New to MOTOTRBO - advice please

[goodwija]

I've just purchased a second hand DP3600 and a new programming lead and CPS software from a dealer.

I have some basic questions and would be grateful for any advice......

The radio has firmware R01.03.01 and CP3.00.08. The CPS software is v5.5 (Build 213).

1. What is the latest firmware version for this radio and where can I obtain it from?
2. What does my current CP give me and does this need changing?
3. I'm concerend that the dealer hasn't sold me the latest CPS - does anyone know what the latest version is?
4. If I program an FM channel the radio works fine but if I program a digital channel it doesn't Tx, I just get a low beep on PTT.

I don't seem to be able to get into the members download area, do I need to do something else?

I'm also looking for a second hand DR3000 UHF - any ideas?

Many thanks
John

[bw18]

Hi John,

the latest CPS build is 6.5-289 (that's what I am running on at the minute). So unfortunately it does sound like you were not sold the latest CPS. On that note... To be able to 'legally' obtain the CPS you should have had to sign a contract between your good self and Motorola. Only when this has been approved by Motorola should the CPS be issued to you. The CPS comes in a plastic sleeve and should have the part number on it. Your dealer might not yet have the latest copies of the CPS on disk- however he should be able to log onto his MOL (Motorola Online Account) and download the newest CPS direct from Motorola.

I would go and see your dealer and ask for the latest CPS version- this should not be a problem.

I am running firmware R01.07.04 on my units at the moment. You can update to the latest firmware via the CPS.

With regards to programming have you programmed Motorola kit before? Depending on whether you are trying to bounce off a repeater will depend on the result. If you have the wrong colour code selected then the repeater will not grant you access. If you are running simplex (back-2-back) this should not be happening. If you are running simplex check on the channel window that you have not selected the 'RX only' check box.

If you give us some more info as regards to what you are using the radio for then we can probably help you solve the problem 

Second hand DR3000's... Wouldn't that be nice lol. I am yet to see one on eBay or such like. At the minute it's probably a case of buying new. TRBO is still relatively new technology so systems are still being upgraded from analogue and the older MTR2000 repeaters and such like. I wouldn't hold your breathe hoping to pick one up second hand for a little while yet!

BW

[glink]

Hi John
One other thing to look at is whether you have assigned a Contact Name to the transmit personality of the channel. The default Group Call in the CPS is Call1, and this must be assigned in the transmit parameters per channel, or the radio will not transmit
Cheers
Stuart

[bw18]

Just expanding on Stuart's comment...

You need to know the group number(s) that are being used on the system to be able to RX. I am seeing lots of people buying TRBO radios thinking they will be able to 'scan' their local TRBO users... Yes, it is possible. BUT if you don't know the group numbers being used then it really is difficult (bearing in mind the groups can be ANY number between 1-16776415). Not only are you dealing with groups but also privacy, if they are using 'Enhanced Privacy' then forget it! Again over a trillion combinations possible 

BW 

[goodwija]

Thanks both I will try some of those suggestions.

I'm a radio amateur but I also have a business radio licence. So the radio will serve a dual purpose. Initially it will just be used simplex between handhelds & mobiles. I'm really using it as bridge between FM and digital. I have programmed Motorola gear before but quite old gear e.g. MC Micros, MTS2000s, so nothing as sophisticated as these units. In fact I was wondering if there was a user manual or any other useful documentation. I have the service manual. I've also had a good look around this forum so do understand some of the terms you are using.

In terms of the CPS, I paid £150 from the dealer but didn't have to sign anything! I'll call them tomorrow.

When you say that the firmware can be upgraded via the CPS, how do you actaully get hold of the firmware? Is it delivered with the CPS software, does the software download it or is it something I have to purchase - if so, where from?

Do I need to work about the CP?

Thanks again, much appreciated.

Rgds

John

[emsgeorge]

The software is about £140, so go talk to the dealer again - if they order the part from motorola, it will come sealed, and certainly wont be that old - they usually supply the latest one. Along with the latest firmware.

I would go back to your dealer and shout if I was you. I have seen before people who have purchased from 'internet' places for software, and guess what, its all pirated. (and old, or wrong region at that).

Motorola will be interested in copy software - they will tug their dealer status for it. (Just a little ammo if you need to shout !).

