Astro Saber Software
Astro Clock 3D screensaver will turn your PC to a Gate into the Space of Joy and eternal cosmic feast. Rotating Zodiac wheel will decorate your PC while helping to increase the quality of your time! Harmonize your rythms with the natural space cycles. ..
- AstroClock3DInst.exe
- FullScreensavers.com
- Shareware ($14.95)
- 7.14 Mb
- Win95, Win98, WinME, WinNT 4.x, WinXP, Windows2000, Windows2003, Windows Vista
This free Astro Gemini Shots Screensaver features a fabulous selection of the best examples of Astro Gemini's work. It represents a wide range of pictures on various subjects including marine, winter, space and lots of others.
- astrogeminipics.exe
- Freeware (Free)
- 2.62 Mb
- Win95, Win98, WinME, WinXP, Windows2000, Windows2003, Windows Vista, Windo
This outstanding Astro Gemini Collection Screensaver offers you a superb display of shots of the most popular Astro Gemini animated screensavers.
- astrogeminipics.exe
- Freeware (Free)
- 2.62 Mb
- Win95, Win98, WinME, WinXP, Windows2000, Windows2003, Windows Vista, Windo
You don't have any of Astro Gemini screensavers yet? Then download this great Astro Gemini Show Screensaver for free and enjoy an impressive slideshow featuring the best shots from Astro Gemini 3D Screensavers on a great variety of subjects!
- astrogeminipics.exe
- Freeware (Free)
- 2.62 Mb
- Win95, Win98, WinME, WinXP, Windows2000, Windows2003, Windows Vista, Windo
MB Astro Palmistry is an unique software that combines the knowledge of astrology and palmistry to add new conclusions about the lines on your palms. Know the astrological meanings of the shape of your hands, fingers and lines of your fingers.
- MBFreeAstroPalmistry.exe
- MysticBoard.com
- Freeware (Free)
- 1.38 Mb
- WinNT 4.x, Windows2000, WinXP, Windows2003, Windows Vista
SyncCell provides a fast and easy way to sync your Outlook and Lotus Calendar and Contacts to your Motorola RAZR mobile phone's Datebook. One mouse-click puts your appointments, meetings, and other data on your RAZR or other Motorola cellular phone.
- SyncCellSetup_apad.exe
- BIDCOM Technologies
- Shareware ($24.99)
- 6.62 Mb
- WinXP, Windows2000, Windows2003, Windows Vista
Nidesoft DVD to Motorola Converter is first and excellent DVD to Motorola ripper software, which could rip DVD to Motorolaphone video and music:3GP, AVI, WMV, MP4, WMA etc. and support all Motorola series CLIQ/DEXT Android,AURA, A3100,A1200, RAZR.
- dvd-to-motorola-converter.exe
- Nidesoft Inc.
- Shareware ($20.00)
- 4.96 Mb
- WinNT 4.x, Windows2000, WinXP, Windows2003, Windows Vista
Nidesoft MotorolaVideo Converter could convert video to Motorolamobile phone: Android CLIQ, AURA,RAZR V3, V8, Droid, etc.
- motorola-video-converter.exe
- Nidesoft Inc.
- Shareware ($20.00)
- 3.95 Mb
- WinNT 4.x, Windows2000, WinXP, Windows2003, Windows Vista
Convert all possible video files to MP4 format to playback on Motorola phones. Free Video to MotorolaPhones Converter supports plenty Motorola models and features advanced Preset Editor. You can save videos in high, standard and economy quality.
- FreeVideotoMotorolaPhonesConverter.exe
- DVDVideoSoft Ltd
- Freeware (Free)
- 18.27 Mb
- WinXP, WinVista x64, Win7 x32, Win7 x64, Windows Vista
Free Astro Boy Astro Boy Screensaver Download the Free Astro Boy Astro Boy Screensaver from ScenicReflections.com.
- astro_ss_1_setup.exe
- Scenic ReflectionsScreensavers
- Freeware (Free)
- 3.54 Mb
- Win95,Win98,WinME,WinNT 3.x,WinNT 4.x,Windows2000,WinXP,Windows2003,Win Vista
MB Free Astro Compatibility Test Software is an unique relationship compatibility test software that helps one analyze his/ her relationships based on the planetary positions at the time of birth. The calculations are based on the astrodynes.
- MBFreeAstroCompatibilityTestSoftware.exe
- MysticBoard.com
- Freeware (Free)
- 1.28 Mb
- WinNT 4.x, Windows2000, WinXP, Windows2003, Windows Vista
MB Free Astro Compatibility Test Software is an unique relationship compatibility test software that helps one analyze his/ her relationships based on the planetary positions at the time of birth. The calculations are based on the astrodynes.
