radio programming computer

[firefighter14_22]

what is a good radio programming computer
looking for a good make/ model of a computer to run win xp and can do dos for the older software (maratrac,gm300,sp50,ht1000 ...)
if anyone knows of any or what the radios shops use pleas post
Thanks

 

[mmckenna]

Good question about the laptop, I'm going to be purchasing a new one for work and was looking for info.

In my shop at work I have an old 486 machine just running DOS for programming the old gear. Hard to beat, works every time. I'm just going to be really in a world of hurt when it fails.

 

[SCPD]

I use a laptop with Windows XP, Service Pack 3.

It seems when this topic comes up here, folks want to focus more on CPU speed. I don't think speed is a factor, if all you are doing is programming. You want to pay more attention to the operating system. What I use is fast enough for the MotoTrbo, and slow enough for the GP300 and GM300 software. I also do the HT/CDM's and the software for CM300 radios.

 

[K4IHS]

I was using an old laptop with Windows 3.1. When it died... I started using an eMachine T3828 with a real com port. Its processor is a 2.80G Celeron. The OS is Windows XP SP 3. Running the Motorola software under Windows... I can read radios just fine but never took a chance to actually upload a codeplug. Instead... I use a bootable USB memory stick loaded with DOS and the Motorola software. I've programmed hundreds of radios this way and never had a problem.

 

[SteveC0625]

Here's the problem: It's not make and model that matters. If you are programming newer radios like the Professional Series or Commercial series, most any laptop or desktop will do. The latest versions of these software packages run fine under Win 7, and there are reliable USB cables available.

If you need to program older radios like the M1225, that software is a bit finicky. I found it won't install on my Win 7 laptop, but works really well on my older desktop which is a Win 98 machine. It also has a real serial port which makes finding and using cables for older radios much easier.

Now, if you need to run something even older like the GM300 software, I found that it runs fine in a DOS window on my XP desktop.

But older stuff like the early Radius software wants to run on DOS only. I haven't personally tried it on my XP computer, but I know it will boot to DOS so it should work. Just in case, I have an even older Win 98 desktop sitting in the closet that will run pure DOS just fine.

So, in summary, make and model is mostly irrelevant. What you need is most likely going to be a Win98 computer with at least one real serial port. What I would do for that is to find a local computer shop that repairs and sells older PC's. If you only need a desktop, there are a lot of them out there in good shape for cheap. Laptops are becoming more and more scarce because things like keyboards, hard drives, and displays tend to break under portable use. Batteries wear out. People won't put any money into fixing older laptops so they get junked.

I get spoiled with the Pro and Comm series radios because I can take the laptop anywhere and just climb in the cab of the truck or car to reprogram. I only have three or four M1225's to care for so I don't mind pulling them to program on the bench. Everybody's situation is a bit different so you have to consider which radios you're doing, how many of them, and where they are located.

 

[SCPD]

I use for the HT1000, Maxtrac 300, standard older style portable program with a old toshiba satellite monochrome laptop T2107 I believe. I found 3 on the bay long ago and made one good one out of all the parts. WIndows 3.11

 

[SCPD]

Just want to throw this in about cpu speed, I know on newer radios like the APX and XTS I would avoid doing these with a machine that isnt decent. I have seen several radios get the Fail001/02s due to the lag and delay pc hanging. Most were pulled out of the fail but some couldnt be. Just thought Id throw it in from what I seen with newer stuff.

 

[N4KVE]

I don't take chances. For radios that use CPS, I have several Dell laptops that run Windows XP. Both serial & USB ports. They run about $100, & a guy on a local gun forum sells them as his office upgrades to newer machines. I use these laptops only for programming, & never use them on the internet. No chance of a virus. For older RSS, I use an old Toshiba Satellite DOS laptop that has never seen Windows. Both laptops do their jobs perfectly, & I don't have to "trick" anything to work. GARY N4KVE

 

[zz0468]

I've found that Panasonic CF51 Toughbooks are ideal. They're fast enough to run XP, and have real serial ports for DOS applications. I set them up for dual boot. If you're dealing with APX's, you need a fast computer, which is contrary to what you need for, say, a Syntor X. In that case, a fast computer booted to DOS, and running either Mo'slow or Slowdown will work with the RSS that MUST have a slow computer. Radios like the Spectra need real DOS for the RSS, but it runs just fine on a faster computer.

