CM300 Programming for Ham Use

[cspacone]

Greetings,

Came into a CM300 by pulling it off the e-waste pile. I'd like to learn about programming it but there seems to be a lot of contradictory information, some of it long on opinion and short on fact.

My use case is setting it up for packet / VARA-FM, perhaps a couple well known repeaters in the LA area, the LA test pairs and several simplex channels.

First off, I have *zero interest* in trying to scam Moto, all I want to be able to do is program the radio myself. As I understand it I'll need what amounts to a serial cable (USB perhaps) that feeds a box (level shifter or similar) and a connector for the radio programming port. Then of course there is the software required.

So, the question is (isn't it always?) build vs. buy, or in this case obtain all the kit vs. finding a dealer that is Ham friendly and willing to do the job for a reasonable price vs. the cost of a new radio.

I live in Torrance, CA and am happy to do either, just looking for some straightforward advice on which way to go. Otherwise, back on the e-waste pile she goes!

73,
Chris, KD6OUB

 

[a417]

CM300 or CM300D?

 

[clbsquared]

You need Commercial CPS for a CM300. A USB FTDI programming cable will work without the need for a RIB. Windows 7 32 or 64 bit operating system. I’m not sure about Windows 10 but I don’t believe it supports that CPS. The CPS is available online. A google search should accomplish that.

 

[jeepsandradios]

First thing I'd do is run the actual model number. There were 2 splits. One was 136-162 and the second was 146-174 for VHF. So the one you have may not go to what you want. The low split does make a nice digi but are hard to find.

 

[FD101]

You need Commercial CPS for a CM300. A USB FTDI programming cable will work without the need for a RIB. Windows 7 32 or 64 bit operating system. I’m not sure about Windows 10 but I don’t believe it supports that CPS. The CPS is available online. A google search should accomplish that.

CPS will work on Windows 10 and 11. You can find a USB cable online from BlueMax49ers for a few bucks, it works great too!

 

[cspacone]

CM300 or CM300D?

It appears to be a Radius CM300 - no D.

I pulled the following string off the bottom of the device:

AAM50RPF9AA1AN

Which near as I can tell is US version, mobile rig, Series 50, UHF 2 (435-470), 25-40 watts, CM300, Programmable, conventional MDC, feature level 1 (sports a 4/32 mini-UHF connector.

-Chris

 

[jeepsandradios]

OK. So yes you need CPS and a cable and it will work on the 440 stuff.

 

[cspacone]

You need Commercial CPS for a CM300. A USB FTDI programming cable will work without the need for a RIB. Windows 7 32 or 64 bit operating system. I’m not sure about Windows 10 but I don’t believe it supports that CPS. The CPS is available online. A google search should accomplish that.

So it looks like this cable RPC-MM-UF from Radiotronics is compatable with this radio and connects via the mic connector. I understand the RIB box now. Looks like $99.00 may be approaching my limit for the e-waste pile return.

Thanks for the help, I'll probe further on the software end of things.

-Chris

 

[cspacone]

CPS will work on Windows 10 and 11. You can find a USB cable online from BlueMax49ers for a few bucks, it works great too!

Thanks for the lead, looks like BlueMax49ers has a compatable cable at half the price of the other I found.

Appreciate teh help!

-Chris

 

[cspacone]

And BlueMax indicates I'll need to get the following software:

COMMERCIAL SERIES 50 00

Motorola

2013

R05.18.00

Restricted

Which means a visit to the Mothership! I'm betting the software will be shockingly expensive. I'll report back what I find but I suspect that this will violate my e-waste limit!

Will commercial Moto dealers do silly one-off's for hams like us?

-Chris

 

[a417]

I'm racking my brain on the one CM300 that I had to support that one time, and I am pretty sure that I didn't need my RIB kit with it. @jeepsandradios is spot on, as usual. I see compatible programming cables on the amazons and ebays for $20ish.

Google the software, it's a dead product line. Don't bother with a dealer.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Software runs fine on all NT versions of Windows in common use still (XP, 7, 10, 11) 32 or 64 bit.

Pretty straight forward little radios. I've never programmed them without a RIB but there are ribless and even (factory) USB cables out there. At this point most Motorola software is free from Motorola if they offer it to you. You may need to track down a wideband entitlement ID if the radio is going to require you to use R05.17NA or R05.18NA (R05.16NA was the last wideband selectable version). I even seem to remember reading and writing these radios via the 16 pin accessory connector via the CDM service cable (with the 20 pin to 16 pin adapter which I have since lost and am trying to find a new one for).

 

[cspacone]

I'm racking my brain on the one CM300 that I had to support that one time, and I am pretty sure that I didn't need my RIB kit with it. @jeepsandradios is spot on, as usual. I see compatible programming cables on the amazons and ebays for $20ish.

Google the software, it's a dead product line. Don't bother with a dealer.

Yeah, I looked for the software and all I find is stuff of questionable vintage / sourcing. Not going down that road just to make a piece of e-waste useful.

As for the dealer route, I just called 2 locals here in LA, one said flat out 'no, we don't deal with Hams' (and really, who can blame them). The other said sure, we'll program the radio for you for $20.00 per channel.

Looking more and more like my good deed pulling this off the e-waste pile just ended up transferring it to the e-waste pile in my garage!

Guys, thanks for helping me figure all of this out.

-Chris

 

[clbsquared]

Sell it. You can get $50-$80.00 for it in some of the FB groups. Add the shipping cost of $12.95 and you’ll pocket some money from your trash can find.

 

[cspacone]

I'd rather eat a **** sandwich than deal with Facebook, but thanks for the suggestion! I'll put it up on QRZ and give it to the first taker that is willing to pay the shipping.

Again guys, thank you all for your help.

-Chris

 

[FFPM571]

Because dealing with hams QRZ is sooooo much better.... they are going to want you to give it them for free and pay the shipping and complain about it.. been there

 

[FFPM571]

You need Commercial CPS for a CM300. A USB FTDI programming cable will work without the need for a RIB. Windows 7 32 or 64 bit operating system. I’m not sure about Windows 10 but I don’t believe it supports that CPS. The CPS is available online. A google search should accomplish that.

I use that commercial CPS on Win10 without an issue.. even the PRO CPS for waris

 

[cspacone]

Because dealing with hams QRZ is sooooo much better.... they are going to want you to give it them for free and pay the shipping and complain about it.. been there

How rite you are!

 

[kvnmatheny]

I have programmed a CM300 using the BlueMax49ers cable and R05.18NA offered on Mark's website. It worked perfectly, the first try.
I am still wading through the Motorola website trying to jump through all the various hoops to find and obtain the wideband firmware entitlement.
At this point, dealing with all the hoops, I now remember why I never had a Motorola radio for very long.
I believe this is my first post to the forum, although I have gleaned a ton of great info from this site over the years.
Thanks, all.

 

[MTS2000des]

In all fairness, the wideband thing is due to the FCC mandate. Legitimate radio manufacturers like MSI, L3 Harris, JVC Kenwood, Icom, Tait et al want to follow the rules. If you think MSI is difficult, try getting wideband on an L3 Harris radio. JVC Kenwood charges buckos for wideband licenses on KPG-DxN. MSI is actually one of the easiest.

Or, just by low rent Chinese garbage with roger beeps off Amazon and you get wide open radios!