- MBFreeAstroCompatibilityTestSoftware.exe
- MysticBoard.com
- Freeware (Free)
- 1.25 Mb
- WinNT 4.x, Windows2000, WinXP, Windows2003, Windows Vista
Related:Motorola Astro Saber - Astro Saber Depot - Astro Saber Reviews - Astro Saber Tuner - Motorola Astro Spectra
Astro Saber software The point of confusion here may be between Motorola RSS and CPS. The older DOS based Radio Service Software (RSS), required that you use a computer with a slow (by todays standards) processor. The newer windows based Customer Programming Software (CPS) is designed to run on todays faster machines. CPS R05.03.00. Astro Spectra. 2 Software Titles for ONE PRICE! eBay!
| Up one level (Moto Index) Back to Home | The Motorola Saber Information Page Information from Scott Lichtsinn KBØNLY, Ric Letson NB2E, Skip Chestnut KC2MCV, and Duane Park N6DSP |
Web page maintained by Robert Meister WA1MIK
I know nothing about this equipment so please don't ask!
UHF Motorola Sabers I, II and III
Mid band and VHF high band models look the same except for the antenna length.
There are several different length batteries available.
(anybody have a better photo?)
If anyone would like to provide information to update this web page please send it to the page maintainer listed above.
Introduction:
The original Saber family was develped for the US military around 1989, and is noted for its long, thin shape. The Saber receiver probably has the best selectivity that has ever been seen in a portable. Rtbf auvio. These handhelds are tough, popular radios still in use in the military / industrial / public service / commercial and private user environment. The basic Saber and the more advanced Systems Saber were officially labeled obsolete and Motorola depot repair for them ended 31 Dec 2005. The Astro Saber product line was discontinued as of 31 Dec 2002. Accessories for the Astro Saber will be supported through 2008, and the Systems Saber and original Saber use many of those. Because of abandonment of the Saber line, and the upcoming narrowbanding rules they are being replaced by the MTS and XTS series (note that the Astro Saber will do narrowband, the Saber will not). As a result we are seeing a LOT of surplused Sabers and they are relatively inexpensive on the used market plus they are available from several sources (you can find VHF or UHF 12 channel Saber 1s for US$50-$100). With that in mind, it's time to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various Saber models, some of which sold for US$3,000 new (or US$4,000 for a trunked, encrypted Astro Saber).
Note that 'Astro' is Motorola's marketing name for a digital radio. 'Astro' digital modulation originally was a proprietary format and NOT even close to P25. There are later versions of 'Astro' that will do P25 (introduced around 1996), but basic 'Astro' does not. Neither VSELP (Vector Sum Excited Linear Prediction) or IMBE (Improved Multi-Band Excitation) digital modulation is similar to P25 or have been produced and supported by Motorola since late 1995. Since 1996 the only digital mode from motorola on the Astro line be it portable or mobile has been P25). Astro25 is the Motorola name for the P25 digital modulation in an Astro radio.
There is a consistent rumor that the XTS3000 is a repackaged Astro Saber with a few updates, one of which is a microprocessor with a larger address space. That increased memory space allowed the addition of some additional features.
Back to the Saber..
There are several series of handheld radios in Motorola's Saber line. These include the original Saber I, the Saber IE, the Saber II and the Saber III, the Astro Saber family, the Saber SI family, Systems Saber family (which offers trunked models) and the SSE5000. It's not unusual to see the I / IE / II / III written as 1, 1E, 2 and 3, especially on eBay auctions. If you are earching for a particular radio, like a Saber III, make sure that you search for both forms (i.e. both Saber III and Saber 3).
The MX1000, MX2000 and MX3000 are the export version of the Saber I, II and III, with the only major difference being the model tags on the case, and the firmware in the microprocessor (this means that the Saber accessories will work). Two changes in the firmware are that (1) they do not support the non-exportable encryption modules and (2) they can only be programmed with the MX1000 / 2000 / 3000 RSS.
The basic differences:
- The Saber I is the most basic of Sabers. This radio has 12 channels and it is available as either a Secure Capable or Non-Secure radio.
- The Saber IE (also known as a 1E) is capable of 24 channels by having two zones of 12 channels each. What is normally the Secure / Clear switch on top now selects between the two zones. The top escutcheon on one radio that I have had in my hand has a single dot for zone 1 and two dots for zone 2. I have seen others that have an A or B on the top escutcheon. You could also use the zone selector switch and some careful programming as a way to select Talk-Around or Direct for each repeater (i.e. simplex on the output frequency), by programming zone one with twelve repeaters and zone two with the matching talk-around frequency. This way if you're on any channel, a flip of the switch gives you talk-around. In a Saber IE secure radio you then have the option of slaving the secure transmit to specific modes so that you can still use the top switch to select zones, or assign the switch to secure/clear use and losing the second zone.
The Saber IE also has the different front shield assembly. It includes a small memory board and connecting cable in the position that would be used for the display board in a Saber II or III. The part number for the front assembly should be NTN5686A. The radio's on-board memory is insufficient to accommodate 24 channels and needs the extra board. - The Saber II is capable of either four zones of twelve channels, or ten zones of twelve channels. The difference is in the front shield assembly. The 48-channel radio has 2 KB of memory and when disassembled will have four surface-mount ICs on the back of the front display board. The 120-channel radio has 8 KB on the front display board in five surface-mount ICs. However, there is an exception to this rule. If an 8k radio is programmed as a 2k radio by selecting option H670 Omit memory - 2k memory option under Radio Feature Options in the RSS, it will appear to be the same as a 2k radio. It can be restored to an 8k radio with some trickery, but that's another article!
