Help me loose my P25 cherry..

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Polar_Rescue
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Help me loose my P25 cherry..

Post by Polar_Rescue »

Ok, i am ready to loose my P25 cherry and upgrade my radios.. I am familiar with the XTS5000 radios with Q52 as we use them with FEMA.. however i have little expierence with the XTS3000.. I understand that they are CPS programable with the same cable as the MTS/HT1000 serise..

Flashcode.. i have seen 4.--- and 8.--- what should i look for? the higher the better i assume..

I have seen XTS UHF mod 2's on fleabay in the 650ish $$ range.. how are these for pricing?

I would prefer to purchase from a hamsexy aproved vendor.. any thoughts?

Any help from the hamsexual community would be appreciated
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Re: Help me loose my P25 cherry..

Post by K8TEK »

Polar_Rescue wrote:Flashcode.. i have seen 4.--- and 8.--- what should i look for? the higher the better i assume..
Huh? Now I'm confused
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Re: Help me loose my P25 cherry..

Post by Polar_Rescue »

K8TEK wrote:
Polar_Rescue wrote:Flashcode.. i have seen 4.--- and 8.--- what should i look for? the higher the better i assume..
Huh? Now I'm confused
What did i say that confused you... maybe i used the wrong motolingo.. firmware is was thinking of...
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Post by n3jfw »

mancow had a model 3 for sale
N3JFW 4:29 pm
(4:29:48 PM): so he's gay huh
(nameless ham) 4:30 pm
(4:30:02 PM): haha no, but he is a music major
N3JFW 4:30 pm
(4:30:15 PM): so he's still in the closet
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Post by KC9UZB »

Advice I was given (and it's true) is make sure your flash starts with an ODD number...

Once you have your flash, Radioreference has a flashcode decoder.

Have a quick read through the first page of my "Help a newbie" thread.
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Post by mr.syntrx »

The RR flashcode decoder sucks balls compared to Akardam's.

http://www.akardam.net/moto/decode3.pl
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Post by 10-95 »

M3ECM wrote:Advice I was given (and it's true) is make sure your flash starts with an ODD number...

Once you have your flash, Radioreference has a flashcode decoder.

Have a quick read through the first page of my "Help a newbie" thread.

Flashcode starting with a 5 is good. That would indicate IMBE operation and digitlal ID display. Heck on the AS3 and XTS3000 jUST imbe operation would be good, you could always drop in a codeplug with a decent flash later.
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Post by motorola_otaku »

Few quick 'n easy things to remember:
-First digit of the flashcode is either 1 or 5.
-Minimum HOST version 05.xx
-Minimum DSP version N06.xx (The N letter is critical. If it's A, it's analog-only.)

If the seller can't provide you with the above information, move on.

The HOST/DSP versions are the minimum required for IMBE P25 operation. Shaun & others will be along shortly to tell you what utter shit it is and how much better HOST7/DSP8 is, but it'll get you playing.
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Post by MattSR »

I once saw 4.00.01 in an ASTRO saber over here... Can't recall exactly which DSP was pair with it, though it was definitely N6.xx.xx
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Post by K8TEK »

motorola_otaku wrote:(The N letter is critical. If it's A, it's analog-only.)
N or I. Stay away from A or M revision DSP.
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Post by Polar_Rescue »

[/quote]


Flashcode starting with a 5 is good. That would indicate IMBE operation and digitlal ID display. Heck on the AS3 and XTS3000 jUST imbe operation would be good, you could always drop in a codeplug with a decent flash later.
[/quote]

So let me see if i understand this right... I buy a XTS3000 with a low flash on the codeplug read from the radio, i can get another codeplug from the same model radio with a newer flash and blow it into my radio and the features from that flash will now be in my radio?
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Post by tvsjr »

r0f wrote:
Polar_Rescue wrote: So let me see if i understand this right... I buy a XTS3000 with a low flash on the codeplug read from the radio, i can get another codeplug from the same model radio with a newer flash and blow it into my radio and the features from that flash will now be in my radio?
The flashport features (flashcode) will transfer over. The firmware won't.

Also--you must be aware of this--when you clone in another codeplug, two important things get overwritten:

- Your serial number (donor serial)
- Your digital pot/tuning settings. BACK THESE UP FIRST via the service menu, and restore later.
In some instances, there are ways around the first issue.
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Post by K8TEK »

Ok, to simplify things, make sure HOST is ≥ R04.00.00 and DSP is begins with F, I or N and is ≥06.00.00

HOST R07.70.00 is about the newest
DSP 08.03.03 is the newest
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Post by 10-95 »

K8TEK wrote:Ok, to simplify things, make sure HOST is ≥ R04.00.00 and DSP is begins with F, I or N and is ≥06.00.00

HOST R07.70.00 is about the newest
DSP 08.03.03 is the newest
Newest host I've seen is 7.71 paired with DSPN 08.03.03
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Post by Polar_Rescue »

r0f wrote:
Polar_Rescue wrote: So let me see if i understand this right... I buy a XTS3000 with a low flash on the codeplug read from the radio, i can get another codeplug from the same model radio with a newer flash and blow it into my radio and the features from that flash will now be in my radio?
The flashport features (flashcode) will transfer over. The firmware won't.

