Waris
Contents
- 1 Waris
- 2 Programming and Flash Cables
- 3 220 HT1250ls and CDM 1550ls
- 4 UHF 450-527 Ham Band Mod
- 5 CDM Low Band Range 3 to 46-54 MHz
- 6 HT 1550
- 7 Code Plug Map
- 7.1 passwords
- 7.2 Codeplug Map
- 7.2.1 Tuning length
- 7.2.2 Tuning Checksum
- 7.2.3 Feature Length
- 7.2.4 Block Header
- 7.2.5 Serial Number
- 7.2.6 Model Number
- 7.2.7 Codeplug Version
- 7.2.8 Programing Source
- 7.2.9 Programing Date
- 7.2.10 Channel Step
- 7.2.11 Base Frequency
- 7.2.12 Low Frequency
- 7.2.13 High Frequency
- 7.2.14 Code Plug Part Number
- 7.2.15 TANAPA
- 7.2.16 Region
- 7.2.17 CHD 0x2DD
- 7.2.18 2E0:1
- 8 Flashing
- 9 Software & Docs
Waris
This was originally put together when I got into the HT1250 200 MHz radios. They modified ok, but the way of doing it as suggested left much to be desired, and the DTMF pad didn't work and the radios were narrow band only.
Over time, I've gotten more into these with the CDM1250/1550 and other waris series radios. I've not seen any of the European ones, but I've been working with the US versions for FM service in ham radio.
What I've found is the radios features are determined by the "codeplug" settings. This is simply a packed (hex) data written into the eeprom chip of the radio containing tuning, feature and programing data. This is the same area the programing data from CPS is written in, but CPS is unable to change it. The majority of modification of these radios to amateur service is done with modifications to the codeplug. The codeplug layout appears to be the same for most US versions of the radios, but there are some which are different.
Types of Radios
HT's
HT750 - No Display, 4 or 16 channels
HT1250 - One line display, multiple channels up to 128
HT1250ls - limited version of the HT1250, normally missing MDC on conventional
HT1550xls - 4 line display radio, 160 channels, VHF/UHF only
EX500 - No display, smaller submersible radio, 16 channels
EX560xls - one line, smaller submersible radio,
EX600 - one line
EX600xls - one line, 160 channels
CP200 - no display, 4/16 channels
CP200xls -
PR400 - VHF 1/VHF 2, UHF 1/UHF 2/UHF 3 - comes in 16, 32 or, 64 channels
GP series from EMEA
These have EMEA (Latin America/export) versions known as GP
GP340 - HT750
Note I got a GP340 in LB2 when I was in Germany. As they use the euro CPS for 5 tone I wanted to get it going as a US version with MDC and newer firmware. The 5 tone HT's all use 512k flash memory, not the 128k of the HT750/1250 (1550 is 512k), and I was able to flash it using the unofficial kit, then put a default codeplug in it. It took me trying a couple default codeplugs to find one that works. After this I flashed it to R05.18.01 using the normal tools.
What might be interesting would being able to convert the LB GP340 to HT1550 as the GP's all have the 512k Flash ram. A default code plug would need to be edited from an HT1550 for low-band. Theoretically this should work, the parts line up.
GP344 - EX500
GP360 - HT1250
GP366 - EX560xls
GP380 - HT1250
GP580 - HT1250 ls?
GP680 - MPT 1250
GP1280 - MPT 1550
Mobiles
CDM/PRO US/CALA/APAC MDC
These are the series most people see here in the USA. They will do analog voice and come in many different models determined by the control head.
There is no N head for these.
GM EMEA 5-Tone/MPT1327
These are 5 Tone or MPT radios and come in different models, determined by the control head.
GM140/GM340/GM640 - C control head GM160/GM360/GM660 - F control head GM380/GM1280 - N control head (4 line)
MTM700 TETRA
This is not really a waris radio, but the build is similar. These are tetra models for the EU market.
The 4 line control head on this will work on the Waris radios, but the fixed icons for the LCD are different. It may be possiable to replace the LCD module in this control head with the GM380 control head module (P/N 5164313B02) and get it back. I've found this doesn't really effect function, but the talkaround/scan/etc indicators are way different in the TETRA radio.
Option boards
Option boards are the keypad in the HT1250, and can be installed in the CDM mobile radios as well.
