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Astro Spectra Plus

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radioman2001

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I have done a lot of research looking to find if anyone has successfully programmed an Astro Spectra Plus using a serial cable. Most of the information is 5 to 10 years old, and I keep seeing info that it might be possible using the HKN6160 by bringing out the RS-232 lines and hooking them up to the DB15 on the back of the radio. I have not found any posts where they were successful. The only successful programming has been with a HKN6155 cable. I have a AS+ needing programming and before I spend more money on a programming cable than I paid for the radio I would like to know if you can modify a 6160 cable to work as a 6155 and have it work.
 

n3obl

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a 6160 cable connects to xtl mobile rear connector. the as+ doesnt even have that jack
 

com501

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The AS+ programs through the keyload port on the brick. It uses that special cable. Sadly, you are correct, the cable is VERY expensive.
 

harrisjt

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Here is a document with pin outs for the RS232 cable that can be used to program Astro Spectra Plus from the rear port. Again this will only work for the Astro Spectra Plus
 

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radioman2001

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Thank you harrisjt for the diagrams. I guess I didn't explain correctly what I am trying to do. The HLN 6160 is for XTL mobiles, and I get that, but does that cable have some form of level shift circuit in the RS-232 end of the DB9 casing (to computer RS232 port) or is it direct RS-232 straight output to the back of a XTL. If it has a level shift in the DB9 can I take the appropriate pins (RTS CTS etc) and hook them up to the AS+ DB15 for programming, and has anyone done it successfully. I am not too keen without knowing positively that I can use the 6160 to hook up to the AS+, as I don't want to fry the radio with RS232 level power if it's not designed to handle it. A diagram of the HLN6155 would settle this.
Again to pay 2 to 3 times more than the radio for a programming cable I might use once or twice. I guess that's why the radios are so cheap.

I will investigate with the diagrams harrisjt provided.
 

harrisjt

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The hkn6160 is direct rs232 to the xtl. The diagram I posted will make the equivalent for the Astro spectra plus. You can use the cable to program the AS+ but not flash it. To flash it you will need the HKN6155 which does have a level shift in it.


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radioman2001

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Ok now hours later and still no read, and spent time verifying radio jumpered for RS-232 operation. Pin 9 from the DB-15 causes radio to not boot up gives Fail 01/90. Radio software doesn't get response from radio, RS-232 works fine on other radios.

Quote"
Have you tried reading it with the cable? turn on radio, attach cable, read... reverse


I tried all combinations, power up and hook up cable, removed pin 9 lead power up hooked up cable. With 9 connected radio will not boot up. Remove 9 and it boots up but software gets no response. Powered up hooked up pin 9. BTW Pin 9 is not in the W947AD cable but was found in another thread.

So I opened up my XTS serial cable and there is a level shift board in it. Deciding whether to gut that cable and try using it since I need a Flash capable cable anyway.
 
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jeepsandradios

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The AS+ will shut off the head when plugging the programming cable into the port on the front. The radio is still on and you should be able to read and write. I do mine weekly.
 

radioman2001

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It's not that's on the radio blanks and then comes back it shows Fail 01/90 when pin 9 is connected which is either power or data bus failure. I have to research that pin more. The front panel connection does something different, I did read that there is a line that must be pulled to get the radio to put it a bootstrap mode to accept programming. Not sure if it's code-plug or firmware update.

Quote"
The AS+ will shut off the head when plugging the programming cable into the port on the front. The radio is still on and you should be able to read and write. I do mine weekly.

Not with a home brew serial cable, that's what I am trying to get around.
 

com501

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Not to poke at this, but you ARE using the CPS for the XTL radios right? The AS+ is an XTL firmware based radio in an Astro Spectra board/form factor. The AS+ is basically the 'use the rest of those Astro chassis until we run out' move by marketing. They were not around very long, but the good news is they program just like an XTL.
 

harrisjt

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Do you have your cable set up like this;

Db9. Db15
2 11
3 13
5 8
7 15
8 1

And on the db9 end 1,4 & 6 tied together.

That is exactly how mine is set up. No ignition sense or anything.


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mancow

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I went through hell with one. It turns out some have all the RS232 connections disabled. I had to go in and move a bunch of 0 ohm resistors and jumper several spots then the rear port connections mentioned above worked. I'll try to find that document again describing it.

I think this is the document I referenced. I printed out a schematic from the manual and highlighted the various parts when I did it to make it easier.



High Power W4/5/7/9
No mods needed
Cable Pinout
DB9 (Computer) to DB25 Accessory Port on Radio
2 - RXD - 2
3 - TXD - 3
5 - GND - 18
7 - RTS - 4
8 - CTS - 17
All Jumpers are already in place on the interconnect - Unknown if same for W3
***THIS WILL NOT WORK ON MID POWER REMOTE MOUNT***

Mid Power Units
DB9 (Computer) to Radio Rear 15 Pin Connector
2 - RXD - 11 J501-50
3 - TXD - 13 J501-43
5 - GND - 8
7 - RTS - 15 J501-42
8 - CTS - 1 J501-5
If dashmounted don't forget to add your emerg. jumper (pin 2 to pin 17) and your IGN wire (4) and if you want your speaker added in then Spkr Hi(6) and Spkr Lo(7)
 

radioman2001

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I did the hell of verifying the RS-232 option jumper for jumper. Also I am using the Astro 25 software not Astro, but that shouldn't cause the radio to display Fail 01/90

Quote"
Do you have your cable set up like this;

Db9. Db15
2 11
3 13
5 8
7 15
8 1

And on the db9 end 1,4 & 6 tied together.

That is exactly how mine is set up. No ignition sense or anything.

I am going to start from scratch with the cable and try yours, but how does the radio start up with no ignition sense? The radio is front mount.

Thanks to all for the help. I will post results so others won't have to go through this.
 

radioman2001

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OK, got it too work, and here is my diagram based on others who deserve the credit not me, that worked:

Mid Power Units
DB9 (Computer) to Radio Rear 15 Pin Connector
2 - RXD - 11 J501-50
3 - TXD - 13 J501-43
5 - GND - 8
7 - RTS - 15 J501-42
8 - CTS - 1 J501-5
If dashmounted don't forget to add your emerg. jumper (pin 2 to pin 17) and your IGN wire (4) and if you want your speaker added in then Spkr Hi(6) and Spkr Lo(7)



I havn't tried the high power one yet that's for another day.

BTW the serial wires go to an internal RS-232 chip (maybe a level shift or buffer) then on to the Vocon pins.

I don't know where I was going wrong, but I started from scratch and success. Thanks to all that provided help.
 

harrisjt

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OK, got it too work, and here is my diagram based on others who deserve the credit not me, that worked:



Mid Power Units

DB9 (Computer) to Radio Rear 15 Pin Connector

2 - RXD - 11 J501-50

3 - TXD - 13 J501-43

5 - GND - 8

7 - RTS - 15 J501-42

8 - CTS - 1 J501-5

If dashmounted don't forget to add your emerg. jumper (pin 2 to pin 17) and your IGN wire (4) and if you want your speaker added in then Spkr Hi(6) and Spkr Lo(7)







I havn't tried the high power one yet that's for another day.



BTW the serial wires go to an internal RS-232 chip (maybe a level shift or buffer) then on to the Vocon pins.



I don't know where I was going wrong, but I started from scratch and success. Thanks to all that provided help.



Good deal glad you got it figured out. I was going to offer you a cable to use for it. Let me know if you need anything else.


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