Showing posts with label download Motorola RSS software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label download Motorola RSS software. Show all posts
Motorola Maxtrac radio rear 16 pin hack! Cheap!
How to get your Motorola Maxtrac/ Radius series radio working, when its missing the 16 pin jumper connector to the rear!
Maxtrac 50-54MHz (6 Meters) Amateur Radio Conversion
50-54MHz (6 Meters) Amateur Radio Conversion
You've got a Maxtrac/Radius that you want to tune up on 6m...
6m Maxtrac Modifications
Ok, so you've managed to get some 6m frequencies programmed into your 60W 42-50 MHz Maxtrac/Radius, but you are having problems with the TX and RX locking up and working properly. Well, try the following fixes:
Easy Fix
First, check the TX and RX VCO steering lines to make sure they swing between 2 and 8 VDC. If they don't, read on.
On the RF board under a cover are the VCOs for TX and RX. You should see a test point on the board marked SL. This is in the middle of a bunch of capacitors C109,C110,C111, C127.
This is the VCO steering line. While monitoring this point with a voltmeter, adjust L202 in the RX VCO section for around 7.8 VDC. Likewise, with the radio keyed, adjust L213 in the TX VCO section for 7.8 VDC (it helps to have a manual). The radio should work on six meters now although the sensitivity of the RX will be somewhat reduced because the front end of the radio falls off above 50 mHz.
You've got a Maxtrac/Radius that you want to tune up on 6m...
Ok, so you've managed to get some 6m frequencies programmed into your 60W 42-50 MHz Maxtrac/Radius, but you are having problems with the TX and RX locking up and working properly. Well, try the following fixes:
Easy Fix
First, check the TX and RX VCO steering lines to make sure they swing between 2 and 8 VDC. If they don't, read on.
On the RF board under a cover are the VCOs for TX and RX. You should see a test point on the board marked SL. This is in the middle of a bunch of capacitors C109,C110,C111, C127.
This is the VCO steering line. While monitoring this point with a voltmeter, adjust L202 in the RX VCO section for around 7.8 VDC. Likewise, with the radio keyed, adjust L213 in the TX VCO section for 7.8 VDC (it helps to have a manual). The radio should work on six meters now although the sensitivity of the RX will be somewhat reduced because the front end of the radio falls off above 50 mHz.
MAXTRAC | RADIUS
In typical Motorola fashion, the Maxtrac and Radius line of mobiles are really the same radio! The only real difference is the actual firmware of the radio. All of the info provided here should work with varying degrees of success depending on the features of the original radio. The Service Manual is crammed full of stuff and would be well worth ordering if you plan to do any experimenting with the radio. The part number of the Service Manual is 6880102W84 for the Maxtrac and it contains info on all models of the radio (Low, VHF, UHF, and 800 MHz).
Do you need a pinout for the 16 pin accessory connector, the 5 pin accessory connector, or the mic connector, or how about the programming cable?
If you want to inject audio into your Maxtrac/Radius while tuning it up with the RSS, you will want to have a look at this schematic.
For a easy overview of all the programmable pin configurations on the accessory connector, check out this Excel Spreadsheet or this image.
If you want an easy way to connect to the Accessory Connector on these radios, you can order the HLN9242A or HLN9457A Accessory Connector kits. These include an accessory connector housing, some pins, and some wires with pins already attached. One thing to note, the HLN9242A kit also includes a pin extractor for removing previously installed pins.
If you would rather build your own accessory cables, the parts are available from DigiKey. You will want the following:
Information Common to Both Maxtrac and Radius
Information Common to Both Maxtrac and Radius
Since these radios are so much alike, lets start with some things you can do that apply to both series of radios.
Codeplug Checksum Location
If you happen to be messing around in the codeplug file, be aware that the first 0x2D bytes need to have the proper checksum (stored at offset 0x2E).
For example, if you wanted to calculate the checksum of the following header in a codeplug file:
You would select the bytes and do a 1's Complement Hex Checksum calculation.
The Checksum-8 value is the one you want to enter into offset 0x2E. In this case you can see that they already match.
We've been told that the same applies if you are changing the serial number of the radio using the EEPROM access feature of Lab RSS. The nice feature of using the Lab RSS is that it has the option to correct the checksum for you.
Since these radios are so much alike, lets start with some things you can do that apply to both series of radios.
Codeplug Checksum Location
If you happen to be messing around in the codeplug file, be aware that the first 0x2D bytes need to have the proper checksum (stored at offset 0x2E).
For example, if you wanted to calculate the checksum of the following header in a codeplug file:
You would select the bytes and do a 1's Complement Hex Checksum calculation.
The Checksum-8 value is the one you want to enter into offset 0x2E. In this case you can see that they already match.
We've been told that the same applies if you are changing the serial number of the radio using the EEPROM access feature of Lab RSS. The nice feature of using the Lab RSS is that it has the option to correct the checksum for you.
Maxtracs Trunking 800MHz
Trunking 800MHz Maxtracs
These are radios that usually have model numbers starting with D35 or D45.
