Rebanding suppport for XTS3000 w/swapped RF deck

[jeremyn]

Greetings all

I have an XTS3000R that began life as an "R" split radio that the previous owner swapped the RF deck on and voila! ....a "U" split radio! The problem is that the radio currently has R07.24.00, and I've read that a minimum of R07.70.xx is required for rebanding support.

What are my options for getting this thing flashed to support the use of rebanded channels?

Thanks
Jeremy

[akardam]

You'll have to have the radio's firmware upgraded.

[jeremyn]

Yes, this I know. The question is how do I do that? Do I have to send it back to Motorola and potentially endure questions about how the RF deck got switched, or is this a procedure that I can do myself...

[Mfire39]

A) Have your local MSS attempt to order a firmware refresh kit, and have them perform the upgrade if they are equipped to handle that..

B) Have your local MSS send it to the Depot in the South and have them uplift it. It may or may not raise eyebrows when it shows up configured as a different bandsplit than it orig was, and with non-matching numbers..

C) Have your local MSS attempt to order a firmware refresh kit, and then you can purchace a SmartRib and OEM service/program cable which has the bootstrap line, and you can do it yourself..


-Marc

[jeremyn]

I sounds like I already have the rest of the equipment required, so I just need to get the firmware refresh kit. Will Motorola deal with me directly if I call to order it, or do I absolutely have to go through an MSS to obtain it? Also, I don't suppose anyone would know about how much I should expect that to set me back....


Thanks
Jeremy

[escomm]

No, unfortunately Motorola will not deal with you directly for this.

You don't necessarily have to go to an MSS, theoretically you could go to a local dealer and they should be able to fill out the APB paperwork and try to get approval from Motorola.

A firmware refresh runs $75 for materials plus whatever labor the shop elects to add on top of that

[Hightower]

What about pretending the radio needs a new display. Doesn't a new display come with a firmware kit due to the newer displays needing the newer firmware to work?

Or if you still have the old R split rf deck, put it back in the radio. Then try having it upgraded - that way they can't say anything about it being converted......

[jeremyn]

Ok, so about $75 + labor. I think I can deal with that...but what is APB paperwork? Is there any chance that the shop will give me the kit when they receive it if I want to do the upgrade on my own?

Also, I can order a new display kit if it's the only way, but would prefer to keep the costs to a minimum if possible. The idea of putting the "R" split RF deck back into the radio would be good except I didn't get it when I bought the radio...but I could attempt to acquire one I suppose.

Another (possibly silly) question: would swapping the RF deck out for the upgrade cause the wrong version of the firmware to be loaded into the radio, or is the firmware unaware of the RF split the radio has?

Jeremy

[akardam]

The firmware is band agnostic, insomuch as it encompases all bands/splits the radio is capable of operating on.

[jeremyn]

Ok, that makes sense. Can I also assume that the firmware is also flashcode agnostic as well then?

[Mfire39]

Ok, that makes sense. Can I also assume that the firmware is also flashcode agnostic as well then?

As long as the flashcode doesn't contain invalid options such as the 4F1E or 1C5E flash, it should upgrade it with no problems..


-Marc

[jeremyn]

Please pardon my ignorance (it's closer to inexperience, to be honest), but what is a 4F1E or 1C5E flash?

My flashcode is 599108-1F4600-0, so hopefully I don't have any illegal options in there...although I'm just noticing that akardam's decoder did flag two of the options (in bits 1 and 3) as illegal.

[akardam]

Please pardon my ignorance (it's closer to inexperience, to be honest), but what is a 4F1E or 1C5E flash?

A search here on the board will reveal much discussion on those flashes. Basically, whoreflashes.

My flashcode is 599108-1F4600-0, so hopefully I don't have any illegal options in there...although I'm just noticing that akardam's decoder did flag two of the options (in bits 1 and 3) as illegal.

Not illegal, just useless. You have yet another whoreflash. H39 will probably trip up the firmware upgrade. Plus, on the paperwork you have to submit to order the firmware upgrade (refresh), you have to put in your flash (even though technically it doesn't matter) - that'll probably get it flagged.

[Q2222A]

You write about an XTS300R in the R & S split. These are UHF band units. Rebanding only applies to 800 MHz radios. As I see it, you don't need any refresh software at all since the radio will not be rebanded.

[Mfire39]

I have an XTS3000R that began life as an "R" split radio that the previous owner swapped the RF deck on and voila! ....a "U" split radio!

Q2222A, if you re-read the orig post, you'll see that the radio has been converted to a "U" split which is 800MHz..... So rebanding would apply to his radio...


-Marc

[Hightower]

You write about an XTS300R in the R & S split. These are UHF band units. Rebanding only applies to 800 MHz radios. As I see it, you don't need any refresh software at all since the radio will not be rebanded.

The OP has a U split, so rebanding will be needed sooner or later.

Update: Mfire39 beat me to the post by a few minutes

[jeremyn]

To everyone who responded: I just wanted to say thanks, as now I have an idea of how to go about getting this thing upgraded. I've learned quite a bit about firmware flashing (and some about why Motorola and depot are a pain to deal with at times) from all the responses. Sounds like this is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, so I look forward to exploring below the surface to see what all lies beneath.

Thanks again!
Jeremy