Motorola Sabre II reprogramming

[J!m]

Oh, yeah. Here’s something so wacky I didn’t even know where to put it.

In 1993 or so, a new movie came out called Jurassic Park. In it we’re radio props that have been identified as Motorola Saber II models.

Pretty advanced for the time they are fully programmable for frequency and also have security digital voice scrambling features- basically a second code that Must match on both radios.

Anyway, I’m in the market for decent range (power) FRS radios and thought I might bring the two planets into alignment.

My research indicates it is completely possible, BUT, you need an old machine running DOS 4.1 with a SLOW processor and special cables and training. I have the schematic for the cable and Motorola technical bulletin on the software. (It’s only been a few hours so give me a break!)

So, my question (finally) is: is there anyone on here, or do you know of anyone into antique radios, antique computers and is willing to do this?
I also reached out to a seller on eBay that I think can do this but I haven’t heard back there either.

Fun! (Radios were painted white for the film)

 

[mr_rye89]

I have a 486 laptop but it might be too fast. I think it’s 25mhz 486sx with windows 3.1. Have you tried the software in dosbox or freedos? I know dosbox probably won’t work with an rs-232 cable.

Alternatively Baofengs work great as FRS/GMRS/70cm/2m radios and have sub audible tone code ability so you can kerchunk repeaters with it. And you can program with a USB cable and CHIRP.

with the right cable I wonder if these sabers can be programmed with CHIRP?

 

[mr_rye89]

https://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/saber/saber-info.html

Absolutely proprietary. These still have a HAM following

 

[George S.]

Motorola worked hard to make their communications secure so the public couldn't eavesdrop.
If there is a solution, it was probably developed by the SDR (software defined radio) community and there may well be a video on YouTube.
Been almost a decade since I set SDR aside, and what's available now is absolutely amazing.

 

[Hexis22]

What freq are they on? UHF or VHF and what freq do you want them to be on? Commercial license or GRMS?

The batteries could also be as much of a challenge as programming.

Do you have a HAM license?

 

[J!m]

I don’t have the software and it must be bought (on 3.5 floppy). I’ve seen the warning twice now about a computer that is “too fast” and one should not run windows at all. DOS only.

 

[J!m]

UHF 486.xxx from memory. 22 FRS channels exist and several are on the typical “family radio” at various wattages (usually dictated by price paid for the radio). The frequencies of interest to me are within the standard capability of the radio. But I also see the Ham guys stretching the range slightly outside the range- I wouldn’t need that.

Edit- no Ham license but old CB license from when they did that (KCK2870)

 

[mlucitt]

Check with your local US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They often receive handheld radios from the US Coast Guard or other Federal agencies when the Feds equipment gets upgraded. You will be talking to a communications specialist who may have the correct Motorola software, the correct cable (the rare item), and the know how to correctly program your radio. Be ready with the frequencies you desire and which channel of the radio you want them programmed into.
I did that for awhile years ago.

 

[J!m]

As of now it seems I’m all set. Radio and charger are inbound. I already confirmed with a seller on eBay he can do what I want too.

I created an excel sheet with all frequencies for him.

I will do at least one more for myself but I have a feeling this is going to be popular…