Programming Motorola radio

cbrrider06 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 04:22 PM

Hello all! I am in the process of getting a Motorola cdm 1550 ls radio. I know it must be programmed via a computer, I don't know if it is keypad programable. I will be using the radio in the ham bands uhf and also to monitor local fire, ems, police. Has anyone got any tips for programming themself or does it need to be done by a motorola dealer. Also if anyone uses this radio what type of setup do you have. Thanks in advance Jason

frootydawg · #2 (**permalink**) 11-16-2008, 11:05 AM

You will have to have the Customer Programming Software (Professional Radio CPS ver. R06.10.04 is the latest), a radio interface box (R.I.B.), and appropriate cables from computer to R.I.B. and from the R.I.B. to the radio or, get a R.I.B.less cable. Getting the cables and R.I.B. is the easy part finding a LEGAL copy of the software is not so easy..... not impossible just not so easy. Don't get the cheap aftermarket stuff either because you always get what you pay for. Our radio shop charges a programming fee of $65 per radio per programming event but your mileage may vary depending on your location. If you plan on making frequent programming changes you may want to consider an amateur radio product. If you have a good antenna system you may not notice the difference in performance when comparing a ham rig and a commercial rig. My Yaesu FT-7800 receives as good as the commercial rig in my truck but the commercial rig has 110 watts output vs. 50 watts output, which I RARELY use that much power anyway, and the guys can't tell the difference between the two radios when I'm using the local 2 meter repeater.

Before any of the "Why do people always try to discourage someone from using a commercial radio" or "Maybe we like to use commercial rigs because they have better specs" crowd gets their thongs in a bunch, I'm just trying to enlighten the lad on the expense and headache involved of owning a commercial radio. I agree that the Motorola rigs are better. Hell, I've got a PM1500 VHF in my truck, a EX500 VHF portable, EX 600 UHF, and an MTS 2000 VHF portable that I use daily for ham radio activities and for my employment but, I have the resources to program/re-program whenever I want to. Bear in mind that your equipment/software cost to program the radio on your own could cost around $700(?).

pddispatcher · #3 (**permalink**) 11-18-2008, 05:36 PM

$65 is VERY inflated for programming a radio.

I've sent you a PM OP.

$40 here.

Renegade631 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-18-2008, 08:17 PM

You can buy the box on ebay for <$30
http://cgi.ebay.com/RIB-Radio-Interf...QQcmdZViewItem

You're looking at $300+ for the software unless you download it illegally (its out there).

$65 a pop eh? Sounds like a good gig if it don't take too long, might need to cop a box and add that to my services list

snjct2000 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-18-2008, 09:33 PM

Very honest and practical advice from frootydawg. Commercial radios can be a real expense. And often times their advantages don't really outweigh the use of a good quality ham radio. By the way, most shops in my area (N.E. Ohio) charge a minimum of $70 for basic programming.

zz0468 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-21-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pddispatcher

$65 is VERY inflated for programming a radio.

No it's not. Especially if it's done professionally, with the right tools, and by people who know what they're doing.

As to using a commercial radio for ham band use... Caveat Emptor. The performance is nice, but you'll get burned out on it real quick the third or fourth time you plunk $65 down to have it reprogrammed. And you won't be too happy when you find out that the programming equipment and software alone costs more than an amateur transceiver with more capability. They're usually only a good deal for the guys who can work on them themselves.

pddispatcher · #7 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zz0468

No it's not. Especially if it's done professionally, with the right tools, and by people who know what they're doing.

A broad side of a barn could program a radio man,

What is there to be done professionally for programming a Minitor Pager or entering frequencies in a radio?

A couple numbers and a PL for the RX and TX

What tools??? A computer, rib and software?

Now if you are getting inside and messing with the internal settings then I can understand that but just to enter frequencies, PL's, and channel names.

Sorry, I won't pay $65 for a radio to be programmed.

Renegade631 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 08:01 AM

The time of a professional with the right tools is a valuable thing, I don't think $65 (Or $70) is a lot of money even if it takes 15 minutes. If he has the programs and cables for a wide range of different types of radios he has probably made a considerable investment in his business and deserves a good margin.

