Free Non-Commercial Programming Software?

[N7IFU]

Is there such thing as a third-party/end-user developed programming software that is free for programming Motorola radios? Or is the only option purchasing the RSS/CPS?

Note to mods: I AM NOT ASKING FOR FREE RSS/CPS from Motorola!

 

[bezking]

Nope. You need to buy the official stuff.

 

[N7IFU]

Nope. You need to buy the official stuff.

Are you serious? Dang, that sucks, because there are people that develop programs to program Yaesu radios and such. Oh well, if it doesn't exist, it doesn't exist. Thanks.

 

[bezking]

Yeah, /\/\ takes a very hard line on anybody who messes with their software stuff. That's just the way it goes...

 

[N7IFU]

Yeah, /\/\ takes a very hard line on anybody who messes with their software stuff. That's just the way it goes...

So they don't allow an end-user to make and sell/give away their own programming software that the end-user develops?

 

[bezking]

So they don't allow an end-user to make and sell/give away their own programming software that the end-user develops?

Not a chance. Don't even try.

 

[N7IFU]

Not a chance. Don't even try.

Wow. That makes no sense. I don't even understand how they can do that. I don't believe they can just bar anyone from developing their own software to program radios.

huh, okay well, you can close this now.

Thanks for your help!

 

[bezking]

Well, they kind of can.

They own the radio hardware, the firmware, the CPS, and the interface between the firmware and the CPS. Without authorization, you can't legally use, create, or modify any of those things.

Oh, and get that javascript off your QRZ page :lol:

 

[N7IFU]

Well, they kind of can.

They own the radio hardware, the firmware, the CPS, and the interface between the firmware and the CPS. Without authorization, you can't legally use, create, or modify any of those things.

Oh, and get that javascript off your QRZ page :lol:

That's a good point. But they don't own the radio, and they cannot control what the end-user does with the radio, am I right?

You don't like my JavaScript?!

 

[bezking]

You're splitting hairs with a proton beam, my friend.

OK, yes, in theory, if you somehow managed to write your own programming software, and kept it to yourself, would anybody know? No. BUT, the minute you release it to the public, free or otherwise, you are infringing on Motorola's intellectual property.

But then again, I'm not a lawyer, I just play one on the internet. :lol:

 

[SteveC0625]

That's a good point. But they don't own the radio, and they cannot control what the end-user does with the radio, am I right?

You may own the radio, but they own the technology, copyrights, and patents.

 

[N7IFU]

LOL I get it know. bezking you can close this now. I give you permission. JK.

 

[bezking]

Nah. I don't like to close threads unless the OP upsets me. :lol:

 

[N7IFU]

Nah. I don't like to close threads unless the OP upsets me. :lol:

Okay.

 

[Motoflightmedic]

if you like motorola radios, you will have to PAY to play.

 

[shadcall]

Or if you win the lottery you can buy Motorola and then you can do as you wish with their radios.

 

[zz0468]

Well, if you're interested in any of the various flavors of Syntor, there is a company called Piexx that has some add-on boards and software that can make a Syntor or SyntorX operate without using Motorola RSS.

 

[tonyclark]

if you like motorola radios, you will have to PAY to play.

Maybe...............If you seek you can find.
Don't PM me cause I won't tell.

 

[PeterGV]

OK, yes, in theory, if you somehow managed to write your own programming software, and kept it to yourself, would anybody know? No. BUT, the minute you release it to the public, free or otherwise, you are infringing on Motorola's intellectual property.

Not necessarily. It's a very interesting question, in fact: Could somebody legally write a freeware version of CPS that allows you to program Moto radios?

One of the "safe harbor" cases for reverse engineering (in the US) is that you're allows to reverse engineer something for the purpose of deducing its external interfaces and behavior, so that you can interface with it. The protocol used by CPS is exactly this sort of external interface.

So, I suspect that if somebody wanted to take the time to reverse engineer the protocol between a Moto radio and CPS (using a serial port monitor or a USB bus analyzer), that would be allowable.

However, I also suspect that wouldn't be sufficient to allow you to actually program a radio. The code plug probably isn't sent over the wire in plain text -- rather, it's probably "encrypted" (that's in quotes, notice) in some way that the radio understands.

It's not at all clear to me whether the law (in the US) would allow you to reverse engineer the format in which the code plug is sent...

Like all things involved in software Intellectual Property law these days, it's an interesting question.

Peter
K1PGV
-- Not a lawyer, but a software engineer who deals with issues of software IP on an almost daily basis.

 

[SteveC0625]

I do believe that Motorola's software license agreement (which every buyer has to sign) specifically prohibits reverse engineering, etc., etc. etc.

That says to me that *if* someone were to do it, Mother Motorola would have a good case against them, no matter how they obtained the CPS.

If they pirated the CPS, Motorola has a clear path to a civil suit and criminal action as well.

If they reverse engineer a legit copy, they still have 'em by the short hairs.

While there might not be a specific violation of law for reverse engineering a legit copy of the CPS, it would still be a no-no by rules under which it was purchased.