Sportbase

[LoneBear]

Found information here that said I could program a sportbase with sm50 software ver. 4 or newer. Tried using Ver. 5 and got Error message. Anybody have information on this?

[kb8ukl]

Ver 3 works too, you'll just have to read the batlab sm50 page on hex editing.

[LoneBear]

Not sure about the HEX information. The hex info is for programming the radio out of band.That's not what I'm trying to do. I can't even read the radio let along change the info. More information would be appreciated.

[RadioSouth]

Not being familiar with your level of expertise I would first ask if you've read the programming primer in the main BatLabs site ? Is your programming platform working with other radios ? Are you attempting to program this radio with a true DOS system ?

[LoneBear]

Yes I am using a DOS platform. Yes I can connect and program other SM50 radios. It's just this sportbase that I can't read let alone program. I've read the information found here on programming the sportbase but perhaps I'm missing something.

[Will]

perhaps I'm missing something.

Yes re-read the batlab sm50 page on hex editing. You need to enable the RSS to reconise the Sportbase as a SM50!!!!!!

[n8uhn]

perhaps I'm missing something.

Yes re-read the batlab sm50 page on hex editing. You need to enable the RSS to reconise the Sportbase as a SM50!!!!!!

Batlabs still does not describe where in the mdf this needs to be done nor does it list what bits are the model info.

another thing is the freq info is for vhf and most sportbases are uhf.

i have a sportbase and would like to use it on the uhf ham band but cannot get the sm50 rss to reconise the sportbase.

can someone post info on what bits to edit to what?

[SteveC0625]

Found information here that said I could program a sportbase with sm50 software ver. 4 or newer. Tried using Ver. 5 and got Error message. Anybody have information on this?

This may be a silly question, but exactly what is the error message?

[Satelite]

Hello:
I know you meant the silly thingy as a attention getter so im playfully rattling one back at you.
Umm don't think what the error code was is a silly question.
Id think it would be important info.
Was the error code error #21 radio not supported by chance ?
Since you are getting the error code whatever it is id then have to believe your setup and cables are communicating with the sport base radio.
And yes it was my understanding that the sport base was programmed with the sm50 rss software also.
I did not know the software needed any changes though so that's new to me.
Satelite

[SteveC0625]

Hello:
I know you meant the silly thingy as a attention getter so im playfully rattling one back at you.
Umm don't think what the error code was is a silly question.
Id think it would be important info.

Exactly my intention! I think we all get a bit frustrated when someone posts that they are having a problem and are getting an error message without including what the error message says. Thanks for noticing.

[Satelite]

Hello:
I did a bit of searching since I was curious now too and found this on the Radio Reference site.
The person also had a sport base and couldn't program it just as you are experiencing.
The reply was as follows:
Motorola used a proper rss program for the sport base=Simple as that.
Even though the sport base looks like a sm50 the sport base has a diffrent model number not recognized by the sm50 rss program so it will not program it.
You either need to edit the model number of the sport base radio to be changed to a sm50 so it can be recognized by the sm50 rss to program it or add the sport base model number to the sm50 rss by editing the sm50 rss program so it accepts the sport base for programming.
Or find the sport base rss which is slim to no chance of locating per the reply.
I also ran into a posting that said they tried to clone a sm50 code plug in but no success and failed .
Id think youd be better off editing the sm50 rss to recognize the sport base model number you have by adding it to the sm50 rss program so that you could program any other sports you might get with that same model number myself.
otherwise get a sm50 and sell the sport.
Satelite

[n8uhn]

Yes,

The error code is error #21 - radio not supported.

thankx for finding and posting the other ref you found.
too bad it did not say how to edit the sm50 model bytes to add the sport base model number.

another idea - could one blank the eeprom or board and re init it as an sm50?

i suspected moto has an rss or lab only rss for the sportbase and i agree it is prolly unubtanium.

thankx for the info and please post any ideas as to where the bytes are in sm50 rss and how to add the sportbase.

my sportbase was bought from a local thrift shop and included the custom astron power supply that had pre tapped holes for the mounting bracket and a pvc pipe looking antenna (i think it's a 5/8 wave).

the antenna and ps are running a gm300 uhf so all is not lost

[Satelite]

Hello:
Blanking the Sport base then reinitiating as a SM50 may have a few hurdles to consider.
My thought on blanking the turning it into a SM50 is yes it might be compatible internaly and most likely is but :
Hurdle #1 = Im not aware of a SM50 lab rss program to use to blank the sport base.
There might be such a lab rss out there but im not aware of it.
Hurdle #2 = If you did find the SM50 lab rss program to blank the sport base then you will need a service monitor to realign and set the tuning data which should include compensation values and steering voltage data ect to reinitiate.
Then youd need to set wattage/freq deviation/modulation ect.

So really the best and easiest way out for you is to down load a Hex Editing program and modify the sport base model number to that of a sm50 which leaves all the tuning data intact for a properly working radio when done.
The sport base as I read was made in a 25 watt version and if that's true and no 40 watts were made then a SM50 UHF 25 Watt 2Ch radio model number youd need to edit into the sportbase to make it a sm50 for the program to recognize would be M34DGC20AA
I think you need to read up on and ask qestions on the hex editing of this radio if your inclined to do so.
Just wondering - What is the model number of the sport base you have ?
Satelite

[n8uhn]

The sportbase's model is: L44GUA20A2AA.

I do have both a service monitor and a spectrum analyzer with tracking gen.
both make it a little easier to tune ham duplexers as the vhf ham rptrs operate on a 600 khz split

i've been in two way and ham radio long enough to have rib's from moto, ge and johnson as well as a ge suitcase programmer along with a few moto ht stand adaptors and most cables for pre cps radios.

the only thing i haven't got into nor understand much is hex editing other then way back when we had to burn actual proms.

your correct, i should be asking for complete step by step instructions to hex edit the sm50 rss.

the model number you provided should be helpfull.
thankx,
Bill

[Satelite]

Hello:
The sport base model number you posted says its a 40 watt not a 25 watt so the sm50 40 watt model number would be M44DGC20AA .
Satelite

[n8uhn]

Hello:
The sport base model number you posted says its a 40 watt not a 25 watt so the sm50 40 watt model number would be M44DGC20AA .
Satelite

That is very interesting.

all the sportbase info i have found online lists it as a 25 watt uhf radio with 2 freqs.

my bird watt meter says it's putting out 20 watts into a dummy load.

i wonder if the sportbase model number does not follow the standard model number table.

i'll have to try both model numbers starting with the 25 watt number.

the sprotbase sure is a weird radio, it seems moto used the basic sm50 platform for a simple consumer radio with a custom codeplug.

thankx for the info,
Bill

[Satelite]

Hello:
Did some more searching on the sport base and in the postings and info I did find it would appear that the sport base was sold with the same two gmrs freqs only and I wasn't able to find info showing the sport base did any other gmrs freqs other than the two you also mentioned.
I only found info stating the sport base did 462.575 and 462.625 gmrs freqs.
Im now wondering was the sport base sold with these two freqs only and not offered in the other gmrs freqs?
Anyone else ever see a sport base on the other gmrs frqs ????
Satelite