Known boards are below:
AAHLN9725C - Voice Storage Option board
AAHLN9729C - DTMF decode board
AAENLN4150A - Mandown board
Passport board - PTCB
Unknown Boards
There was an API/developers guide a company could license from Motorola. Several companies made add ons for these, but I have very little information on them. I belive this is known as "Professional Radio Option Interface Specifications" or PROIS. Rotronix Ltd. was a company known to make a controller for this.
There is a manual "Motorola PROIS v2.03 Manual" which is mentioned in the LC828 manual. A copy of this would be awesome to have. This may have a part number 1202899J28
Here is a picture of one with a DB-9 connector on it. Any information on these would be appreciated.
Rotronix Ltd. made the LC828 which was a special radio based on a PROIS board and a waris radio.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130207012450/http://rotronix.co.nz/Mobile_radio_PROIS_interface.aspx
LC828 radio mods - modification to a HT750/1250 needed to make a LC828
LC828 interface manual - This has a complete document on the "Motorola Professional Portable Radio Interface Option Board(IOB) Manual". It includes a schematic of the board and parts list as well. This is the same board used in all the interfaces.
Computer controlled Radio Interface - CCRI - This is the Manual to the CCRI interface spoken by the Rotronix PROIS board. The mnaul says this is based on the CCRI protocol by T.L. Parker Ltd.
Here is a comment posted by the developer of this board on batlabs forum
Programming and Flash Cables
The CDM and HT series are programmed using windows based CPS. A rs-232 level converter is needed to talk to the radio, and in the OEM Motorola soultion consists of a Programming Test cable (AARKN4083/AARKN4074), a RIB (level converter) and a test box (RLN4460A/B).
<#gallery of shti>
The HT series program and flash via the 13 pin accessory port. The CDM mobiles program and flash via the back 20 pin accessory port or via the front RJ-50 (10 pin) connector. The font connector presents some issues when programming and flashing a unit with a remote head, and the rear connector should be used for that.
The CDM accessory cable connector is a TE AMP connector, Digi-key part number 104422-2-ND, and uses Digi-Key Part number A25989-ND for the pins.
Notes on the RIB based Cables
You should not use a RIB to Flash the radio at anything other than 9600 bps. Even then I've run into issues with this setup. Programing works well though.
A very strange issue popped up using the built in serial port on the Dell Latitude D830 with docking station. When using the docking station serial port the radio will "lock-up" and require the cable to be disconnected to be programed.
I've found the Prolific and FTDI serial adapters to work fine with the RIB for flashing/cptool. However the Prolific adapters have an issue in CPS unless they run the right version of the driver, 2.0.2.5.
File:Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port 2303 VER 2.0.2.5 del 17-04-2006 OK.zip
Notes on RIB-less Cables
RIB-less cables are the preferred way to work with the radio. These can be either serial or USB based. In the USB case it's simply a FTDI or Prolific serial port with a level converter.
I've used the following cables for programming
- 2 in 1 prolific cable for Waris and CDM
- Valley Enterprises® 5 in 1 FTDI USB Programming Cable Motorola Mobile and Portables
Be sure you use the proper drivers if using the prolific cable.
Flashing and Flash adapters
If you want to flash the radio you need to put it in bootstrap mode. This is done using a flash adapter that puts the CPU (68HC11) into a special mode. The flash program loads a boot loader/flash application via the serial port and then writes the new image to flash chip.
The US Waris unofficial upgrade kit is something that was built by possibly a internal Motorola programmer, or a hack based off the official upgrade kit. Using this tool you can load any of the images on any radio, but you must ensure the image selected is the same size as the flash chip. Note this tool requires all images and default codeplugs as srecord format.
The official upgrade kit includes default codeplugs, firmware images and boot images. These are in an encrypted format, and it appears the unofficial kit has decoded these as the included codeplugs/firmware.
220 HT1250ls and CDM 1550ls
This is the same as any other to modify to the amateur service from a software perspective. The issue is these radios are narrow band only on the receive path, as the 200 MHz band was never used for 25 KHz channels. Transmit will support wide band (and must be aligned for wide band first!) The IF filters simply need to be swapped with their wide band parts and wide band receive alignment performed.
Hardware Mod
Their are 3 filters in the radio, 1 at 44.85 MHz 1st IF and 2 at 455khz, 2nd IF.
