This is an inexpensive but full featured "do everything" Windows program that you can use to generate the Intel HEX files needed to program the Frequency and PL/DPL PROMs (or PROM to EPROM or EEPROM adapters). for use in the Motorola VHF and UHF MCX100® radios. Download a FREE DEMO version of this program.

All you need is this program, suitable PROMs (some type of PROM to EPROM or EEPROM adapter), and access to a suitable device programmer (for the PROM, EPROM, or EEPROM) and you can program up to 32 channels into your VHF or UHF MCX100® radio.

Don't have access to a PROM programmer? I will provide FREE (for a limited time) PROM programming to purchasers of this program who don't have access to a PROM programmer. Moderate shipping and handling charges will apply (to cover the cost of returning your PROM to you). Simply use this program to create the Intel Hex file for your radio and frequency list, attach it to an eMail message, and send it to me along with your order. Send the PROM to me by mail.

COST:

The cost of this program is $25.00 for a single user license (see license details below). The program can be shipped via eMail, in which case the shipping cost is free. The program can also be shipped on a 3.5" floppy disk. The cost is $5.00 extra for a floppy disk version, PLUS SHIPPING COST. The shipping cost (via UPS ground) is currently about $11.50 to a residential address or $9.50 to a commercial address and includes insurance and traceablity. The shipping cost for USPS priority mail is about $5.00 but does not include insurance or traceability.

HOW TO ORDER:

The FASTEST and LEAST EXPENSIVE way to order this software is to send your order via email and make your payment using PayPal. When you pay using PayPal you can pay using your credit card, your PayPal account, direct withdrawal from your bank account, or by eCheck (though paying with eCheck will cause a several day delay while your check clears through PayPal). There is NO EXTRA cost to you when paying this way.

Order Via eMail:

to order the software via eMail (go to HOME, then use "contact us" to send the email). Tell me what you want to order and and ask for my PayPal ID in your email. Ask to verify the total amount for your order, then go to PayPal and send your payment. Software sent via e-mail is now sent inside a "ZIP" file (since receiving "exe" files by e-mail is now impossible for many people - anyone using Outlook or Outlook express or restricted by corporate or ISP filtering). If you can't "un-zip" a zip file, please let me know when you order so that I can assist you. Windows XP will un-zip files for you but if you are using an older version of Windows you will need to use some other software to un-zip a file. There are several freeware programs that can zip and un-zip files.

Order Via regular Mail:

To order by regular mail.(go to HOME, then use "about Ries Labs" to obtain our address, etc.). Make the payment payable to Roger P. Ries. The payment should be a bank check or money order or a USPS money order. The payment must be in U.S. dollars. It is a good idea to verify the amount if you are ordering a floppy disk or CD-ROM version of the software since shipping costs shown on this web site are sometimes not CURRENT.

FEATURES:

1.) Uses PROM data files which contain your frequency lists, PL tone lists, and also important information about your radio. These files can be Opened, Edited, and Saved using this program.

2.) This system is intended for use with the MCX100® radio only. VHF and UHF versions of this radio can be programmed.

3.) Important details about your radio (its frequency RANGE ("SPLIT"), HI or LO side injection,VCO Offset, Number of Channel Banks, type of bank switch, etc.) are included in the PROM data files and can be easily edited also.

4.) This program includes a Bank Oriented Frequency List Editor which supports up to 2 banks of 16 channels each, and can be used to enter and edit channel frequencies and also PL ID codes.

5.) Text style frequency and PL code lists (of up to 32 channels in 2 banks of 16 channels each) which you can create using your favorite text editor program can be Imported by this program and converted to PROM data files. This feature allows you to use your favorite text editor to prepare your frequency and PL code lists, if you prefer.

6.) This program can also Export its frequency and PL tone lists to text files for printout, further editing, etc.

7.) This program includes a VCO Offset frequency calculator to help insure the most reliable results. This feature is not required for most MCX100 radios, but it makes it easy to compensate for VCOs which are off frequency due to age or other factors and eliminates the need to work on the delicate VCO circuit board. A simple measurement is all it takes and then this program can do the rest. (If the VCO is too far off frequency, it will need to be repaired or replaced first however.)

8.) This program also has provision for a completely "custom" VCO sub-range frequency list so you can use it to program radios that have use a modified or repaired VCO.

9.) This program allows you to select whether the VCO is programmed on the high or low side of the receive frequency (i.e. "high side" or "low side" injection). While this feature is not useful for normal MCX100s, it can be useful in unusual circumstances.

10.) This program generates the PROM data from the frequency lists and vital radio information, and writes the results to an Intel HEX file suitable for use with most PROM / EPROM programmers. A separate HEX file can be generated for the MCX100 PL or DPL PROM.

