Wideband EID not working

[N0BDW]

Hi folks,

I have both the Professional Series CPS (R06.12.09) and Entry Level CPS for CP185s (R02.04). I took the narrowband training so that I could "purchase" (free) EIDs to enable wideband channel programming in these CPS versions.

I've tried entering the EID on multiple computers on multiple networks and I always get one of the two following error messages:

Error #3602 Unable to contact the license server. Please check your network settings and try again.

or

Error #3605 There are no Features available on the Server for the EID entered. Please enter a different EID and try again. If you continue to get this message, please contact Customer Service.

I've been in touch with Motorola trying to get this resolved. They had me uninstall and reinstall everything, gave me a new EID, mentioned their licensing server was having problems and to try again later, tried blaming it on my computer (again -- multiple computers w/ multiple different network connections tried)...

I even went as far as running Wireshark to sniff the network traffic between one of my computers and the Motorola licensing server. Even when getting the "unable to contact" error there is indeed some communication. I can't really see what exactly the exchange is though as it appears they use SSL (as they probably should).

I'm just about at the end of my rope here. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[N0BDW]

For anyone interested, here is what I had to do at the end of the day to get everything working. I now have two virtual machines: one runs Windows 2000 and the Professional Series CPS, the other runs Windows 7 64bit and the Entry Level CPS. Motorola also had to issue me two new EIDs... One for each CPS. The original EID they issued me that was supposed to work for both didn't work at all on either on any computers.

Because I couldn't get any EID to register on Windows 2000 at all, I had to roll back to a previous version of the CPS that doesn't require the EID to program wideband channels.

I couldn't get the Professional Series CPS on Windows 7 to read my radios. This may be a problem with the programming cables... I'm using cheap eBay USB cables. [I know, I know]

My assumptions about my findings:

Motorola's licensing server for EIDs has a problem communicating with Windows 2000.

My cheap eBay cables don't work on Windows 7 64bit.

So: I program a number of CDM series mobiles. I'd like to at least consider getting the cables so I can program those "properly." The only cable I see available for these radios through MOL directly is one that programs through the rear accessory connector. That isn't going to work for me. I need to be able to program through the head, which is what I currently do (and have never had a problem). Can someone point me in the right direction?

I don't currently have a RIB of any sort. Just USB cables.

And how about the same question for the Waris series portables? I currently program through the accessory connection where a speaker mic normally attaches. Does MOL offer a solution here, or is there a safer way to do this than my eBay cable that will work with Windows 7 64bit?

I'd like to get down to just one VM... The Windows 7 one... And ditch Windows 2000.

I don't have a serial port on my computer, but I do have what I assume (after some research) is a good serial to USB adapter on the way:

USB to Serial Adapter cable, Windows 8 | U.S. Converters™


Edit: Just as a note: the CP185 programming cable straight from MOL is a USB type cable that works out of the box with Windows 7 64bit. I believe it also worked on Windows 2000, but I can't verify that at the moment.

Edit #2: Does anyone have experience with this? http://shopwiscomm.com/M5X-AFTERMAR...CDM-HT1250-CP200-EX600-and-more-P2436901.aspx

 

[SteveC0625]

So: I program a number of CDM series mobiles. I'd like to at least consider getting the cables so I can program those "properly." The only cable I see available for these radios through MOL directly is one that programs through the rear accessory connector. That isn't going to work for me. I need to be able to program through the head, which is what I currently do (and have never had a problem). Can someone point me in the right direction?

Ben,

RKN4081 is a /\/\ Ribless programming cable for the CDM's and uses the mic connector. It will also do many older radios like the Radius, GM300, etc. With the proper adapter, it will also do the CM200/300/PM400 radios as well. It is a serial cable so you'll want a good USB to serial adapter. I had good luck with two different generic ones. You may also need a DB9 to DB25 adapter.

 

[N0BDW]

Ben,

RKN4081 is a /\/\ Ribless programming cable for the CDM's and uses the mic connector. It will also do many older radios like the Radius, GM300, etc. With the proper adapter, it will also do the CM200/300/PM400 radios as well. It is a serial cable so you'll want a good USB to serial adapter. I had good luck with two different generic ones. You may also need a DB9 to DB25 adapter.

Thanks Steve! Pretty pricy so I'll have to save my pennies.

 

[SteveC0625]

Thanks Steve! Pretty pricy so I'll have to save my pennies.

I've seen used ones on Ebay for less than $50. The clones are available too, prices even lower. I would not hesitate to try one of the clones if I needed one.

 

[N0BDW]

Thanks. I'll keep an eye on "the bay." I guess just for piece of mind I'd rather have the genuine /\/\ one. Hopefully in the next year and a half we'll be getting a bunch more CDM series radios as we transition to VHF.