In a VHF/UHF Waris there is a 15KHz filter at the 1st IF followed by a 15KHz filter at the second IF and then followed by another filter. It's this last filter that is switched between narrow and wide in the VHF/UHF radios. TX deviation is a setting in programming/alignment.
In the 220 version, there 1st IF Filter is the same, but it has a 12KHz and then a 9 KHz filter at the second IF.
I've changed out the second filters and found it works much better on the ham bands. You need to adjust the squelch for 20/25khz channels after doing this. The tuner software (2.00.02) will do this for the HT1250 only, it will not work with the mobiles. Use winabler to access the greyed out menus in tuner 2.16.
HT1250 Filters:
Function Part Manu P/N Moto P/N Desc 220 front end 44.85MHz FL3201 MXF45 9180022M10 4-pole +-7.5khz bandwidth IF2 First filter 455KHz FL3204 CFUCJ455F 9180468V04 4-pole 12khz IF2 filter narrow band filter FL3206 CFWC455G 9180469V03 6-pole 9khz
The UHF handhelds use the same arrangement, but with a wider middle filter (1st @455). In wide band they switch only the 2nd 2nd IF filter to a narrow band filter.
uhf front end 44.85MHz FL301 MXF45 9180022M11 IF2 First filter 455KHz FL302 CFUCJ455E 9180468V05 4-pole * IF2 filter wide band filter FL303 CFWC455E 9180469V05 6-pole * IF2 filter narrow band filter FL304 CFWC455G 9180469V03 6-pole
You'll need to order the parts with the * from motorola parts for the 220 radios. The mobile and HT use the same filters.
In the HT the 1st IF is under the shield, and very hard to remove. I've not messed with it, as it appears to be the same part in the UHF, and doesn't look like it's limiting.
Based on the following codes for muratta filters
Muratta filters E is +- 7.5 (15) F is +-6 (12) G is +- 4.5 (9)
The 220 Filters are 12 and 9 Khz wide at the 2nd IF. Switching them to the E filters of the UHF HT1250 is rather easy, as they are just on the underside of the board, not under a shield. An under board heater with a hot air station makes this rather easy.
Ive found an under-board board pre-heater is mandatory to work with this and 630f at 7 l/m of airflow will prevent hurting the board/parts/
I've found the sensitivity to be a bit better and no squelch clipping on 3.2kc tone at 7khz of deviation (Most ham rigs on 220 have WIDE deviation!).
Pictures of CDM1550
These show the filter change out on a CDM 1550. Kapton tape is used to protect the adjacent parts as they will reflow and move. An underboard heater is used to bring the board up to 500f (260c) while a hot air wand is used to supply the last bit of heat needed.
Software mod
All this below is not needed. Check out using the UHF 450-527 Ham Band Mod for using waris.py and chirp.
Using Chirp is the way to do it and you can change everything. I typically set the signaling bits to FF enabling all signaling supported, but some radios may not work with this. Always read the radio and save the data before making changes. The data file format is the same binary on the radio EEPROM and use by cptool.
old way
This is easiest with CP tool and a hex editor.
First upgrade the Firmware using the firmware update. This will load the default codeplug back in the radio.
Read the radio using the CP tool and save the binary codeplug. I typically will read this from 0x0000 to 0x1000 which will capture the entire default codeplug (Tuning, Features, and Programing). Save this file and set is aside for safe keeping. If anything goes wrong, you can blow it back into the radio and restore it to defaults with out needing to retune.
If you want to use the pre-made binary codeplugs, if one exists, rather than edit your own you can go right to Writing the Modified Codeplug below.
Editing the Codeplug
Now open up a copy of this code plug and edit it based on the Codeplug Map for the feature blocks. This is from 0x280 to 0x2ff.
You'll need to change the following parts:
- Serial number, ASCII spaces are blank (optional)
- Channel step needs to be 0x01
- Upper Frequency: 0x5F50 for 225 MHz
- Signaling: 0xFF is everything enabled (MDC, QCII, DTMF) for trunking and conventional
- Conventional Personalities: 0xFF for 255 channels
Once this is done, be sure the checksum 8 on both FDB blocks are 5A. You will need to adjust the checksum bytes for this.
Writing the Modified Codeplug
Open this file with the CP tool and put 0x280 to 0x2ff into the radio, no need to write the entire file. This makes it easy to do many units at once, just blow the Feature Block in, while leaving the tuning and programing alone.