- The Saber III is basically a Saber II with the full keypad. It offers multple channels and zones, analog only, no trunking. The full keypad allows you to use some other options such as user programmable scan and DTMF. Otherwise it's the same radio as a II.
- The Systems Saber is capable of analog trunking operation and it has increased channel capacity, up to 255 channels. Yes, there are other feature changes, such as the buttons are reprogrammable (the ones on the regular Saber are not), but I will not get into the nitty gritty of the exact differences in this article. Please note, you must use the Systems Saber RSS to program this radio. If you use any other software, it will not work, and you may damage the radio.
- The Astro Saber is a totally different radio internally than the original Saber. The only thing they share is that they are similar size and shape and they use the same battery and battery charger. It will do both wideband and narrowband analog on a per-channel basis plus added digital capability including multiple encryption keys (Option H869), OTACR (Over The Air Channel Reassignment) and OTACS (Over The Air Channel Steering). Not all the Astro Sabers are digital, however. Another article will have to be dedicated to describing it.
The Saber series is very ham-friendly. The Saber II and III have handy features such as MPL (Multiple PL select), nuisance delete - the temporary deletion of a busy channel from the scan list (a feature I think all radios should have since it is so handy), and many more!
Sabers that do features like scan do so via cumbersome menus, while Systems Sabers do it via direct button presses. Astro Sabers, unlike Systems Sabers, will remember scan state through a channel change. Systems Sabers only allow one MDC ID per radio, while Astro Sabers allow you to enable multiple MDC 'systems' and select which system goes with which channel. This feature is nice if you have, for example, both Police and the Fire channels in your radio but different MDC IDs.
The SSE5000 is a model of Saber manufactured by Motorola's Special Products Division specifically for the New York city Police Department;never having seen one (I'm on the left coast) I have no clue of its options. But someone saw this comment.. From an email to repeater-builder:
From what I remember, the NYPD radio had a modified case. The two small buttons below the PTT button were were covered over (the cut outs were not there). The reason - the first batch of Saber's the NYPD ordered had the buttons, but the rubber membrane covering them quickly came off, requiring a case change. The cases also had custom engraving with an in-house serial number on the back of the radio. The batteries also were engraved on the front with 'NYCPD'. As far as the insides, I don't remember of any SP mods to the radio. They were all 470-512 MHz versions.
There is also a version of the Saber which carries an R suffix (i.e. Saber 1R, Saber 2R). These are ruggedized versions of the Saber originally built for the Military: the Marine Corps, Navy Seals, Green Berets, and other units requiring an ultra-rugged radio for field communications. The cases are completely different and incompatible with standard Saber case parts, batteries and many accessories.
The Mobile Vehicular Adapter (MVA) or Convertacom for the Saber I, II, III or Astro Saber radios is the NTN5487B or NTN5487C. In some catalogs it's called the Saber Vehicular Adapter or SVA. It includes a battery charger, external antenna hookups and on some models an RF amplifier. This unit effectively converts the Saber handheld to a mobile radio and have been seen on eBay for as low as $15. The unit requires the microphone (model NMN6150A) that was made for the unit as it includes an LCD display and a keypad. A standard mic will not work.
There are several speaker-mics for the Saber, one is the NMN6217B, (list price at the time of this writing is over US$140) another is the NMN6128. The Hirose Adapter is the NTN5664D. The UHF Public Safety speaker-mics have a straight cord and an antenna on top of the speaker-mic head. If anyone knows who makes the raw cable for the public safety speaker-mic please let WA6ILQ know.
The desktop single-unit Saber / Astro Saber rapid charger is a NTN4734A.The basic battery is a NTN4592. The 'intrinsically safe' batteries are the NTN5155A or NTN4657A, (7.5 Volts).
The multiple (or 'gang') charger for the Saber / Astro Saber series is the NTN4976 (110-120 vAC) and NTN4977 (220-240v AC) unit. It has six pockets and can charge ni-cad and ni-mh batteries. The service manual is part number 6881106C66-D and is a 1.97 MB PDF. It can be downloaded here. The manual lists the 22 different battery model numbers that fit the Sabers and Astro Sabers. The same charger can be used on HT600, MT1000, P200, HT1000, MT2000, and VISAR radios by changing the pocket plastic piece (no, it's one piece of plastic for all 6 pockets, you can't mix the pockets like you could with the HT200, HT220 and MT500).
The Astro Saber radios use a SMA connector for the antenna, the rest use the standard 1/4 inch diameter by 32 threads per inch threaded antenna bushing like the HT-600/MT-1000, GP-68, GP300, etc. Some of the Sabers have a small, recessed, plunger type button located just under the retaining screw receptacle on the radio. This is how the radio decides whether to use the internal or external antenna. When pressed in, it selects the external antenna. If you have an Astro Saber (with the SMA fitting) remember that the radio is the male connector and the antenna is the female. If you are going to convert from the SMA to something else be very careful about which adapter you use. There are some cheap adapters (especially those on ebay by sellers out of China or Hong Kong) that have a recessed center pin on the female side. This causes major problems since the center pin on the radio may not make contact and you will be transmitting into an open (to use a Martha Stewart term, this is A Bad Thing). Personally, if I owned an Astro Saber I'd just bite the bullet and buy the 'real' adapter from Moto parts (anybody have the part number? I'll put it here).
