I found a file on my server that's labeled R100 EEPROMS that have a tx.bin and rx.bin file in it. I'm guessing it might be blank codeplugs for making eeproms? I don't know if anyone is interested in it. I've got 1 known working R100 and 3 parts units with various pieces missing that I've been needing to work on. I built the programming cable which was easy enough and have it running on my 486 machine quite well. Never can get the motivation to finish them.
Anyone in the Monmouth County, New Jersey area that can program set of UHF CDM1250 (AAM25RKD9AA2AN) and VHF CDM1250 (AAM25KKD9AA2AN) radios for amateur service?
VY 73
Martin Flynn
W2RWJ
Re: Can I use a low power programming cable to program high power astro spectra?
On Mar 25, 2025, at 3:54?PM, TIM HARDY via groups.io <w7trh@...> wrote:
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I have a programming cable I used to program a low power dash mount astro spectra. I have read that this cable is usable for programming a high power trunk mount astro spectra.
I'm not sure about the (B+) power cabling. Do I need to connect the heavy gauge vehicle battery cable (high power battery cable) to the spectra and NOT use the small gauge (fused) wire on the low power programming cable.
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Will the astro 25 tuner ver. 5.04.00 program my astro spectra? I only require analog NB. No frills
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I appreciate any guidance.
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Tim
AE7TH
Vashon Is. Wa.
Re: Can I use a low power programming cable to program high power astro spectra?
You need the high power programming cable to do a high power Spectra or Astro Spectra which has a 25 pin connector - the 15 pin connector that the low power programming cable uses does not exist on the high power versions.
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Astro Tuner is used to align the Radio, while Astro Spectra CPS is used to program the radio - I use V5.03, so 5.04 should do it as well.
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Good luck - Kurt
Can I use a low power programming cable to program high power astro spectra?
I have a programming cable I used to program a low power dash mount astro spectra. I have read that this cable is usable for programming a high power trunk mount astro spectra.
I'm not sure about the (B+) power cabling. Do I need to connect the heavy gauge vehicle battery cable (high power battery cable) to the spectra and NOT use the small gauge (fused) wire on the low power programming cable.
?
Will the astro 25 tuner ver. 5.04.00 program my astro spectra? I only require analog NB. No frills
We use downhill signaling for our .88 repeater for Echolink in Spokane. I installed a simple (NPN) switch on the CG encoder since it already has that feature (CG disable).
Works great using a control station. Also works with IRLP (in a past project).
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- Regards, Karl Shoemaker To contact me, please visit SRG's web site at? for the current email address.
Hi all, ?This is a type of tube (electronic valve) that some of the old-timers may remember. This is a first for me. Some of the old receivers out of the 1930's-ish used them (about a century ago).
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- Regards, Karl Shoemaker To contact me, please visit SRG's web site at? for the current email address.
Re: Future programming of Astro Spectra T04KLF9PW4AN W9 head
You should be good with 32 bit Windows; if you user the tuner program, be advised that although it accepts comm ports higher than 4, only 1-4 work. I don't believe that affects the regular CPS though. Never heard of a CPS version 11; I think you'll find that's probably Astro25 software.
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Same 2 cables as an analog Spectra, whether regular or high power version.
For what it's worth, I have located the diskette I made 30 odd years ago containing the R100 stuff.? This is the version that can create a code plug from scratch which I hacked to cover the 440 ham band, and I also have images for valid code plugs as well.? If anyone else needs it, send me a private email.? Remember that this software will only run properly on an old, slow native DOS computer, that it is very non-intuitive, and that it needs a special RS-232 cable that fits nothing else.? A quick internet search found the cable schematic at repeater builder.
Per my notes, changing an R100 from DPL to tone PL (or vice versa) requires both microcomputers to be replaced, as well as some other stuff, so I hope your R100 is the version you want.
My notes also noted that the original Microchip EEPROM was obsolete 30 years ago, but that an Atmel 24C01 works fine.
If the R100 s/w is like the Motorola Comapct the Euro version then there's an option create a e prom form scratch? look for a "select device" menu?
I've still got business radio users running these and the work well for that,?
For Ham use the 10W version will run 10-15W all daythe 25 W ones wont do "ham" lenthg overs unless you fit a lot of fans and do the PSU mod
Swap the linear PSU for a Good SMPS and the box runs much cooler,if you want to keep the linear psu swap the 100uf caps at least if not all!
On the TRC (Control) bd check the 100uF cap's its likely they will have leaked and that causes all sought of issues? probably worth swapping all the caps, never had issues with the caps on the radio chassis.
