MSF5000 Programming sans R1801

kc7gr · Post by **kc7gr** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 7:45 pm

Has anyone been able to figure out anything about MSF5000 frequency programming for the older analog (EPROM-based) stations without using the R1801 'suitcase' programmer? Considering that the EPROM is only a 2732, I wouldn't think it'd be that difficult to figure out.

Then again, I could be way off base. Anyone...?

Thanks much.

Motofanatic · Post by **Motofanatic** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 6:38 am

I've wanted to, but nobody has been willing to burn some EPROMs for me to play with.

I'm sure it's easy to write something on a PC that will create the image that you can burn yourself on a EPROM programmer.

I don't own a CLB analog MSF5000 but I've passed up on many because I didn't want to sit on it without a way to program it.

There are folks out there with the necessary equipment, but do you think they'd want to burn several to a dozen EPROMs just so someone can figure it out and then avoid using their services? These folks probably paid good money for their R1801 so it stands to reason they aren't going to assist someone to figure out how to program the EPROM so their services can become obsolete.

But in case there is a kind soul out there with a R1801 w/ MSF5k adapter that would like to replace their R1801 with a PC program equivalent (plus needing to buy a cheap EPROM programmer), please let me know.

Perhaps the program can be written and released such that it would only program the 440-450 band for CLB MSF5k and any other commercial use outside that frequency range will still require going to a dealer with the R1801.

bernie · Post by **bernie** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 11:42 pm

my two bits worth:
Just so happens that I have the required equipment to program the
analog MSF code plug.
I am not a computer programmer, but since the R1800 uses the Motorola 6800 series processor, it would seem to me that if you had the firmware codes for the R1800, and some sort of emulation program you could build an R1800 programmer.
For $20 a chip which is what I charge Batlab members is this worth the trouble?

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Aug 25, 2003 1:12 am

Bernie writes: "For $20 a chip which is what I charge Batlab members is this worth the trouble?"

HELL YES!!!!!

Motofanatic · Post by **Motofanatic** » Mon Aug 25, 2003 6:57 am

bernie wrote:my two bits worth:
Just so happens that I have the required equipment to program the
analog MSF code plug.
I am not a computer programmer, but since the R1800 uses the Motorola 6800 series processor, it would seem to me that if you had the firmware codes for the R1800, and some sort of emulation program you could build an R1800 programmer.
For $20 a chip which is what I charge Batlab members is this worth the trouble?

Actually it would be easier just to figure out the bit pattern from the codeplug EPROM rather than disassemble and reverse engineer the code from the 6800.

Anyway, I have to agree with Will. Some of us do have the necessary equipment to program a lot of devices and EPROMs are quite easy to program. Get a cheap UV eraser and you can easily make changes on the fly.

No offense to Bernie as his price is quite reasonable if you know exactly what you want on the station setup or if you don't need it right away. For those of us who are experimenting with the MSF in amateur applications, or have the EPROM programmers, it makes sense to be able and make CLB codeplugs locally and with less hassle.

Well my offer still stands... if someone with a R1800/1801 is willing to burn several to a couple dozen EPROMs, or better yet - loan me their R1800/1801, I would gladly write some quickie code to do the same on the PC. The reason for couple dozen is because at least few freqs would be needed for each VHF/UHF/800/900 models plus there are many options that can be configured from the R1800/1801 that would need to be analyzed as well.

Now before some Moto police jump on me... does anyone see a problem doing this? I would not be reverse engineering their proprietary 6800 code in the R1800 itself. But rather what is called a clean-lab development based only on the bit patterns which appear on the end product (e.g. codeplug). I thought I read from Elroy at one time that codeplugs are not copyrighted?

bernie · Post by **bernie** » Mon Aug 25, 2003 10:03 am

My two bits worth:
If you sent me some 2732 chips and a list of required parameters I will program them for the cost of return postage.

I wish I had the smarts to figure it out my self.

srefurd · Post by **srefurd** » Mon Aug 25, 2003 8:02 pm

Bernie You DA MAN!!

It's nice to see someone willing to give up time, effort, and some potential income (albeit little from what I understand)in order to help the community.

My hat is off to you sir!

On a another note does anybody know where I can find out about the options available in the programming with the analog (CLB) MSF5000? I am in the process of setting up a GMRS repeater, and would like to know what I can do with it.

4 channel BTW

TIA

R

bernie · Post by **bernie** » Mon Aug 25, 2003 8:41 pm

My two bits worth:
My GMRS MSF is on 462.625.
As far as options, NO you can't do the "courtesy" or annoy everyone beep.

Other options that you might be interested in as far as programming is concerned would be automatic ID. But be aware that it will ID over other traffic on the channel.
You can have the alarm beep over the air. (Minor failure)
There is the usual stuff such as PL, drop out timer and time out.

I have not attempted multi channel programming, but I think that with the switch in acc dis you can change freq with the selector on the front panel, or with tone or DC control.

Most of the time I just leave everything at default.
Hope that this helps

ve7khz · Post by **ve7khz** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:58 pm

HIi Guys,

Just wondering where you are in the process of figuring out the code plug code? I have an Analog MSF and a decent EMP EPROM programmer just eager to burn some fuses.

Let us know when you have succeeded and I'll try some Beta test for you.

Cheers!

Paul

bernie · Post by **bernie** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 2:09 pm

My two bits worth:
We are presently figuring how the CP works. I send the 4KB files, rather than the actual 2732/A.

If you are in dire need of a cp, send me the required parameters, and I could E mail it to you. the scan of the printout is much larger than the actual CP.

kc7gr · Post by **kc7gr** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

Bernie -- Thanks very much for working on this! I know that I'll greatly appreciate it (I have a Data I/O 'UniSite' system, which can read and program darn near anything that's readable and programmable), and I would love to be able to put it to use on the old analog code plugs.

Please let us all know once you get it figured out.

73 de KC7GR

MSF5000 Programming sans R1801

MSF5000 Programming sans R1801

Anyone with a R1801 w/ MSF5k adapter want to loan it to me?

MSF analog EPROM codeplug

Excellent!