M1225 Programming Issues

[SteveC0625]

I just picked up an M1225 model number M44DGC90J2AA. All the reference info I can find or already have here say it is a 20-24 channel, 25-40 watts, 450-474 MHz conventional UHF transceiver.

When I fire it up, the name of some excavating company scrolls across the screen and then it settles on LTRSIT1. None of the buttons do anything except give an error beep. It won't change channel or scan.

I have the latest version of the Radius 1225 software HVN9054 version 4.0. When I read the radio the first time, it came up as a 20 channel radio with all 20 modes programmed the same. I redid the code plug with 8 conventional channels with nothing special except scan. It writes to the radio properly, and if I read the radio again, it reads back the code plug that I wrote. However, it still behaves like an LTR radio and none of the buttons do anything.

I don't find anywhere in the code plug a place to change or delete the name either.

I'd almost think it's an LS model in conventional clothing or it's got an option board in it that needs to be removed.

Anyone ever come across anything like this before? Any help gratefully accepted!

 

[SteveC0625]

Found my own answer with some diligent internet searching.

There's an option board installed in the radio that has to be removed. The card is called a Solar-Johnson card and converts the radio for LTR use. The card in my radio was made of brown pcboard material and was labeled OPT-1225. It was the first thing I saw when I opened the case. Remove 3 nylon screws and unplug the the little ribbon cable and it's all set.

Back to being a conventional radio.

 

[chrismol1]

Would you take a picture?

 

[SteveC0625]

Would you take a picture?

Glad to! This is the side of the board that you see when you slide the cover off the chassis:

I read on batlabs that another guy who found this same problem cut the ribbon cable. No need to do that, it just slides out of the connector on the main board. Just pull the cable straight back, not up.

FWIW, I had already shot a new codeplug into the radio before removing the board. After removing the board, it instantly reverted to conventional mode and my codeplug was there ready to use.

 

[Ray44512]

me too!

Sounds like you got an ebay radio from the Seattle area. I know this because I got one and was scratching my head until now. Thanks for the info! Let me get my screwdriver...

 

[SteveC0625]

Sounds like you got an ebay radio from the Seattle area. I know this because I got one and was scratching my head until now. Thanks for the info! Let me get my screwdriver...

This is just in case....)

To open an M1225, first remove the volume knob by pulling straight forward.

On the underside of the radio is a very obvious tab on the edge of the cover. Lift the tab and slide the whole cover straight forward.

And, like I said before, no need to cut the ribbon cable - it just slides out of the connector on the main board with just a tiny little tug.

Guy also found a wire from the board to an IC on the main board (early model) which needs to be snipped carefully and in such a way that it can't short out afterwards.

Mine came from a seller in Shasta, California, but I have no way of knowing if it originated there.

 

[chrismol1]

Apparently there is software that Scholer-Johnson produces to program a LTR system other than the motorola m1225 software

I also read on batlabs about the two versions of the board making different tones
OPT-1225 & OPT-1225-PP
What did your LTR board say when you woke it up?

 

[SteveC0625]

Apparently there is software that Scholer-Johnson produces to program a LTR system other than the motorola m1225 software

I also read on batlabs about the two versions of the board making different tones
OPT-1225 & OPT-1225-PP
What did your LTR board say when you woke it up?

The one here is the OPT-1225. It made a beeping sound whenever I tried to do anything, but I don't recall the counts. Anyway, it's out of the radio. I am probably going to toss it unless someone wants it.

 

[Ray44512]

This is the first M1225 I have ever programmed. The terminology is typically unusual in the Moto way (frequencies are modes) and so on, but the only real issue I had was with the aliases. If you have unused aliases in the drop-down you may end up with a memory error message. There is a way to clean up excess aliases. While wandering around the "mode" window, highlight an alias you wish to delete. Press your delete key on the keyboard and it is gone. This frees up precious space for another alias. It really is amazing how little room there is for aliases.

 

[jday53]

I Bought 4 of these radios as well from the same fella.