ASTRO III codeplug data missing?

TheIronMan · Post by **TheIronMan** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 12:01 am

I've got an ASTRO III with following info:

Model# H99SA + 057H
Factory ID: H44SAN7139CN

However, the "hit the .. button 5 x's" doesn't work to get any flashcode info or anything else. The buttons all work because they beep when pressed.

When CPS goes to read it, the AIII display shows the 1 CSQ message, and everything looks normal. But when CPS prepares to display the codeplug info, the message with the progress-bar at the bottom of the window says "Creating database" goes about halfway, then I see this message pop up on CPS:

"Failed to add 15 records in H_4520", Click OK and then,

"Problem in CreateNumberOfRecsAtUnPack in Software Key Name Block" comes up.

Seems like some sort of issue with the radio's code or something because CPS reads my Astro II just fine.

Also, powering up the AIII, the display beeps with KEY FAIL.

Are the keys and this problem related? Any ideas for a workaround or a fix?

Thanks!

RocketNJ · Post by **RocketNJ** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 6:28 am

Isn't that a Saber III model number and not an Astro Saber?

George

Post by Pj » Sun Oct 31, 2004 7:43 am

That IS an analog saber model number.

TheIronMan · Post by **TheIronMan** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 12:05 am

I bought it earlier this year. It was recased. The white Motorola sticker is on the back....The id stuff is not in green printing like other Astro Sabers.

However, from what I've been able to tell, this radio is a genuine Astro III....behaves and looks like a GENUINE Astro III. I found it interesting too when I first got it. But my Saber RSS won't read and the pinouts really are different. I have to use my Astro cable and CPS to talk to it.

Unless of course, it's been emulating an Astro III which I find hard to believe.

I'm thinking that the Key Failure has something to do with it since CPS is reporting 15 records and there's 16 Software keys available on the radio.

Unfortunately, I don't have Keyloader to zero the stuff out. Most of my Motorola gear, software and laptop got stolen about 4 years ago. So I'm stuck and can only go this far.

I'm probably going to have to break-down and take it to my local /\/\ shop.

Cheers.

Post by Pj » Mon Nov 01, 2004 3:05 am

You need to swap pins 6 & 8? between the Saber and Astro Saber on the programming cable. Both radio's are programmed with the same protocol. I don't have the time at the moment, but under the "Model specific" information on Batlabs, compare both programming cables, and try it again. Astro Sabers (and other radio) came with both green and white (beige) lettering. Usually the Depot'd radios had green lettering on the recased radios.

Chrisjz · Post by **Chrisjz** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 4:14 am

How does an AS-III fit into an analog Saber case? The AS-III is physically longer...

Post by Pj » Mon Nov 01, 2004 8:13 am

I think that people have made them fit into the secure saber cases. I believe a year or two ago someone on ebay were selling sabers as astros.

RESCUE161 · Post by **RESCUE161** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 8:35 am

Even a Secure Saber is about an inch shorter than an Astro.

You mentioned Saber RSS, but is it a Systems Saber that you have? If so, it takes different RSS as well.

TheIronMan · Post by **TheIronMan** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 12:56 pm

It's not a cable issue, it works as far as that goes. I was hoping that someone could lead me to modifying a file in the CPS directory that could bypass the process that's bombing or something. I don't have any codeplug data that I can utilize, other than the one for my Astro II VHF.

Unfortunately, the .. button five times doesn't work. The key beeps, but the display never clicks over to show flash info, etc. Wierd. My Astro II works fine.

I've called /\/\ tech support and we'll see what happens. They're stumped as well. Looks like I'll be opening up a case with them being that I've tried this with Win98, Win2000, and XP all on different machines. I'll post what is found and fixed.

Thanks.

TheIronMan · Post by **TheIronMan** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 5:01 pm

Took the radio to my local shop and they were able to read and write to it fine using RSS 9.05, not the *&^%$!#@ Windows CPS version for XTS3000 / Astro Portables.

I can say that /\/\ support sucks. Their process is so convoluted that they can't get me an answer from their friggin software development group to answer for the problem. I opened up 2 different tickets on it and I kept getting the runaround for "send me a copy of the codeplug", blah blah. Which they knew I couldn't get to the damn CP.

So I dunno. My Astro Saber II works fine with the CPS and I don't get it why the III wouldn't.

Anyway, now my hunt's on for RSS 9.05.00. Anyone have a part number for it?

email is: ironlaw@justice.com

Thanks!

mancow · Post by **mancow** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:51 pm

What's up with that model number?
Did someone dumbass slap a regular saber sticker on it?

mancow

TheIronMan · Post by **TheIronMan** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 1:39 pm

Probably the slap that i bought it from did so. It is a true Astro Saber III, though.

i did find out that the codeplug can be read and written using RSS 9.05.00. For some reason the damn CPS won't go.

Today I found that /\/\ discontinued the RVN 4100 series RSS for Astro Portables and replaced with purely the CPS version. Why can't /\/\ just include it with the CPS? It's only a 700K file on a diskette. They have RVN 4002K (RSS ver 7.00.50)for the Saber's, so why t'hell wouldn't they continue offering the RVN 4100? /\/\ almost forces people to swap, trade or copy due to their ridiculous practices.

So I've basically got a $2500.00 paperweight until I get my hands on RSS 09.05.00 even though I have subscriptions for CPS software.

Post by **wavetar** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:54 pm

I do recall someone posting at one point that very old firmware version Astro Sabers weren't compatible with CPS. It would seem you have one of those, since it won't even show the test mode information.

Todd

ASTRO III codeplug data missing?

ASTRO III codeplug data missing?

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