[Motorola] Astro Spectra VHF Range 2 to Range 1

Wed Nov 18 18:01:09 EST 2009

Thanks John for the good info. I only have RSS R06.00.05 [RVN4001N]. Have not read the radio yet. I am hoping I can change the range to LOW split, and the front end won't make the radio deaf! 

And, I hope I grabbed the correct controll head for the radio........there was a box of A9 and the A5 heads....I grabbed one of each for testing. The SPECTRA line seems complicated! 

Regards, 

Tim W7TRH / AFA0TP Wa. 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Johnjewkes at aol.com 
To: motorola at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 2:46:44 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: Re: [Motorola] Astro Spectra VHF Range 2 to Range 1 

Yes. The Version R60 01 of RSS actually allows change directly between 2.5   
KHz and 5 KHz 
Bandwidth for Spech. Of note: 2.5KHzis still receivable by 5 KHz   
equipment,just sounds a little 'tinny' 
(Upper/Lower speechand sounds get cut-off during transmit and receive. 
    Indeed, found something wrong with my '.' key,on  numberpad. It is 0.1 
to 0.3 mV sensitivity. I too'have played MVS and Micor, and  X-9000 etc. To 
directly hex edit, the current codeplug  must be read  via 
an RSS, noting the 'actual frequencies down as currently consisted. Then   
read it in Hex mode, Cross reference the Hex coding and using the 'Calculator 
in  Microsoft Windows Accessories (Start Menu item), and switching to 
'Scientific  mode on it, type in the hex code in question, and selecting the dec 
radio  button, verify that the hex code equals the known frequency. Then 
using the hex  to dec buttons (enter the hex as shown, then press the radio 
button for dec)  verify it comes out correctly.EG:90 is roughly equal to 
144.629 MHz. Using a hex  chart, you can actually convertthe HEX code letter by 
letter and number by  number to read it manually. BUT the correct RSS will do 
this in the background  for you, with the need for hard math to be done... 
73 de John W6HNC/AAR0MI OR 

In a message dated 11/16/2009 4:06:40 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,   
w7trh at comcast.net writes: 

John, 

So .........Did you ever change a  range 1 to a range 2 by fooling RSS? I 
have a chance to transfer a quantity of  ASTRO Spectras to our McChord AFB 
BST., if this can be accomplished! The range  2 will do "us" no good for 
AFMARS use! I heard NAVY MARS is NOT going narrow  band, so I can see ARMY or AF 
going there either, as that would interfere with  "Interoperability"! Too 
bad these radios are federal property! I know they  will be "Crushed" when 
turned in to DRMO! Too bad! The radios I have are the  2.5 kHz and 1 meg. Now I 
have to find the RSS version as high or higher than  the radios were 
programmed with! I have not "Read" the radio yet, with the RSS  I have on hand. I 
may check with McChord "LMR", but I'll bet they don't know  how to hex edit 
to change the range from (2) to (1)!! 

Did you  actually have 1-3 microvolts sens, or did you mean 0.1 to 0.3 
microvolts sens?   

Thanks for your input John! 

Tim Hardy W7TRH /  AFA0TP Wa. 

----- Original Message ----- 
From:  Johnjewkes at aol.com 
To: motorola at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Monday, November  16, 2009 3:39:34 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: Re: [Motorola]  Astro Spectra VHF Range 2 to Range 1 

Hi Tim, 
I  use Spectra and Astro Spectra for Army MARS Freqs  143 & 150 
with  no problems. I have the RSS available via local National Guard unit   

(Comm unit). 
Changing the codes in the RSS fixes the band correctly  (Hi or low  split) 
No noticeable variance in reception ( still 1-3  microvolts). JUST one 
thing 
though: 
the heads are very easy to  damage when changing out. Also, bad caps in the 

unit 
can cause  a 'squish-squish-squish' noise in the background of   
transmissions.  Check 
all the caps for proper values. Yes, some heads include scan  function, 
horn 
alert on 
receive or so forth... (One button  simplex or repeat -They call simplex   
'Talkaround'). 

You have to select on/off for these functions  inside the RSS. Then you 
save the file and 
feed it in via the  RIB  into the midi-port (called a codeplug on the   
radio). So  long as the 
unit is intact, it will read and write to the radio.   

73 de John Jewkes, US ARMY MARS, Oregon/W6HNC 

In a message dated 11/16/2009 1:03:11 P.M. Pacific Standard  Time,   
w7trh at comcast.net writes: 

Hello Folks,   

I am wondering how much hex  editing is involved in  moving a Astro Spectra 
[VHF Hi Range 2] to [VHF Low  Range 1]. If  this can be accomplished, how 
much does it affect rec. sens.?  (This  radio will be used on USAF MARS 
142-143 
mHz) 

I have  never done any hex editing......so if it is possible to lower range 

of  the Spectra [100 w trunk mount], I may ask for assistance with my   
"Project". 

Also, I thought I read that if you  change control  head (ex. A9 to A5), 
you 
had to do something in  software. I realize that  cables are the same. 

Thanks for  any help you can provide!   

Tim Hardy 

W7TRH /  AFA0TP 

Vashon Is. Wa.     
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