Apr 12, 2016 The Astro Spectra High Power is a simple DB-25 to DB-25 cable, the Mid-Power is a slightly-more-annoying-to-source DB-15. 2.) Some of the portables (CT250/450 & the CP200) use 1/16' (2.5mm) TRS-style connectors. This manual covers all models of the ASTRO®XTL™ 5000 digital mobile radios (models W3, W4, W5, W7, and W9), unless otherwise specified. It includes all the information necessary to maintain peak product performance and maximum working time, using levels 1 and 2 maintenance procedures. “RSpec is easy to learn and is an excellent tool for investigating “slit-less” astronomical spectra.” Richard Berry, Lyons, Oregon. (author of Build Your Own Telescope, AIP4Win, The.
- Motorola Astro Spectra Programming Manual
- Motorola Spectra Programming
- Astro Spectra Programming Cable
Unleash your Inner Scientist™
- This is a Motorola Astro Spectra Railroad VHF 50 Watts 142-174 Mhz Clean Cab P25 mobile radio, model number R04KKH9PW4AN. These are 50 watt, 99 ch with a band split of 142-174. These are Pre-loaded with the AAR 99 railroad frequencies. These units are capable of both APCO 25 (P25) and analog operation, along with MDC signalling.
- Here are a listing of the Service Manual part numbers for this series of radio: 6881076C20 - Astro Digital Spectra Basic Service Manual, VHF, UHF, 800 MHz. 6881076C25 - Astro Digital Spectra Detailed Service Manual, VHF, UHF, 800 MHz. 6881070C85 - Installation Manual. 6881109C33 - A5/A7 Control Head Manual.
Haven’t you always wanted to “do some science” with your telescope or standalone DSLR?
The science is easy and exciting. You can learn as you go with our tutorial videos.
With just a small telescope you can easily:
- determine any star’s OBAFGKM star-type and temperature from its spectra curve.
- identify the composition of a star or nebula from its emission and absorption lines
- detect the cosmological red-shift of a distant quasar!
- measure the blue-shift of a supernova’s expanding shell as it races towards us at millions of miles/hour.
Sky and Telescope Interview
In the video below, Dennis di Cicco, Senior Editor of Sky & Telescope Magazine interviews the author of RSpec, Tom Field.
Hear how easy it is to get started and the wonderful results you can get with a DSLR or a small backyard telescope. Dark skies and big telescopes aren’t necessary! You can probably get great spectra with your current setup, even from the suburbs. Watch this video:
The short video below will explain a bit more about spectroscopy with a small telescope, how exciting it is, and how you can probably use your current equipment.
Periodic Table of Spectra
Looking for our new poster? Click on this link.
Pardon our smile!
We’re pleased that Sky & Telescope Magazine awarded our RSpec software their “Hot Product” award. The award is given for product excellence and technical leadership. Our customers tell us the award was well-deserved because our ground-breaking software allows you to easily capture and process the spectra of stars.
Now you can easily capture the spectra of stars
Our RSpec software enables you to rapidly go from a static image (FITS, JPG, etc. or DSLR) or video file to a calibrated spectrum graph – in real-time. Now you can see a star or planet’s spectrum graph instantly, right at your telescope! No more waiting until later to see if you got the spectrum you hoped for.
Getting started in spectroscopy is easy. Use our inexpensive Star Analyser grating (link) on almost any camera or telescope. You’ll be able to easily see the spectra of distant stars. You can even use an unguided DSLR camera — no telescope needed.
But, don’t take our word for it — the video below shows the spectra of a bright star taken at 5 frames/second using an inexpensive video camera!
Better yet, see for yourself what’s possible. Check out our sample results page that shows what amateurs just like you have done: link.
In the past, creating an intensity graph from a star’s spectrum was a painful trial-and-error process. But, now, because RSpec displays your profile graph immediately, it’s painless.
No one likes the drudgery of complicated image processing and steep learning curves. Astronomy is supposed to be fun! With RSpec, you can go from your original image to a calibrated profile graph in just a few clicks. See a star’s spectrum in real-time at your telescope!
Click the image below to watch a one-minute video that shows RSpec in action:
Want to see what else you can do in spectroscopy? Check out our Sample Project page: link.
General Info
Figure out what programming cable you need. Take a look at the mic connector.
If you need a programming cable for the P1820AX portable repeater, just use a regular mobile programming cable and program each radio individually.
The pinout of the 15 pin accessory connector on the Spectra 900 is as follows:
If you want the pinouts of the connectors on other Spectra models, refer to the installation diagrams at the bottom of the page.
If you have an Astro Spectra, you will want to look at the Astro Mobile page too.
