Motorola Programming help

[advancedcommunications]

I have latest versions of software and several USB Cables here, Trying to program some CP200s and can not for the life of me get the radio to read or write. Windows 10, Drivers all look fine for each cable, set the com port number and immedietly errors out. Is there some settings for the usb as far as buffering or something I need to look at? Im an Icom man this motorola stuff stumps me often. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Happy Easter!

 

[K2NEC]

Windows 10 is probably too new for Radius CPS. I always used XP

 

[KG4INW]

What exact cable are you using? Has it ever worked? We use Windows 11 all the time without issue (still have several hundred CP200s and CP200XLSs in service) but are using genuine Motorola RIBs, cables, and native serial ports. Anything USB can be hit or miss with radios of this vintage. For clarification, you're referring to the original Radius models and not the newer d (TRBO) models, right?

 

[advancedcommunications]

I have 3 different USB Cables here nothing genuine Motorola- Not CP200D- CP200 I have never had any luck although one of the cables is an all in 1 with vertex icom kenwood and I have used it for icom and kenwood with no issues on the same machine I have version 5.18

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Amazon.com: USB Programming Cable for Motorola,Compatible with Motorola CP200 CP200D CP100D BPR40 CP185 RDM2070D Two Way Radio Walkie Walkie : Electronics

Buy USB Programming Cable for Motorola,Compatible with Motorola CP200 CP200D CP100D BPR40 CP185 RDM2070D Two Way Radio Walkie Walkie: USB Cables - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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Amazon.com

 

[K2NEC]

Try a serial cable

Also the 2 pin programming cable is not the right one, the CP200 only uses a single pin 2.5mm programming cable

 

[KG4INW]

I've never tried any of those cables, and they all list numerous radios that do not use the same programming interfaces, so that makes them suspect to me. Happy to hear of anyone who's had success though.

Perhaps try something like this: M88S - AFTERMARKET - Radio Programming Cable for Motorola CP200 PR400 RIBLESS
You'd need a serial port or compatible USB to RS-232 adapter. Motorola used to recommend the IOGEAR GUC232A adapter.

 

[buddrousa]

If you are a Radio Shop I would recommend using factory cables before you end up having to eat a radio. I bought a New Visar back in the day over using a aftermarket cable and this was when the Visar was a new radio on the market.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Try a serial cable

Also the 2 pin programming cable is not the right one, the CP200 only uses a single pin 2.5mm programming cable

I never had a standalone cable but all of the services cables had the full DB-25 for the RIB, DB-25 for the interface box and the dual pin accessory to the radio.

 

[FFPM571]

CP200 still use a RIB box

 

[K2NEC]

CP200 still use a RIB box

RIB is not a requirement for CP200s

 

[KG4INW]

RIB is not a requirement for CP200s

A RIB is absolutely still required. Either use a RIB and separate cable or use one of the so called RIBless cables that simply have the RIB circuitry built in.

 

[K2NEC]

A RIB is absolutely still required. Either use a RIB and separate cable or use one of the so called RIBless cables that simply have the RIB circuitry built in.

So why is it a "RIBless" cable if it still has a RIB?

Regardless, here's what I have that works:

M88S - AFTERMARKET - Radio Programming Cable for Motorola CP200 PR400

M88S - AFTERMARKET - Radio Programming Cable for Motorola CP200 PR400 RIBLESS -- SERIAL Radio Programming Cable for Motorola CP040, CP100, CP140, CP160, CP200, CP150, CT150, CP-180, CT250, CT450, CT450-LS, GP88S, GP2000, GP2100, PR400, PRO3150, P040, and P080 Radios. No programming software...

shopwiscomm.com

 

[ramal121]

So why is it a "RIBless" cable if it still has a RIB?

That's what I've always asked. Sounds like a George Carlin bit to me.

 

[KG4INW]

Probably a poor choice for a name (I didn't coin that term!) but it has been common for many years to describe the aftermarket cables with the RIB electronics built in. That's why the model from Wiscomm has a rather large connector with the 9V battery lead.

 

[chrismol1]

RIB= Radio Interface Box
RIBless= No box
Whats being described is the actual physical box that is traditionally required in between the programming cable and computer connection. With RIBless cables, this component has been able to be included in the cable no longer requiring the separate box

 

[firefive76]

Windows 10 is probably too new for Radius CPS. I always used XP

It commercial CPS, not Radius. Works on Windows 10 just fine.

 

[K2NEC]

It commercial CPS, not Radius. Works on Windows 10 just fine.

Ah yes, you are right. I was thinking Commercial Series CPS was for the Waris series, but Waris is Professional Series CPS.

It's been a minute since ive used either

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Ah yes, you are right. I was thinking Commercial Series CPS was for the Waris series, but Waris is Professional Series CPS.

It's been a minute since ive used either

Professional Series is a little screwy running on 64 bit Windows. Runs fine on Windows 10 32 bit (as does the old 1225 RSS with a couple of warnings). I haven't tried Commercial Series on Windows 11 but as it runs on 10 it should run on 11 without issue.

 

[Boatmen123]

I have used the CPS program R05.16 for about a year with no problem until this week. I now get ERROR box "cannot read radio". I have the correct cable; radio is on and connected to computer and has worked on my windows 10 computer. So is there a newer version of the software available?

 

[Project25_MASTR]

05.17 and 05.18 were both forced Narrowband versions of the software and for conventional I don't think they actually provided any benefit to upgrading.