11.) This program includes an extensive HELP system to guide you while you learn how to use this program.

12.) Included with this program is a README file with much valuable information about programming the MCX100® radio and related topics.

SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY:

This program is a 32 bit Windows application and is compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, etc. though I have no way to test it on all possible Windows platforms. I have tested the software most extensively on Windows 98 and Windows XP Professional. There are no special requirements as to the speed of the CPU, amount of memory, amount of disk space, etc. If your computer can run one of the above versions of Windows, it ought to run this software without difficulty.

You can download a FREE DEMO version of this software and verify that it works properly on your system if you like -- before you purchase. The FREE DEMO version of this software has all normal capabilities, but will not generate the Intel HEX output files. Go to Download Mcx100W32 page.

MCX100 PROM TO EPROM OR EEPROM ADAPTER:

There is very little room inside the MCX100 synthesizer module for a PROM to EEPROM adapter, though these have been described by other authors. PROMs that are compatible with the MCX100 are still available from surplus dealers, etc. at fairly reasonable prices (about $11.00 each). A MCX100 PROM adapter that you can build (but is a fairly difficult project) is described in the "help program" that is part of this software.

FREE UPDATES:

I maintain a list of email addresses of customers (except any who have requested NOT to be on it). I use this list exclusively to send free updates of this software to customers whenever I make any significant changes, repair any problems found, etc. Note that these updates are sent via e-mail and these updates have the software installer program enclosed in a "ZIP" file - so it is necessary to first "un-zip" and then install the software. This has become necessary since many users can no longer receive "exe" type e-mail attachments.

LICENSE:

If you purchase and install this program, you implicitly agree to the terms of my license. Briefly, you agree that you will be the only user of the program if it is installed on more than one computer system OR you may install it on only one computer system that may be used by multiple users. You may make one or more backup copies for your own exclusive use. You agree not to make any other unauthorized copies, nor to provide copies to any other person, organization, etc. without the written authorization of Roger P. Ries, the author of the program. You also agree to the disclaimer that is part of the license agreement. The full license agreement is supplied with the program -- including the FREE DEMO version.

DISCLAIMER:

1.) You need to understand that you are buying a program that has not been tested by many users other than by myself. I have tested the program extensively, but it is possible that you may find a flaw (or flaws). If you report any problems, I will try to correct them and provide you with a "fixed" version of the program. I will also provide (via eMail) updated versions of the program from time to time including fixes for any problems discovered by you or others -- to all purchasers who request this service. This will be done at no extra charge (within the constraints of my schedule, which places undue importance to other things such as my "day" job, etc.)

2.) I will not be responsible for any incidental or consequential damages that might result from the use of this program, including (but not limited to) PROMs lost due to incorrect programming, damage that might occur to your radio, etc.

SAMPLE SCREENS:

The images below show some of the screens from the VHF/UHF MCX100® PROM Editor and HEX file generation program.

The above screen shows the main window after the File Menu has been opened.

The above screen shows the Radio and PROM information editor as it appears initially (i.e. with a "new" file - before any changes have been made).

The above screen shows the Radio and PROM information editor after the radio has been changed to the Range 2 VHF radio, and the Custom VCO Frequencies have been enabled. The "Set Default VCO Frequencies" button has also been pressed. This filled the "Custom VCO Frequencies" edit boxes with the factory VCO sub-range frequencies for the Range 2 MCX100 VHF radio. Note that enabling the Custom VCO option has "disabled" the choice of Radio or Radio Range and also the disabled and zeroed the VCO Offset option. This is because these items no longer apply when the custom VCO option has been enabled. While this feature (custom VCO frequencies) is intended for the more advanced user this example gives an idea of the flexibility and power of this software program. Normal operation of the software is restored when the "Enable Custom VCO" option is disabled.

The above screen shows the bank selector screen used to select the channel bank to edit in a radio that uses two banks. Just press the desired bank button to open up the channel editor below -- or press the Done button when you are finished.

The above screen shows the frequency list editor used to edit the TX and RX frequencies and squelch codes. Channel Bank #1 has been selected but has not yet been edited. Enter the desired transmit and receive frequencies for each channel in the frequency boxes. You can also enter the desired squelch codes (PL or DPL) in the squelch code boxes. "CSQ" indicates that "carrier squelch" is to be used. The PL or DPL codes accessible to the MCX100 radio should be entered as desired -- but note that the MCX100 radio being programmed must have the appropriate option (PL or DPL encoder-decoder) before these squelch codes can be programmed into the radio. Also note that any given MCX100 radio (properly equipped) can be programmed with PL or DPL, but not both and not a mixture. This is because the radio can be equipped with either a PL encoder-decoder or a DPL one -- but not both.

Note: MCX100® is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc.

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