Programming a M1225 for a novice.

[JoshuaHufford]

I just bought a VHF M1225, I plan on using this for an audio feed for my local UP railroad line. I have the software to program it on an old laptop running XP, I'm waiting on the programming cable to arrive, so I can't yet connect to it.

I have a few questions.

How many total frequencies can I program into the unit? I will likely only need 3 but I might do more depending on if I receive anything else well.

What other settings will I need to set?

And I want to make sure there is NO WAY possible for this thing to transmit, what do I need to do to make sure of this?

I'll probably have a few more questions once I'm actually able to connect to it, but I thought I'd get a head start. I've only worked with programming my 2 scanners so this is a bit new to me.

Thanks!

 

[clbsquared]

There are three different types of M1225's. A four channel model with no display a 20-24 channel model with a display and an LS model. Which one do you have? As far as not transmitting, you can set the channel for receive only.

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[JoshuaHufford]

I'm going to guess this is the 4 channel version with no display?

Here is what I bought.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorola-M...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[clbsquared]

Yep. That's the 4 channel radio. Still though, The M1225 is a solid radio. There is also a windows based RSS for the M1225. You aren't limited to only DOS. In my opinion, the windows based RSS is much easier to navigate than the DOS version.

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[JoshuaHufford]

By RSS do you mean programming software? The version I have is Windows, but I can only get it to run on XP, Windows 10 wouldn't even try.

 

[clbsquared]

That's right. It will only run as high as Windows 7 on a 32 bit machine.

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[RadioGuy7268]

The M1225 software is one of the simplest radio programming software systems that Motorola made - at least as far as the interface goes. You should be able to master it quickly.

If I am remembering correctly - In the channel setup screen - typing in "Blank" for the transmit frequency should do the trick to ensure you'll be receive only.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help. I don't have any machines that run windows 7 32 bit, only 64 bit, thankfully I have this old laptop still. It blue screens once in a while, but should be stable enough for programming the radio.

Now if my programming cable would get here!

 

[clbsquared]

Just remember to read the radio and save the original codeplug FIRST. Then go back and edit the original codeplug to what you want and save it as something other than the original. Don't edit the original and save it as the same. This way, if something goes wrong, you have the original codeplug you could potentially use to recover the radio from a programming error.

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[6079smithw]

Just remember to read the radio and save the original codeplug FIRST.

Absolutely correct! Speaking as a victim of Murphy's Law (many times over the years) I'd advise you go one step farther and save that original codeplug to a CD or flash drive as well. I've had a few machines quit and take the data with them, backups saved the day. 1225s are good units... keep us posted on your progress!

Frank in Reno

 

[cmdrwill]

I just bought a VHF M1225,
And I want to make sure there is NO WAY possible for this thing to transmit, what do I need to do to make sure of this?
Thanks!

To program the radio for Receive only enter B for BLANK for the Transmit frequency.

Remember to Archive the 'Code plug' Data FIRST. and save that to a safe place before making any changes.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

OK Got my programming cable, connected fine and saved the original configuration.

Set the TX to B or Blank, programmed in my 3 frequencies. How do I set this to scan on startup? I'm not seeing that option.

 

[clbsquared]

I don't believe auto scan is a feature on the 1225.

OK Got my programming cable, connected fine and saved the original configuration.

Set the TX to B or Blank, programmed in my 3 frequencies. How do I set this to scan on startup? I'm not seeing that option.

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[JoshuaHufford]

That's a bummer. How do I make it scan at all?

 

[clbsquared]

See that little "Z" button under the channel selector? That's Tue scan button. Assign the three channels to the scan list in CPS that has that same icon on the tab.

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[JoshuaHufford]

I think I've done that but I'm not sure that it is actually scanning. Only the CH1 light is lit up. Should more than one channel light be lit up if it is scanning?

 

[clbsquared]

Is the mic on the hang up clip? Unless you programmed it for off hook scan, the mic needs to be on the hook to scan.

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[JoshuaHufford]

Here are my settings, let me know if this is correct? Or do you need to see any other options? I really appreciate the help.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1918/31768253448_d2e7014082_o.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1906/30699802837_6ecbcbcbc2_o.jpg

 

[JoshuaHufford]

I don't even have the mic plugged in. So it needs to be plugged in? Or how do I program it for off hook scan? That would be my preference.

 

[clbsquared]

It's been a while since I've programmed a 1225. I would need to open the codeplug in RSS to really help you. But, yes, the mic should be connected. And also change your power up mode from monitor to standard.

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