ES-5300 Lightning Head programming cable notice

[kd4efm]

The part number is 0235300098002 (END OF LIFE)
LIST $150.00

aprox. available till gone - qty of 300
(09-28-23)

Welcome in Advance.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

That is the USB cable correct?

 

[kd4efm]

That is the USB cable correct?

yes

 

[DeoVindice]

Good to know. I didn't even know that those were still available.

 

[UglyViking]

@kd4efm Where does one acquire these cables, and will they work for what I assume is the gen-2 non lightening head 5300 ES radios? (picture of radio for reference) I'm having a crazy hard time sourcing a programming cable for these things.

 

[kd4efm]

sent a request to support to find the 13 pin programming cable part number

 

[UglyViking]

Thank you. Any help in trying to find any option for programming and keyloading these things would be appreciated. It's been an absolute nightmare trying to find an option, even 3rd party.

 

[kd4efm]

Thank you. Any help in trying to find any option for programming and keyloading these things would be appreciated. It's been an absolute nightmare trying to find an option, even 3rd party.

MAY BE TIME TO UPGRADE TO A NEW VM
OR VP8000

 

[UglyViking]

Well, I've currently got about a dozen 5100 ES portables, and I'm trying to get a few 5300 mobiles setup considering how low the cost has been on the used market. I made the mistake of assuming it would be as easy to source a programming/keyloading cable for them as it was for the 5100 series. However, that seems to not be the case.

The NX5k series of mobiles does look pretty appealing, but I assume the pricepoint is going to be so high that it puts it out of reach for my use case. Hence why I'm trying so hard to source a cable.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

The Standard head programming cable adapter P/N is 023-53000-98001.

The P/N for the URI is 023-5300-98000.

The P/N for the Standard programming/keyload cable to Lightning head adapter is 5975357780(/P4) but I don't know if that suffix is relevant. I don't have a PN for an adapter for the Viking heads. I do have the PN for the KVL-3000/4000 to Viking CH adapter though. Just have to look it up.

 

[UglyViking]

So, I haven't been able to find any programming cables, regardless of the part numbers.

The only cable I've been able to find is this one from Haloid. The part number listed is "023-5300-98003". The only place I see that part number listed anywhere is on the unit that Haloid has for sale, along with this end of life announcement from EFJ, of which includes this column:



So according to this announcement, it would appear that the "023-5300-98001" and "023-5300-98000" were replaced with the "023-5300-98003", at least if I'm reading this announcement correctly.

However, Haloid is claiming that they had a customer purchase it, try and fail to use it, and return it a week ago.

Here is my question:

• Does anyone know if there are differences between the "023-5300-98001" and "023-5300-98003" units? If so, what are they? Can they be easily modified?
• I've found one seller of the "023-5300-98001" but after ordering I was told they seem to have lost them/can't find them. They are allegedly looking, but considering the generally low price of the cable, and knowing how these things go, I don't expect to hear back soon, or ever potentially.
• If I can't easily use the "023-5300-98003" unit, does anyone know a path forward? I don't want to send it anywhere to be programmed, I wan't the control, but my only other option outside of wait and look is to try and buy someones.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

The 98003 cable should be for the Viking control head (color screen version). Only a very limited release of firmware for the 5300ES radios supported that head. It was primarily only used with Viking radios. Just like you might think though...different Hirose connector from the previous two heads.

 

[UglyViking]

Ah, I see. Man this is an absolute nightmare of inconsistent standards and processes. I suppose that is what I get for trying to make 20 year old radios work.

If anyone knows of a path forward let me know. At a complete loss of what to do here. It would appear these are just bricks as of this moment.

 

[wd8chl]

Everybody in N. Ohio is getting rid of those. They don't do authentication, and Ohio MARCS will be requiring it in a year or two. Same with the 51/53 ES series. Not mention all the XTL/XTS radio dumps...

 

[UglyViking]

The fact they don't do auth isn't much of a concern to me. I am actually excited that more may be coming to the market, hopefully I can snag a few more as they are pretty high quality radios and tough as nails.

It's crazy to me that so many of these still exist in the wild and there are functionally no programming cables for them? How has someone not made one?

 

[MTS2000des]

As is the case with many older radios. The Harris XG-25/75 are OOP for a few years, and the programming cables still available, but they are expensive. Despite this, these radios still support TDMA, authentication, and all forms of crypto. Radio vendors want you buying new not keeping decades old subscribers alive.

 

[DeoVindice]

I opened up my RFGuys 5300 (non-Lightning) cable, it looks like there's an RS232-RS485 converter chip in the base. The connector is a Hirose RP13. I haven't put in the time to research the Lightning connector.

As for Lightning heads, I don't think there are a ton of them out there compared to the standard heads.

EDIT: Those are keyload cables for the SMA keyloader, which used DB9 conectors. NOT programming cables.

 

[kd4efm]

Programming Cable R5975357791 - Plenty in stock
NOTE: 13 pin lightning head

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Another interesting note, the 5300 service manual has the full URI schematic so if someone wanted to roll their own programming cable, that's all they would really need to know. USB to RS-485 adapters are also a thing now so I'm curious how a direct serial connection would function.

 

[UglyViking]

I opened up my RFGuys 5300 (non-Lightning) cable, it looks like there's an RS232-RS485 converter chip in the base. The connector is a Hirose RP13. I haven't put in the time to research the Lightning connector.

As for Lightning heads, I don't think there are a ton of them out there compared to the standard heads.

EDIT: Those are keyload cables for the SMA keyloader, which used DB9 conectors. NOT programming cables.

Holy! This is the most helpful thing I've heard yet! The connector is a key piece, so I've ordered 2 of the connectors and about 30 pins, just to be safe.

Any chance you have a part number on the keyloader, or pictures of it? I just ordered a usb a RS232-RS485 connector, that I can hopefully plug right in, but we will see.

Also, if there is any chance I could convince you to snap a few photos of the wiring on the converter chip, just the first time here and any pictures should go a long way.

Another interesting note, the 5300 service manual has the full URI schematic so if someone wanted to roll their own programming cable, that's all they would really need to know. USB to RS-485 adapters are also a thing now so I'm curious how a direct serial connection would function.

I literally just found the schematic this morning after trying a million service manuals (link) and just like mentioned, page 8-85 (214 pdf) it was there. This appears to be the schematic for the first version of both the radio and the rpi, but it should work. I'm still digging for something from version 2, but idk if ill ever find it.

I'm gonna try a direct plug and play and see if it works, and if not, it looks like I've got enough there to make my own.