Tune the radio
You'll need to now tune the 20 and 25 KHz squelch settings in the tuner software. The issue here is the tuner software will not let you select the 20 and 25 KHz from the drop down menu. Using Winabler this can capture the tuner menu and enable these.
I use the auto squelch setup and found a good value is -127.5 dBm for hams. My radio is -124 dBm for 12db SINAD so this is about 6 dB SINAD at -128, very noisy but understandable. Auto tune makes this really easy. You can always program a button to set the squelch to tight in CPS.
I've found I needed to play with the RSSI settings too, as the S meter was setup for commercial strong signal service. I've only seen this with certian 220 radios.
It's also a good idea to check the frequency/modulation/power out alignments too. The CDM1550's from the New Jersey Turnpike all were aligned wrong for the power output, and we 20W out when set for 30W. Align it in tuner properly, and then use CPS to lower the power if you want.
If you've set the serial number to blank, it's a good time to set it to what you want in tuner before you disconnect.
Once you're done with all this, you should have a great radio that covers 216-225 MHz, wide band FM, MDC/QCII/DTMF, 30W power out, and damn sensitive squelch.
UHF 450-527 Ham Band Mod
The basic issue with modifying these radios to cover down to 440 by only adjusting the High & [[#Low Frequency|Low] Frequency settings in the feature region of the codeplug is the tuning for deviation/squelch/signaling/etc. is setup on 7 frequencies. When the radio tunes between two of these frequencies the value is interpolated based on the curve of the tuning values. For example deviation response will vary from 450 to 520 MHz, the same voltage at 450 will be an unacceptable amount of deviation at 520.
As the frequency "piers" only go down to 450 MHz, the radio has nothing to interpolate with if it's programed 440.450 MHz. This causes this interpolate calibration code to fail and deviation and other calibrations are all over the place. Luckily this is a rather easy fix.
Video of how to do the hex editing of the code plug from a HT1250ls 450-527.
There is a new way to do this using chirp and the plugin below:
http://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Waris#Unofficial_software
video explaining the new way using chirp
Preselector Tuning
Using this procedure on a number of EX600xls radios has worked well, but some don't seam to work down at 440 on receive. I've found this to be due to the preselector alignment. Once this is re-aligned on the new frequencies in global tuner, the radios receive properly.
Since you have to load global tuner up anyways, it's worth checking the refference frequency oscillator warp. While not off much, the batch I've seen have been off 600-1000 Hz.
CDM Low Band Range 3 to 46-54 MHz
N9IAA has reported much success moving the CDM's to cover 46-54 MHz (from 42-50 MHz) after modifying the programing using chip and changing the following parts in yellow on this spreadsheet. A complete retuning is necessary of course.
HT 1550
The HT1550 was the high end portable at the time, they can do 160 channels (of course modifiable to 255), but were VHF/UHF only.
Edit mode (FPP)
The Front Pad Programming (Edit Mode/FPP) was an option on the 1550, but required a special government only battery. Recently I was able to work on the firmware and jump over this check. The crux of this is you cannot upgrade firmware without losing this, but as R05.18.01 is the last firmware made for the 4 line models, this shouldn't be an issue. You will need to use the US Waris Firmware Flashtool from the unofficial lab kit and the firmware image below.
- First upgrade your radio using the official four line kit.
- Use the US Waris Firmware Flashtool and flash the R05.18.01 Four Line HT1550 with FPP.0 firmware
Ensure you have edit mode enabled on the personality and enjoy editing without using the special battery.
Code Plug Map
This is based on the Srecord file loaded as binary
0x000 - 0x27f group, 5A checksum. 0x27f is the checksum byte This group contains the tuning information for the radios. The frequencies it's aligned on are in the same format as the band limits. There are 3 groups of frequencies in here, not sure what they all do, but can confirm changing them all moved the tuning frequencies on a 6 meter CDM.
