Astro Spectra Control Head Types...

[Renamon]

I have noticed that there are several types of control heads (W4, W7, W9, HHCH...) for Astro Spectras and I wonder...

Is there something that has to be done to the radio to use a particular control head?

For instance, say I have a trunk mount unit with a W9 head, can one just plug in a W4/7 or HHCH and it work? I get the feeling the answer is no, but I do not know why and cannot find anything specific.

Thinking about getting one here, but know not much about the astro spectra line...

Thanks!

[Renamon]

I have done some reading about the HHCH needing an Interconnect board and a "Y-Cable", but past that. Can I just use any head.

Also, what is the difference between a 9000 head and a W9?

[Batwings21]

You have to use whatever head the radio was meant for. If you want to change the head type, you have to change it in the programming, however those screens are only available in LAB or DEPOT software. Your best bet would be to save all your tuning data, and load a s-record that has the proper head type into the radio. Or find someone who can modify your existing s-record.

There are some spectra a9 heads that can be converted to w9 head by replacing firmware, but i'm not sure which ones.

[ka8ypy]

There are some spectra a9 heads that can be converted to w9 head by replacing firmware, but i'm not sure which ones.

I believe the model number for above is 1173D, I'm not sure you can do it with and A, B, or C model.

[racerman1cars]

The correct # is: 1073D
Steve

[Johnno]

I have had a project on the bench for about two years.

An attempt to change a W9 to a W3.

After spending about $200 on a brand new interconnect board, everything came to a screaming halt.
This is an essential requirement if one wishes to change to a HHCH.

The info I currently have is that new firmware is needed.
So far the W9 is still a W9.
I have never had the guts or the equipment to attempt a firmware upgrade.

I will follow this thread and see how you go.
Any info on results from others will be appreciated.
It may even get me off my bum to give it a little more effort.

John

[jmr061]

Change a W9 to W3 by changing the interconnect, get the correct control head and cable obviously then force a W3 s-record into it, tune if needed.

Not that hard.

Jason

[motorola_otaku]

Yeah, the only head that needs additional hardware is a W3 HHCH, and all it needs is its own front panel interconnect. Everything else is 100% transparent/identical between head types. HOST/DSP version doesn't matter; only what the s-record is programmed for.

Now, if you just need to power a radio up for testing purposes, yeah, you can swap around between W4/5/7/9 heads. The buttons won't all work, the display won't show the entire mode name, and you may get error codes here and there, but it will power the radio on and let you read it. What you do not want to do under any circumstances is plug a W3 head with or without the remote cable into a W4/5/7/9 radio or a W4/5/7/9 remote head into a W3 radio. Magic smoke will be let out.

[Java]

Error post

[tsunami_australia]

What you do not want to do under any circumstances is plug a W3 head with or without the remote cable into a W4/5/7/9 radio or a W4/5/7/9 remote head into a W3 radio. Magic smoke will be let out.

Different polarity or voltages? Or reassignment of pins?

So I guess these fleabay AS's showing up atm headless are impossible to tell head type etc before potentially sacrificing a head?

I've been meddling with the idea of getting a high powered W3 478mhz AS (car), a high powered W7 edition (base) and some mixed (don't care which head but W3 and W7 look the best I reckon) AS's around 420 and around 465mhz for receivers here rather than getting a P25 scanner for the base but the lack of head and the BS surrounding the head changes has held be back so far. The pricing is becoming interesting for the option.

[jmr061]

I have heard of people using W3 interconnects with 4/5/7/9 heads. Don't recommend it but I guess it does work.

It isn't too hard to change control head types by forcing in a different s-record. Just have to remember to transfer tuning values but it is suggested to still get the radio tuned.