Ever called a locksmith? Taken your computer in for repairs? These things cost money...

That said, if you were going to have the radio programmed more than 2 or 3 times, you could buy everything you need to DIY (Provided you already have a computer, which should go without saying if you are reading this message).

Chauffeur6 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pddispatcher

A broad side of a barn could program a radio man,

What is there to be done professionally for programming a Minitor Pager or entering frequencies in a radio?

A couple numbers and a PL for the RX and TX

What tools??? A computer, rib and software?

Now if you are getting inside and messing with the internal settings then I can understand that but just to enter frequencies, PL's, and channel names.

Sorry, I won't pay $65 for a radio to be programmed.

Yeah, and the first time you brick a $500+ radio because a POS aftermarket cable failed in the middle of writing the codeplug, that $65 will all of a sudden seem like the best investment you could've made. Don't be so dismissive just because YOU might have the equipment and know-how to do it...not everyone is a radio genius like yourself.

Tech792 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 09:33 AM

The newer radios have all sorts of programming parameters. (Audio, bandwidth, alignment settings) Its real easy for some one who doesn't know what they're doing to get in there and start changing things. I've seen it first hand. I get radios in my shop all the time (like HT1250's) that I had to put back proper settings.

pddispatcher · #11 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 11:07 PM

Just saying,

I still think $65 is high.

Just my opinion.

wa8pyr · #12 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tech792

The newer radios have all sorts of programming parameters. (Audio, bandwidth, alignment settings) Its real easy for some one who doesn't know what they're doing to get in there and start changing things. I've seen it first hand. I get radios in my shop all the time (like HT1250's) that I had to put back proper settings.

And don't forget the more esoteric settings (mostly on trunked radios) like ISW and so forth. On any type of radio, programming by the uneducated can wreak havoc on a radio system, and in some cases, cause the system to crash. At best, the wrong settings are going to cause your transmitted signal to sound like garbage. If I catch that kind of foolishness going on on the system I manage, someone will decide Chicken Little was right all along about the sky falling.

$65 is cheap at the price and well worth it. It may not be worth it to "pddispatcher" until the day he bricks a radio. Around here it ranges from $50 to $110, depending on the radio and the quantity you're getting done at one time...

pddispatcher · #13 (**permalink**) 11-23-2008, 02:42 AM

Programmed over 150 Kenwood Portables

20 or so Motorolas

No complaints / issues at all

BTW, I don't buy EBay Junk Cables except one that I have for a Kenwood TK-272 and it works just as good as the OEM Kenwood.

pddispatcher · #14 (**permalink**) 11-23-2008, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tech792

The newer radios have all sorts of programming parameters. (Audio, bandwidth, alignment settings) Its real easy for some one who doesn't know what they're doing to get in there and start changing things. I've seen it first hand. I get radios in my shop all the time (like HT1250's) that I had to put back proper settings.

And if that needs to be done then I agree a radio shop is the best for that but for basic programming putting frequencies in so on $65 is too damn high.

mattgregg110 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-30-2008, 05:54 PM

Im glad where in live in West Virginia the most anyone around here pays to get a radio programmed is about 25bucks and thats for up to 32channels, usually about 50bucks for our big inter-op radio in our command trailer, but i can see why its more i mean uhf statewide inter-op would be a pain in the butt to program

NeFire242 · #16 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8pyr

If I catch that kind of foolishness going on on the system I manage, someone will decide Chicken Little was right all along about the sky falling.

Wow from some ham on UHF to breaking into "onto" a system... chill dude. lol

And I would venture to say there are illegal radios on your system right now. There are plenty of ways. Heck I bet they use talk-groups that are seldom used at night to talk one another while you're sleeping!

They'll probably steal your ID and roll around on the system or an ID from one of your backup consoles or an interop radio.

Or not even bother with that just key up and start to desense the other units on the CC input or output. That can be enough to make a radio honk.

And if all else fails a hacksaw into that tower coax can make quick work of a site too.