In this writeup we will be discussing the more common Saber I / IE / II / III series of radios.
First a general explanation of Secure vs. Non-Secure:
'Secure' is a generic name for voice encryption. There are several methods some of which are exportable, and some of which are not. You will find terms like Digitally Encryption System (DES), DES/XL, Digital Voice Privacy (DVP) and DVP/XL.
Encryption also requires the loading of a hexadecimal encryption key (16 to 24 characters depending on the encryption method - DES, DVI, DVP, etc.) into the radio with a Key Variable Loader (KVL). Each radio needs to have the same key if they are going to communicate with each other. A KVL resembles a handheld radio but with a numeric display and membrane keypad. There are also Secure modules that offer Over-The-Air Rekeying (OTAR). This option allows the encryption key to be updated over the air.
Note that a Secure Saber radio is longer in length; these are known as Secure-Capable radios and is easily distinguished by a flat area of the case, about 5/8' in length, between the speaker grill and the battery. A Non-Secure Saber has the shorter case that ends at the bottom of the speaker grill. The interior components are interchangeable except for the metal frame, which of course matches the case length, and the main board that the modules plug into, which is also the same length and has the location at the bottom end for the Secure module to be installed. The use of encryption on a Secure-equipped Saber is not mandatory and is selectable by a switch on the top of the radio. The switch is labeled O for Clear Operation and Ø for Secure Operation. Encryption can also be user enabled, fully disabled, or required on a per channel basis in the software. You can also have a Secure capable radio without a Secure module installed - in this case there is a 'Bypass' or dummy module installed containing nothing but a wire jumper.. or that may be missing and there may only be a wire jumper soldered across the back of the empty socket (see the photo below).
What model of Motorola Saber should I buy?
The basic differences between a Saber I, IE, II and III are:
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Notes:
1: Two different models of radio - one with 2k of memory, the other with 8k.
2: The 3 keys of the Saber II plus a 12-button pad that is also used for DTMF. There is no 16 button DTMF option.
This question has a very roundabout answer; the 'Model' number scheme varies across the Saber line of radios and is not a reliable source of information about a given radio. To determine the frequency band / options of a given radio you need to decode the 'Factory ID' number on the label on the back of the Saber. Some Sabers have model numbers and Factory IDs that are the same. If you have a recased Saber then there may be no label, or it may be absolutely irrelevant, as it could be for whatever was in that case origially (i.e. a completely different radio).
The Factory ID of a VHF Saber is formatted as the letter H (For Handheld), then two numbers (usually 33 or 43 in high band, or 34 or 44 on UHF), then three letters, then some additional letters or numbers, then finally a two letter combination of either AN, BN or CN. The Factory ID can be decoded using the following table.
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Notes:
[1]: Transmit Power: a 3 is the low power version of that band and split, while a 4 is the high power version of that band and split. There were no H32 series Sabers made. Two power levels are shown for everything except 66-88 MHz because each band has its own low and high power values (two different power amplifier modules). Also the high power radios have adjustable low and high power levels via the RSS and low or high can be assigned to each channel. So a high power radio can still have a low power setting.
[2]: Environmental / Security: SA and YB are the short-case radios. QX and YX are the long-case radios.
[3]: Model Revision: A Saber I is not capable of scan even if it is a C revision.
The above sample model number H43SAJ7139CN decodes to a 6 Watt VHF Saber with no encryption capability, a 3 key keypad and display (i.e. a Saber II), with a US binary core, wide band channeling, 12 channels and is Scan Capable.
There are also some models that are not in the manuals I looked at, but exist (according to filings at CSA International):
VHF Models H33/43 and UHF Models H34/44 followed by TUN5170XN, TUB517OXN, TUK517OXN, YUN5170XN, YUB5170XM.
You can not tell a Saber's bandsplit by the Factory ID, only the band (Midband, VHF or UHF). To determine the actual frequency range (bandsplit) within the band you must do one of these:
1) Read the radio with the Motorola RSS (Radio Service Software), or
2) Disassemble the radio and read the part numbers off the actual modules.
Band Changing:
Modules from a VHF radio are a different design than the modules from a UHF, so you can not change the band of a radio with a module swap, but you can change the band split (i.e. the range within the band) by swapping modules from a radio in another split. More on this later!
Common Frequency Bandsplits Include:
MIDBAND: Two ranges in midband:
- 66-84 MHz
- 74-88 MHz
Note from WA6ILQ:
There is a consistent and repeating story that someone has modified a Saber to the 6 meter amateur band, specifically the USA national calling frequency of 52.525 MHz, and someone else has moved one to 220 MHz. Every time I try to follow up on the story or track it down it's 'I heard that someone..', but nobody knows who that 'someone' is. If anybody actually has moved a Saber to 52 MHzor to 220 MHz then Repeater-builder.com would be happy to host a conversion article.
VHF ranges:
- 136-150.8 MHz - Government/military surplus and usually referred to as the government split. Programs up on amateur, MARS or CAP channels with no problems.
