Still have my older Spectra, did a complete re-cap and replaced all of the surface mount electrolytics. Been working fine for over 28 years now. Have it on both amature and commercial/LE with DES. I had purchased the parts to convert it from a dash mount to remote mount using the advanced remote head ( can’t remember but it may have been referred to as the 09) however one needs to find a similar radio and clone the MLM board to get it to work right. Ahhh the early Motroni stock, once upon a time I had amassed a wide range of firmware for the Maxtrac line of radios, could easily erase the UVproms and rewrite new personalities into them to change out the radios workings. The joys of working with open source HC11 series of microprocessors! Back in the days of 800 MHz LTR trunking, a company developed firmware to take a Motorola Type II trunking radio and convert it to LTR. it was a very lucrative endeavor for our radio shop. One only needed to replace the unprom with this companies prom and reflash the radio with their software. The big M could do nothing about it since they used the open source code to write their own software and create their own firmware for the prom and radio.
Why in the world can't people put back all the screws? That is a pet peeve of mine. As long as I've been playing with the Astro Spectra line of radios, I have not gone as far as to load new firmware like you've done here. Thank you for the video and please make some more of these, there are still people messing around with them.
All "K-split" radios (146-174 MHz) can be modified to act as "J-split" radios (136-162 MHz). After the modification, the radios will perform better on ham bands and you can avoid the so-called artificial digital transmit deviation limit (the radios will not transmit in digital below 146 MHz).
The last release of firmware and DSP fixed the 146 Mhz issue ,but you are right a bit of hex editing is also a fix. The hardware is almost identical on the RX and TX side if you compare the components in the service manual. Thanks for watching .
@@vw183iltis well I need to get my hands on the firmware that would allow me to flash for using on Astro 25 digital systems. I have an srib coming and the “proper” software. Just need to source the firmware for it. Lol
Still have my older Spectra, did a complete re-cap and replaced all of the surface mount electrolytics. Been working fine for over 28 years now. Have it on both amature and commercial/LE with DES. I had purchased the parts to convert it from a dash mount to remote mount using the advanced remote head ( can’t remember but it may have been referred to as the 09) however one needs to find a similar radio and clone the MLM board to get it to work right. Ahhh the early Motroni stock, once upon a time I had amassed a wide range of firmware for the Maxtrac line of radios, could easily erase the UVproms and rewrite new personalities into them to change out the radios workings. The joys of working with open source HC11 series of microprocessors! Back in the days of 800 MHz LTR trunking, a company developed firmware to take a Motorola Type II trunking radio and convert it to LTR. it was a very lucrative endeavor for our radio shop. One only needed to replace the unprom with this companies prom and reflash the radio with their software. The big M could do nothing about it since they used the open source code to write their own software and create their own firmware for the prom and radio.
Well done Phil, a very informative production.
A very interesting and informative video. I enjoyed watching how you do the mod.
Why in the world can't people put back all the screws? That is a pet peeve of mine. As long as I've been playing with the Astro Spectra line of radios, I have not gone as far as to load new firmware like you've done here. Thank you for the video and please make some more of these, there are still people messing around with them.
yeeet...i love astros😊
All "K-split" radios (146-174 MHz) can be modified to act as "J-split" radios (136-162 MHz). After the modification, the radios will perform better on ham bands and you can avoid the so-called artificial digital transmit deviation limit (the radios will not transmit in digital below 146 MHz).
The last release of firmware and DSP fixed the 146 Mhz issue ,but you are right a bit of hex editing is also a fix. The hardware is almost identical on the RX and TX side
if you compare the components in the service manual. Thanks for watching .
Oh man. I’d love to pick your brain about some things with my herd of Astro spectra’s and their need for firmware.
Ask away, if I know the answer it will help you and others.
@@vw183iltis well I need to get my hands on the firmware that would allow me to flash for using on Astro 25 digital systems. I have an srib coming and the “proper” software. Just need to source the firmware for it. Lol
Great video, thanks. Any chance you could share any details about your little add on circuit?
I am on QRZ.com as G6GIY