thor88 wrote:The radio can ONLY be programmed with a computer. You need an OLD computer running DOS since the software will not work on 486 or faster computer, a special interface box called a RIB with proper cables and the radio software called "RSS." Everything but the software is available on eBay as either used or knock-off copies. The software is a little tricky to get, but sometimes can be found on Russian warez sites. Motorola still enforces the copyright on it and prosecutes pirates, so don't ask me for a copy.The expense of the RIB and cables and finding a 486 DOS computer usually is not worthwhile unless you are going to be programming a lot of radios. Any pirated Russian software is risky, either corrupt or missing files or for a foreign version of the radio. If you are lucky, it just gives an error and won't read the radio or, at worse, turns the radio into a "brick" when you try to write to it. Even with proper software there is some risk of serious problems if you don't know what you are doing.
In any case, do some research (try batlabs.com) before doing anything.
If you can get a good deal on a used Motorola radio, it is worth taking it to an authorized Motorola shop to be programmed. Cost is usually around $40-50 and I have seen it as low as $25 for simple programming. It can be more if a radio has to be programmed from scratch for all 97 AAR channels but it is still usually worth it.
It is a one time expense and you wind up with a properly working radio.