0x282 - 0x2D7 - group, needs to be 5A checksum, adjust 0x2D7 to make it. 0x285-0x28E - Serial number 0x291-0x2A0 - Model number, Blank should be spaces 0x20 0x2AC Channel steps *0x01 - 12.5, 20 and 25 KHz *0x05 - 12.5 only 0x2AF Lower Frequency Limit 0x2B1 Upper frequency limit Desired limit - Base freq (200mhz models the base freq is 103mhz) times 1000 then divided by 5. this gives you the new value in dec, you have to change it to hex 216 MHz is 5848 225 MHZ is 5F50 58485F50 across both bytes
Below is only valid for the 3.08 codeplug tool codeplugs 0x2D8 to 0x2E9 - group, needs to be 5A checksum, adjust 0x2E9 to make it. 0x2E2 - Number of personalities is at in hex. *128 - 0x80 *160 - 0xA0 *255 - 0xFF
Below is only valid for the 2.08 codeplug tool codeplugs 0x2D8 to 0x2E4 - group, needs to be 5A checksum, adjust 0x2E4 to make it. 0x2E2 - Number of personalities is at in hex. *128 - 0x80 *160 - 0xA0 *255 - 0xFF
The 8 bit checksum must be 0x5A for this bit of code. Byte 0x2E9 is the checksum fix bit. Find the difference after editing between the checksum and 0x5A, then add or subtract this from the value in offset 0x2E9.
passwords
The CPS password is stored in plain text in the codeplug, while the radio lock password is a bit more involved.
My notes are based on a ht1250, so it might be a bit different.
Use the code plug tool to dump the radio to at least 0x400.
Open the resulting binary file in a hex editor and look at or around 0x33e to 0x345 (7 bytes). This is the CPS password. Read the radio with CPS and use this password to recover it.
The radio lock password is a bit trickier, it's at 0x3a4 and is 2 bytes. It's the 0000-9999 numeric password added with 0x4000.
Codeplug Map
Byte Offset | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | A | B | C | D | E | F |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0x000000 | Tuning len | Tuning Data | ||||||||||||||
0x000010 | Tuning Data Cont. | |||||||||||||||
SKIP | SKIP | |||||||||||||||
0x000270 | Tuning Data Cont. | Checksum | ||||||||||||||
0x000280 | Feature len | FDB 1 Header | Serial Number | Null | ||||||||||||
0x000290 | Null | Model Number | ||||||||||||||
0x0002A0 | Mod Cont. | Null | CP version | CP Source | CP Date | Chan Step | Base Freq | Low Frequency | ||||||||
0x0002b0 | Low Freq Cont. | High Frequency | CP Part Number | |||||||||||||
0x0002c0 | CP P/N Cont. | Unknown | Null Pad | TANAPA | Unknown | |||||||||||
0x0002d0 | Unknown | Region | Checksum | FDB 2 Header | Trunk Pers | Signaling | CHD | Unknown | ||||||||
0x0002e0 | Unknown | Conv Pers | Unknown | Checksum 9 | ||||||||||||
0x0002f0 | Unused | FDB Checksum |
Tuning length
These two bytes are the length of the tuning block. Typically 0x0280
Tuning Checksum
This is a byte which is modified to make the Checksum(8) of the tuning block 0x5A
Feature Length
These two bytes are the length of the feature block. Typically 0x0080
Block Header
This is the block header for the FDB. This is a recurring format for storing data throughout the codeplug
In this case it's typically 0x805201
This is a magic number of 0x80 a length of 52 and a repeat of the length of 01.
In this case it would start at 0x285 and go to 0x2D7 (the checksum correction byte). Note the 3 bytes of the Block Header are not counted, but are included in the checksum calculation.
Serial Number
These are 10 bytes of the serial number. You can make it whatever you want or keep it blank with spaces (0x20) to allow you to set it in tuner.
Model Number
These 16 bytes are the model number. This must match exactly if you want to use the CPS to program the same CP into multiple radios (along with the other FDB blocks).
