Newbie needs help

M1225 · Post by **M1225** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 7:53 pm

Okay I am just geting into the motorola radios. I have a M1225 that I would like to be able to program. I am wondering what do I need to do this. I have read a litle about the RIB and cables but am still confused a bit. Also was wondering what software I need and what its going to cost me. Thanks!!!!!!!

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:36 pm

You will need:

Radio Interface Box (RIB) - RLN4008E or equivalent

Programming cable - schematics available on the main Batlabs site: http://www.batlabs.com. These are quite easy to build - as a hint, use an DB-25 --> RJ-45 adapter and pin it as the schematic indicates. Use a standard Cat5 patch cable from the adapter to the radio.

Software - available from Motorola (and only from Motorola). You'll need to sign a licensing agreement and fork over about $250. Call Mother at 800.422.4210.

M1225 · Post by **M1225** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:54 pm

This the box????http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Radio-Interfac ... dZViewItem Or would it work?

Rick Rock · Post by **Rick Rock** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 12:28 am

Beware of 'clones', you're better off with OEM, like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-RLN-4008B- ... dZViewItem

kb0nly · Post by **kb0nly** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:44 am

Or if you want a cheaper clone get the Sandy Ganz rib, sold by radiostew on ebay. The best rib out there and even better than a Moto original in some cases.

Also with this one you only need a network patch cable to connect to most of the mobiles that program through the mic jack, like the M1225 for example, because this rib has an RJ-45 jack on it.

You can also buy the PCB from Sandy and then order the components and assemble the RIB yourself. A good learning experience, and having built the RIB yourself you also have the knowledge to repair it if anything goes wrong.

M1225 · Post by **M1225** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 12:01 pm

OK thanks for the advice!!!! I may just have to build one myself then. I was not sure at first if anyone made th board. That helps alot!!!!

kb0nly · Post by **kb0nly** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:25 pm

Here is the website:

http://www.geocities.com/sganz.geo/RibPage.html

The picture shows a complete RIB, the $25 is just for the printed circuit board and it comes with a parts list to order from Mouser.

M1225 · Post by **M1225** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 2:45 pm

One other question. Is this of those radio you can use just a cable to program instead of the 2 cable and RIB???

kb0nly · Post by **kb0nly** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 2:48 pm

The M1225 requires a rib.

M1225 · Post by **M1225** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:45 pm

ok cool!

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 9:11 pm

kb0nly wrote:The M1225 requires a rib.

Scott, are you sure about that? It only uses two lines of the RIB to communicate, BUS+ and GND. I'm assuming he's talking about a 'ribless cable', and that's what the ribless cables have, so why would it not work?

M1225 · Post by **M1225** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 4:36 pm

well Im cofused!!!!

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:46 am

M1225 wrote:well Im cofused!!!!

Don't worry, that will go away with a little experiance

.

Is the so-called 'ribless cable' what you were refering to? The ribless cable is a cable with a 'simplified' version of the RIB built into the D-Sub housing on the computer end of the cable. The ribless cables are compatible with only certain models of Motorola radios, with the Radius series (which the M1225 belongs in) being one of them. If that is what you are talking about, then yes, you can program the M1225 'without a RIB'.

If you are talking about a 'straight-through' cable, with no interface of any kind between the computer and radio, no, that can't be done. To put it simply, your computers' COM ports use a communations protocol called 'RS232' to comunicate with the outside world, while most Motorola radios use a protocol called 'TTL' (transistor-transistor logic) to comunicate with the programming equipment. The RIB, or ribless cable, is an RS232-TTL level converter to allow the computers' COM ports to succesfully comunicate with the radio.

Are you a little less confused now, or did I make it worse?

M1225 · Post by **M1225** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 12:19 pm

That helps alot!! Thanks!!!!!!