We have an agreement with our local dealer - 99% of the dealers will download their firmware direct from the motorola uk distribution partner, which is Airsys in southampton. They however, wont deal weith any end users, and are really picky who they let become a dealer, unless you are spending upwards of 50k a year on radios with them. They have a secure site for downloading from.


firmware updates are easy compared to some of the older radios. no special boxes, or flash adapters. simply plug the usb in, open up the CPS, and ping it over. When you install the firmware, the software automatically decides what model radio you have, and sorts it all out.

I have never seen a DR3000 on ebay. I think you will find the increase in DP series is sometimes down to 'lost' radios - G4S have been using them for approx a year now on some of their concerts and events, and the number of DP's appearing on ebay since then seems to have shot up - so be careful if you are buying any from there to up your inventory.

The Hyterra range of digital repeaters will work seamlessly on trbo, I've seen it myself. They are 2u height, not 4u like the trbo repeater. Downside is that new, they are as expensive as the DR3000, and you wont be able to do things like capacity plus with them in the future - youve got to have a motorola repeater to do it. 

[bw18]

Hi John,

Please let us know how you get on with your dealer. As George said, Motorola do not take kindly to their dealers distributing copied software!

With regards to an instruction guide for programming I'm afraid not. Motorola don't supply to end users, when you purchase your radios from the dealer they are set up and programmed for you. Obvisouly all of the staff who work for the dealers are trained in programming etc.

We can easily talk you through programming if you get stuck, so feel free to ask.

BW

[goodwija]

Sorry it has taken so long for me to respond - mainly due to the dealer....

The advice on setting up a simplex digital channel worked and I'm now in business - thanks.

I've also purchased another DP3600 (4 months old running R01.08.00) which has made trying various options and experimenting much easier.

In terms of the CPS it took several e-mails & phone calls and eventually a threat of speaking to Motorola before the new software arrived on the 22nd Dec. So I now have CPS v6.7 + firmware R01.08.20.

So my next challenge is to carry out a firmware update on both radios. I've looked at the help files (which are limited) and they seem to suggest that the firmware file should be placed in the folder

c:\Program Files\Motorola\MOTOTRBO CPS\deviceupdate

which I have done but when I use the menu option Device -> Update  I get an error message stating 'No matching package(s) exist'.

I guess the firmware file is in the wrong place or I'm using the wrong menu option.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

Thanks again,
John

[JtB]

The upgrade packages come with an installation wizard so just copy them onto your computer hard-drive, run them and they will install themselves in the right place.

[goodwija]

Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case.

The disc is entitled ' Portable Upgrade Package' and states that is is vR01.08.20

The only option when inserting the disc is to open the folder to look at the files. There are no startup files and the only file on the disc is the firmware file itself which is a binary of course, not executable or self extracting? The only file is called R010820_100001_P

Thanks

[emsgeorge]

Ours are an exe file package, one file.

Simply double clicking on it gets it to extract and put itself where its needed.

The file is about 100 meg (approx), so check what size it is, as they may of given you the wrong thing.

[JtB]

Not sure what you have been given.

The latest MOTOTRBO upgrade files (as supplied by Motorola) are:
R010820_100001_Portable.exe
R010820_100001_Mobile.exe
R010810_100001_Repeater.exe
R010811_100001_Repeater.exe

When you run the above executables, they install themselves at
c:\Program Files\Motorola\MOTOTRBO CPS\deviceupdate

[goodwija]

It looks like for whatever reason there is only the one file on the CD called R010820_100001_P

From what you said the file name should be I copied this to a temp folder and renamed this file to R010820_100001_Portable.exe. It then correctly unpacked itself and did install in the correct place.

So that's great - thanks

Now the bad news - so I started an upgrade and the DP3600 has a message on the screen saying:

Flashzap Bootloader
Version R01.02.00
USB Operation
Ready to Download

The PC threw up a message saying 'Error 1687 unable to detect applicable devices' and the DP3600 is just sitting there doing nothing. Not sure if it's safe to turn the DP3600 off and start the whole sequence again?

Thanks

[emsgeorge]

I'm sure I did an upgrade guide that did a step by step, but can't now see it (on my phone)

Turn the radio off,back on, and do it again. You will see windows do an install. Leave it to install. This happens the first time you upgrade.

Make sure you are on power if its a laptop, and have a good batt on the radio.

Version r01.08.00 has a serious bug in it, so make sure you do get them to .20 asap !

[goodwija]

Brilliant - both sets upgraded successfully to .20

Thanks