Motorola MCS2000 programming

[digitalmedic81]

Hello all,
I am going to be switiching a couple MCS2000 radios to narrow band, but have mainly done vertex's up until now, I have the cable and RIB, but would appericate any advice tips/tricks you could offer, also I got a RIB-Less one for the CDM1250 I have to program, where should I supply power to the power wires on the cable from?

Thank You in Advance!!!!

OVER.....

 

[b7spectra]

Your RIB-Less cable is drawing it's power from your computer, thus no need for the RIB.

One thing I do with all my display radios is make the display center justified. Just a personal preference.

 

[Nasby]

Is there a setting in the RSS for center justified or does it have to be done on a per channel basis?
I like the center justified look too!!
I'm doing an HT1250 for a friend and I wanted to set it up that way.

 

[gbunch2012]

I have problems with programing my MCS2000 I am using windows XP and soft ware Ro1.17.11 when I read radio it gives me a pop up that reads codeplug too new for this application then unable to unpack block vector for external radio blk, then pass 11 - unable to transfer block vector for external radio blk from Cpdb to db any help?

 

[MTS2000des]

Current (and final) version of MCS2000 CPS is R02.03 and what you will need to program your radio. It is no longer sold by Motorola, but keep looking...

 

[gbunch2012]

if that is my fix I will go shopping to find a newer version. I just wanted to be sure. Thanks

 

[Nasby]

if that is my fix I will go shopping to find a newer version. I just wanted to be sure. Thanks

Don't spend money on it.

 

[jsikora]

You cannot program a MCS radio with a CDM programming cable. It uses a different pin configuration. A Motorola RIB and a slow computer with real serial port is the only way to do a MCS without crashing something. I have many in service for SAR and have tried many configurations and stuck with my old XP just for these radios.

 

[jsikora]

Sorry re-read you message and see you have the proper cable. All other items about slow, serial port and proper parts apply above. I actually read the radio with my old XP laptop then open it on my W7 computer to make changes then put back on the xp to write.

 

[gbunch2012]

Thank you for the reply, That was my quandary, I have a older lap top that runs in XP and a computer that also is in XP that I program My SAR radios with. But these were donated to us from the Nevada Highway patrol. and so I need to change the program.

 

[MTS2000des]

MCS2000 CPS will run just fine on a modern computer, but the CPS is only officially supported up to Windows Vista, all of this is documented in the hardware requirements found in the READ.ME file packaged with CPS:

=========================================================================
MCS2000 Customer Programming Software R02.03.00
=========================================================================

- VISTA (32-bit) with Service Pack 1 is now a supported operating system!
(see 'For VISTA Users' section below)

- Tutorials format has changed. Previous versions of the Tutorials
will NOT work with this version of the CPS. It is recommended to
install the tutorials with this CPS version

- If both portable and mobile CPS's are used, it is recommended to update
both at the same time, and tutorials should be installed with BOTH versions.


New CPS Features Supported:
===========================

- This version includes following enhancements to the Advanced System Key:
(1) version Control
(2) Same Master Key for MTS2000/MCS2000/ASTRO Saber & XTS3000/ASTRO Spectra/ASTRO 25 CPS.
(3) New Access Level "Unlimited Access without Write Protection".
This would give Unlimited access in the CPS.
(4) Password Protection

- Import functionality at node level

For VISTA Users:
================

The following configuration on Vista Home Premium and Business Premium
needs to be set for the CPS to function properly:

1. Vista Theme should be set to Windows Classic. Codeplug archive names should not exceed 30 characters.

2. A Vista compatible printer is required for using the Print functionality in the CPS.

3. User Access Control should be turned OFF before using CPS.


So the need for a "slow computer" would mean something up to Windows Vista, Windows Vista minimum requirements:

• Windows Vista Home Basic
  • 800-megahertz (MHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 800-MHz 64-bit (x64) processor
  • 512 megabytes (MB) of system memory
    Note On system configurations that use system memory as graphics memory, at least 448 MB of system memory must be available to the operating system after some memory is allocated for graphics.
  • DirectX 9-class graphics card
  • 32 MB of graphics memory
  • 20-gigabyte (GB) hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space
  • Internal or external DVD drive
  • Internet access capability
  • Audio output capability

So there you have it, this is what MCS2000 CPS is SUPPORTED to run on. It will NOT run on any 64 bit version of Windows. It will run on any machine that can run XP or Vista as outlined in the requirements listed above.

 

[gbunch2012]

OK then I need to find some firm wear that is R02.03.00 or newer to use. I will be looking unless some one can tell where to get it.

 

[MTS2000des]

You don't need firmware, you need the current (and latest) CPS. Since it is a violation of the forum rules to post links to it, I won't go there. But I will say if you LOOK you can FIND it.

Google is your friend. Enough said.

 

[Quickcall]

A RIB-less cable will NOT work with the MCS2000 in my experience. Much safer to try with a RIB instead of bricking the unit.

 

[MTS2000des]

I've used the RFGuys model 33911 RIBless cables with varying results. It all comes down to the drive voltage to put the radio in bootstrap to accept a write, and most serial ports don't have enough, therefore the radio won't respond and go into PROGRAM mode. That same cable works fine with my desktop PC. It all comes down to the differences between serial ports.

This is why a powered RIB works every single time. I use my factory RLN4008E without a problem with the one MCS2000 I still own.

 

[gbunch2012]

I have been using a rib, a Motorola one and a smart rib, they both give me the same cades.