Codeplug Version
The version of the Code plug 2 bytes, Major.Minor in BCD format
Programing Source
1 Byte that shows the source of original programing
- 0x0 - Factory
- 0x1 - Depot
- 0x2 - CPS
Programing Date
6 bytes showing the original programing date BCD format
Example = 0x1984 06 25 2344
- 2 bytes year - 1984
- 1 byte month - 06
- 1 byte day - 25
- 1 byte hours - 23
- 1 byte minutes - 44
Channel Step
1 byte giving the channel step
- 0x0 - UNKNOWN - only used on VHF Low Band
- 0x1 - 12.5/20/25 KHz - Used on VHF only
- 0x2 - UNKNOWN - used on UHF R1, R2 only
- 0x3 - UNKNOWN - used on 800 MHz Only
- 0x5 - 12.5 KHz only - used on 200 MHz only
- 0x6 - UNKNOWN - Used on 700 MHz Only
Base Frequency
2 Bytes
Base frequency in hex expressed as the following formula:
Value * 25000 = Base Frequency in MHz
- 0x320 - 800d - 20 MHz - VHF Low Band
- 0x1080 - 4120d - 103 MHZ - VHF and 200 MHz
- 0x32C8 - 13000d - 325 MHz - 330 MHz
- 0x3A98 - 15000d - 375 MHz - UHF R1/R2
- 0x6D88 - 28040d - 701 MHz - 700 MHz
- 0x7D28 - 32040d - 801 MHz - 800 MHz
Low Frequency
2 bytes - Low Frequency of tuning
Value = (Low Frequency in MHz - Base Frequency in MHz) * 1000 / 5
Example Low at 200 MHz - 0x5848 = 22,600d
22,600/200 = 116 MHz + 103 base = 216 MHz
High Frequency
2 bytes - High Frequency of tuning
Calculated same as Low Frequency
Code Plug Part Number
16 Bytes of the code plug part number No idea what it's used for
TANAPA
16 bytes The TANAPA is a configuration code of the hardware in the radio. Model numbers can vary but the TANAPA can be close or the same. Not sure what TANAPA stands for.
Region
1 byte This is the Region code.
- 0xFF is the default used in the unofficial codeplugs.
- 0x00 Super TANAPA ?
- 0x01 - US
CHD 0x2DD
Control head. Not sure if this is bits active or the entire byte.
Known Control head options across all waris radios:
A, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, N
HT
C - No Display, PR860/HT750/GP140/320/330/240/340/540/640 D - Keypad F - 1 Line Display, Limited Keypad GP360 HT1250 G - In H25 only H - 1 Line display, Full Keypad, HT1250/GP280/380/580/680 J - in H65 only - 16chan only, no or limited keypad, conv_pmor_16ch_pnk/plk K - in H65 Only - 16chan only, full keypad conv_pmor_16ch_pfk N - 4 Line Display, HT1550/GP1280
Mobile
A - No Display, No Keypad - Databox C - No Display, Basic Keypad CDM750/GM140/340/640 D - 1 Line Display, Limited Keypad CDM1250 F - One Line Display, Standard Keypad, CDM1550/GM160/360/660 N - GM380/1280
Byte value vs CHD
0 - C, Mobile, 25 10 - C, H/M, 25, 34, 38, 45, 50 11 - D, M, 25 20 - D, H, 34 21 - F & H, 25, 34, 38, display H is only onHT's, but F is on mobile and HT's 30 - C K & J, 65 series HT only 31 - F & H, 34 series HT only 32 - N, 25 series only, HT and Mobile 33 - F & H, 50 & 65 Series, Mobile and HT for 65, Mobile only for 50 40 - A, 25 series only, Mobile only
2E0:1
Not sure what this does, but I encountered a UHF R1 HT model H25RDH9DP5, that was 0xCC78 and it would not load the codeplug from a H25RDH9DP9 HT with everything in the FDB being the same other than the source CP was 0xCE79.
I tried changing each byte independently and CPS still would not allow the CP to be written to the HT. Only with both flipped to the proper 0xCE79 of the source radio would CPS write the unit.
Any more information would be helpful
Flashing
The radio is basically impossible to brick, but the Motorola upgrade tools are notorious for fucking up and leaving you with a dead radio. What's worse, is the official Motorola upgrader has no way to restart a failed upgrade. The Motorola tool must be able to read the code plug first, if it can't, it won't upgrade it. Motorola did this to prevent you from flashing radios to different models (MDC to 5 tone, etc), and the official tool installs a new default codeplug, they wanted to keep you from doing all the fun stuff we can now do in the feature database, by flashing a different default code plug on it.
Why can't I brick the radio?
Easy, the uP they use, a 68hc11, has a boot strap mode. What the CPU looks for at this point in bootstrap mode, is serial data loaded via XMODEM. In this 256 bytes of data, you load a program that can get the cpu going. Motorola loads the initial xmodem helper in bootstrap mode, then it loads a flash helper which is larger. This flash helper will write the flash chip on the radio. This is not a "bootloader" or anything like that, it's built into the CPU, and is well documented in the CPU datasheet.
Also side note, the cpu once programmed doesn't have a checksum on the firmware. The flash is memory mapped, and at boot the radio goes to 0xFFFE, reads 2 bytes as a pointer, then jumps there and starts running code. It's simple, but there's no checksum, so you can edit anything in there and not need to run a checksum.