The sticky pad that holds the crystal on the radio processor board eats the leads out of the crystal if the can's rusty remove the pad and re fix, if your lucky the crystal will be Ok
Easy to to add a controller or your chose? there's a Compact manual in the RB files section that has a few added notes .
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Both R100 and the Compact? s/w will run on Win10 using dos box and a USB serial lead (FTDI)
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Cheers Jake g1yff
Future programming of Astro Spectra T04KLF9PW4AN W9 head
? Notice what Kenwood says below for each of the firmware in the two different generation radios. The CHECKSUM you list is not shown on either. Also look carefully at the S# range of your unit as you can see the SN listed below is the STARTING RANGE of radios listed & higher to fix the issues shown.
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E2 in v.2 radios trouble code indicates "Channel data is not written." Basically the radio is saying there's no channel data written in the memory or it is corrupt/not valid.
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Model and age makes a difference as to what checksum you end up with.
Yes, I know that lead-acid batteries typically aren't favored, but I've had wonderful service out of them.
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I run two SLR5700s on our school district VHF repeater system at full power.? Also being transportation director for the school district, I had access to purchase school bus batteries at roughly $100-$120 each.? I have run each repeater to its own battery, depend only on the SLR's internal charger, and generally replace the batteries every four to five years.
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As for how long they last, I do not have accurate specs on their amp hour capacity, but several years ago when we did not have the permanent setup yet, I had to use an extension cord run across the room to plug the repeaters into the only plug in the room.? One day I needed the extension cord for a different purpose, so I said "It'll be OK to run on battery a couple hours while I borrow the cord."? Almost a week later, I walked into the radio room and noticed that there was no extension cord laying on the floor.? I had forgotten that I borrowed the cord, and we had run almost a week of operations on battery alone.
I've got about half a dozen SLR customer repeaters and all of them are equipped with battery backup. I use inexpensive 100Ah marine grade sealed lead-acid battery, and an external Victron 13Amp fully automatic 3-stage charger, with the internal charger from the SLR disabled. It would take way too long for the limited internal charger alone to get the battery anywhere near fully charged in a reasonable amount of time, hence the external charger addition.
Given the SLR takes about 10amps at full (55W) tx power, battery can last anywhere between 12-24 hours, depending on repeater activity. Most sites also have generator backup, so battery usually only has to carry over until it kicks in, but at times also saved the day when the generator would for some reason not start.
One idea to extend battery operating time was to have a relay coil connected to the AC mains, and a normally open contact connected to one of the GPIO pins on the rear of the SLR and set it to switch to channel 2, then program ch1 as regular full power service, and ch2 for 25w or whatever lower power the system can get away with, and extend battery life with less current demand. But so far have not implemented that yet, but it should be a perfectly viable option.
In my opinion if you have an old Motorola R-100 repeater there are much better choices these days. Do yourself a favor and move on. Putting just an hour of labor into figuring out how to program or repair one will easily exceed their value.?
They had the misfortune of new mot software that was made for 10 yo 8080, 286 or whatever with an old IBM keyboard so you had to know what the new keyboard keystrokes were that could march you through the software.? Had to be DOS on a 486 or older in low memory with a BIOS switch to make the processor slow.? Haven't done it since the 90s so dont know where the cable went...? Schematic is on Batboard.
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Rebuilt a lot of PAs on them.? Like Maxtrac with a goofy heat sink glued on with a pound of Wakefield.? The Hi power brick would eat the driver, so best to go with the medium power ones and try not to rag-chew it to death.
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Good luck with the chips.
Re: FS: Select Tone ST-146 CTCSS encoder/decoder PRICE reduced
From: "Sepehr - N6IRN via groups.io" <n6irn@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 10:34:09 PM Subject: [repeater-builder] Backup Battery for SLE 5700
Hi,
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I'm looking to see if anyone here has a preferred or a "go-to" type of battery that you use for your repeaters. I'm installing an SLR 5700 in a temperature-controlled room. How long do I need the repeater to run on batteries? That really depends on the price of each battery and how many I can afford to buy. I have been very satisfied with Echo-Worthy products on Amazon for other ham radio activities but not sure if they're the right choice for a repeater and also if they fit the SLR 5700 internal battery charger.?
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Also, when you have batteries connected to a repeater for backup power, do you put any other components in between the battery and the repeater? Perhaps for overcharge or over-discharge protection:?
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All suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated.?
Jared Smudde
Karl Shoemaker
Robin Midgett