P7100 and black box VGE keyloader

[EdacsStillAlive]

Hi,
I have some P7100 radios with features 12 and 13 enabled (Aegis and VGE encryption). I also have an old black box VGE keyloader (firmware 2.0 if I remember correctly) with keyloading cable for M-RK. This set worked fine some time ago with my old M-RK II radios but I would like to use it with P7100's now. At first attempt I had no luck.

But let's start from the beginning. Before I start asking more questions I would like to know if the M-RK keyloading cable will work with P7100 too? Programming cable does work, so should the keyloading one work too? When I connect it to P7100, the radio automatically enters keyloading mode, but maybe pinout is slightly different and that's why it doesn't work when I try to transfer keys? All I get now is Error 1 from the black box.

 

[kb4cvn]

The old IDA 'black box' keyloaders will work with the M7100 and P7100 radios for VGE only, but under the following conditions:

• The radio's will require an F5 DSP code
• The keyloader will require Revision 3.0 (or later) firmware.
  • Revision 3.0 firmware was initially required for the LPE-200 and J700p radios, and carried on to the M7100 & P7100.
• You will require the older Square Over-molded rubber style UDC connector, but the LPE-200 version cable (YELLOW LABEL on cable).
  • The M-RK keyloader cable never worked on the LPE, J700p and P7100 radios, as there was a one wire difference internally.

DES and AES encryption both require the later generation Key Administrator and Key Loader software.

I hope this helps.

 

[kb4cvn]

Oh, one other thing EdacsStillAlive, welcome to the Forum.

 

[EdacsStillAlive]

Yup, that helped. I have F5R06H01 dsp code, so only one point is checked. Unfortunately my keyloader has 2.0 firmware. Is there a way to upgrade it somehow? Do you know any details about the cable pinouts difference between P7100 and M-RK versions?

 

[kb4cvn]

IDA was (in 2006) offering a firmware chip upgrade of the VGE and DES boxes for $150 each keyloader, plus S&H.

The final revision I am aware of for DES was 4.0, and the final of VGE was 3.0. (That is what my two personal boxes are that I had upgraded at the time.)


Cables:

M-RK..............19B801971 Part 8 (older part number) & RPM 113 2472/8 (newer part number)

LPE-200...........19B801971 Part 16 (older part number) & RPM 113 2472/16 (newer part number)

J700p/P7100.......RPM 113 2472/34


Drawing for the P7100 cable is attached below. I scanned it from a manual I had.

 

[EdacsStillAlive]

Thank you. That's a lot of useful info. Unfortunately I will have to give up because I have no idea where to get access to VGE 3.0 firmware chip. If there is no way to upgrade it with some kind of software, then I'm out of ideas.

 

[kb4cvn]

...If there is no way to upgrade it with some kind of software, then I'm out of ideas.

It is a physical replacement of the chip inside the keyloader box.