Looked around the Saber section of BatLabs but could not find the answer to my question.
So, here it is.....
Curious to know if you have a Saber III Housing, DTMF Keypad, Front Shield and Display Board (from a UHF Saber III) and you combine this with a a Saber 1 VHF Main board can you get a working VHF Saber III out of them ? I realize the new configured VHF Saber would have to be programmed to reflect the new Band Split. Is this all that difficult requiring a change of the Hex Code or would just loading the new code plug for this bandsplit get me set up ?
Looking at the Motorola's Parts list it does not distinguish between the Saber 1 and the Saber II/III Main board that I can see.
Thanks to anyone with answers out there,
Eddie
N4UMJ
Saber 1 / Saber III Mainboard differences?
Moderator: Queue Moderator
Great! I am finally getting all of this figured out. I have a Saber Software guide and it talks about the COPE(display microprocessor) and the CORE(transceiver microprocessor). I am mainly interested in the CTCSS for Ham work so I don't need all the extra exotic signaling anyway.
The Saber III ,I have, seems to have a mix of parts comprising it. The PA module has a datecode of '94 and some writing on it, so I know it's been replaced. The other modules have date codes of around '91 and the display board has datecodes on the chips of '98. The UHF PA module out of it is a NLE 9473A ,the PLL synthesizer has a part # of NLE 9463A and lastly the Hybrid Module is a NLE 9433A. Not sure of the exact Bandsplit of this radio as it's original motorola identifier tag was missing due to a case replacement. This is one of those mystery radios we all hate.
Think I will be trying to obtain a service manual if it's still available so I can get a handle on the different part numbers and their bandsplits.
I am impressed with the radio and it being so service friendly and modular so far. How the Surface IC's were originally soldered into the main circuit board would be interesting to know. I don't think the average tech. could easily remove them for replacement. The solder pads appear to be completely hidden from view.
Thanks again for the help and I will update
you on the progress,
Eddie
N4UMJ
The Saber III ,I have, seems to have a mix of parts comprising it. The PA module has a datecode of '94 and some writing on it, so I know it's been replaced. The other modules have date codes of around '91 and the display board has datecodes on the chips of '98. The UHF PA module out of it is a NLE 9473A ,the PLL synthesizer has a part # of NLE 9463A and lastly the Hybrid Module is a NLE 9433A. Not sure of the exact Bandsplit of this radio as it's original motorola identifier tag was missing due to a case replacement. This is one of those mystery radios we all hate.
Think I will be trying to obtain a service manual if it's still available so I can get a handle on the different part numbers and their bandsplits.
I am impressed with the radio and it being so service friendly and modular so far. How the Surface IC's were originally soldered into the main circuit board would be interesting to know. I don't think the average tech. could easily remove them for replacement. The solder pads appear to be completely hidden from view.
Thanks again for the help and I will update
you on the progress,
Eddie
N4UMJ
-
Elroy Jetson
- Posts: 1158
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2001 4:00 pm
Your radio is a 'range 3' UHF radio, as determined by the fact that all of the frequency sensitive modules end in a 3. Range 1 is 403-430, range 2 is 440-470, range 3 is something like 460 to 490, and range 4 is something like 480 to 512. Somewhere in those general ranges. I'm afraid you want a range 2 radio for amateur use and the range 3 (T band) radio is not going to go that far out of band. But it'll bring enough money on ebay to buy one in the 2 range.
The chips are what are called BGA, or Ball Grid Array, devices. They are in fact soldered 'blind' using hot air or IR ovens. They're not as bad to replace as you might think. I've got a cheap and dirty hot air SMT soldering station that does a fine job on BGA and even fine pitch flatpack devices, and I've successfully changed out small (24 contact) BGA devices with an ordinary Weller soldering iron by heating up the whole ceramic chip carrier by putting a large molten solder ball on top of the chip and heating it until the solder on the pads melted. At the time I had no choice but to do it that way. It was tricky but it worked. So did the radio, after the repair. It still does, and it's been ten years.
Elroy
The chips are what are called BGA, or Ball Grid Array, devices. They are in fact soldered 'blind' using hot air or IR ovens. They're not as bad to replace as you might think. I've got a cheap and dirty hot air SMT soldering station that does a fine job on BGA and even fine pitch flatpack devices, and I've successfully changed out small (24 contact) BGA devices with an ordinary Weller soldering iron by heating up the whole ceramic chip carrier by putting a large molten solder ball on top of the chip and heating it until the solder on the pads melted. At the time I had no choice but to do it that way. It was tricky but it worked. So did the radio, after the repair. It still does, and it's been ten years.
Elroy
Interesting info. on the BGA type IC assy's and the Hot-air soldering Elroy. I guess you would really have to insure the IC stays aligned during the process. It's good to know there is a technique that works for those who don't have access to the thousand dollar plus Hot Air equipment.
Good deal on the Frequency Identifiers on the modules. I knew there had to be some method of figuring out this mystery SABER. The previous owner had it inproperly programmed as a 440-470 Band split. So, that probably explains why it popped up on e-bay.
I am still amazed at the number of sellers who claim no knowledge on what they are selling on e-bay. It reminds me of those Radio-Shack brown grab bags from days long gone with the mystery electronic parts. You did'nt know what you had until you had paid for and opened the bag!
I have one more Saber Question....If one wants to convert a Low Power Saber with a Low Power PA module to a High Power, do you simply swap out the low power PA module with the high power one and program up the radio for the new high power ?
I am just about able to get a handle on most of my curiousities on this model for now!
Thanks for all the help everyone! ,
Eddie
N4UMJ
Good deal on the Frequency Identifiers on the modules. I knew there had to be some method of figuring out this mystery SABER. The previous owner had it inproperly programmed as a 440-470 Band split. So, that probably explains why it popped up on e-bay.
I am still amazed at the number of sellers who claim no knowledge on what they are selling on e-bay. It reminds me of those Radio-Shack brown grab bags from days long gone with the mystery electronic parts. You did'nt know what you had until you had paid for and opened the bag!
I have one more Saber Question....If one wants to convert a Low Power Saber with a Low Power PA module to a High Power, do you simply swap out the low power PA module with the high power one and program up the radio for the new high power ?
I am just about able to get a handle on most of my curiousities on this model for now!
Thanks for all the help everyone! ,
Eddie
N4UMJ
-
Elroy Jetson
- Posts: 1158
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2001 4:00 pm
In answer to your low to high power conversion question, yes, that's all you do. Swap modules and you DON'T have to reprogram the radio. It'll work without reprogramming but in the case of a UHF radio there's no advantaget to NOT reprogramming it because the bandsplit limits don't change. On VHF units, reprogramming a high power unit as a low power unit instantly extends the bandwidth to 174 MHz. (Not applicable to low split 136-150.8 radios.)
And, soldering ANY surface mount device isn't so terrible. As long as you're in pretty close alignment, when the solder melts the surface tension on the joints will automatically pull and center the chip right on the pads. It's cool to see.
My hot air station cost me five measly bucks. It's not hard to get one on the used market for low prices because half the time, the owner of the scrapyard doesn't know what it is.
Elroy
And, soldering ANY surface mount device isn't so terrible. As long as you're in pretty close alignment, when the solder melts the surface tension on the joints will automatically pull and center the chip right on the pads. It's cool to see.
My hot air station cost me five measly bucks. It's not hard to get one on the used market for low prices because half the time, the owner of the scrapyard doesn't know what it is.
Elroy