Seems they go from $400-$700 nowadays, depending on matching tags, flashcode, bandsplit, etc.
Totally legal to use on HAM bands if the key is public knowledge IE posted on a website somewhere.ĮG: Here's a flashcode with FPP: 1A0001-000304-9, Ideally you want Q52 and Q53. You'd then need a KV元000 and proper cables to load keys. If you do the diagnostic mode, it will tell you what encryption modules you have installed. If the flashcode begins with a 1 or a 5, then it is P25 capable. My knowledge of P25 etc on a Batwing is next to nil.
Those features represent the upper limit of my current knowledge. Encryption? FIPS? All of that stuff is way out of my wheelhouse, so to speak.Ī few of my Icom portables have rolling scrambler cards on-board, and they are all capable of trunking. 5 out of 5 stars (3) 3 product ratings - Motorola ASTRO R Saber VHF 136-174 MHz P25 Digital MODAT Multikey QTY 2. If it is capable of FPP, (XTS2500/5000 and APX7000 can be), and if it does then jump on it! FPP is awesome! I have it on my EFJ5100, but there's something wrong with its receive circuitry, so its out of service till I can take it to the shop a few hours away.Ībout the only thing I know about it now is that others just like it were used for the recent P25 upgrade, and all that that entails. Motorola ASTRO R Saber VHF 136-174 MHz P25 Digital MODAT Multikey QTY 2. See details - Motorola ASTRO R Saber VHF 136-174 MHz P25 Digital MODAT Multikey QTY 2.
ASTRO SABER P25 PORTABLE
Not sure if I want to throw an oddball into the mix, despite it being a really nice radio.Ĭan he tell you the flashcode? (Within 10 seconds of turning it on, press the monitor button 5 times to show debug mode.) Take the flashcode and enter it here to see what the radio is capable of. Share - Motorola Astro Saber VHF Portable Radio H04KDC9PW5AN Tested. All of my Icom portables (ham, MURS, GMRS) share the same batteries and chargers, and I did it that way deliberately.
ASTRO SABER P25 SOFTWARE
I've never heard of that sort of thing happening, but what do I know.Īlthough I'm intrigued by the radio, I'm heavily invested in Icom radios, batteries, chargers, speaker mics, software etc. One really needs to know what you're buying and what it will and will not do.My friend is a LEO, and this radio is a NIB leftover apparently that he bought from his PD when they upgraded to XTS3000s on a different band. There is a steep learning curve on flashcodes, the various bandsplits, and feature sets available. That being said these radios are not for the faint of heart. Some radios are collector's items, like the Astro Saber which can still be heard from time to time.
ASTRO SABER P25 SERIES
The multiple (or 'gang') charger for the Saber / Astro Saber series is the NTN4976 (110-120 vAC) and NTN4977 (220-240v AC) unit. The 'intrinsically safe' batteries are the NTN5155A or NTN4657A, (7.5 Volts). I bought an EF Johnson 5100 for $100, even had FPP so could program from the keypad. The desktop single-unit Saber / Astro Saber rapid charger is a NTN4734A. Current subscribers to the DOS Astro package, RVN4100, receive RVN4184, the combo value meal. The package deal, carrying both of the above titles, is RVN4184. This package has the part number of RVN4182, covering the portables, XTS3000 and Astro Saber.
Usually one can get something for around $300 more or less. The Astro CPS, version 1.00.00 has been released. I used those for years and they were great rigs. I've moved away from the older analog radios (Spectras) due to parts issues and DOS based programming software. I can transmit a long time on these and they don't get red hot due to massive heatsinks and over-design. They are built like tanks and make great FM rigs. There are four repeaters on the air in the DFW region, only one has appreciable P25 activity. We just use C4FM IMBE on old Quantar repeaters and some MMDVM (built out of analog transceivers) repeaters. Motorola XTS/XTL (Discontinued) - The second generation of Motorola P25 Phase 1 radios, first generation of P25 trunking radios. P25 on ham bands is not Phase II, not even trunking. Motorola XTS3000 (Discontinued) - Predecessor to the XTS line and is essentially an Astro Saber with more flash and a different housing. P25 is mostly a niche mode and will never be mainstream in our hobby.