Astro Saber?

[martymartin]

Hi, me again. I want to know if this Saber 800 mhz radio is set up to do conventional on a Smartzone 2 system Apco 25 digital.

Model: H04UCF9PW7AN
FLASHCODE: 400004-000000-8

H14 Digital ID Display
H37 SmartNet Operation

This is what's in the radio now. I have a STX 821 coming soon to listen to analog, I am looking for something to do digital though. Thanks...

 

[blantonl]

This radio is setup to do analog only on Type II systems.

 

[martymartin]

That was fast...

Hi, that was fast. Analog...are you talking the Saber? I know the STX 821 is analog, but I thought the Saber's did digital if they had the right firmware. I could be wrong though.
I am just trying to get a Moto to do digital with out giving out my first born...$$$$.
Don't want to spend 500 on a scanner. Scanners are junk compared to the Motorola's.
Can't see spending that much on any scanner. Thanks.

 

[Grog]

You answered your own question with that flashcode, that's what shows what the radio is capable of. It is analog only...

 

[martymartin]

Thanks...

Thanks, I don't need another analog radio. Is it possible to flash it for digital conventional?
I saw the radio with new battery, charger, it is a type 2 Saber; bid is 31.09 right now.

 

[Josh]

Once again, this is a case of mistaken identity.

The radio you are talking about does analog AND DIGITAL, as-is. HOWEVER, the first number of the flash-code is EVEN, which is an indicator of a VSELP digital radio.

If you run it through the flash decoder, "conventional operation" comes up, rather than Astro Ready (analog only operation).

Regardless, unless you need VSELP (and that's extremely rare), then you're best off avoiding that radio. It's inexpensive for a reason. I have one VSELP Astro Saber that sees 99.9% of its uses on analog!

-Josh

 

[Grog]

.....

 

[martymartin]

Thanks...

Another one bites the dust. I will avoid that one. Thanks for the replies...
Would I be better off with a MTS 2000? And get it flashed for digital conventional?

 

[Grog]

MTS2000 can't do digital

 

[martymartin]

Wasn't sure...

Thanks. Will keep looking for one. Can't afford the XTS series as of yet. Thanks all.

 

[MattSR]

Once again, this is a case of mistaken identity.

The radio you are talking about does analog AND DIGITAL, as-is. HOWEVER, the first number of the flash-code is EVEN, which is an indicator of a VSELP digital radio.

If you run it through the flash decoder, "conventional operation" comes up, rather than Astro Ready (analog only operation).

Regardless, unless you need VSELP (and that's extremely rare), then you're best off avoiding that radio. It's inexpensive for a reason. I have one VSELP Astro Saber that sees 99.9% of its uses on analog!

-Josh

Correct - a radio WITHOUT the "Analog only Operation" and an even first digit indicates VSELP Digital. Especially since it has Digital ID display too.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Be warned, you can't really use any Motorola portable on a SmartZone system, as a scanner, if you're not authorized to transmit. If the radio is set to SmartZone operation,
it WILL auto-affiliate and if you're not authorized, this is BAD NEWS. At best your radio will
be inhibited or killed, at worst the radio will be traced and trouble will knock on your door.


I strongly advise you to stick with a scanner.


Besides, where are you going to get system keys?


Elroy

 

[W8RW]

I am just trying to get a Moto to do digital with out giving out my first born...$$$$.
Don't want to spend 500 on a scanner. Scanners are junk compared to the Motorola's.
Can't see spending that much on any scanner. Thanks.

Let's separate the issues a little bit.

Performance:

You say that the scanners are junk. In what way? The things that come to my mind are reception quality and ruggedness. No argument here.

Cost:

You will end up spending quite a bit more to use a Motorola radio as a digital scanner than you will on a scanner. Ignoring the cost of the radio ($300-1500), here is what I came up with. Obviously, if you know someone who has some of these things, it will be less.

1. Computer interface (either a rib+cable or a standalone cable) $100-200
2. Software $400
3. If the radio you buy does not come with a good battery and charger, add $50
4. If the system you are going to monitor is affected by rebanding and your radio firmware doesn't support it, add $75 to send it in to Motorola for a firmware upgrade
5. And then there is the issue that Elroy pointed out of not having system keys. How much will the lawyer and fines be?

Between the scanner and software, I have less than $400 invested in a digital trunking scanner. For that price, I am willing to put up with some occasional poor reception.

 

[Grog]

I knew sooner or later someone would jump on him for getting on a trunked system :lol:

Hi, me again. I want to know if this Saber 800 mhz radio is set up to do conventional on a Smartzone 2 system Apco 25 digital.

You mention conventional and then you mention smartzone, those are two very different things.

 

[martymartin]

My error...

I meant conventional...not trunking. Thanks...

 

[Grog]

I meant conventional...not trunking. Thanks...

Cool, that will keep the "OMGcan'tlistentoatrunkedsystemwitharadio" crowd off your back for a while :lol:

 

[ElroyJetson]

It's not that you can't listen to such a trunked system with that kind of radio...you can...but to be done safely, it requires you to make an investment in further learning and a commitment
to doing it safely without any chance of an inadvertent transmission into that system.

It's not for the beginner or even for the experienced user of conventional scanners.

I do it...safely...but even I have to be very careful about how I set things up. One small
mistake can cause problems.

I view any awareness on the part of the system operators that they have an unauthorized
radio listening ot them as a problem. It's best if they NEVER know for sure.


Elroy

 

[martymartin]

Yeah, I see what you are saying...

No I never wanted to get on their trunked system. I was just looking for a low cost Motorola to do our conventional channels. I saw a Saber a while back on Fleabay that had the digital software in it and the guy was a firefighter and bought an XTS 2500 and didn't need it anymore. But, I lost the bid by fifty bucks. He even said he would program in my conventionsl channels. Oh well....wasn't meant to be I guess. I know all about the perils of trying to hook up to the system in trunking mode. By the way...did you guys see the top post in this catergory....very funny stuff. Thanks for all your replies. I guess I'll keep looking here and on the bay for a good radio.