Re: ASTRO Saber III Firmware & Depot Questions???

W2GLD · Post by **W2GLD** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:33 pm

Question 1: What is the latest firmware release for 800MHz. ASTRO Saber III Radios? Currently I am at: R05.60.04 and DSP: R06.05.02

I have an XTS3000 which just returned from the depot and it's firmware is: R07.71.00

Question 2: Does the depot still accept ASTRO Saber's to update firmware and Flashcodes???

Question 3: Does anyone know what the cost is to upgrade the ASTRO Saber III from Flashcode: 540008-0004000-3 (3600 Baud Trunking) to Flashcode: 540008-000482-4 (9600 Baud Trunking)

Thank you all in advance...

Jerry

Post by Pj » Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:43 pm

The host/dsp you listed indicates that you have a 512k controller. 7.0 and above would indicate a 1MEG controller which 95% of all XTS3000's shipped with. Astro sabers started with 512k's, and then 1MEG's.

ASTRO25 requries a 1MEG board. The flash upgrade to ASTRO25 would most likely be in the $500+ ballpark. However, the ASTRO25 upgrade also requires a 1MEG board.

So, if you were to go to ASTRO25, your local dealer would most likely need to send it to the depot...figure another $1k for a replacement VOCON.

Your local dealer can usually upgrade firmware/flashcodes. Your firmware looks close to current, for that 512k board.

W2GLD · Post by **W2GLD** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:00 pm

The radio is already a 1 Meg board. All I need is the latest firmware update and Flash upgrade for the P25 trunking.

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:54 pm

Astro Saber and XTS3000 firmware is the same so the current AS is 7.71/8.03.03. If you want 9600 baud host 6 is all that supports that and in a previous thread a member claims to have seen R6.71.00

FYI older host/dsp does not signify a 512K board in and of itself. I have seen 1 meg boards that have host 3 in them.

Jason

W2GLD · Post by **W2GLD** » Wed May 09, 2007 1:41 pm

I just verified one of our Motorola XTS3000 radios which is also on the P25 system here in Michigan, the firmware release in this radio is: R06.24.00 and this unit just returned from the depot about a month ago or so.

My final question would be, does R06.24.00 support rebanding???

I ask because when the radio returned from the depot the standard 800MHz. OEM antenna was replaced with one that said 700/800MHz.

Thanks to everyone for their comments...

Jerry

BTW: The MPSCS flashcode for these radio is: 540008-000480-6 (This ONLY applies to the ASTRO Saber & XTS3000 radios on the system. The XTS5000/2500 flashcode is different.

W2GLD · Post by **W2GLD** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:20 pm

Still looking for rebanding information on the R06.24.00 firmware revision. Does this firmware support rebanding? If NOT, what version does that supports 9600 Baud P-25 Trunking???

Thanks...

Jerry - K8GLD

Post by Pj » Tue May 15, 2007 12:36 am

Check the knowledge base, its all there.

W2GLD · Post by **W2GLD** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:40 am

While I appreciate the response, I have also taken the time to read each of the postings contained in the knowledge base and could not find the answers to these questions.

I guess I will have to call the depot and see if I can get answers out of them.

Thanks anyhow...

Victor Xray · Post by **Victor Xray** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:01 am

gdubzakjr wrote:My final question would be, does R06.24.00 support rebanding???

I ask because when the radio returned from the depot the standard 800MHz. OEM antenna was replaced with one that said 700/800MHz.

700Mhz has nothing to do with rebanding.

W2GLD · Post by **W2GLD** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:05 am

Yeah, thanks and I do understand the 700MHz. has nothing to do with that. My question was simple, what is the lowest firmware revision that supports 9600 Baud P-25 Trunking and is still okay for the rebanding of the NSPAC channels, etc.

The ASTRO Saber and XTS3000 as I recall, can ONLY accept a certain firmware level and support the 9600 Baud systems.

Thanks for your concern though.

Bruce1807 · Post by **Bruce1807** » Tue May 15, 2007 6:15 am

If your radio is not flashed for P25 then it is a moot question.
It would need to be reflashed and therefore would have the latest version after the flash upgrade.
If you radio is capable of 9600 then the firmware you have will do 9600
look at the option set in CPS

Victor Xray · Post by **Victor Xray** » Tue May 15, 2007 6:58 am

We're trying to help, don't get snotty.

You said you have a radio fresh from the depot with 6.24 (for 9600). Since I do not own a 3K with that host, I can only assume that it will support rebanding only because it is fresh from the Depot (I have yet to hear of a radio that was recently flashed and did not support rebanding).

But, if my assumption is not good enough, you have 3 options:
1) Read your radio and look at the CPS. It will tell you if rebanding is enabled or not.
2) Ask your system administrator(s). He/They should know immediately.
3) Call Motorola, who, depending which agent answers your call, may or may not even know what rebanding is.

W2GLD · Post by **W2GLD** » Tue May 15, 2007 7:02 am

Well first off, I am looking to add the Q361 option, which is the 9600 baud P25 control channel.

Second, I am on the phone with the depot right now, and they are stating that the lastest firmware for P-25 system users is

Host: R06.71.00
DSP: N08.03.03

What's interesting is that I just received an XTS3000 back from the depot with R07.71 and the same DSP yet Motorola is telling me that R06.71.00 is the latest and greatest.

No straight answers from anywhere I guess.

Furthermore, they advised that for the State of Michigan MPSCS system, there is a custom flashcode since we were the first to go onto 9600 Baud P25 Trunking.

All very confusing and I am really just trying to get to the bottom of this.

W2GLD · Post by **W2GLD** » Tue May 15, 2007 7:11 am

Victor, sorry I don't mean to be snotty, I am just frustrated.

In the CPS, the rebanded box is indeed checked. However, reading all of the posts on batlabs indicate that I need host R07.xx or higher to support rebanding.

When speaking with Motorola, they advise me that R06.71.00 does not support the rebanding. Confused, yes me too...

I am simply trying to save the administrators all the leg work since they are adding my radio as a courtesy to the department.

I purchased this radio from the State of Florida system and the flashcode has all of the options needed except the "Q361 9600 Baud P25" option and the latest firmware.

All I am looking for is someone who can tell me what needs to be done, and a cost. Once I have these two issues completed, I can then send the radio in to be programmed on the system.

Th most frustrating part is that I use to do this radio work for a living, and now I feel like I am on the outside looking in.

Arrrggg....

Thank you all or your assistance, it is appreciated!

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Tue May 15, 2007 7:18 am

Only host 6 supports 9600 in an XTS3k/Astro Saber.

Host 7 does not support it. They run two different "current" host versions depending on whether your radio is flashed for 9600 or not. MOST ARE NOT, so you end up with the current 7.71, if it is flashed for 9600 then you get 6.71.

Jason

Post by Pj » Tue May 15, 2007 9:10 am

Ya know, lets make this much easier...

If your radio does not have the 9600 option, and your going to buy it - when the option is installed, the correct firmware usually is also loaded at the same time. If your host ends up higher or lower from where it starts out at, you should be good.

MI isn't exempt from rebanding, but when the time comes, I am sure Moto will have firmware release that will support everything that is needed. There are plenty of pre ASTRO25 platform radios in service, so I wouldn't sweat it right now.