- 146-162 MHz - This will cover the entire USA 144-148 MHz amateur band with modifications to the RSS.
- 146-174 MHz - Wideband split.
- 148-174 MHz - This is a wideband split only found in low power H33 series Sabers.
- 157-174 MHz - This is the most useless VHF split to an amateur, but they make good trading radios or parts radios. Also, these can be changed to a more desirable band split by swapping the modules. For example if you had a Saber III on this split and a Saber I on 136‑150 MHz you could swap the modules around and end up with a 136‑150 MHz Saber III and a 157‑174 MHz Saber I you could sell to someone on a commercial channel (perhaps on eBay).
UHF ranges:
- 403-433 MHz - Government / military surplus and usually referred to as the government split. These are useless for USA ham use as they will not cover the 440-450 MHz (repeater) segment of the amateur band. The highest I got one to program and operate was 436 MHz. Beyond that the VCO would unlock and there is no easy way to fix it. (Note from WA6ILQ: Sabers have been seen as low as 395 MHz but I have no technical info on them.)
- 440-470 MHz - The absolute perfect USA amateur split radio! Will stretch down as far as 438 with no problems.
- 458-490 MHz - This split will not extend down to the ham band, making it a trading radio or a parts radio.
- 482-512 MHz - Again, not useful to an amateur.. Another trading radio or a parts radio.
Ebay descriptions can be deceiving.. I have seen low split radios with something in the 154 range programmed in.. Yes it worked, but the radio was a low split and receive sensitivity was very poor. Also, some ebay sellers have realized that the low split is less valuable than anything else, and desirable only to hams and CAP and have started slamming them with mid or high split codeplugs. The radio will take it because it doesn't know any better until the VCO unlocks, so they will put a mid or high split codeplug in the radio and then program it with a few channels that relate to its original bandsplit so the VCO stays locked. That gives you the appearance of a mid or high split radio, and it works, until you reprogram it and the VCO unlocks.
Kris Kirby KE4AHR has put together a nice XLS spreadsheet that summarizes the Saber model and feature information. It can be downloaded here.
Saber Modules:
Think of the Saber radio as a computer: it's a main board with everything plugged into that. The Saber has five basic modules and a 16.8 MHz Reference Oscillator plugged into the main board. A Secure-Capable radio will either have a Bypass module or some sort of a Secure module installed as well. The Bypass module routes transmit audio in place of the Secure module. If you end up with a secure-capable radio that transmits but has no transmit audio, check to see if there is a bypass or secure module installed (they are frequently removed before being surplused). If it is missing a simple wire jumper can be installed to simulate a bypass module.
I have accumulated some of the part numbers and descriptions of the various modules. This is not a complete or all-inclusive list. If you have any changes or additions please let me know; some of the manuals are out of print and no longer available. I will provide the module numbers and splits as printed in the manuals that I own.
Note from WA6ILQ:
I received a letter in my P.O. Box with no return address. The letter stated that someone purchased a box of second hand Sabers on an eBay auction and mixed into the collection was a H42QXN7139CN Secure Saber I with frequencies spread across 74 to 88 MHz. He inventoried the modules in the radio and included the list in his letter. So that's where the 66‑88 MHz part numbers in the list came from - Thanks!
The 'x' on the end of each part number stands for the revision letter of the part: A, B, C, D, etc.
- Reference Oscillator = This is the same component for the entire series. VHF and UHF all use the same crystal. Also, the HT600 used the same crystal in case you get a Saber that has had this removed to disable the radio before sale; not too uncommon a practice.
- NXN6268x, 16.8 MHz. Standard for the series, however a 'XN6269A' was found in the 74-88 MHz radio. We suspect that the rubber stamp at the factory didn't make full contact and left off the leading 'N'.
- Synthesizer: The radio's VCO comes in various splits. The VHF radios use two different splits to cover the entire range, whereas the UHF has four! I have not been able to locate the part number of the mid-band synthesizer.
- Unknown = 66-84 MHz
- NLC6241A = 74-88 MHz
- NLD8201x = 136-150.8 MHz
- NLD8210x = 146-178 MHz Used in 146-162, 148-174, and 157-174 splits.
- NLE9461x = 403-433 MHz 'Government' split
- NLE9462x = 440-470 MHz
- NLE9463x = 460-490 MHz
- NLE9464x = 482-512 MHz
- Receiver and 5-Pole Front End Filter: These two components make up one module: the 5-pole filter is the bottom half of this module and the receiver is the top half. On the VHF radio, the same receiver is used for the entire range; the 5-Pole filter determines the sub-split in use.
- Receivers
- Unknown = 66-84 MHz
- NLC6231A = 74-88 MHz
- NLD8180x = 136-174 MHz. Used for all of the VHF sub-splits.
- NLE9431x = 403-433 MHz. Govt. split
- NLE9432x = 440-470 MHz.
- NLE9433x = 460-490 MHz.
- NLE9434x = 482-512 MHz.
- NLE9501x = 403-433 MHz. 12.5 kHz spacing only!
- NLE9502x = 440-470 MHz. 12.5 kHz spacing only!
