Midland XTR/Syntech II Programmer FAQ
(Frequently Annoying Questions)
Question:. I built or purchased my programmer from another source. Can you help me with issues I am having?
Answer: Yes - But my support is limited only to this page. If you are one of my customers, then please read the following and if your problem remains unresolved, send an email.
Question: I hooked up my programmer to my FAST ghz laptop/desktop and using a USB to serial adaptor. Why am I having trouble reading/writing to the radio?
Answer: The programmer/software does not seem to work well with USB to serial adaptors. Many of the USB to serial adaptors are not IEEE compliant. Also there are issues with assigning a usable comport that the software will accept and good luck in finding a driver to make it work in DOS. I highly recommend an older PC with real serial ports unless you have the time and expertise to explore making it work. But does it work? Yes, I have been able to get one of the cheap Chinese Ebay specials to work with my desktop. Experiment at your own risk.
Question: I have what seems to be a compatible computer with real serial ports but have issues reading or writing to the radio.
Answer: What operating system and software are you using? DOS software does not work when running within Windows, you have to be in DOS mode. Only Win95/98 has a true DOS mode. Win 2000 and XP don't. Try on another computer if your machine meets the requirements of the next answer.
Question: What kind of computer do I need?
Answer: Older computers that use DOS work well with the DOS software versions. A computer loaded with Win 95/98/98SE has a DOS mode that the DOS software works fine in, however you must either boot to DOS mode or when shutting down, exit to DOS mode. . Do not open the DOS software in a window and attempt to read/write to a radio. P1, P2, and P3 speed computers seem to work well across the board with the Windows software. P4 or faster experience a lot more problems. VISTA and Windows 7 is an unknown, try at your own risk but more than likely won't work properly. People throw old computers away quite frequently, these usually work great for programming computers.
Question: What kind of computer do you recommend?
Answer: I like my old Toshiba Tecra P1 Laptop, 133mhz using Windows 98SE. It works well with both DOS and windows software. Any older computer should work. I also have successfully used other computers such as a Dell 933 mhz P3 desktop with Windows 2000 Professional and a Gateway 800 mhz P3 desktop with XP Professional running the windows software, as well as a AMD Sempron 3000 with XP. Note that all of these computers had serial ports. Some people have reported success with faster than 1 ghz machines. Unless you are a computer whiz I suggest you stick with an older, slower computer loaded with Win95/98/98SE and dedicate it to radio programming. Slow P1 laptops are pretty cheap on Ebay. Some of the software only comes in DOS versions and with 95/98/98SE you have DOS mode available that is not running from within a window. The Windows version of software usually works on the faster computers with fewer problems than DOS software. .
Question: What operating systems works?
Answer: Almost 100% reliability - DOS on 286,386, 486, 586 and P1 computers. Windows 95/98 on most others. . Many report success with Windows 2000 or XP and the Windows version software. I have not heard from anyone using ME. DO NOT RUN DOS SOFTWARE IN A WINDOW ON ME, WIN2K OR XP. Don't run it in a window in Win95/98 either, boot or shut down to MS-DOS mode. Vista and Windows 7 are unknown, use at your own risk and not be compatible with the windows software.
Question: I tried reading/writing the radio and got an error or dorked it.
Answer: Did you read the hardware and operating system recommendations? If your computer/operating system is within the recommendations and has a history of working with the programmer/software, perhaps someone caused the problem. Using the programmer on a USB to serial port adaptor can corrupt the programming. A good example of user error is programming 23 or more channels into a radio that only will accept 22. Just because the software will accept something doesn't mean the radio will work properly. An error may require making a new file from scratch and loading back into the radio unless you have a known, good, saved file or able to read an identical model of radio and dump it's personality into the dorked radio. If your computer/operating system has no history of success, try another computer or get with someone that has a working computer/programmer and let them try your cable.
Question: I bought my assembled/kit programmer from Greene County Communications. I can't get it to work.
Answer: After reading the above answers and your problem is still unresolved, you can email or call me and I will be more than happy to try to resolve your issues. I prefer email.
Question: After failing to program the radio on my system, I successfully used the cable I purchased from another vendor or built to program a radio on my friend's XYZ computer that is almost the same as mine OR I was able to program the radio using a friend's programmer, my programmer isn't working.
Answer: If you can rule out issues with your computer, you should contact the vender and ask them to figure it out. If you built it, perhaps there is something wrong with the programmer either in the design or some other defect. Recently someone pointed out in the MidlandLMR Yahoo Group there was an error in an online posted diagram.
Question: Aren't all XTR/Syntech II programmers the same?
Answer: NO! Some take power from the serial port, others get it from the radio. Some are of a single chip design and others use 2 chips. The cheaper versions may work with some radios/computers and not others. The programmer that works the most reliably is based on the Midland programmer. The best programmer (Can I help it if I am biased?) is sold by Greene County Communications and is based on the Midland programmer with a few enhancements. And their tech support is heads above the others.
Question: Does your Bantam/Titan or EF Johnson adaptor cable plug into a PC serial port and no programmer is required?
Answer: No, it is not designed to plug into the serial port of a PC. The DB9 connector is used to make the ends of the ribbon cable interchangeable. You still must have a compatible programmer.
Question: What is a compatible programmer with your adaptor cables?
Answer: GCC's own XTR1 Programmer or an original Midland 70-1308A. The adaptor may or may not work with another vendor's programmer.
Question: If I buy your programmer will you send me the schematic of your adaptor cable?
Answer: The diagram for the radio to db9 connector is proprietary. If you purchase a cable, I will supply a diagram upon request.