Astro Saber lll programming

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K7PWJ
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Astro Saber lll programming

Post by K7PWJ »

I purchased a Astro Saber lll on ebay a few weeks ago. The radio seems to be in great shape. It receives the weather channels great.
I am using CPS 05.03.00. The software is running on an older XP computer.
I have the radio hooked up per the instructions with the proper cables and RIB. When I try to read the the radio the data LED comes on momentarily, the radio displays 1 CSQ and then I get a message the says "communication with radio fail".
I've tried different ports, two different computers and two different software revisions.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Paul K7PWJ

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jmr061
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by jmr061 »

Well when you say proper cable and rib lets get into that a little more. OEM cable and sure its the astro saber cable and not the saber cable? OEM rib or aftermarket?
K7PWJ
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by K7PWJ »

The RIB and cables are after market. Pi out and conductivity seem to be ok
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FireCpt809
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by FireCpt809 »

serial port or USB adapter?
K7PWJ
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by K7PWJ »

Usb
jmr061
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by jmr061 »

You have three things going against you...aftermarket cable, aftermarket rib and using USB instead of true serial.

I'd try a computer with a true serial port first as that is the first thing to eliminate as a source of problems (ie your usb adapter)

My personal recommendation is to always use OEM and use true serial ports when using serial cables.

Jason
K7PWJ
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by K7PWJ »

I've used the serial USB adapter with two other radios and it works fine. I'll try to find a computer with a serial port. I have no idea where to find an OEM cable. I talked to the people that made the after market cable and they said they haven't had any problems with the cables.
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FireCpt809
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by FireCpt809 »

your best bet is the serial.. dont go ribless cable ..These radios were made to use a RIB and cable. You can get a Kawa Rib and astro saber cable for under $50 and it will work fine.. OEM stuff is gettting harder to find and probably more than you paid for the radio. I have used kawa as a backup for years and never had an issue. Remember these radios are going on 10-15 years old now so they are not going to play well with modern set ups
jmr061
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by jmr061 »

You can verify the pinout of the aftermarket cable by checking the programming cable diagrams on batlabs.com. If it matches and ohms out correctly it's not the cable.
K7PWJ
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by K7PWJ »

Thanks for all the help guys. Our pilots lounge at the airport has and old desk top computer with a serial port. I hooked the radio up and it works great. Has anyone had success with a serial USB adapter?
I just got rid of a bunch of old computer stuff, now it looks like I'm on the hunt for an old desk top.
Thanks again for all the help.
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nukedude
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Re: Astro Saber lll programming

Post by nukedude »

The only USB to serial DB9 adapter I have had good success with, connected to a Motorola radio, is the KeySpan brand adapter. These also work on an Apple computer running Windows as well.
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