The older versions of Spectra software wouldn't allow a 450-512 version to go below 449MHz. The latest RSS of spectra allows programming to 440. You may have to retune the VCO (solder across the lazer cuts a bit) to cause the radio to 'lock' on freqs below 440.5MHz in rcv mode. This version of RSS lets you program down to 140MHz on the 146-174 bandsplit radios.
Certain Spectra's like the Smartnet or Securenet radios don't have scan. You can't enable it in anyway. The board inside the radio that controls the scan feature is not present in the radio.
The scanning features on older radios is part of the programming in the MLM module. If its not in the MLM, and you want to get it, you have to 'pay' for a MLM with scan in it from motorola. The RSS won't unlock it, even though the RSS knows about scanning.
If you are hoping to find a way to get a Spectra to scan more than 16 channels, I think you will want to give up for now. We have yet to hear any method of doing this. However, should someone find a way, please let us know and we will post the results. BTW, if your radio is capable of zones, you can have a scanlist for each zone..
You can convert a Maxtrac DTMF mic for use on a Spectra 900 by changing the cord, color for color, clipping R18 and adding jumper JU1. Note that you can get an almost identical schematic of the boads in a Maxtrac DTMF mic from the MCX1000 VHF Service Manual.
The Spectra VRM 600 which has a modem capable of RD-LAP data built in the front of the Spectra dash radio and no functioning control head uses PIN 4 (SW B+) for ign sense. The standard dash mount programming cable power lead needs to be changed from pin 5 to pin 4 for this radio. I believe this is because of lack of a front panel power switch.
If you want to connect a MDC1200 unit to a Spectra, you need this diagram.
If you are looking for the pinout of the HLN1196A Auxilliary Switch Panel, then you will want to look here.
Spectra's come in many frequency bandsplits, called Ranges. Below is a list of the available ranges for VHF and UHF.
- VHF
- Range-1 136-162 MHz
- Range-2 146-174 MHz
- UHF
- Range-1 403-433 MHz
- Range-2 438-470 MHz
- Range-3 450-482 MHz
- Range-4 482-512 MHz
The HCN-1063A and HCN-1073A are Syntor X9000 heads as well as A9 Spectra heads. We have not found a way to determine the number of channels except to look at the EPROM inside the head. The 2K EPROM has memory for up to 32 channels, and will have 4 blank holes on the IC socket. The 8K EPROM is for 33 to 64, or 128 channel radios. It uses the whole IC socket.
Model Breakdown
Spectra Factory ID
Changing Serial Numbers Kiss cartoon naruto shippuden dub.
If you want to change the serial number in your radio, here is the C source for a program that is supposed to do it. It is supposed to work with Spectra version 5.03. I don't have a radio to try it on, so compile it your self and try it out. Supposedly you can use DJCC compiler to compile it.
The other way to change the serial numbers (command board AND MLM) in a Spectra is to use LAB RSS.
Changing Model Numbers
As for changing the model number on a Spectra, one method is as follows:
- Load a codeplug from the 'coveted radio' (the model number you want)
- Connect the programming cable to your radio
- Select clone from the menu, and in a few seconds RSS will tell your plain old radio that it just got its name changed.
But, before you do it, make sure that you're not trying to tell a dash mount 50 watt spectra a5 that it's suddenly a 110watt a9, it won't work.
Corrupt Codeplugs
It appears that some Spectra's, when loaded with a corrupt codeplug, give the error FL01/82. Others lock themself into a repeating SELF CHK loop which is near impossible to do any more programming with.
We've been told that with lab software that you can get it out of this loop. You have to change the serial number of the radio, reinitialize and tune the radio, then read the codeplug and send it back to the radio in order to stop the repeating loop.
After changing the serial number the display reads FL01/82 (which is a corrupted codeplug), just keep going with the above procedure, and everything should be fine.
There is also something else you might try. We have heard that when the radio is stuck in this loop, if you play with the HOME and DIM buttons, you might be able to get the radio to stop looping and stay on a mode. You might have to try this a few times to get the timing right.
Once you have the radio stopped from looping, try dumping a good codeplug into it or cloning your backup codeplug to it (again it may take a few tries). If you're lucky, you may not have to go throug the above procedure.
The MLM Board
Ok, here is a detailed explanation of what the MLM is and does in the Spectra, and what is involved in trying to upgrade them properly.
The MLM board contains the firmware and programming info as to what the radio can and will do.
Most people who try to upgrade a Spectra (ie. try and make a Spectra 800 B5 into a C9) will not be 100% sucessful when using lab to forcefeed a C9 archive into a B5. The reason is, if the MLM board version of the C9 is say a 5.06 and the B5 MLM board you are trying to convert is a 3.22, you will not be sucessful because the lower version board does not have the all the chips and memory to hold all the info.
If you continue to try and trick the radio into taking the info, you will probably end up with a FAIL 01/90 when you turn the radio on and it will not stay on.