Also--you must be aware of this--when you clone in another codeplug, two important things get overwritten:

- Your serial number (donor serial)
- Your digital pot/tuning settings. BACK THESE UP FIRST via the service menu, and restore later.
Ok this is good info... So how about this.. If i found a XTS5000, read the codeplug from a XTS5000 we use with the feds that has Q52 and some other fed only features, and blew it in to my personal xts5000 it will look and act the same including serial numbers. minus the firmware and dsp?
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Post by Polar_Rescue »

r0f wrote:
Polar_Rescue wrote: Ok this is good info... So how about this.. If i found a XTS5000, read the codeplug from a XTS5000 we use with the feds that has Q52 and some other fed only features, and blew it in to my personal xts5000 it will look and act the same including serial numbers. minus the firmware and dsp?
How do you propose writing the codeplug into your XTS 5000?

ASTRO Depot/Lab tool software does NOT work with ASTRO25 radios.

If we could do what you propose, there would be a lot of people wanking off right about now.
I have access to the CPS for the XTS5000, I never said anyting about the LAB software. my question is this.. if i read a XTS with the CPS. that radio has Q52 and other features my radio does not. If i then save that codeplug and then load it into my basic XTS5000 with the CPS the Q52 and other features will be there?
Or will i need the ASTRO P25 Lab software?
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Post by 10-95 »

Polar_Rescue wrote:
r0f wrote:
Polar_Rescue wrote: Ok this is good info... So how about this.. If i found a XTS5000, read the codeplug from a XTS5000 we use with the feds that has Q52 and some other fed only features, and blew it in to my personal xts5000 it will look and act the same including serial numbers. minus the firmware and dsp?
How do you propose writing the codeplug into your XTS 5000?

ASTRO Depot/Lab tool software does NOT work with ASTRO25 radios.

If we could do what you propose, there would be a lot of people wanking off right about now.
I have access to the CPS for the XTS5000, I never said anyting about the LAB software. my question is this.. if i read a XTS with the CPS. that radio has Q52 and other features my radio does not. If i then save that codeplug and then load it into my basic XTS5000 with the CPS the Q52 and other features will be there?
Or will i need the ASTRO P25 Lab software?
You never get the radio to except it, different feature sets, you'll get an error .
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Post by Polar_Rescue »

r0f wrote:Yah, what Frank said.

I'm not insulting you, Polar_Rescue, but do you think Motorola would be so stupid they'd allow you to clone flashport features across radios by simply using a codeplug from another radio? (The answer is YES for older ASTRO radios...)

Notice there are very few whore-flashed 5000's on eBay. With that said, make no mistake about it--the ASTRO25 line is hacked, but the methods and people who can do it are not very public at all.
No your not insulting me, thats why i had a very stiff WTF face here.. I was confused by a comment that R0F made "The flashport features (flashcode) will transfer over" was previousley made regarding loading a codeplug from another radio... i guess i just need to buy one and start playing with it, figgure this out on my own..
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Post by Polar_Rescue »

r0f wrote:Polar_Rescue...ASTRO radios are hackable with leaked copies of lab/depot RSS software. (Runs in MS-DOS environment). This software allows you to force a codeplug/s-record into an XTS 3000, ASTRO Digital Saber or ASTRO Digital Spectra.

Regular ASTRO software does not allow you to hack.

If you're talking XTS 5000s, they're not hackable unless you're in secret handshake circles...
Got ya! that totaly makes sense... I think i even have the astro lab i picked off of hackersrussia before they got shut down...

Thanks for everyones help.. i am sure once i pick one up off of fleabay i will be back asking more questions..

Whats a ok price for a XTS3000 full face UHF low split ??? 550? 650? assuming recent host and dsp versions..
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Post by MattSR »

r0f wrote:If you're talking XTS 5000s, they're not hackable unless you're in secret handshake circles...
Ive spent many hours pondering how this was done - the ans wer I keep coming up with is there is a hacking tool that has been leaked/developed for the ASTRO25 line that isn't commonly available.
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Post by 10-95 »

MattSR wrote:
r0f wrote:If you're talking XTS 5000s, they're not hackable unless you're in secret handshake circles...
Ive spent many hours pondering how this was done - the ans wer I keep coming up with is there is a hacking tool that has been leaked/developed for the ASTRO25 line that isn't commonly available.
BINGO! :baby:
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Got one!

Post by Polar_Rescue »

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0139381006

Got one! so did i get a good deal or did i get shafted..
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Post by 10-95 »

Looks nice. Pretty decent flash too!
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Post by Polar_Rescue »

I have my paws on the Astro 25 Portable CPS 7... whats the current version of the CPS on the market?

I need to know what to ask around for... :baby:

Chris
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Re: Got one!

Post by motorola_otaku »

Polar_Rescue wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0139381006

Got one! so did i get a good deal or did i get shafted..
$500 is fair for that radio in that condition, with that firmware. A big + on buying a model 2 is that when it comes time to upgrade it to a model 3, you already have the display.. the most expensive part required. You can also sell the model 2 housing and keypad and recoup some of your losses.

edit: Also, that guy is known for selling at jacked-up prices, so you did especially good dealing with him.
And the sign says you got to have a membership card to get inside.
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Post by Polar_Rescue »

Thanks, i did see a blurb about him on the "good bad seller" part of the forum.. so i figured it woudlnt hurt to haggle with him..

Now all i need to do is track down the Astro CPS software.. I have everything else.. I thougt this beast took the same CPS as the XTS5000, the Astro25 CPS... I have an offsite back up of that one.. we use that for the FED stuff i am involved with.

Thanks to everyone for their help with the quest to loose my P25 "cherry"..I feel moto-violated!
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