Motorola Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000, MCX and Mostar Information Index

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Back to Home The Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000, MCX100, MCX1000 and Mostar Series Index page
Compiled by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
Web page maintained by Robert Meister WA1MIK
I know nothing about this equipment so please don't ask!

While Motorola literature includes a
space in the model name (Syntor X 9000),
we've removed the space on this web page
and most of the accompanying articles.

Syntor Introductory Information You should read this page first.

Syntor X9000 Detailed Information:

The Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000, and trunking Syntor X and X9000E page by Mike Blenderman K7IC (offsite link)
If you have any flavor of Syntor you will want to bookmark this page !

The original Syntor X9000 Sales Brochure 2.0 MB PDF file

Syntor X9000 Conventional Radio System Operator's Manual 971 kB PDF file

Syntor X9000 Trunked and Conventional Operator's Manual 1.14 MB PDF file

Syntor X9000E Privacy Plus Radio System Operator's Manual 1.02 MB PDF file

Syntor X9000 Instruction Manual Supplement 9.8 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
This supplement covers early Syntor X9000 radios, before the applicable manuals were published.
It is intended to be used with the later Syntor X manuals, as follows:
• VHF Syntor X radios, covered in manual 6881060E05
• UHF Syntor X radios, covered in manual 6880100W45
Later Syntor X9000 radios are covered in the following manuals:
• Low-Band Syntor X9000 radios: 6880101W95
• High-Band Syntor X9000 radios: 6880102W05
• UHF Syntor X9000 radios: 6880102W04
A later version of the early X9000 supplement is here. 7.2 MB PDF file
It includes 800 MHz units and a few more options.

Syntor X9000 Low Band Service Manual 15.6 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
This radio came in ONE range! Despite its official "31-50 MHz" range, the radio will do 28-54 MHz just fine - as long as you realize that the average low band mobile antenna only does a 1 MHz portion of that band. The only way to get around the 1 MHz limitation is to either use two mobile antennas (which gives two 1 MHz "windows") or to use a screwdriver antenna and a self-contained auto-tuner (like an SGC). The details on the two-antenna setup is in the mobile section of the Antenna Systems page at this web site.

Syntor X9000 High Band Service Manual 17.8 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
This radio comes in two ranges, 136-154.4 and 150-174 MHz.

Syntor X9000 UHF Manual 6.6 MB PDF file scanned by Charles Blythe, KD5TKR
This radio came in five ranges: (1) 406-420, (2) 450-470, (3) 470-488, (4) 482-500, (5) 494-512 MHz.
Ranges 3, 4, and 5 are pretty useless to hams (except for parts to convert a Syntor X to a Syntor X9000).

Syntor X9000 / System 9000 Siren-PA 3.2 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
This manual covers the W269AF, W269AH, W589AH and W589AK series units, and both the HLN1184 and HLN1185 kits.

Syntor X9000 / System 9000 HKN4241A control cable schematic 182 kB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
This schematic shows the horn and headlights control, normal and SecureNet cabling, and more.

Syntor X9000 / System 9000 Tee-Connector/Cable 297 kB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
This is just a scanned schematic of a T-Cable that connects an X9000 radio to a siren box. We don't have the part number of the connector itself, or of the siren box.

Syntor X Detailed Information:

The Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000, and trunking Syntor X and X9000E page by Mike Blenderman K7IC (offsite link)
If you have any flavor of Syntor you will want to bookmark this page!

Accessories (mike, speaker, handset, hang-up boxes) 737 kB PDF file

Common Circuits Board (low-band) 1.6 MB PDF file

Common Circuits Board (UHF) 1.8 MB PDF file

Handheld Control Head 2.7 MB PDF file

Instruction Manual (low-band) 7.8 MB PDF file

Instruction Manual (UHF) 8.6 MB PDF file

Maintenance and Troubleshooting 3.0 MB PDF file

Microcomputer System (low-band) 4.5 MB PDF file

Microcomputer System (UHF) 8.7 MB PDF file

Receiver and Extender (low-band) 5.5 MB PDF file

Receiver (UHF) 4.0 MB PDF file

Rotary Mode-Select Control Head (1985) 1.9 MB PDF file

Rotary Mode-Select Control Head (1989) 5.1 MB PDF file

Synthesizer (low-band) 6.8 MB PDF file

Synthesizer (UHF) 6.0 MB PDF file

Transmitter (low-band) 3.1 MB PDF file

Transmitter (UHF) 4.1 MB PDF file

Syntor, Syntor X and MCX100 Amateur Band Programming Information:

http://www.sites.onlinemac.com/pbennett/5857/software.htm By Paul Bennett N7OCS (offsite link)

