Motorola Syntor X9000 - Do or Don't?

[KD5GR]

I'm interested in buying one or more if the Motorola Syntors available on eBay.  They are available in various VHF configurations, as well as 900 MHz.  There are some that will cover both 6 meters and 10 meters and those are especially attractive.

I've been reading a lot of information on www.BatLabs.com and it's a great resource.  However, it also has me wondering of this is a project that is worth tackling.  I don't mind running down the programming cable(s), RSS software or even calling some of my friends and asking of anyone has an old 286, 386 or 486 "slow" computer.  In fact, I wouldn't mind developing the expertise to program these radios and help friends get them on the Ham bands since they are great radios and seem to be readily available.

That said, I wonder if this project is far more involved than I believe.  I'd really appreciate input from folks who have converted and/or programmed Motorola radios.  Would you do it again? 

Thanks,
Chas.

[K5LXP]

Practically speaking, what would you do with an FM-only 10 and 6M radio? 

The V/U models would offer a bit more because they'll work fine for most local communications.  With SP RSS and software for the X9000 heads you can make up a single head V/U setup.  But it's a lot of messing around.  I think if you want to play with the circle-M stuff I'd go with spectras and leave the syntor stuff behind. 


Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

[N2HBX]

The reason they're so readily available is because they're so miserable to work with that nobody wants to touch them. They were a pain in the butt to the commercial techs that had to service them back in the day.

I agree with Mark...stick to Spectras or later.

73,
Larry, N2HBX

[KD5GR]

The reason they're so readily available is because they're so miserable to work with that nobody wants to touch them. They were a pain in the butt to the commercial techs that had to service them back in the day.

73,
Larry, N2HBX

That's what concerned me also.  I guess this is one project I'd better pass by.

Thanks guys,
Chas.

[AD4U]

I bought about 15 each 110W VHF Syntors when a local utility company went to a trunked system.  They were carefully removed from the vehicles and all of them were working up until they were replaced.  I have control heads (some scan), mic's, wiring harness, antennas, coax, and the original boxes.

Interested?  I need the space.

Dick  AD4U

[W9GB]

Repeater Build has an entire section on the Motorola Syntors.
http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/syntor/syntor-index.html

Skip Hansen WB6YMH and Lee Dusbabek K7KAJ developed the Xcat board.
It plugs into the Syntor X in place of the original Motorola module and provides complete funtionality plus it is programmable by a PC using a Windows-based program. A Syntor X plus the Xcat is a much more capable base station or remote base radio than an X9000 - and much cheaper!
There is a Yahoo Group for Xcat.

Photo of Xcat board installed in Syntor
http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/syntor/xcat/installed.jpg

Mike Blenderman, K7IC web page covers about everything.
http://www.onfreq.com/syntorx/

[KD5GR]

Thanks, I'll check these out.

Chas.

Repeater Build has an entire section on the Motorola Syntors.
http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/syntor/syntor-index.html

Skip Hansen WB6YMH and Lee Dusbabek K7KAJ developed the Xcat board.
It plugs into the Syntor X in place of the original Motorola module and provides complete funtionality plus it is programmable by a PC using a Windows-based program. A Syntor X plus the Xcat is a much more capable base station or remote base radio than an X9000 - and much cheaper!
There is a Yahoo Group for Xcat.

Photo of Xcat board installed in Syntor
http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/syntor/xcat/installed.jpg

Mike Blenderman, K7IC web page covers about everything.
http://www.onfreq.com/syntorx/

[M6GOM]

The biggest problem with all these older commercial transceivers is programming them. As long as there's a workable solution available that'll run under Windows you're OK with any of them. Sites like Repeater Builder and the Yahoo groups are must reads before paying your money.