SL300 Firmware downgrade to use CPS 16

[tropiradio]

I have received a new SL300 radio from Motorola and tried to downgrade the firmware to v2.09 in order to be able to program it using CPS v16. The problem is that v16 cannot access the radio, and I get the error Codeplug Not Supported, so I cannot do the Device > Upgrade procedure.

I also tried by setting the radio into flashzap mode by pressing PTT and side button on power up, the screen says "BOOT", but the CPS 16 can still not see the radio (no valid device error).

Radio is only readable with CPS v2.110.120.0, but not with earlier V2 versions.

BTW I installed the MOTOTRBO_SL_R0209000001_140013_Portable.exe file before attempting the FW downgrade so the necessary files would be available to the CPS.

What am I doing wrong? I'm pretty new to FW changes.
Or did Motorola close the possibility of downgrading for newer production radios to use CPS 16?

 

[tropiradio]

More information on the SL300 radio gleaned by reading it with v2 CPS:

Firmware version: R01.21.01.0000
Codeplug version: 21.10.51
Bootloader version: R01.20.02.0000

There is also a Firmware ID, but its a long string of letters and numbers which I would have to copy manually, if this information is of any help.

 

[Firebuff880]

Motorola has not allowed Downgrade for many years now. There used to be a process where large dealers / customers might get a specially built downgrade package but even that no longer exists.

 

[K2NEC]

It can be done, just not by any means discussed here. Also the SL300 doesn't use the 2.09 firmware, you need the Light R01.01.30 firmware.

 

[tropiradio]

Hi again K2.

Care to explain how the procedure is done with the light firmware? Do I have to use a flashzap program? Reason I need to use v16 is because I need this radio to work on a 25K analog system (outside the US) and my modified v16 allows for this on AA radios. Target radio was really a Latam SL500 but it was going to take many more weeks to wait for delivery then the SL300.

 

[K2NEC]

Nope because it requires tools that can't be discussed on this website.

 

[mikewazowski]

Hi again K2.

Care to explain how the procedure is done with the light firmware? Reason I need to use v16 is because I need this radio to work on a 25K analog system (outside the US) and my modified v16 allows for this on AA radios. Target radio was really a Latam SL500 but it was going to take many more weeks to wait for delivery then the SL300.

Why don’t you just get the wide band entitlement for CPS2?

 

[mikewazowski]

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