 

[cabletech]

I use a Dell Latitude d series laptop 1g / 1g ram 60gbHD rs232 port 4 usb dos as main partition and secound partition WIN xp pro.

I also have a Gateway setup the same way.

Loaded all older Moto and Kenwood programs in DOS, and newer in WIN.

Computer can be booted to either OS, but I can also run ALL dos programs thru WIN with a program called DOSBOX.

Been running this system for three years NO PROBLEMS.

I also have about 10 Gateways that are available for sell if anyone needs one, most are 40g HD some 60g and 80g.

Will setup with both OS.

 

[mmckenna]

I kind of like the idea of a toughbook. I tend to be very hard on my laptops, not intentionally, though. I've got a few grand in the budget for a new one next year, I'll have to keep my eyes open.

 

[firefighter14_22]

has anyone programmed a motorola R100 repeater before? what computer do/would you use for that?

 

[SteveC0625]

has anyone programmed a motorola R100 repeater before? what computer do/would you use for that?

Over on repeater-builder.com you will find detailed information on many Motorola radios that are or were used as repeaters. The R100 is among them. Here is a link to their page for the R100:

The Motorola R100 and MCR100 Index page

At the bottom of the page is a link to the RSS manual. You'll want to look that over along with several other pages or files that they have there. I suspect you will be able to figure out that an old, slow computer running DOS is the only thing that will run the RSS.

 

[cabletech]

SteveC incorrect, I have programed the R100 and R200 with a Dell pent2 running at 800 on DOS with no problems.

 

[SurgePGH]

SteveC incorrect, I have programed the R100 and R200 with a Dell pent2 running at 800 on DOS with no problems.

That is like playing with fire. All it takes is for the computer to hang once and brick the radio.

Just b/c it works doesn't mean it's right.

 

[jim202]

OK now that everyone has laid out their 2 cents worth of advice, let me add a few facts.

If you need to run a DOS program for the radio software, you need either a FAT 16 or a FAT32 formatted hard drive to store the software and codeplugs on. I have used as high as 600 and 800 MHz clock computers without any issues. Above that, you pressing your luck. Running the software inside Windows is like playing Russian Roulette. Some where along the way your number is going to come up and the radio will fail in programming it.

The FAT16 will only allow 2 GB sized drives. The FAT32 will let you go up to at least an 80 GB sized hard drive partition.

I currently am using a 400 MHz clock on the laptop. I made two partitions on the hard drive. C: is for DOS and the D: partition has Windows XP. The whole hard drive was done in FAT32 format. I used a Win 98 boot disk and FDISK to make the two partitions and format each of them. Put all my Motorola DOS software in the DOS drive C: in their own directory structure. Then loaded Win XP in drive D: with all that goes with it. Have my Adobe, Word and Excel available when needed. Use the network connection to transfer files between computers and such.

Plus I have a real serial port on the laptop.

Do what you want, just remember, slow computer speed is needed for the real old radios like the Spectra and the Syntor X9000. You may also have to start a small program like CACHEOFF.COM before starting the Motoroal programs to take care of the cache issues that some computers have with the older Motorola software.

 

[rfradioconsult]

I second the Toughbook CF51, serial port for some radios I need and USB for some. An old DOS laptop for those old RSS based radios. Programming computers separate from my everyday computers for surfing and computer stuff. Not a good idea to try to have a single do everything computer, just like owning one gun, need to have specific tools for specific tasks makes life easier.