Well I was fucking in the codeplug and wrote bytes it does not understand
This can get the radio stuck in a boot loop, or look similar to the firmware being corrupted.
No fear, just short out the SPI lines on the serial codeplug chip and boot it, then you should get "EEPROM CS ERROR" and can reprogram the backup codeplug (you did make a backup, right :)
Recovering a flash dead radio
Assuming your radio is truly flash dead, you'll need to reprogram this using the US waris kit. This will allow you to load any firmware on any radio. Simply select the right firmware file and flash it.
Note if using a real Motorola rib, don't go faster than 9600 BPS (20-30 min at this speed is normal)
Once the firmware is loaded, the radio may bitch with CS ERROR or something. This is good, it means you have a working OS on the radio, and you need to load the codeplug now that matches the radio.
Firmware files
These are text files of the binary firmware in S-record format. The only difference is the header must be removed. The file name must be *.0 as well, and it cannot be loaded via a network filesystem path.
Software & Docs
Docs
HT1250LS+ 220 700MHz Service Manual
- CDM1550 200-700 Mhz detailed service manual
-- Note this has shit formating from some gay ass manual site that fucked up the page sizes. Unless you need 300 MHz stuff, use the one below.
Use this one unless you need 300 MHz
CPS
File:Professional CPS R.06.12.09 AA.zip - Latest CPS Release as of 12/14/2016
File:Global Tuner R 02.18.00.zip - Latest Tuner Release as of 12/14/2016
File:HVN9025 v6.12.05.zip Waris CPS 6.12.05
File:R02.02.00 Waris Tuner.zip Waris Tuner 2.02
Firmware Upgrades
File:Upgradekit Conv Mobile R05.10.04.zip - Latest Firmware for Mobiles as of 12/14/2016
File:UpgradeKit Portable R05.18.01 Non Four Lines Display Radios.zip - Latest Firmware for Portables as of 12/14/2016
File:UpgradeKit Portable R05.18.01 Four Lines Display.exe - Latest Firmware for Four Line Portables as of 12/14/2016
Binary Codeplugs
These codeplugs are binary and have been edited for no serial number, 255 channels, 25-20-12.5 KHz deviation and signaling. Note when writing them using the CP tool you need to write 0x280-0x2ff. If you write the entire codeplug, you'll fuck up your radio. If you fuck it up, rewite your backup (you do have a backup, right?).
File:220 CDM 1550 mobile binary codeplug modified for channels AAM25MNF4DP5A - No Serial.mot
File:AAH25MDH4DP6A- Blank Default 220 HT.mot
Unofficial software
File:Waris Codeplugtool.zip allows writing and reading raw codeplug from a radio.
File:Unofficial Global Tuner R02.16.05.zip Hacked global tuner for editing the serial number
File:Warisdepot R01.04.00.zip Depot tool to edit serial number and tempeture compensation values.
File:Us waris lab upgradekit r03.08.00.zip US Waris unofficial upgrade kit and Tools 3.08
File:Waris.py Chirp Waris plugin for editing the tuning piers and feature blocks
File:R05.18.01 Four Line HT1550 with FPP.0 Four Line Firmware with FPP enabled
File:FW-Mobile-R05.10.04.bin The binary of R05.10.04 last version of firmware for the CDM
Utilities
Winabler utility for windows to enable greyed out menus in tuner
File:Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port 2303 VER 2.0.2.5 del 17-04-2006 OK.zip
Software I've written
Utiltiy to conver binary codeplug to CPS srecord format - This allows you to open an binary codeplug directly in CPS.
Outdated stuff
Don't use any of the following srecord format anymore, as CP tool is easier. Only use these with the Unofficial Lab upgrade kit if you plan to. I don't update anything like this anymore.
File:HT1250LS 217-222 split to 216-225 split.s19 This has problems when going into alignment. DO NOT USE Based on 3.08 upgrade kit (R05.17.01)
HT1250ls 255 Channel, 216-225, 12.5/20/25 step srecord for TANAPA PMUD1760B Blank Serial Number NOTE: DTMF pad doesn't work in this, don't use. Only up here for reference DO NOT USE
HT1250ls 255 Channel, 216-225, 12.5/20/25 step srecord for TANAPA PMUD1761A Blank Serial Number, based on 2.08 Lab Upgrade Kit.