same line of information as was P25 Forums. I did some research and looks like I have the encryption version, though it doesn't say SecureNet, it is the extended length. Hmmmm. Unrelated but still part of my setup, I want to secure the connectors (N type) for outdoors, I am thinking old electrical tape is not the way to go, but instead rubber tape, I saw Menards has tape that is self healing and fuses to itself, good from -65c to 280c Is that what I want to watertight my outside antennas? Repeater and Control station. Like above - all Astro Sabers are long body - it depends if the module is inside or not. N connectors should be OK by themselves but stuff like this works well: 
|
|
Thanks NU on the Astro info, they work great for now, and encryption is a no no on GMRS. Was just being curious.
I bought some tape like that, it was some 3M rubber tape that seals to itself. If all goes as planned, I am hoping to be live this week, been a long time coming with job changes, new homes and a new wife (that backs my endeavor 150%, best sammich machine on earth!) |
|
Quoted:
Thanks NU on the Astro info, they work great for now, and encryption is a no no on GMRS. Was just being curious. I bought some tape like that, it was some 3M rubber tape that seals to itself. If all goes as planned, I am hoping to be live this week, been a long time coming with job changes, new homes and a new wife (that backs my endeavor 150%, best sammich machine on earth!) I hate butol with a passion...it's a pain to try an cut off however many feet in the air you may be. If using butol (coax seal) it is recommended that you first run a courtesy wrap in electrical tape, then a butol wrap, then another wrap in electrical tape. Magic tape (the self fusing rubber stuff) is what I prefer to use. If you need an Astro Saber codeplug to play with, just let me know and I'll send you a few. |