An overview of the Motorola Radio Service Software (RSS), the Radio Interface Box (RIB), their history, problems and some solutions

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Back to Home An overview of the Motorola Radio Service Software (RSS), the Radio Interface Box (RIB), their history, problems and some solutions
Web page by Mike Morris WA6ILQ

Don't forget ‑ Whenever you acquire a synthesized commercial radio, be it Motorola, GE, Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, E. F. Johnson, or any other, remember to make a copy of the original code plug (with the commercial frequencies) and archive it. Just save the code plug to the codeplug archive directory on the hard drive and use the radio serial number as the file name. It's much better to waste a few kilobytes of cheap hard drive space on a backup you may never need than to need a backup you don't have and can't get.
More details in the RSS article below.

Much of the information presented below was compiled from information provided by several folks in emails and phone calls, and condensed into article form for distribution here to help the radio enthusiasts understand just why Motorolas RSS is such a pain to use and why the perfomance is so problematic. Other information was contributed, some anonymously on a floppy disk (but the envelope had a Schamburg postmark !).

These articles attempt to cover some of the problems that the users of DOS based (i.e. pre‑Windows‑NT/2000/XP era) Motorola Radio Service Software have, where the problems came from and how they happened, and what the options are for working around them. While the articles are Motorola-specific, some of the workaround techniques are applicable to other brands.

Basically, always run your RSS in pure MS-DOS or PC-DOS version 5.x or 6.x on a slow computer that has a real COM port and this does NOT mean a DOS window in ANY version of Windows !! If there are icons on the screen, or a START button is the corner then IT IS NOT PURE DOS !!!

As said on the front page of this web site, Repeater-Builder is NOT responsible for anything YOU do. If you misuse any RSS, or run it in a DOS Window, or on a too-fast computer that makes it crash or corrupt a code plug, it has the potential for turning expensive radios into bricks.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
Read the first four articles below thoroughly and understand them.

Moto maintains an RSS list on the dealer web site. Every so often repeater-builder gets a copy in anonymous email. Here is the 9th August 2007 RSS list (anybody have anything newer?).
If you are looking for something older, there are links to several older lists located near the end of the first RSS article below.

Motorola's legal group has made the topic of RSS so touchy that the first four articles below were written by folks that wanted to be anonymous. Much of the material submitted has been reworded at the originators request. There is some repetition of information in the articles below both for emphasis, and because they were written and edited by different people. When you have multiple people writing on the same topic some duplication is inevitable...

Background Information I by A. Nony Mous

Background Information II by Friend #1 of A. Nony Mous
This was written after someone saw the first article, and felt that some topics were not adequately covered.

The Radio Interface Box (RIB) by Friend #2 of A. Nony Mous
A look at the hardware involved.

Radio Service Software (RSS) by Friend #3 of A. Nony Mous
Some additional details not in the above writeups.

An overview of a common problem in the Radio Service Software by Friend #1 of A. Nony Mous
This article expands on a problem that was touched on only lightly and in passing in the Background Information II article above.

Introduction to RSS and Radio Programming by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK
This article describes the various pieces of the puzzle - how to connect them, how to set them up - to allow you to easily and successfully program many of the older Motorola radios. It's geared towards the user who just bought a radio, needs to program it, and is new to RSS and RIBs.

Modifying the Radio Service Software (RSS) by Friend #4 of A. Nony Mous
Sometimes you have to modify (edit at the hexadecimal level) the RSS to allow it to do what you want (like entering amateur radio frequencies on 28-30 MHz, 50-54 MHz, or 902-927 MHz). There are pitfalls to watch out for, especially when you buy or sell a radio.

Pentium Compatible Radio Service Software (RSS) by Friend #5 of A. Nony Mous
Some additional details not in the above writeups.

There is a "Secrets of the MDF file" article by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK on the GTX page of the Motorola section. While it is somewhat GTX-specific, it's worth reading before you read the next article.

Hex-editing the MaxTrac MDF file for UHF and 900 MHz by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK
This article describes the process that you have to do to modify the MDF file for easier programming on UHF or 900 MHz amateur frequencies. The procedure is applicable to other programs as well.

One interesting radio programming hardware configuration I heard about (but haven't seen) was an HP 200LX palmtop. The gentleman had all of his RSS in the unit, and it allowed him to reprogram a large number of radios with the same serial cable and RIB configuration that plugged into a desktop or a laptop. The RIB, HP palmtop and a few cables all fit into a 9 inch x 7 inch x 4 inch CD player softcase.

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This web page first posted 16-Mar-2004

Motorola® is a registered trademark of Motorola Inc. CPS, HT600, Micor, Mostar, MaxTrac, Radius, MT1000, R100, Radio Service Software, RSS, Radio Interface box, RIB, Saber, SmartRIB, Spectra, STX, Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000, Systems Saber and other terms used in the articles above are trademarks, service marks or copyrighted by Motorola Inc. and are used in this writeup and on this web site in a descriptive or educational use only, and no misuse or infringement is intended.

This web page, this web site, the information presented in and on it's pages and in these modifications and conversions is © Copyrighted 1995 and (date of last update) by Kevin Custer W3KKC and multiple originating authors. All Rights Reserved, including that of paper and web publication elsewhere.

	Background Information I by A. Nony Mous
	Background Information II by Friend #1 of A. Nony Mous This was written after someone saw the first article, and felt that some topics were not adequately covered.
	The Radio Interface Box (RIB) by Friend #2 of A. Nony Mous A look at the hardware involved.
	Radio Service Software (RSS) by Friend #3 of A. Nony Mous Some additional details not in the above writeups.
	An overview of a common problem in the Radio Service Software by Friend #1 of A. Nony Mous This article expands on a problem that was touched on only lightly and in passing in the Background Information II article above.
	Introduction to RSS and Radio Programming by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK This article describes the various pieces of the puzzle - how to connect them, how to set them up - to allow you to easily and successfully program many of the older Motorola radios. It's geared towards the user who just bought a radio, needs to program it, and is new to RSS and RIBs.
	Modifying the Radio Service Software (RSS) by Friend #4 of A. Nony Mous Sometimes you have to modify (edit at the hexadecimal level) the RSS to allow it to do what you want (like entering amateur radio frequencies on 28-30 MHz, 50-54 MHz, or 902-927 MHz). There are pitfalls to watch out for, especially when you buy or sell a radio.
	Pentium Compatible Radio Service Software (RSS) by Friend #5 of A. Nony Mous Some additional details not in the above writeups.
	There is a "Secrets of the MDF file" article by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK on the GTX page of the Motorola section. While it is somewhat GTX-specific, it's worth reading before you read the next article.
	Hex-editing the MaxTrac MDF file for UHF and 900 MHz by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK This article describes the process that you have to do to modify the MDF file for easier programming on UHF or 900 MHz amateur frequencies. The procedure is applicable to other programs as well.