- 5-Pole Filters
- ???????? = (I don't think the 5-pole filter module was used in the 66-88 MHz radio)
- NFD6091x = 136-150.8 MHz.
- NFD6092x = 146-162 MHz.
- NFE????x = 403-433 MHz.
- NFE????x = 440-470 MHz.
- NFE????x = 460-490 MHz.
- NFE????x = 482-512 MHz.
- 2-Pole Filters = A separate module present in VHF radios between the receiver and FDS. The UHF radios do not have this separate filter module.
- Unknown = 66-84 MHz
- NLC6382A = 74-88 MHz
- NLD6111x = 136-150.8 MHz.
- NLD6112x = 146-162 MHz.
- NLD????x = 146-174 MHz.
- NFD6112A = 'SABER VHF TWO POLE MODULE MID/HI SPLIT' (from an ebay auction)
Mid/High is the 146-162 split. The part was actually labeled with that part number (visible in the photo), but it could have been a misprinted NLD6112A. - Filter, Detector, Switch (FDS) = Responsible for steering RF between the receiver and transmitter and also selecting the internal and external antenna connections. (A fancy name for a solid-state T/R relay!)
- Unknown = 66-84 MHz
- NLC6251A = 74-88 MHz
- NFD6131x = 136-150.8 MHz
- NFD6132x = 146-178 MHz. Used in 146-162, 146-174, and 148-174 split radios.
- NFE6061x = 403-470 MHz.
- NFE6062x = 470-512 MHz.
- Power Amplifier = The PA modules are where you can move around a bit. You can put a wide split PA in a narrow split radio since it still covers the range needed. Also, you can put a low split PA in a mid split radio to give better performance at the bottom end of the ham band, provided you will not need full transmit power above 150 MHz, this allows you to have a greater receive bandwidth while maximizing transmit performance on the ham band.
- Unknown = 66-84 MHz
- NLC6261A = 74-88 MHz
- NLD8121x = 136-150.8 MHz High Power 6W
- NLD8773x = 146-174 MHz High Power 6W
- NLD8122x = 146-162 MHz High Power 6W
- NLD8133x = 146-178 MHz Low Power 2.5W
- NLD8123x = 157-174 MHz High Power 6W
- NLE9471x = 403-433 MHz High Power 5W
- NLE9472x = 440-470 MHz High Power 5W
- NLE9473x = 460-490 MHz High Power 5W
- NLE9474x = 482-512 MHz High Power 5W
- Secure Modules
- NTN4711 Non-Smartnet DVP
- NTN4712 Non-Smartnet DES (replaced with NTN1072)
- NTN4713 Non-Smartnet DVP-XL (replaced with NTN1074)
- NTN4714 Non-Smartnet DES-XL (replaced with NTN1071)
- NTN4720 Secure BYPASS module - can be either silver dummy or plastic
- NTN5832 Smartnet DVP
- NTN5833 Smartnet DES (replaced with NTN1072)
- NTN5834 Smartnet DVP-XL (replaced with NTN1073 *cancelled)
- NTN5835 Smartnet DES-XL (replaced with NTN1071)
- NTN5755 Multikey DVP (DVP = Digital Voice Privacy or Digital Voice Protection)
- NTN5756 Multikey DVP-XL
- NTN5757 Multikey DES (DES = Data Encryption Standard)
- NTN5758 Multikey DES-XL
- NTN5759 Multikey DVI-XL (DVI = Digital Voice International)
- NTN5760 OTAR DVP (OTAR = Over The Air Rekeying)
- NTN5761 OTAR DVP-XL
- NTN5762 OTAR DES
- NTN5763 OTAR DES-XL
- NTN7288 Multikey DVP (replaced with NTN5755)
- NTN7289 Multikey DVP-XL (replaced with NTN5756)
- NTN7290 Multikey DES (replaced with NTN5757)
- NTN7991 Multikey DES-XL (replaced with NTN5758)
- NTN7992 Multikey DVP-XL (replaced with NTN5759)
- NTN7298 FASCINATOR (Controlled Cryptographic Item - CCI)
Under the Hood:
Getting a wrench into the radio..
| The photos in this section are all thumbnail photos. If you click on the thumbnail the corresponding large photo will be displayed at full browser size - and they are LARGE files. Those of you that are on dialup.. consider yourself warned.. |
These photos are a darker than I was hoping for, but getting decent photos was very difficult. The conformal coating on the boards is very shiny and the reflected flash bounced back and ruin the photo.
This is what it looks like without the case
Here is is with the modules identified
The secure capable radio is longer and uses a different motherboard and frame
The flip side of the above picture
A view showing the one-wire mod that bypasses the encryption module position
About Motorola's Programming Software / Hardware:
The RSS and RIB
Motorola's Radio Service Software, which is needed for programming and alignment of the Saber line of handhelds can be licensed and obtained on disk by calling Motorola Parts at 800-422-4210. To purchase the software license you must agree to and sign a license form attesting that you will not resell the software, distribute the software or otherwise allow it to be used by unlicensed users. And the software is not cheap. Repeater-builder has a separate web page with several in-depth articles on RSS and on the RIB, it can be found from the Motorola page. A copy of the Motorola RSS license is linked off that page.
