RadioBanter - Motorola HT programmer

In article ,
/OMEGA says...

What is the nomenclature for the Motorola HT programmer?

We have everything from P110 to Sabers.

Wow.....

I can say, from direct experience and past history with the
Motorola Comm Sector (back when they still had company-owned service
shops) that if you're looking to program that wide a range of radios,
you're looking at a few thousand $$$ worth of hardware, software and
cables.

Motorola, prior to selling you the RSS (Radio Service Software)
packages will also require that you sign a multi-page license agreement
with terms that are Draconian at best. In essence, it says that whatever
RSS packages you purchase are yours, permanently, and that you cannot
resell, copy, or redistribute them to anyone else, ever. In short, the
license is not transferable in any way.

Programming most Motorola portables and mobiles requires:

(1) A couple of different computers; One old/slow 386-16/33 or so
for the MS-DOS based stuff, and a modern Windows system (running W98 or
2000, preferably -- Don't even think about using XP) for the later
stuff.

(2) A Radio Interface Box, commonly called a RIB. Expect to spend
between $150-$250 for a good one (in other words, one that won't corrupt
a radio's codeplug). You will also need the appropriate RIB-to-computer
cable.

(3) Many, MANY different programming cables. Just to handle
Motorola's portable line alone will require at least six different
cables which run between $140-$260 each. You'll require still more if
you want to do mobiles.

(4) The RSS. Software package prices vary between $75 to over $300
depending on how late-model the radio is that you're trying to program,
and there are different packages for different radio models.

As for CPS, used for programming the HT1250's and other "Pro"
series radios, good luck -- I had to fight with Motorola to get mine,
and that was over a year ago. These days, my understanding is that you
have to be one of their "Most Favored" dealers to even apply for the
(separate from the normal RSS) license.

I hope that gives you some idea of what kind of arrogant, greedy,
stuck-up company (yes, I mean Motorola) that you're dealing with. They
treated their employees like dirt when I was with them years ago, and
they will do or say nearly anything to their customers to win the sale
-- and then start nickel and diming them to death for "upgrades" and
"support."

Part of why I started doing RF services through Blue Feather Tech
(my side business) was to spare hams who wanted to use Moto equipment
from having to deal with the RSS and programming hassles. I don't have
the facilities to handle large masses of programming jobs, nor do I want
to solicit 100%-commercial accounts, but if I can help with amateur
radio-related programming, just drop me a line.

I hope that helps. Happy hunting.

--
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute.
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR,
kyrrin (a/t) bluefeathertech[d=o=t]calm -- www.bluefeathertech.com
"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped
with surreal ports?"