Upgrading Astro Spectra's

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KC9UZB
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Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by KC9UZB »

I might get my hands on some Astro Spectras. These are Q split W9's, with a basic host/dsp and a simple p25 conventional flash.

What is involved in uplifting the host/dsp? I believe I can upgrade the flash with an S-rec (?) myself but IIRC the host/dsp thing is a bit more tricky??
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by K2JLX »

You need an Srib.
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by JAYMZ »

Upgrading the Host/DSP needs an SRIB (AFAIK anyway) but doing a flash upgrade can be much much easier. If you get an S-Record with the flash that you want then it is just a matter of changing the serial in the S-Record... taking down the tuning values of the radio... writing the S-Record, reinsert your tuning values and you are in like flint.

Any idea what the Host/DSP are currently on the radios?
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KC9UZB
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by KC9UZB »

Host 9 dsp 6.

Dude said he's gonna try and get them uplifted and get back to me with a price lol.

if he can do them for $100 a pop i'd be v. happy. :D :D

Could outfit a few folks with these Q splitters. Get some P25 going in the hams round here.
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by KC9UZB »

M3ECM wrote:Host 9 dsp 6.

Dude said he's gonna try and get them uplifted and get back to me with a price lol.

if he can do them for $100 a pop i'd be v. happy. :D :D

Could outfit a few folks with these Q splitters. Get some P25 going with the hams round here.
fake edit :baby:

Also fanny around (technical term) with a P25 repeater which would kickass.
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by motorola_otaku »

M3ECM wrote:Host 9 dsp 6.
Early P25 firmware, not great for RX audio quality, but still plenty usable. Of course, the elitists will probably come around and call you a :pussy: and a fag for not having DSP8 and AGC, but piss on 'em. :baby:

As far as flash options go, all you really need is P25, Digital ID Display, and conventional (500001-xxxxxx-x) for hammy use.. the rest is just bells and whistles.
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by Mong »

motorola_otaku wrote: As far as flash options go, all you really need is P25, Digital ID Display, and conventional (500001-xxxxxx-x) for hammy use.. the rest is just bells and whistles.

Well I guess someone with an unconverted AS1 is out of luck :baby:


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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by motorola_otaku »

RayRay wrote:Anyways, didn't you need higher than DSP 6.x to decode Soft IDs? Or was it better than Host 6... I forget which one it is.
Haha, HOST 6 is down in VSELP range. I don't know what specific minimum version is required, but HOST 9 will do it.. my first UHF Astro Spectra ran that.

$100US is plenty reasonable for a complete W9 kit, especially if the VOCONs are 1 Meg. BTW David, if the VOCONs are only 512K then they're maxed-out firmware-wise at HOST9/DSP6.
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by KC9UZB »

Thanks Josh.

$100 was my 'ideal figure'

He's quoted me $400 after firmware and host/dsp upgrades... Hoping I can beat him down (and hoping he isn't watching this thread :baby: :baby: ).
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by escomm »

M3ECM wrote:He's quoted me $400 after firmware and host/dsp upgrades... Hoping I can beat him down (and hoping he isn't watching this thread :baby: :baby: ).
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by KC9UZB »

escomm wrote:Quit being a jew
Quit being an asshole :baby:

Why change a habit of a lifetime I say.

I paid $250 for my Q split Astro Spectra Pluses.. $400 seems a bit steep for something you Yanks can't use unless you're the GUBMINT. He should pay me for taking them off my hands lawl.

Having said that, they're 110W drawers, W9 heads, DES-XL and should be whored and upgraded...

Ray: Shipping is gonna be like $200 for 5 of the buggers...
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by motorola_otaku »

M3ECM wrote:I paid $250 for my Q split Astro Spectra Pluses.. $400 seems a bit steep for something you Yanks can't use unless you're the GUBMINT. He should pay me for taking them off my hands lawl.

Having said that, they're 110W drawers, W9 heads, DES-XL and should be whored and upgraded...
Remote cable, high-power power cable, and mounting tray included? He should knock off at least $75 if they're not.
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Re: Upgrading Astro Spectra's

Post by KC9UZB »

motorola_otaku wrote:Remote cable, high-power power cable, and mounting tray included? He should knock off at least $75 if they're not.
I *think* they are.

I will check - he's currently in the process of upgrading them...

If I can do without the DES-XL boards he will knock $35 off each... I'm still debating that point.
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