Service manual

Guide to ASTRO™ Digital Radios
Model-specific Discussion: ASTRO Legacy Series
ASTRO Digital Saber™
As stated earlier in the guide, Motorola Inc.’s flagship ASTRO™ radio was the ASTRO Digital
Saber™ which was released in approximately 1995.
Figure 2.1 Motorola Inc.’s ASTRO Digital Saber™ (Model III)
The ASTRO Digital Saber™ comes in four different band-splits. The VHF “K” split (136-174 MHz),
the UHF range 1 “R” split (403-470 MHz), the UHF range 2 “S” split (450-520 MHz) and the 800 MHz “U”
split (806-870 MHz). These band-splits may be slightly extended through Radio Service Software (RSS)
and Customer Programming Software (CPS) hacks which are not covered in this edition of the Guide to
ASTRO™ Digital Radios. For UHF amateur radio operation, the UHF range 1 “R” (403-470 MHz) is
desired. The band-split is identified in the fourth character of the model number. Example:
H04UCH9PW7AN. (ASTRO Digital Saber, Model III, 806-870 MHz).
There are three different case-styles. Model I (no keypad or display), model II (display and six
green soft-key buttons) and model III (display, six green soft-key buttons and a full 12-digit numerical
keypad. Model I and II ASTRO Digital Sabers™ also come in an “R” ruggedized option. The casing found
on these versions is much thicker and the radio may be vacuum sealed for submergibility. They’re also
approved for intrinsic environments. In both scenarios, the radios MUST be pressurized by a certified
technician for compliance and proper operation.