The correct way to upgrade the Spectra is to find as many Spectras as you can with all the features in the radio in all the band splits and check the MLM boards. If they are version 5.00 or higher, then you will want to extract the firmware out of them and save them.
The way to do this is to take out the MLM board and look at the chip side with the pins on the right side of the board. You will have to take off the first chip on the far left and use a programmer to read the info and then save it as a bin file and label it (ie. 800 C9 LEFT). Put this chip back on the board and remove the second chip and do the same, labeling it too (ie. 800 C9 RIGHT).
These are the firmware IC's which hold all the info such as, SECURNET, ZONE, 9000 CONTROL HEAD OPTIONS, ect. These chips are usually 27C512's and are EPROMS which can only be written once.
Now you need to remove the far right chip which is usually a 28C64. The proceedure is the same as the previous (read it, and save the file with a name like 800 C9 MAIN). This chip is an EEPROM which can be erased and re-written. It contains information such as MODEL #, SERIAL#, codeplug data, ect.
If you have ever noticed when you use lab and force feed one codeplug into another with some success, you usually have to program from the archive to make any changes. If you tried reading the radio after upgrading with lab, you will usually loose all the features beacuse all you did was store enough infomation into the the MAIN chip to make a couple of things work, but not always 100%.
Motorola Astro Spectra Programming Manual
The theory of the MLM board is when you read you're radio via RSS, you have read all three chips, the LEFT and RIGHT tell you what you can do and the MAIN is where you store all you're info such as, FREQUENCY, PL, MDC, HOME MODE, ect.
Now, you'd figure that if you replaced the firmware on your MLM with the newer firmware and replaced the codeplug EEPROM with a blank one, you should have a nice, new, blanked board, right? Wrong. If you put a blank chip on the board, you will get FAIL 01/90. The 28C64 also contains the info to fire up the Selfcheck and make the control head work. We are trying to figure out just what the minimum info the codeplug EEPROM needs in it to make the radio function so that you can get the proper model and serial number in it for your radio.
Spectra Test Mode
Turn on radio. Press HOME 5 times within 15 seconds. Press MODE UP Radio displays serial number Menu is presented - select by pressing
Display | Possible Cause | Remedy | Condition |
FL 01/81 | The pattern stored in the Memory Board ROM is incorrect | Replace Memory Board | A |
FL 01/82 | The pattern stored in the Memory Board EEPROM is incorrect | a. Reprogram EEPROM from ARCHIVE file if available. b. Replace Memory Board | B |
FL 01/83 | Radio has conditions A and B | C | |
FL 01/84 | Memory Board EEPROM is blank | Replace Memory Board | D |
FL 01/85 | Radio has conditions A and D | E | |
FL 01/86 | Radio has conditions B and D | F | |
FL 01/87 | Radio has conditions A, B and D | G | |
FL 01/88 | Memory Board RAM defective | Replace Memory Board | H |
FL 01/89 | Radio has conditions A and H | I | |
FL 01/8A | Radio has conditions B and H | J | |
FL 01/8B | Radio has conditons A, B and H | K | |
FL 01/8C | Radio has conditions D and H | L | |
FL 01/8D | Radio has conditions A, D and H | M | |
FL 01/90 | Serial Bus Failure. May be control head failure, a radio command board failure, or a cabling failure | a. See Control Head Troubleshooting. b. Check rear options connector cabling. c. Replace Command Board. | N |
FL 01/92 | The pattern stored within the microcomputer EEPROM is incorrect | Initialize EEPROM | O |
FL 01/93 | Radio has conditions A and O | P | |
FL 01/94 | Microcomputer EEPROM is blank | Replace Command Board | Q |
FL 01/95 | Radio has conditions A and Q | R | |
FL 05/81 | Control Head ROM is defective | Replace Control Head Board | S |
FL 05/88 | Control Head RAM is defective | Replace Control Head Board | T |
ER 01/02 | Radio has an error with its EEPROM; one or more modes in the radio has an incorrect pattern in the Memory Board EEPROM. Radio will function normally until a corrupted mode is accessed; then 'FAIL 002' will be displayed (see below) | a. Reprogram EEPROM from ARCHIVE file if available. b. Replace Memory Board. | U |
BLANK DISPLAY BUT TX AND BUSY LED'S LIT BRIEFLY AT POWER UP | Display malfunction | Replace Control Head Board | V |
FAIL 001 | Synthesizer out-of-lock condition | See Synthesizer Troubleshooting | W |
FAIL 002 | The mode which has been accessed has an incorrect pattern in the Memory Board EEPROM. (Refer to ER 01/02 above) | a. Reprogram EEPROM from ARCHIVE file if available. b. Replace Memory Board. | X |
FAIL 999 | Serial number in the Memory Board and the microcomputer do not match; Radio will not function but will enter test mode. | Replace the Memory Board with the proper one | Y |
For units with the Front/Rear Control Head option, there are some additional error codes that may show up. These codes are detailed below.
