ASTRO SABER programming problem

[MattSR]

Hello all..

I am experienceing a strange problem while programming an ASTRO Saber for a friend.

The RIB/computer/software setup I am using works ok (well it works on my XTS3000 perfectly) however, when I plug in the saber it fails everytime. I am using a sandy ganz clone RIB.

The read cycle seems to start OK, but when the radio comes up with "SELF TEST" the software pauses for a few seconds, then says "communication with radio failed" At this point the XTS3000 passes the self test and comes up with 1 CSQ on the display.

I am at a complete loss with this.. can anyone help? has anyone here used an ASTRO saber with a ganz clone RIB sucessfully?


Kind regards,
Matt

[tvsjr]

I believe the RIB should be just fine. Personally, I use a real RLN4008E, but that's just me.

Are you using a cable for a Saber, or for an Astro Saber? The Astro Sabers have slightly different pinouts... check the main batlabs site for the changes.

[MattSR]

Hi tvsjr,

I have checked this and made sure I am using pin 6 for this radio. I am pretty sure its the RIB that is causing thing problem. As i mentioned above, the CPS gets part of the way through the read cycle which indicates the PC can talk to the radio - at least for a moment...

Cheers,
Matt

[JAYMZ]

It may or may not be the case but I found this with one of the first Astro Sabers I had....

On mine if the screws at the bottom of the radio were too tight the programming cable pins didn't exactly match up. So when you would read the radio it would throw it into programming mode, but then fail. If I loosened the screws a little bit, not a problem.

[chartofmaryland]

Make sure your using an astro saber cable and not a Saber cable


CoM

[Hartley]

Interesting.. I had something very similar happen, and it turned out to be the pin 4 to pin 11 jumper in the cable that was bad. The Astro Saber would hear the reset command and jump into program mode, but then the CPS would time out and give me that message.
The cable worked fine for a System Saber, incidentally (with the "Astro Saber Dongle" removed, of course!)

73 DE Hartley

[Johnno]

Hi Matt,
Has this been resolved.
If not I have a RLN4008 and original /\/\ cables for the AS & XTS.
PM me if assistance is required.

[MattSR]

Hi Johno - the radio was tested with a genuine cable and the problem went away..

The problem as exactly as JAYMZ described, the pins were moving as the connector was applied, loosening the screw fixed the issue.

Thanks for the offer anyway...

[allplowedout]

Interesting, I thought I was the only one who had that problem.

I was programming one of our AS3s and it would go into program (beep) then fail comm. Eventually I narrowed it down to the screws on the bottom, actually I did not realise that till i put some down pressure on the programming cable connecter while connected to the radio, the screws in my case were too loose, not tight...

Ineresting though...