The Part Number for Saber RSS is RVN4002K. Version 07.01.00 is the newest as of the writing of this document, with a release date of 12/13/1995. The Part Number for the Saber RSS manual is 6881062C95. The Systems Saber RSS is RVN4051F version R04.00.00, and the Systems Saber RSS Manual is part number 6881060C25. The Part Number for the license form you will be required to sign is RPX4719G. Anyone programming Sabers needs to have a copy of the appropriate programming manual, as many options for the Saber are undocumented in the software screens or the help files and have rather cryptic abbreviations and descriptions. And the help file is not THAT useful.
Note that the Saber, Astro Saber and System Saber III RSS packages are *NOT* compatible. You need to use the software specified for your radio. System Sabers have 8K of available memory that you assign as needed. Once you use all 8K, you are out of room for anything else. ALL of the programmed information goes there: Channel frequencies, scan lists, PL codes, DPL codes, MDC codes, single tone and othersignaling all go in that 8K. Yes, that's what was available in a single EEPROM chip at the time the radio was designed, but 8K is really NOT enough for what this radio can or should do, and nobody has come up with a mod to replace the memory chip with a larger one, or to piggyback a second one onto the board. And if you could pack 16K into a radio you'd still have to convince the RSS to use it. And the Systems Saber / Astro Saber / Saber differences also extend to the accessories - for example, from what I have been told, the display microphone used with the SVA (mobile adapter) is different between the System Saber, Saber and Astro Saber.
The hardware required to program a Motorola Saber includes:
- A low end (386) computer running MS-DOS, with all cache memory disabled), and using a faster computer WILL turn good radios into bricks). Don't even think of running ANY version of Windows - this has to be a straight DOS computer. We are NOT kidding here. This is one case where slower is better. The required characteristics of the programming computer are described in depth on the RSS pages mentioned above. The newest revision of the Saber software is still too old to have the speed fix that is mentioned there applied.
I repeat, find an old 386 DOS computer no faster than 50 MHz and with a real COM (serial) port. Desktop or laptop, it doesn't matter, except that many laptops do not give you the option to switch off the cache memory.
From an email to Repeater-Builder (referring to computer speed problems corrupting Saber codeplugs):I've had the same problem only I've blown two 2nd level EEproms on Saberradios while triing to write to them with anything faster than a 386. Icalled the local motorola rep here and asked if they have had the sameproblem. His reply was that they keep a XT around just for programmingradios. He said that it is very slow but doesn't blow $132.00 EEPROMS. - A Programming Radio Interface Box (the 'RIB', Part Number RLN4008x (where 'x' is a letter), or equivalent replacement).
- The Saber-specific programming cable to go from the RIB to the radio (part number RTK4203C or equivalent replacement). If you have an extra speaker-mic connector (the one that goes on the side of the radio) you can make this yourself from that connector, a length of three-conductor cable, and a DB25F connector (and a shell for it).The manual for the RTK4203C Test Set and Programming Adapter Cable can be found here as a 287 kB PDF file, courtesy of Kris Kirby KE4AHR.
There are many people manufacturing RIBs and programming cables that work just as well as Motorola's branded equipment. Be sure that the RIB you purchase is guaranteed to be 100% compatible with Motorola's RLN4008.
The sections of the radio programmed by the RSS are the Internal and External COPE and the CORE Options.
- COPE = 'Control of Peripheral Electronics' - This is the subsystem which is the front shield assembly on Saber IIs and IIIs. It consists of extended memory, display electronics, keypad functionality, and the DTMF generator. A Saber I does not have a COPE processor because it does not have the front display board.
- CORE = 'Control of Radio Electronics' - controls the actual radio transceiver itself. The CORE number is the main board processor / firmware version.
Changing the Band Limits in the RSS:
The RSS can easily be hex-edited to allow out-of-band programming, rather than editing each channel individually. For example, on the 146-162 MHz and 148-174 MHz splits I moved the bottom end to 144 MHz. However, if you read a radio that is programmed as a 146-162 MHz radio it will default to such in the RSS. You have to create a new codeplug from scratch by selecting the newly available 144-162 MHz or 144-174 MHz splits, then filling it with the frequency, tone, etc, information. Once the radio has been loaded with the new codeplug (i.e. programmed with the new split) it will continue to be read as such, so you only have to do this once.
For detailed instructions on this process click here: Hex editing the Saber RSS to allow out of band programming.
Upgrading Sabers to Support Additional Features:
The CORE firmware is run by the radios 68HC11 series microprocessor. Options that are determined by the CORE version (such as QuickCall-II decode, MDC600 or MDC1200 Signaling, StatAlert and a plethora of other options that most Amateurs have no interest in, as well as the radio's scan capability) can not typically be upgraded without replacement of the CPU board. This is not usually cost effective as the CPU boards are around $100 US. The common core versions for Sabers are 5D, 6D and 8D. A 5D is a more basic CORE, a 6D is capable of QC-II Decoding and Repeater Access Tone Encoding and an 8D CORE is capable of the previous options and StatAlert. There may be additional options but these are the differences I'm aware of.