Other Syntor, Syntor X, and Syntor X9000 Information:

Moving a highband Syntor to 2 meters By Mark Tomany N9WYS
This article includes a description of the needed VCO modifications.

Modify a Syntor X for Repeater or Point-to-Point Link Use By Scott Lichtsinn KBØNLY

Syntor X Mobile Radio Information By Mike Blenderman K7IC (offsite link)

Syntor X Code Plug Information By Paul Kasley W9TS (offsite link)

Syntor X PC Programmable Memory Modules From Piexx Company (offsite link)

Some experiences with a Syntor X By Dennis Boone KB8ZQZ (offsite link)

Making your own TRN4224A PL tone plug by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
The TRN4224A Tone Plug is used in internal tone PL boards in radios such as the Mitreks, Syntors, Maxar, the Systems-90 multi-PL mobile encoders and some other devices.
While this article is Mitrek oriented, the information is valid for any equipment that uses the TRN-4224 series of plug-in tone module.

Making your own TRN6005 DPL code plug by Mike Morris WA6ILQ from information and photos provided by Jerry Matthews WAØUZI
Like the tone plug above this module is used on a wide range of equipment including Mitreks, Syntors and the Systems-90 multi-DPL mobile encoders. A quad DPL board for a MICOR base station is shown in the article, but the information in this article is applicable to any equipment that uses the TRN6005 series of DPL code plugs.

Improving the performance of the low-band Syntor X9000 by John Haserick W1GPO
The stock radio performs well up to 50 MHz, but the output power suffers above that. By modifying the coils in the harmonic filter, performance is extended to cover the full 6-meter band.

Effects of Retuning the Syntor X9000 PA Low-Pass Filter on the Receiver by John Haserick W1GPO
John investigates the modified (see article above) harmonic filter's effect on the receiver's performance.

MCX100, Power Supplies, and Syntor PROM Information:
The MCX100 requires a PROM burner for programming and is similar in that respect to the Syntor, whereas the MCX1000 is fully programmable using RVN4011 RSS, like the Spectra.

MCX100 UHF manual 8.5 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY

MCX100 VHF DVP Manual 15.4 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
This manual covers the D23EXA, T23EXA (both are 10 watts), D43EXA or T43EXA (both are 30 watts) series of radios.
The same manual in six sections: Part 1, 1.2 MB Part 2, 5.8 MB Part 3, 3.7 MB Part 4, 5.3 MB Part 5, 5.0 MB Part 6, 8.8 MB

Complete TPN1136A power supply schematic and parts list 370 kB PDF file extracted from the MCX100 manual above
Also has info on the TLN5274B regulator board, the TRN6282A chassis and the TKN6948A, TKN6949A, TKN8199A cable kits.
Moto changed the board mid-production but didn't change the board number.
Click here for the early TPN1136A power supply schematic only (40 kB PDF file)
Click here for the later TPN1136A power supply schematic only (41 kB PDF file)
This power supply was used on the low power base station versions of the MCX100, the Maxar and the Maxar-80.

TPN1154A power supply schematic and parts list 530 kB PDF file
Also has info on the TLN5274B, TRN6561A, TKN6948A, TKN6949A, TKN8199A kits.
This power supply was used on the high power base station versions of the MCX100, the Maxar and the Maxar-80.

Syntor and MCX PROM replacement 188 kB PDF file by Ted Maczulat VE7TFM

PROM to EPROM Adapter Boards for the Syntor and MCX100 from Andy Brinkley of Brinkley Electronics in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (offsite link)
These boards let you use more modern chips in place of the unobtainable old ones that Moto used.
A board specifically for the Syntor A board specifically for the MCX100 (offsite links)
For the Syntor-X use the Xcat mentioned above.

