Programming a Minitor Pager on the Cheap - DIY Style Write Up

[jsncrso]

Great write up! Could a USB to TTL converter be used? These can be found relatively cheap off of ebay. Would any of these examples work in place of the radio shack scanner programming cable?

USB To TTL Module cp2102 arm9 max232 max2332 (6 pins) - eBay (item 250399285596 end time Sep-27-09 08:04:26 PDT)

CP2102 USB/TTL/RS232 Serial Port Converter Transceiver - eBay (item 110433034085 end time Sep-14-09 01:53:17 PDT)

Thanks!

 

[ffemt134]

I've been trying to build this for the past 2 days, and for the life of me I can't figure out why it's not working. I've made sure I've put my Minitor 5 in programming mode, I have continuity in my connections, I've checked and double checked which COM port the Radio Shack USB cable is mapped to (I successfully used it to update my Pro-96 scanner, so I know the cable works), I've changed the COM port setting to the 1200 baud rate......and all I keep getting is the "serial communication error - data transmission error" message.

Any thoughts?

 

[N2ZPY]

I found how to get around my error in the PPS......Under the "Tools" tab there is a "USB Delay Time". I changed it from the default 3 sec to 4 and it works without a flaw.

Try this ^

 

[ffemt134]

I've tried that too.....still no dice.

 

[ffemt134]

I just noticed this.....I'm plugging the 1/8" jack from the cable into a stereo jack that's a different part number than what's listed here. This is the one I have (Part 274-0246).

If I'm looking at this right...Ground (the sleeve) should be terminal 1, Data RX (the middle ring) is terminal 5, and Data TX (the tip) is terminal 2?

 

[K5RYA]

The part number your referring to I listed was simply something I put on the list you were asking for as it would work. It is not the one I used. As I stated, there is no such thing as a list of part numbers from what I used, it was parts found in various buckets at a small hobby electronics store. You should be using the diagrams I posted of the pinouts of the 20-047 and the different Minitors to determine where to connect the wires on the jack, not necessarily the way I hooked mine up.

 

[K5RYA]

Great write up! Could a USB to TTL converter be used? These can be found relatively cheap off of ebay. Would any of these examples work in place of the radio shack scanner programming cable?

USB To TTL Module cp2102 arm9 max232 max2332 (6 pins) - eBay (item 250399285596 end time Sep-27-09 08:04:26 PDT)

CP2102 USB/TTL/RS232 Serial Port Converter Transceiver - eBay (item 110433034085 end time Sep-14-09 01:53:17 PDT)

Thanks!

I don't see why not, that's all the 20-047 is to my knowledge.

 

[theclinton]

WHY WON'T THIS THING WORK!!!!!- I built the programmer according to the directions, made sure that my port settings were correct, changed USB delay time, and all I get is a message saying that there was a data transmission error. Nothing seems to work!

Any ideas?

 

[K5RYA]

WHY WON'T THIS THING WORK!!!!!- I built the programmer according to the directions, made sure that my port settings were correct, changed USB delay time, and all I get is a message saying that there was a data transmission error. Nothing seems to work!

Any ideas?

Not sure man, make sure and test your pinouts and connections to sure they are all working and connected properly. Also make sure you have the Minitor in program mode.

 

[MPFD535]

I have charger base for the 5 that i am going to try to use, but I cant find the software on there page to download it, can anyone give me a hand?

 

[MPFD535]

Anyone? I have searched the website all over?

 

[Alarmguy]

http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles...iles/MINITOR V software 1.7.2.zip?localeId=33 the original software link page changed.

 

[MPFD535]

sweet thank you

 

[JASII]

Programming a Minitor Pager on the Cheap - DIY Stye Write Up

Wow, I don't even own a programmable Motorola Minitor, but this is great. Good work!

 

[nlmofire]

Couldn,t you just use an old charger for the pins and cradle?
I no we get at least 1 a year.

Thanks for the work

 

[K5RYA]

Couldn,t you just use an old charger for the pins and cradle?
I no we get at least 1 a year.

Thanks for the work

yep you sure could. i only had one base/charger and it only has enough pins for charging so i couldn't convert my only base, but you certainly could do that if you had an extra base.

 

[MrAntsy]

KF5DCI, thank you for a great idea!

You made me think of this...

 

[K5RYA]

Glad I could help.

 

[KE5NTA]

I know ya'll have said that you can change the delay time under the tools section but all i have under the tools section is the system setup (which brings up the comm port) and the engineer login. does anyone have any tips? oh by the way i am having trouble with the serial communications - data transmission error. I have tried to change the bps to 1200 and it has not worked.

 

[NCFire11]

Ooh, very neat guide.

Where can I obtain a copy of the Minitor III/IV PPS? I think it costs but if anyone knows where i can get it free i would apreciate it. IMO if you pay for the pager you should get the software free(as with the Minitor V)