VHF Astro Spectra under 146 MHz

[MotorolaASTRO]

Hy @ all

My question is, is it possible to programe the Astro Spectra 110Watts (L04KKH9PW9AN)
under 146 MHz, i must come to 144 MHz down. Is this possible, and when how?

Many many thanks
Sincerely yours
MotorolaASTRO

 

[W2NJS]

Start here. If your lowest frequency is 146 ("K" model) you will have do some software editing. There is a "J" model that does start at 136 mHz.

Astro Mobiles

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

Hy

Yes it is a "K" bandsplit, cane i make this change? Or is a factory or dealer needed?
What must i do and is 144 MHz the maximum i cane go down?

Many many thanks
73 de MotorolaASTRO

 

[cmdrwill]

Range 2 VHF Spectras and Astro Spectras go down to 144 mHz just fine. The Astro codeplug may have to be edited tho.

VHF Range 2 146 - 174

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

Hy

Yes okay, but how cane i make it? What must i do?

Many thanks

 

[ka8ypy]

You need to Hex edit the band edges in the radio programing RSS or CPS (whichever you are using to program your radio).

 

[W0JJK]

I just enter the 144.85/145.45 frequencies in CPS 5.03.00, and it warns you it has out of band frequencies in it, when you write the radio. I just click ok and it goes right in. No issues, great on 144.XXX for Transmit and receives fine in 145.xxx.

No editing or anything.

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

Oh Okay many thanks for the answer, but how can i purchase the Astro Spectra RSS or CPS?
And whats the price for this Software?

Many many thanks guys
Sincerely yours MotorolaASTRO

 

[n7maq-1]

To purchase contact Motorola AU, here in the US it's around $269.00 IIRC. Also see how much it is for both the mobile, and portable CPS, you may get both for the same price as just one. I know it's that way for the Astro25 CPS.

Now if you want to use it P25 below 146 it PROBABLY will NOT work, analog will be just fine. The mid power units seem to work P25 below 146.00 but not the HP units.

Jim

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

Hy

Ok thats a proplem i will work analog and digital on 144.xxx MHz with a 110Watts Astro Spectra.
But i heard it gives a Ham Software for this radios?

Many thank
Sincerely yours
MotorolaASTRO

 

[n3obl]

usually for astro 25 software its 100 dollars more to get both mobile and port. But it cheaper than just buying one or the other.

It will be a different part number.

Frank

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

It gives a software for Astro Spectra and Astro Saber? Is that right?

Many thans
MotorolaASTRO

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

What i need is the right software for this radio, and where i can buy from (Motorola Online?).
But when it gives no software that i can go direct under 146 MHz, i need the help to change
the software (Hex) to get under the 146 MHz.

Many many thanks
Sincerely yours
MotorolaASTRO

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

Hello

Can i use a normal 25D PC cable for programing a Astro Spectra, or need i a special cable to connect
RIB Box and Astro Spectra?
And is it important to use the left or the right 25D connector on the radio?

Many thanks
sincerely yours
MotorolaASTRO

 

[d119]

It's not a normal DB25 cable from the RIB box to the Astro Spectra High Power. It's a custom cable. However, it *is* the same cable for the older Analog Spectra if you have one of those.

Otherwise, the pinout can be found at the following link: http://www.batlabs.com/images/spechi.gif

Generally the control head is plugged into the leftmost DB25 connector below the power cable & keyload port. The programming cable is then plugged into the rightmost DB25 port inside the handle.

Once you have your programming software, use your favorite hex editing software to extend the band limits in the astromob.exe file. Make a backup copy of it before you begin so you have a fallback in case you make a mistake.

Search for the hex string 80C8B308 (this represents 146000000) and replace *all* instances of it with 0449508 (this represents 144000000). This will extend the lower band limit from 146MHz to 144MHz.

Hex Workshop is an EXCELLENT program for doing this sort of work as it has easy to use search features, and also includes a base converter to properly derive the hex values from standard decimal values. The only problem with it is that it's not freeware and must be registered after the trial period, or it's done.

For what it's worth, the above modification will work for ASTRO mobiles, ASTRO Portables, ASTRO25 mobiles, ASTRO25 portables, MCS 2000 and MTS 2000. Of course, provided you are using the latest versions of CPS for the above radios.

I'll toss the following values out there in case anyone reading this thread needs to make any other changes:

450000000 = 8074D21A, 438000000 = 80591B1A, 480000000 = 00389C1E, 520000000 = 0091FE1E, 162000000 = 80ECA709, 174000000 = 80075F0A, 445000000 = 4029861A, 470000000 = 80A1031C, 453000000 = 403B001B.

Files to edit: ASTRO Mobile = astromob.exe, ASTRO Portable = astroport.exe, ASTRO25 mobile = patmob.exe, ASTRO25 Portable = patport.exe, MCS 2000 = mcs.exe MTS 2000 = mts.exe

Again, just search for the limit you want to change, and replace it with the limit you want it to be. Of course, there are hardware limitations involved so don't get too crazy. I also take zero responsibility for what you do to your software or hardware as a result of using this information.

Hope this helps.

 

[rfradioconsult]

FYI, I have a high power and mid power Astro Spectra's that both transmit on 143.xxx in P25 with no problems. The CPS will allow you to enter a frequenct down to 142.000 MHz with no hex editing required, it will give you a warning below 146 but will allow you to enter the actual frequency.

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

Hi d119,
thanks for the how-to.

Once you have your programming software, use your favorite hex editing software to extend the band limits in the astromob.exe file. Make a backup copy of it before you begin so you have a fallback in case you make a mistake.

Search for the hex string 80C8B308 (this represents 146000000) and replace *all* instances of it with 0449508 (this represents 144000000). This will extend the lower band limit from 146MHz to 144MHz.

I just did the modification, but id did not work. I searched for the given string 80C8B308, found it 3 times in my astromob.exe. But, i was not sure, in which value to change the string. there is one character to few. 0449508 does not fit it at all, is that correct?

the next thing is, that i checked the values and used an online-calculator to calculate some hex values:

144000000 (dec) = 8954400 (hex)
146000000 (dec) = 8B3C880 (hex)

i am not a computer specialist, so i am a little bit confused.

my astro spectra is now transmitting in analog at 144.600, and also in digital 144.600, but i have an unmodulated hf carrier on that frequency. i checked it with another radio...

what am i doing wrong?

regards
MotorolaASTRO

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

Hy @ all

Okay, now I have a Hexd CPS but what must I do that the radio send under 146MHz Digital? I have tested many things, I started with the new CPS removed the frequencys and fit in the the same frequencys but doesn´t work. Over 146MHz it works perfect digital but not under. Analog was no problem, also work fine under 146MHz. What must I do, delet the complete Codeplug? I dont know.

Regards MotorolaASTRO

 

[MotorolaASTRO]

Hy @ all

Okay, now I have a Hexd CPS but what must I do that the radio send under 146MHz Digital? I have tested many things, I started with the new CPS removed the frequencys and fit in the the same frequencys but doesn´t work. Over 146MHz it works perfect digital but not under. Analog was no problem, also work fine under 146MHz. What must I do, delet the complete Codeplug? I dont know.

Regards MotorolaASTRO

 

[N4DES]

You probably have to adjust the deviation. It is usually off when you run take it out of band.