MCX1000 Information:

The MCX1000 RSS manual is part number 6802902A30.

MCX1000 VHF Service Manual 8.7 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
A note from Eric: The "Diagnostic Test Plug" is mentioned twice in the manual, once in Section 3.6.2 (Oscillator Frequency Adjustment), and once in Section 3.6.3 (Deviation Adjustment). The Test Plug is Motorola Part #0180358A54 and while it is no longer available you can make your own. It is nothing more than an RJ-45 (8-wire) modular plug that has a jumper between pins 4 and 5. Those are the middle two pins, so it's hard to get it wrong.

MCX1000 VXN1017A Touch-Code Microphone Manual 1.2 MB PDF file

Mostar Information:

Mostar Information and Programming Source
Andy Brinkley of Brinkley Electronics in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (offsite link)
While his web site may not specifically say Mostar, he does have the equipment to do them.

Repeater-Builder is looking for a schematic (even a hand-drawn one that you traced out) of the MIB (Mostar Interface Box); even Moto's own MIB service manual (6880900Z57) doesn't have the schematic. The MIB is different enough from the standard RIB that it can't be used to program a Mostar.

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Motorola® is a registered trademark of Motorola Inc. Image used with permission.
Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000, Syntor X2, Syntor X3, the stylized / drop shadowed X, MCX, Mostar, MCX100 and MCX1000 are all registered trademarks of Motorola Inc.

This web page, this web site, the information presented in and on its 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.

	The Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000, and trunking Syntor X and X9000E page by Mike Blenderman K7IC (offsite link) If you have any flavor of Syntor you will want to bookmark this page !
	The original Syntor X9000 Sales Brochure 2.0 MB PDF file
	Syntor X9000 Conventional Radio System Operator's Manual 971 kB PDF file
	Syntor X9000 Trunked and Conventional Operator's Manual 1.14 MB PDF file
	Syntor X9000E Privacy Plus Radio System Operator's Manual 1.02 MB PDF file
	Syntor X9000 Instruction Manual Supplement 9.8 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY This supplement covers early Syntor X9000 radios, before the applicable manuals were published. It is intended to be used with the later Syntor X manuals, as follows: • VHF Syntor X radios, covered in manual 6881060E05 • UHF Syntor X radios, covered in manual 6880100W45 Later Syntor X9000 radios are covered in the following manuals: • Low-Band Syntor X9000 radios: 6880101W95 • High-Band Syntor X9000 radios: 6880102W05 • UHF Syntor X9000 radios: 6880102W04 A later version of the early X9000 supplement is here. 7.2 MB PDF file It includes 800 MHz units and a few more options.
	Syntor X9000 Low Band Service Manual 15.6 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY This radio came in ONE range! Despite its official "31-50 MHz" range, the radio will do 28-54 MHz just fine - as long as you realize that the average low band mobile antenna only does a 1 MHz portion of that band. The only way to get around the 1 MHz limitation is to either use two mobile antennas (which gives two 1 MHz "windows") or to use a screwdriver antenna and a self-contained auto-tuner (like an SGC). The details on the two-antenna setup is in the mobile section of the Antenna Systems page at this web site.
	Syntor X9000 High Band Service Manual 17.8 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY This radio comes in two ranges, 136-154.4 and 150-174 MHz.
	Syntor X9000 UHF Manual 6.6 MB PDF file scanned by Charles Blythe, KD5TKR This radio came in five ranges: (1) 406-420, (2) 450-470, (3) 470-488, (4) 482-500, (5) 494-512 MHz. Ranges 3, 4, and 5 are pretty useless to hams (except for parts to convert a Syntor X to a Syntor X9000).
	Syntor X9000 / System 9000 Siren-PA 3.2 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY This manual covers the W269AF, W269AH, W589AH and W589AK series units, and both the HLN1184 and HLN1185 kits.
	Syntor X9000 / System 9000 HKN4241A control cable schematic 182 kB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY This schematic shows the horn and headlights control, normal and SecureNet cabling, and more.
	Syntor X9000 / System 9000 Tee-Connector/Cable 297 kB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY This is just a scanned schematic of a T-Cable that connects an X9000 radio to a siren box. We don't have the part number of the connector itself, or of the siren box.

