Help w/ Motorola Astro Spectra and MCS2000

[rhuddleston]

Acquired a large number of Astro Spectra and MCS2000 for our squadron.
Looking for anyone with experience on programming / configuring these rigs.

Any advice?

[radioguy]

First and foremost, you should confirm that these particular models are on the approved list for CAP use.  Motorolas are good radios, but programming them can be difficult without the appropriate equipment, knowledge, and lots of patience!  Most CAP codeplugs contain hundreds of channels and perhaps thousands of individual software settings.  Suggest that you contact your wing DC to ask if any assistance is available or if any commercial radio service shops in your area have been authorized to program CAP radios.  Good luck with your project.

[Brad]

OP, got your email. MCS2000 should be CAP-compliant, but can't do P25. Astro Spectra should be CAP-compliant with P25. You have model numbers and flash codes to provide? This can tell us which features the radio has and if it's the right type (VHF vs UHF vs 800 MHz)

To display flash code on MCS2000, turn the radio on and within 5 seconds press the lower left hand button (usually Home) 5 times. It will start displaying information including a rather long number. That's your flash code. You may need to do it multiple times to note all the digits. After the test cycle is done it will simply say "RF TEST". Turn the radio off and back on without pressing anything afterward to get it back to normal.

The Astro Spectra, I'm not sure how to display the flash code. It may be on the backside along with the serial number.

Edit: Did some more digging, the flash code for the Spectra is the Mfg. Code on the backside where the serial number and model number, etc. are. So just let me know what the model numbers and flash codes are and I'll see what I can do for ya!

[rhuddleston]

Cheers...
Here's the skinny..
Astro Spectra's are all 1Meg 2.5khz vocon (so can do narrow band) however they are all "K" split - meaning I'll probably need assistance getting them onto CAPs frequencies - from what I'm reading. I do not have heads for them as of yet as they are the W3 model and require the expensive HHCH and "Y" cable.

MCS2000 is another story
3 X Model 1 - "K" split as well VHF

• M01KHL9PW4AN / DOS RSS 000F / 05.52 / H35 / 000001-000000-9
• M01KHL9PW4AN / CPS RSS 000F / 05.58 / H35 / 000001-000000-9
• M01KHL9PW4AN / CPS RSS 000F / 05.72 / H35 / 000001-000000-9

2 X Model 2 - "K" split as well VHF

• M01KHM9PW5BN / CPS RSS 000D / 05.15 / H35 / 010001-000000-8
• M01KHM9PW5BN / CPS RSS 000F / 05.75 / H35 / 010001-000000-8

[Brad]

Cheers...
Here's the skinny..
Astro Spectra's are all 1Meg 2.5khz vocon (so can do narrow band) however they are all "K" split - meaning I'll probably need assistance getting them onto CAPs frequencies - from what I'm reading. I do not have heads for them as of yet as they are the W3 model and require the expensive HHCH and "Y" cable.

MCS2000 is another story
3 X Model 1 - "K" split as well VHF

• M01KHL9PW4AN / DOS RSS 000F / 05.52 / H35 / 000001-000000-9
• M01KHL9PW4AN / CPS RSS 000F / 05.58 / H35 / 000001-000000-9
• M01KHL9PW4AN / CPS RSS 000F / 05.72 / H35 / 000001-000000-9

2 X Model 2 - "K" split as well VHF

• M01KHM9PW5BN / CPS RSS 000D / 05.15 / H35 / 010001-000000-8
• M01KHM9PW5BN / CPS RSS 000F / 05.75 / H35 / 010001-000000-8

Ok so apparently changing the MCS2000 to a J-split works the same as the steps here for the MTSX series: http://www.batlabs.com/mtsx.html#2

Also see this ref the Astro: http://www.akardam.net/moto/docs/cps_oob.php

What's the model number on the Astro?