You can convert a trunking Maxtrac or Radius back to conventional 800MHz operation. You will need to replace the trunking firmware in the radio with conventional firmware. You will then need to blank the logic board with Lab RSS, and re-initialize it as a conventional radio. Note that before changing the firmware and blanking the board, you should write down all the alignment settings in the radio.
Conventional Maxtrac's make nice receivers for receiving your local trunking system's data channel... for use in Trunker of course. If you don't know what Trunker is, you better check out Lindsay's Site. You will find that if you connect your data slicer to RX Audio (Pin 11) and Ground (Pin 7) on the Accessory Connector, you will have a nice little setup. One thing you will want to check though, is that JU551, a 3 pin jumper header on the logic board, is set to Position A. This will give you flat, unmuted audio on Pin 11 of the Accessory Connector. This is assuming of course that you are using a radio with a 16 pin Accessory Connector, otherwise, you are on your own.
If you're playing with Trunking Maxtracs and TrunkTrackers, you may be interested in this conversion spreadsheet. It is a Microsoft Excel document. It converts Motorola Talkgroup ID's to Maxtrac ID's and TrunkTracker ID's.
If you are working on tuning up a Trunked Maxtrac, here is the information on putting the radio into test mode.
These are radios that usually have model numbers starting with D35 or D45.
You can convert a trunking Maxtrac or Radius back to conventional 800MHz operation. You will need to replace the trunking firmware in the radio with conventional firmware. You will then need to blank the logic board with Lab RSS, and re-initialize it as a conventional radio. Note that before changing the firmware and blanking the board, you should write down all the alignment settings in the radio.
Conventional Maxtrac's make nice receivers for receiving your local trunking system's data channel... for use in Trunker of course. If you don't know what Trunker is, you better check out Lindsay's Site. You will find that if you connect your data slicer to RX Audio (Pin 11) and Ground (Pin 7) on the Accessory Connector, you will have a nice little setup. One thing you will want to check though, is that JU551, a 3 pin jumper header on the logic board, is set to Position A. This will give you flat, unmuted audio on Pin 11 of the Accessory Connector. This is assuming of course that you are using a radio with a 16 pin Accessory Connector, otherwise, you are on your own.
If you're playing with Trunking Maxtracs and TrunkTrackers, you may be interested in this conversion spreadsheet. It is a Microsoft Excel document. It converts Motorola Talkgroup ID's to Maxtrac ID's and TrunkTracker ID's.
If you are working on tuning up a Trunked Maxtrac, here is the information on putting the radio into test mode.
Making a Maxtrac do PAC-RT
Making a Maxtrac do PAC-RT
One similar way this can be economically achieved is by using a RICK unit, or building a repeater cable (see at the beginning of this page) yourself and plugging it into a second MaxTrac.
The second MaxTrac can be a simple 2-channel unit (or not) and will two-way repeat the first one and vice-versa. You can also construct this device to one-way repeat (just eliminating the second TX line) to construct a GMRS repeater out of two Maxtracs.
Otherwise, to actually use a PAC-RT with a Maxtrac you need the following cable:
One similar way this can be economically achieved is by using a RICK unit, or building a repeater cable (see at the beginning of this page) yourself and plugging it into a second MaxTrac.
The second MaxTrac can be a simple 2-channel unit (or not) and will two-way repeat the first one and vice-versa. You can also construct this device to one-way repeat (just eliminating the second TX line) to construct a GMRS repeater out of two Maxtracs.
Otherwise, to actually use a PAC-RT with a Maxtrac you need the following cable:
MaxTrac PAC-RT
Acc Conn.
3 -------------------- 6
13 -------------------- 1
11 -------------------- 21 (Shielded Cable)
2 -------------------- 19 (Shielded Cable)
7 -------------------- 8
----- 2
|
----- 16
----- 10
|
----- 17
Cable shields are connected to PAC-RT Pin 18 (Ground) and not connected at radio. There are two jumpers inside the PAC-RT Connector, Pin 2 to 16 (B+) and 10 to 17 (PTT Ground).For on-off control: PAC-RT Pin 2 B+ to on/off switch Pin 9 & 15 other side of on/off switch (Pin 9 = PAC on/off, Pin 15 = Portable in/out) Both must be connected to B+ for unit to turn on, Pin 22 ground (not required, unless you want an indicator lamp, or something).
Maxtrac Adding Type II/IIi Trunking
Adding Type II/IIi Trunking to a Type I Maxtrac
First off you must start with a B5 B6 or B7 model (has to be 16 pin ACC)
The second step is to obtain a type II firmware chip for a Smartnet Maxtrac, the part number is HLN9383.
Next, you need to blank the logic board using Lab RSS.
Re-program the logic board with your trunking RSS so that it is now a Smartnet radio (either a C3, C5, or C6).
Realign the unit and you now have a unit capable of type I,II, and IIi.
First off you must start with a B5 B6 or B7 model (has to be 16 pin ACC)
The second step is to obtain a type II firmware chip for a Smartnet Maxtrac, the part number is HLN9383.
Next, you need to blank the logic board using Lab RSS.
Re-program the logic board with your trunking RSS so that it is now a Smartnet radio (either a C3, C5, or C6).
Realign the unit and you now have a unit capable of type I,II, and IIi.
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