Motorola Syntor X9000 Programming Cable

[MatthiasTHM]

Hello! I am trying to figure out how to program a friend’s Syntor X9000. All I have is the regular cable that goes from the unit to the control head and the unit itself and the control head.

I saw a Syntor X9000 cable on eBay that had a DB-9 female port with it and I was wondering if that was a type of programming cable (file attached).

I am also struggling to find the RSS software for the Syntor X9000 as well.

What can I do to get this programmed?

 

[buddrousa]

Take it to a Motorola Dealer would be your best option. Found this posted somewhere else it will explain your problem.

I recently acquired a syntor x9000. Now before everyone starts to groan uncontrollably lol, I worked many years in law enforcement as a dispatcher and have somewhat of a sentimental attachment to this radio. I understand it requires eeprom programming which is becoming a dying art lol.

Anyone know of a shop in the Midwest that could program the eeprom for me?

As for programming, only the original Syntor used an eeprom. The X-9000 (and you're taking me back many years) as I recall, had a programming adapter that fit between the control cable and the radio for programming by computer. However, that radio is so old it may be a DOS based software.

It is done in DOS as said if its truly the X9000. It requires a special cable to the RIB. Its been many years since I did one.

Which head is on it ? Most X9000 came with the W9 Head with a plug from the harness.

Syntor X9000

 

[cmjonesinc]

Good luck finding a motorola dealer that still has that stuff floating around. Mine doesn't touch anything dos based.

I've never programmed a syntor but I dug out an old laptop and had these various versions of software. No idea which one actually works with the different configurations of radios and heads. I do know you're going to need an old and slow computer to run them.

 

[MatthiasTHM]

Good luck finding a motorola dealer that still has that stuff floating around. Mine doesn't touch anything dos based.

I've never programmed a syntor but I dug out an old laptop and had these various versions of software. No idea which one actually works with the different configurations of radios and heads. I do know you're going to need an old and slow computer to run them.

Do you know where can I obtain the RSS software? I do have a computer that is capable of running DOS. I would like to put the Syntor to good use.

I also opened up the top plate of the Syntor and found some papers with amateur frequencies programmed. I’m guessing they did a 2 meter conversion to the Syntor.

 

[MatthiasTHM]

Take it to a Motorola Dealer would be your best option. Found this posted somewhere else it will explain your problem.

I recently acquired a syntor x9000. Now before everyone starts to groan uncontrollably lol, I worked many years in law enforcement as a dispatcher and have somewhat of a sentimental attachment to this radio. I understand it requires eeprom programming which is becoming a dying art lol.

Anyone know of a shop in the Midwest that could program the eeprom for me?

As for programming, only the original Syntor used an eeprom. The X-9000 (and you're taking me back many years) as I recall, had a programming adapter that fit between the control cable and the radio for programming by computer. However, that radio is so old it may be a DOS based software.

It is done in DOS as said if its truly the X9000. It requires a special cable to the RIB. Its been many years since I did one.

Which head is on it ? Most X9000 came with the W9 Head with a plug from the harness.

Syntor X9000

Yes, it is the W9 control head. The one cable I found on eBay has a DB-9 in it. I also have the SmartRIB that I use for my 3000R.

 

[buddrousa]

A computer running DOS that has a CPU Speed of less than 20MB that is meg not gig

 

[FFPM571]

you may find an old ham or hobbyist who can do it. Motorola shops wont.. Those radios are going on 35 years old The Techs who programmed them back then are long gone

 

[cmjonesinc]

After some on and off research this afternoon it looks like the hardest thing to come across is the actual programming cable. From what we've figured out, it goes in between the control head cable and the radio. I think OP is seeing if a regular cable can be modified to work in place of the t-cable adapter

 

[n3obl]

One thing i seen done was modify the control head cable connector to make connections to the pins and bring out an additional wire to a DB-25 for a rib box. But again need a rib and a old computer.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Hello! I am trying to figure out how to program a friend’s Syntor X9000. All I have is the regular cable that goes from the unit to the control head and the unit itself and the control head.

I saw a Syntor X9000 cable on eBay that had a DB-9 female port with it and I was wondering if that was a type of programming cable (file attached).

I am also struggling to find the RSS software for the Syntor X9000 as well.

What can I do to get this programmed?

I saw same cable on ebay . That cable is not a standard programming cable. It is a cobbled up cable, while it might be a programming cable , more likely it might be a Pyramid SVR200 cable. I suspect the latter if it is 9 pins DB.

Programming these radios require just the right combination of old school slow 386 or 286 computer and RSS software. There is a bunch of software for the 9000 floating out there and I could not tell you which would be best for your friends radio. There are separate executable programs for the radio unit and control head.

Andy Brinkley did my programming. I ordered code plugs from him along with firmware upgrades for the radio and head.

Brinkley Electronics Home Page

The Syntor X9000 is a fine radio and they have held up well. The Low Band is particularly useful as it spans 10 and 6 meter ham and all between.