General Information
It is possible to go into the Converta-Com and cut the lines that go to the proper pins on the radio, insert a switch with the necessary number of poles, and add a connector for the RIB.
The Converta-Com does act a bit flakey with the data lines interrupted. The lights flash on it, but that's all. It is also necessary when the switch is flipped back to normal mode that the radio has to be removed and re-inserted for the converta-com to reset and communicate with the radio.
Regarding the System Saber's firmware options, here's an easy way to get the specs of various version of CON (Internal Code Plug).
From main RSS menu (Version 03.00.2) go F4 and F2 to select model #. Select a model like H44TUK5170CN and select a CON (2-6), create a default Public Code Plug with F2 - Go back and review the options. For example, a CON-4 has only MDC Signaling, CON-5 & 6 has MDC, QCII, Single Tone ....
Saber Programming Cables:
Service Manuals
Here are a listing of the Service Manual part numbers for this series of radios:
Saber Error Codes
If you have a Saber with a display, you may want to review the Saber Error Codes explanation.
What are the MX 1000/2000/3000?
The MX 1000/2000/3000 are the export version of the Saber I/II/III respectively.
The accessories, programming cable, and accessory connector pinout of the MX versions are identicle to those of the Saber.
The only difference that we know of is the RSS. The MX 1000/2000/3000 can only be programmed with the RSS designed for them, it is not cross compatible with the RSS for the Saber.
Notes on programming Sabers out of band.
Motorola RSS writes a dictionary file RPFDATA.DCT that contains the model and option numbers, and an eight character filename for the actual programming file. I haven't figured out the whole format of this file, but programming out of band frequencies is easy. This has been tried with UHF and VHF Sabers, don't know how far it will go but the format seems the same for both bands.
1. Program all the channel data, alphanumerics, scan, etc. using a place-holder frequency near the band edge you want to go beyond.
2. Store this as a personality file, note in RPFDATA.DCT which file it is.
3. Open the file in an editor (doesn't need to be hex, it's all ASCII upper-case letters and numbers, but you do need to be able to display a full 80 character line) and look for the lines that begin with S2. A typical line would be
S20101081B3200081B32000000...
if you separate it out into the components I've identified so far
S2 01 01 081B3200 081B3200
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
(a) means it's a channel entry
(b) means channel {01..0C} up to 12 channels
(c) means zone {01..0A} up to 10 zones
(d) is receive frequency, in Hz, converted to ASCII representation of hex (081B3200 = 136000000 Hz)
(e) is transmit frequency
4. So you can enter the new transmit and receive frequencies yourself, by converting the frequency in Hz to ASCII hex (146.94 MHz = 08C22060). Plug them in instead of the place-holder frequency you entered in the RSS.
5. Save the file and read it into the RSS. Program the radio *without looking at the file in the RSS* (although you can print it without the RSS complaining, don't try to look at it in the channel data window or it will be reset to discard the out-of- band frequencies).
6. If you don't want to calculate the frequencies in hex, just set up a different RPF using the band split your frequencies are in, read off the numbers from that file, and plug them into the file for your radio.
Note that these radios don't really like to go all that far out of their rated bandsplit. +/- 5MHz is typical.
Henry Crun 97
Saber Upgrading
CORE version is mask programmed in the CPU so while Saber upgrades are possible (they can be done in order to have QC II in older Saber2s), they are neither cheap nor easy as the new processor is around 100 bucks dealer cost and requires a degree of skill in SMT board repair to swap out.
On the other hand there are a number of other features which can be enabled via RSS without any hacking at all and some Saber bandsplits are quite wide indeed! (when I get info on what, I'll let you know)
OK, this next one isn't for the faint of heart...
This modification could do permanant damage to the code plug, so use it at your own risk!
Thats it!
This modification could do permanant damage to the code plug, so use it at your own risk!
Converting a Saber I to a Saber I(E)
First, your radio must be secure capable to begin with. A secure capable radio is about 3/4" longer than a regular Saber. When you open it up, it should have a dummy (bypass) module installed in place of a secure module.
In order to convert your Saber I into a secure model, you need to replace the bypass-module with the a real encryption module, disable Option H432 (VP capable only), and enable either Option H245, H244, H400 or H401.
Then you must load an key into the module by using an KVL.
Saber Motor Vehicle Adapter (MVA), aka Saber Vehicular Adapter (SVA)
SVA Connector Pinouts
Interface Connector
Pin������� Description 1����������� Self-test (gnd on power-up) 2,3������� V- 5����������� High on squelch open 11,24��� V+ 20������� �� Audio+ 21������� �� Audio-
Power
Red + Power Black - Power Yellow Ignition Sense (disables battery charger) Green Headlight Sense (turns on panel lights in MVA)
LED Function
Red LED Charging Green LED Charging Complete
Microphone Connector Pinout
Here is the pin out for the SVA Mic input. Pin 1 is to the right as you look into the connector of the SVA. Color codes relate to microphone wire color.
Pin Color Description 1 Red +5V 2 Purple Clock 3 Wht Data 4 Blk Gnd 5 Org Mic 6 Grn PTT 7 Yel LED (Front panel lighting) 8 Blu Keypad
Other SVA Information
Manuals
Microphones
Saber Accessory Connector Pinout
The pinout can be found here.
Adding DTMF/Keypad to a Saber II (Converting to a Saber III)
If it's an 8K memory Saber II, then it's a Saber III with a different program. Add the III housing, reprogram the radio as a Saber III (SAK or QXK series) and it's done.
If the radio has only 2K limited memory, it won't take the keypad or generate DTMF tones.
If you don't know which memory type you have, here are the limitations of a 2K radio:
If you have ANY other menu options, or more channels than above, it's an 8K radio and can be programmed as a Saber III. Just make sure you get the revision right (A,B, or C model) and the right master option, if any. The software will prompt you.
Another option is to open the radio and look at the display board. If you have 4 chips on the board, you have a 2k board. If you have 5 chips, you have an 8k board, with the extra chip being the DTMF encoder. And no, there is no way to add the DTMF encoder chip to the 2k display board.
If you are stuck with a 2k radio, all is not lost. You will need the following parts to convert the radio into a Saber III:
| Part Number | Revision | Description |
| 0105950T07 | Spkr Mic Harness Saber III | |
| 0105953T53 | rev7.0 | BD Ckt Ctrl 128k Saber III |
Note that the display board is listed as 128k, this is the new substitute for the 8k board which is no longer available.
The reason why you need to change the speaker/mic flex is because the one for the 8K board has connections to take the DTMF output from the board and rout it into the mic input of the radio. If you don't install that flex, DTMF tones won't go into the transmitter!
You will also of course need the proper housing and may need the keypad membrane if your radio does not have it already.
Doing the upgrade itself is easy. Just create a new model file for a Saber III (SAK or QXK) of the appropriate band and load it into the radio.
