Astro Digital Spectra VHF - N00B help needed!

[IronMoto]

Greetings Earthlngs ... erm MotoFellows!

I've been out of the programming scene for many years, and now I see a lot has changed.
Back then, the only software in use was RSS, Tuner and Lab.
Now I see many versions of CPS and beyond.

Fast forward ...
I recently picked up an Astro Digital Spectra VHF.
It was previously programmed with several zones, (and weather frequencies) so I can verify that the radio is working.
I don't hear anything on the other zones, probably because they are from the US.

Radio details:
Model: T99DX+089W_ASTRO
ID No: D04KKF9PW5AN
Flashcode: 50000010000008
Firmware: R11.71.07
DSP: N08.03.05
(I Meg / 2.5kHz)

I tried to read the radio using RSS R05, which it did but also reported that the software was out of date
and a newer version is required to work with the codeplug. Fine. So I went on the hunt,
and started reading, then reading more to get up to speed.
I've lost count of the hours spent reading on here and RR.

I found several sources for RSS and CPS but I only ended up confused!

My singular goal:
Reprogram the radio for a local P25 Public Service (monitor only).
Specifically the O.P.P. here in Ontario, Canada.

First, I want to read the CP, Tuning and S-Rec to keep as a backup.
(I'm not paranoid, just know Murphy is out there waiting to pounce)

... and now the questions:

1) Since the codeplug is R11, I am assuming I need a CPS version of 11 of higher. True/False?
2) I see the most recent version of CPS is R20.01.00 (do I need the latest version?)
3) Do I still use the RIB, or go with one of these newer "RIB-less" cables? (Windows 7 - 64 bit)
4) Does the "+" character in the model number indicate that this is a Spectra Plus?

Any and ALL help would be greatly appreciated.
I've spent weeks reading and trying to learn, but still haven't found the answers I need.

TIA,
Matt

[bstafford]

Some answers:
1. The astro product line is no longer supported, so you should just use whatever the final release was. (I for get off the top of my head)
2. That version of CPS is for the Astro25 line: XTL, XTS5000, Spectra Plus, etc. What you have is from the regular Astro line, not Astro25.
3. You have a high power radio and I don't think there are any ribless cables for the high power radios but I could be wrong. Also the software doesn't like 64 bit Windows 7. It works best with and was designed for XP.
4. No the plus in your model number doesnt mean it is a spectra plus. The Plus will typically have Plus written out. It will also have a 4meg vocon instead of the 1meg

[IronMoto]

bstafford,
Thanks for the information and comments.

As an update ...
I have put together an old PC and installed WinXP.
I managed to locate and install CPS R05.03.00 and finally had success in reading the radio.
Initially, (before I did anything stupid) I wanted to read the radio, and tuning and save both.
Murphy has a nasty habit of sticking his fingers into my radio projects!

One oddity is that the Tuner software will not let me SAVE the information read from the radio.
The SAVE icon is dimmed out (gray) and cannot be used.

Ok well ... I saved the original codeplug nonetheless (whew).

First attempt at re-programmed went without any problems (yay!) and I'm now decoding P25 happily!

Does anyone know why I could not SAVE the Tuner data??

Matt