Another P7100 programming problem

[bar422]

Has anyone else ran into this? I have a Price Industries ribless programming cable for the MRK,LPE radios.This cable is also supposed to be for the P7100/ Jaguar radios as well. I keep getting the error message that says to check and make sure the radio is in programming mode and check the cable to make sure it is connected ( all that is good). This cable works fine with the other radios listed but I get this error when trying to program the P7100. I have also tried 2 different computers just to be sure it wasn't that. Any help with this would be appreciated.--Thanks!

 

[C138NC]

Is it the one with the battery? It could be the radio but i never dealt with any P7100s before.

Could it be the RSS software you have that is not the right version or outdated?

I would also suggest checking this thread out since its similar and you could of checked it too

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/ma-com-ge-ericsson-forum/140745-new-p7100-programming.html

 

[WCRadioGuy]

There are a couple of different ways to put the radio in program mode.

1. Hold the PTT key while turning on the radio. I believe you shuld see the radio enter PROGRAM, then release the key.

2. If this does not work, try holding all three side keys at the same time, then turn the radio on. I think this will result in the screen being all black. Try to program.

If the radio does the self test and starts up without entering program mode using either 1 or 2, there may be a problem with the front cover. If the radio does look like it enters program mode using 1 or 2, as the other member suggested, you may have the wrong version of radio programming software. What radio programming software are you using. If you can program M-RK's and LPE's I think you are using ProGrammer. The later P7100's use RPM which is the latest software.

 

[bar422]

Holding in all 3 side button puts the radio in programming mode (which does make the screen go black like the LPE's). When I try to either read it or program it the screen on the radio says PROGRAM and SELF TEST right under it and then I get the message on the computer saying "Could not initialize radio. Make sure radio is in program mode and the programming box or cable is connected to the right port". The last time I had a programming issue that was a Programmer version problem,a screen came up and told me so. I am using Ver.18. There is only one port on either computer,and that is the one I use for programming so I wouldn't think that is the problem. I checked with the place I got this from and asked them several different times if the version of Programmer I have would work and was told it would. I am also being told that you can sort of "go back" (I thought I read that in the other post too) and use Programmer but I'm not sure if you really can or what it would take to do it. The radio is a 2003 model with Flash Version J2R02A04 in it. Any mor ehelp would be apprecited.

 

[bar422]

By the way the DSP on this radio is G4R02A01.

 

[WCRadioGuy]

That is an old code but it is fine. I think there is a problem with the radio. It should not say self test under program. I would recommend trying the cable on another P7100 if you can. Recovering a radio from RPM back to ProGrammer can create major problems. I don't think it is a ProGrammer problem. It's either the cable or the radio.

 

[edacsnoob]

When I first got my Price cable I was having the same issues, I called Price and they replaced it. Havent had a problem yet, until Iran into the RPM crap.

 

[groftcc]

Some of the older DSP's require a powered radio interface box (RIB). The RIBless usb or serial cales will not work. I ran into this problem with a P5100 radio a while back.

Craig

 

[JungleJim]

Your flash code is too old to use with the ribless cables. Before R06 the flash will not turn on switched +V to the UDC when in program mode. The ribless cables (and some RIB's) need it. You can force a recovery in the radio maintenance with a version of R06 or later, just don't erase the eeprom when asked. I would also advise against R06 or R07 if you need to wide area scan as they don't support it. Also, R09 (A,B or C) are all bad juju, they have a bad tendency to corrupt the tracking data. R10 will not play nice in an M7100 connected to an SS2000 (try driving down the road with your lights and sirens going on and off by themselves). J2R08A05 and J2R11B01 both seem to be good, stable packages.

 

[bar422]

So will I just need the RIB box and cable to use the Programmer software I have or will it need RPM to program it. I appreciate all the responses so far,any more will be helpful.

 

[JungleJim]

A RIB and cable would work. RPM will not be of any use unless you want to update your radio firmware to R13 or higher and you would still need the RIB and cable to program the radio with the firmware flash upgrade anyway.

If you have or have access to a copy of Programmer there is a way to force the code update to the radio through the ribless cable. You can call Macom TAC (tech assistance) and they will email you a copy of the radio code and DSP you need for your radio. Then go to radio maintenane (a second program included with Programmer) and click the recovery button. Turn the radio on in program mode, holding down all three side buttons as you turn it on, and follow the directions. After you write the new DSP it will ask if you want to erase the eeprom. Always select NO. Once it has completed you can go to Programmer and program the radio with your ribless cable. FYI, if you have a personality in the radio the recovery will wipe it out.

 

[bar422]

Just an update on this. The problem was the old flash code in this radio. It was updated with a newer version (R11A) and now it programs just fine with a ribless cable. Thanks to all who responded!