A Saber II can be upgraded to a Saber III by replacing the front panel with one that has a keypad, the DTMF Encoder and 8k of memory. The process is rather intensive and is not for the faint of heart as it requires deliberate corruption of the internal codeplug (flash memory contents) in order to convince the radio to accept programming with a Factory ID that differs from what it believes it should be. A separate tutorial will be written on this topic detailing this process in the near future.
Adding Channels to a Saber:
Method 1 (Expansion from 12 channels to 15 channels):
This is accomplished by removing the knob cover from the channel selector switch, removing the tabbed cover from the switch post, removing the metal stop tab ring from the switch by turning the radio over and tapping it on the desk and replacing the tabbed cover to the switch post and snapping the knob cover back into place. You must then add the additional channels to the codeplug file in your RSS Archive directory.
For detailed instructions on this process click here: Expanding a Saber from 12 Channels to 15 Channels.
This method will allow 15 channels in a single zone but be warned, do not fill all of the zones with 15 channels. The codeplug memory does not allocate a chunk of RAM for each channel and N times a chunk for a zone - each channel takes up a chunk and if you run out of memory you will end up with weird things happening in the radio such as duplicate channels across zones that look just fine on the RSS screens.
Method 2 (Conversion from a Saber I to a Saber IE):
A Saber IE is the same as a Secure Saber I except the clear / coded switch is used to switch between two zones of 12 channels. It also has an additional memory board in the front shield assembly. The part number for the board and connecting cable kit is NTN5686A. You would then create a Saber IE codeplug and flash it to the radio.
Manuals:
Useful manual part numbers: (If anyone has additional info please send it in)
- 6881044C05A Saber Theory / Maintenance Manual
- 6881065C60 Saber I Instruction Manual
- 6881065C65 Saber II and III Instruction Manual
- 6881048C40 Saber III Operator's Manual
- 6881060C10 System Saber, Saber ATS Instruction Manual
- 6881060C20 System Saber, Saber ATS Theory / Maintenance Manual
- 6881067C10 System Saber, VHF Service Manual
- 6881066C95 System Saber, UHF Service Manual
- 6881076C05 Astro Digital Saber Basic Service Manual
- 6881076C10 Astro Digital Saber Detailed Service Manual
- 6881072C75 Astro Digital Saber I VHF, UHF, 800 Operators/User Manual
- 6881072C80 Astro Digital Saber II, III VHF, UHF, 800 Operators/User Manual
- 6881098E85 Astro Digital Saber I VHF, UHF, 800 Service Software Manual
- 6880309E44 Astro Saber/Saber Si Service Cable Manual
- 6881060C10C Systems Saber Operating Instructions
- 6881058C70 Saber Vehicular Adapter Instruction manual
- 6881061C60A Saber Vehicular Adapter Operating Instructions
Accessories / Antennas:
Heliflex antennas:
- 8505816K22 136-150 MHz
- 8505816K21 146-162 MHz (will work down to 144 MHz)
- 8505816K23 157-174 MHz
- 8505816K24 403-433 MHz
- 8505816K25 440-470 MHz
- 8505816K26 460-512 MHz
Older antennas:
- VHF 136-151 MHz Yellow paint dot
- VHF 151-162 MHz Black paint dot
- VHF 162-174 MHz Blue paint dot
- UHF 403-435 MHz Red paint dot
- UHF 435-470 MHz Green paint dot
- UHF 470-512 MHz Black paint dot
Does anyone have a photo showing the colored base/dot?
Summary:
The Sabers best suited to amateur radio use are the 136-150 MHz and 146-162/174 MHz bandsplits for 2m operation and the 440-470 MHz bandsplit for 70cm operation. As mentioned above, the 403-433 MHz radio will only 'reach' to about 436 MHz and hence is just not capable of operation in the repeater segment of the USA 70cm amateur band.
What I look for when purchasing Sabers is ideally a Saber III or a 120 Channel Saber II, Secure Capable (not Secure Equipped necessarily). If you need DTMF for repeater functions, auto patch or the like then you most certainly want a Saber III or plan on upgrading the front panel of a II. Note that all DTMF Sabers are 12-button DTMF - Motorola never made a 16-button DTMF Saber (that I know of). The DTMF tones are created by the main CPU and I'll bet that the firmware has no concept of 1633 Hz.
And I've seen a tiny 16-button DTMF pad on the back of a speaker-mic housing (not a Moto one) cabled to a Saber radio.
Other Information:
Contact Information:
The author can be contacted at: his-callsign // at // repeater-builder // dot // com.
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Motorola Astro Saber
The Motorola and Saber names / marks are Trademarks of Motorola Inc.
Text is Copyright © 2005 and 2010 by Scott Lichtsinn KBØNLY, Ric Letson NB2E, Skip Chestnut KC2MCV, and Duane Park N6DSP
Hand coded HTML Copyright © 2005 and 2010 by Mike Morris WA6ILQ.
All Rights Reserved, including that of paper and web publication elsewhere.
This web page, this web site, the information presented in and on its pages and in these modifications and conversions is © Copyrighted 1995 and (date of last update) by Kevin Custer W3KKC and multiple originating authors. All Rights Reserved, including that of paper and web publication elsewhere.