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Hello All.
I am having issues programming a VHF DeskTrac Repeater and wanted some insights I've built close to 8 Different Cables all listed as "DeskTrac"or"MaxTrac" and I have not been able to get it to program
I am using a RIB Box and switching the Blue 1, 2, and 3 switch on the DeskTrac the PC is running Windows XP With DosBox with the serial port Forwarded to Serial 1 (an actual Serial Port on the Laptop) sometimes the Data light will blink then start rapidly blinking but after like 1/2 a Second it just sits there with nothing and blinks every 1/2 - 1/4 of a second then the software goes Cannot read Data |
开云体育I don't recall all the details, but the desktrac's were a pain in the a.?You probably need the progamming manual.?? As I recall, there is a rotary switch that depending on which part of the desktrac you had to select a portion of the unit. i.e.? one position was to program the control head, one position was to program the rf/radio, one position was to program the dc or tone remote functions.???? All of this is from my memory of programming units in the GM300/Radius conventional units 20 years ago or more.? Regards Chuck? n0nhj Glenwood Springs, CO On 4/15/2025 12:31, KK7GKG via
groups.io wrote:
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Remember that radios of this vintage require an old, slow DOS computer, or the system won't talk properly.? I use a Compaq 386 "lunchbox" computer that is native DOS (and works just dandy on Desktracs), so I can't comment specifically on your setup, but make sure it's running slow.
The switch on the Desktrac selects whether you are programming (1) the main radio, (2) the repeater radio, or (3) the remote panel.?
As I recall, the procedure is to use the Maxtrac software to program the radios, then go back and use the special Desktrac software to finish up.
For what it's worth, Desktracs seem to all have their own firmware version (V5.36).
Also don't forget that if you are going out of the original frequency range, you will need the modified ham firmware or power out and deviation will be unpredictable.? Details on this are found in the Ham Friendly Firmware articles in the Maxtrac area here on Repeater-Builder, or you could email me.
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Good luck - Kurt |
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I think the problem is that even if everything's mapped correctly, you're still using DOSBOX; hence, you're in Protected Mode, which all old Moto DOS RSS relies on. I seem to recall that new fork called DOSBOX-X had some scheme to compensate to fake REAL Mode but I haven't studied it or anything. It's on github. In any case, I just said f@#$ it and got an old Toughbook w/a real serial port that accepted a floppy drive so I could boot real DOS and stop rolling the DOSBOX dice. |
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(I hate out this particular forum doesn't let you edit a message)
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What I meant to say is all old DOS software relies on being in Real Mode, and doesn't know what Protected Mode is. It's all going/filtered through Windows, so it's like a guy listening to someone on a phone in one ear and relaying it to someone on the another phone in the other ear. Timing suffers... |
KK7GKG