Hi:
If you do a search, you should be able to find
more information, but I will give you some following
information.
Just because you were able to program your radio
once with your current set up does NOT mean it will
work everytime.
As a Motorola Tech, I am seeing these programming
errors almost on a day to day basis.
Anyhow, you " MUST " have a stable program platform,
and having the " Right " equipment is a step in the right
direction.
1. Although you may not want to hear it, Polaris Ribs are
pretty bad in my opinion. Yes, I have seen the exact same
thing ! where they worked fine on moment, and not the next.
Your problem could be as simple as " A LOW BATTERY "
Make sure you have a Fresh Battery !
Even though the Motorola Rib can get its power from the
Spectra, Clones do not have this feature. Play it safe, get
a Motorola Rib Box.....At least you will have the assurence
that is working. USe a Fresh Internal Battery AND External
Power !
Also , BEWARE of Clone Cables ! If you have a Clone Cable
where the wires are loose in and around the DB25 Shell, perhaps
one of your wires is broken ( or gets shorted ) which could
cause a MAJOR FAILURE in the radio.
Its not worth blowing your radio up over a cable that
was thrown together in 5 ~ 10 min.
There is few persons around that are making cheap and horrible
cables, and I have seen where these cables have blown up the
radio as well.
If your Cable looks the one in the photo, get rid of it !
Anyhow, getting past the Cable / Rib / Battery issue, you
should also make sure your COM Port is set up and working.
If you can find a Program called [ Whatport.Com ] you can install
it on your computer ( its free ) and you can tell if the RS-232 Port
is working.
Rare, but sometimes in the BIOS ( if the Bios battery gets weak )
the internal Bios settings may have changed.
Anyhow, other than perhaps corrupted Software ( which happens
from time to time ) you might want to re-install the Software
if you have confidence in your Rib and Cable.
Spectras ( other than the X9000 ) use FULL FEATURES of the RIb
Box, and not all computers have the exact same protocalls...Although Close, you will find a few memebers [
Will is one of them ] that have explored the RS-232 protocall issues pretty well......As a long term tech, I just stick with Proven Products to save me the headaches you are encountering.....And perhaps
a hefty service bill in the event your radio gets damaged either
by a Clone Cable or Rib....
Will has his ideas, and feels modifying the Ribs is a better approch !
With me, I sorta stay with the old school of thought especially
if it works ! Murphys Law sorta speak.
I would take a look at the Cable ( Inside ) a.s.a.p, as your probelm
could be there as well if the Motorola Rib U used was OK....
Hope I have been able to shed some light on your problem.
PS:
Also, MAKE SURE you are using DOS 6.22 ( AND DO NOT ) try
and use DOS under a Windows Application !
Forgot to mention that....Only Exception ? is you are deep into
the Operating Systems of all the Windows OS's and how to get
around them.
MS