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Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 7:02 am
by STEVE W
I have a mid power Spectra A9 vhf that I am not using at this monment, Is there a way to put an A7 head on it so I can get some use out of it. In the Rss it skips over the control head type. When I plug the A7 in it lights up but says the mode number instead of what is programmed in that mode.
Thanks
Stve

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 12:30 pm
by Will
Steve,

That is correct, the mode names are stored in the A9 control head. All other control head options, A4, A5, and A7, the names are stored in the MLM on the Command board. The A3, HHCH, does not have any names and a different MLM.

What is the model number of the mid power radio you have?

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 3:58 pm
by STEVE W
The model is TA9KM+067W,ID T43KMA7JA9AK

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:17 pm
by Jim202
STEVE W wrote:I have a mid power Spectra A9 vhf that I am not using at this monment, Is there a way to put an A7 head on it so I can get some use out of it. In the Rss it skips over the control head type. When I plug the A7 in it lights up but says the mode number instead of what is programmed in that mode.
Thanks
Stve


There are a few sites on the web that have a pile of information on the Spectra radio. One of them is the repeater builders site. The other is the Mike B site that repeater builders has a link to.

One of the simple ways to change the radio from one style control head to another is to change the memory location that contains the head model info. This can be done simply by using the bit banger feature in one of the software versions used to program the radio. It is simple and only takes a few minutes to get into the software, change the value of the memory location and save it back to the radio.

Take some time reading about all this. Come back again if you still need help.

Jim

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:51 am
by motorola_otaku
If it's already an A9 he should be able to roll back to A5/7 without bitbanging. I don't remember the exact menu tree off the top of my head but it should be under Radio-Wide-->Other Options or something like that. The available options are Standard, Advanced, and S9000E.

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:11 pm
by kcbooboo
If the radio expects an A9 head, you must have an A9 head attached to be able to read the code plug and change the head type to A5/A7. If you don't have an A9 head, then your only choice is bit-banging and it's relatively straight-forward.

Bob M.

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:19 pm
by STEVE W
When I go into the screen that shows the contol head, it skips over that choice, is there a way to force it to stop on that choice or is that done on another screen. I have the standard RSS not lab
Thanks

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:13 pm
by Jim202
STEVE W wrote:When I go into the screen that shows the contol head, it skips over that choice, is there a way to force it to stop on that choice or is that done on another screen. I have the standard RSS not lab
Thanks



As Bob has said, your going to have to bit bang the correct control head into the radio.

Jim

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 6:08 am
by STEVE W
Where in the RSS do you bitbang, I DO NOT have lab RSS.

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:18 pm
by d119
STEVE W wrote:Where in the RSS do you bitbang, I DO NOT have lab RSS.
Then you will NOT be doing ANY banging of the bits. Lab RSS required.

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:34 am
by George
What version RSS do you have?

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:59 pm
by STEVE W
My rss version is R06.00.05

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:31 am
by STEVE W
Is there anyone out there that will convert an A9 to an A7 for me ?
Thanks in advance

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 1:21 pm
by jmr061
You want to send me your codeplug

jmrasmussen "at" msn "dot" com

Ill see what I do quickly but no promises.

Jason

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:22 pm
by STEVE W
Can anyone help?

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:37 pm
by Will
It looks like KB9KST wanted to help:
KB9KST wrote:You want to send me your codeplug

jmrasmussen "at" msn "dot" com

Ill see what I do quickly but no promises.

Jason
Same here, just need the radio's codeplug emailed. Don't know how? PM is your friend....

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:34 pm
by jmr061
He is unable to email the plug therefore I can not help.

Jason

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 6:24 am
by Jim202
KB9KST wrote:He is unable to email the plug therefore I can not help.

Jason


Is this a case where he doesn't know how to do an attachment to a normal email?

Jim

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:43 am
by STEVE W
I was able to find a 3.5" stand alone usb drive and I will try and copy the code plug from my old dos machine over the weekend. If it works I will e-mail it to you, if not I tried.

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:58 pm
by Will
Do not forget the SPECTRAM.DBF file that IS part of the codeplug.

Re: Back convert a Spectra A9

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 7:42 am
by STEVE W
Thanks to a fellow ham KB9KST I am up and running with an A7 head. Thanks againg and happy holidays to all
73
Steve W2SMW