Do I Have a Recased Radio?

KB5AKO · Post by **KB5AKO** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:02 pm

Fellas,

I have a Systems Saber 3 that has an adhesive sticker with a serial number on it. This number matches the number on the tag that is on the back of the radio. However, whenever I read the radio with my RSS; the serial number is different. I am looking at F4 then F7 View History. Shouldn't the serial number in RSS match up to the label on the back of the radio.

Victor, KB5AKO
kb5ako@sbcglobal.net

Rayjk110 · Post by **Rayjk110** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:40 pm

One way I check to see if any radios that I purchase or work on have been re-cased it to look for pry-marks where you would normally pry to remove the case. A fresh new case obviously wouldn't have any because it's new, but check on the actual frame part of the radio that you pry against and see if there is anything obvious. This is not to say that the radio wasnt serviced internally at some point either, tho.

To answer your second question, yes, the Serial Numbers should infact match up.

KB5AKO · Post by **KB5AKO** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:48 pm

Ok,

But the serial number should be the same on the case as what RSS reports, right?

Victor, KB5AKO
kb5ako@sbcglobal.net

Rayjk110 wrote:One way I check to see if any radios that I purchase or work on have been re-cased it to look for pry-marks where you would normally pry to remove the case. A fresh new case obviously wouldn't have any because it's new, but check on the actual frame part of the radio that you pry against and see if there is anything obvious. This is not to say that the radio wasnt serviced internally at some point either, tho.

Post by **wavetar** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:51 pm

KB5AKO wrote:Ok,
But the serial number should be the same on the case as what RSS reports, right?

Yes, it should.

Post by **akardam** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:04 pm

If it's a Systems Saber chances are there won't be any pry marks, as they just slide right out of the case with a minimal amount of force.

kb0nly · Post by **kb0nly** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:27 pm

Pry marks???

I have worked on at least a dozen Saber's now, loosen the nuts and pull out the guts.. Ok, that sounded bad if your mind is in the gutter. LOL

I don't see why you would ever have to go prying on a Saber to decase it?

As for the serial number, if someone slammed in another codeplug wouldn't that change the serial number?

I've got a couple radios that i know for a fact haven't been recased because the case and the label on the right side of the frame by the PA module have the same serial numbers but the radio's electronically stored serial is different than those.

Rayjk110 · Post by **Rayjk110** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:56 pm

I have only worked on 1 Saber, (long time ago) so I wasnt exactly sure on how the case came out. (Didn't have to remove it, just a reprog.) I had assumed they were like the rest of most Motorola HT's in that you would have to do a little prying (ie CP200, XTS, HT/JT, P1225 etc...)

RESCUE161 · Post by **RESCUE161** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 11:04 pm

Is the serial sticker on the inside of the radio on the front shield? If so, then the front shield and case could be off of a model III that was FUBAR and they could have used a model I and the parts off of the model III. This would give you matching serial numbers on the parts, but a model I serial when you read the radio.

1 Adam 12 · Post by **1 Adam 12** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:53 am

Remove the case, if your capable.. and look on the outside frame side opposite the PTT side..... Often there is a sticker with the serial number.

If it came from a large agency or government, a case swapped by accident is not uncommon.