Front Display | Rear Display | Description of Error |
ERROR 06/10 | ----- | Rear unit not connected. |
Radio can operate. | ||
----- | FAIL 05/90 | Front unit not connected. |
FAIL 05/82 | FAIL 05/82 | Front EEPROM bad checksum. |
ERROR 05/82 & | ERROR 06/10 | Rear EEPROM bad checksum. Remove |
ERROR 06/10 | rear unit to operate system. | |
FAIL 01/90 | FAIL 05/90 | Front unit bus failure. |
ERROR 06/10 | FAIL 01/90 | Rear unit bus failure. |
Useful Part Numbers
You never know when these part numbers might come in handy..
Part Number | Alternate Part No. | Derscription | Part Number | Alternate Part No. | Description |
HCN1071A | H1596A | Systems 9000 Control Unit | HMN1053B | DTMF Microphone | |
HLN5654A | HLN6284D | Systems 9000 Control Unit Circuit Panel | HMN1052A | HMN1080A | Enhanced Palm Mic |
HLN4921A | Trunnion Assembly | HLN1220B | Handset with Hang-up | ||
HMN1061A | Systems 9000 Microphone | HLN1196B | HLN1224B | Auxilliary Switch Panel | |
HSN4018B | Speaker Assembly | HLN5131B | External Emergency Button | ||
HKN4378B | 22' Rear Control Cable | HLN6025A | Locking Installation Kit | ||
HKN4376B | T-Cable Assembly (Rear) | HKN4258B | External Alarm Relay | ||
HLN5575A | DEK Relay Pod Kit | TLN4533A | External Alarm Relay | ||
HLN5574A | Relay Pod Kit | HCN1063A | Systems 9000 Control Head (A9) | ||
HLN5576A | 3805672X28 | F/R Button | HCN1073A | HCN1073D | Systems 9000 Control Head (A9) |
HKN5072A | 3805672X10 | H/L Button | 0180016R09 | A7 Head Plastic Front | |
HLN5074A | 3805672X12 | Call Button | 3805671X02 | 1 Button | |
HLN5076A | 3805672X14 | Rcl Button | 3805671X03 | 2 Button | |
HLN5078A | 3805672X17 | Del Button | 3805671X04 | 3 Button | |
HLN5079A | 3805672X18 | Sel Button | 3805671X05 | 4 Button | |
HLN5083A | 3805672X26 | Emer Button | 3805671X06 | 5 Button | |
HLN5085A | 3805672X31 | Sql Button | 3805671X07 | 6 Button | |
HLN5087A | 3805672X39 | Home Button | 3805671X08 | 7 Button | |
HLN5090A | 3805672X44 | Phone Button | 3805671X09 | 8 Button | |
HLN5091A | 3805672X45 | Dir Button | 3805671X10 | 9 Button | |
HLN5066A | 3805672X03 | Scan Button | 3805671X11 | 0 Button | |
HLN5256A | 3805672X61 | Srch Button | 3805671X12 | * Button | |
HLN5257A | 3805672X62 | Lock Button | 3805671X13 | # Button | |
HLN5258A | 3805672X36 | Site Button | |||
HLN5259A | 3805672X41 | Rpgm Button | |||
HLN5268A | 3805672X63 | Page Button | |||
HLN5092A | 3805672X49 | DVP Button | |||
HLN5095A | 3805672X01 | Blank Buttons | |||
HLN5096A | 3880253K01 | Blank Plugs |
Here's a list of documentation relating to the Spectra..
Part Number | Description |
6881108C90 | Front/Rear Control Units for Spectra 9000 Radio Systems |
6881070C85 | Spectra and Astro Digital Spectra Installation Manual |
6880101W10 | Siren/Public Address for Systems 9000 and Spectra Radios Instruction Manual |
6880102W80 | Spectra 9000 Radio System Operating Instructions |
Radio Installation Diagrams
Here are some various installation diagrams and schematics for the installation of Spectra radios.
Connecting a Spectra to a Command Data Encoder
Here are the installation and configuration instructions for connecting a Command Data Encoder to the Spectra
- 1) On the interconnect board in the radio remove jumper (JU621).
- 2) On the same interconnect board install a jumper into the (JU624) position.
- 3) Install a jumper into the (JU650) position.
- 4) Inside the control head install a jumper from Pin 46 on the control cable connector to Pin 24 on the microphone connector.
The Command Data encoder unit should be connected to the J6 connector on the Spectra radio.
Pinout Chart:
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