	The Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000, and trunking Syntor X and X9000E page by Mike Blenderman K7IC (offsite link) If you have any flavor of Syntor you will want to bookmark this page!
	Accessories (mike, speaker, handset, hang-up boxes) 737 kB PDF file
	Common Circuits Board (low-band) 1.6 MB PDF file
	Common Circuits Board (UHF) 1.8 MB PDF file
	Handheld Control Head 2.7 MB PDF file
	Instruction Manual (low-band) 7.8 MB PDF file
	Instruction Manual (UHF) 8.6 MB PDF file
	Maintenance and Troubleshooting 3.0 MB PDF file
	Microcomputer System (low-band) 4.5 MB PDF file
	Microcomputer System (UHF) 8.7 MB PDF file
	Receiver and Extender (low-band) 5.5 MB PDF file
	Receiver (UHF) 4.0 MB PDF file
	Rotary Mode-Select Control Head (1985) 1.9 MB PDF file
	Rotary Mode-Select Control Head (1989) 5.1 MB PDF file
	Synthesizer (low-band) 6.8 MB PDF file
	Synthesizer (UHF) 6.0 MB PDF file
	Transmitter (low-band) 3.1 MB PDF file
	Transmitter (UHF) 4.1 MB PDF file

	Moving a highband Syntor to 2 meters By Mark Tomany N9WYS This article includes a description of the needed VCO modifications.
	Modify a Syntor X for Repeater or Point-to-Point Link Use By Scott Lichtsinn KBØNLY
	Syntor X Mobile Radio Information By Mike Blenderman K7IC (offsite link)
	Syntor X Code Plug Information By Paul Kasley W9TS (offsite link)
	Syntor X PC Programmable Memory Modules From Piexx Company (offsite link)
	Some experiences with a Syntor X By Dennis Boone KB8ZQZ (offsite link)
	Making your own TRN4224A PL tone plug by Mike Morris WA6ILQ The TRN4224A Tone Plug is used in internal tone PL boards in radios such as the Mitreks, Syntors, Maxar, the Systems-90 multi-PL mobile encoders and some other devices. While this article is Mitrek oriented, the information is valid for any equipment that uses the TRN-4224 series of plug-in tone module.
	Making your own TRN6005 DPL code plug by Mike Morris WA6ILQ from information and photos provided by Jerry Matthews WAØUZI Like the tone plug above this module is used on a wide range of equipment including Mitreks, Syntors and the Systems-90 multi-DPL mobile encoders. A quad DPL board for a MICOR base station is shown in the article, but the information in this article is applicable to any equipment that uses the TRN6005 series of DPL code plugs.
	Improving the performance of the low-band Syntor X9000 by John Haserick W1GPO The stock radio performs well up to 50 MHz, but the output power suffers above that. By modifying the coils in the harmonic filter, performance is extended to cover the full 6-meter band.
	Effects of Retuning the Syntor X9000 PA Low-Pass Filter on the Receiver by John Haserick W1GPO John investigates the modified (see article above) harmonic filter's effect on the receiver's performance.

	MCX100 UHF manual 8.5 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	MCX100 VHF DVP Manual 15.4 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY This manual covers the D23EXA, T23EXA (both are 10 watts), D43EXA or T43EXA (both are 30 watts) series of radios. The same manual in six sections: Part 1, 1.2 MB Part 2, 5.8 MB Part 3, 3.7 MB Part 4, 5.3 MB Part 5, 5.0 MB Part 6, 8.8 MB
	Complete TPN1136A power supply schematic and parts list 370 kB PDF file extracted from the MCX100 manual above Also has info on the TLN5274B regulator board, the TRN6282A chassis and the TKN6948A, TKN6949A, TKN8199A cable kits. Moto changed the board mid-production but didn't change the board number. Click here for the early TPN1136A power supply schematic only (40 kB PDF file) Click here for the later TPN1136A power supply schematic only (41 kB PDF file) This power supply was used on the low power base station versions of the MCX100, the Maxar and the Maxar-80.
	TPN1154A power supply schematic and parts list 530 kB PDF file Also has info on the TLN5274B, TRN6561A, TKN6948A, TKN6949A, TKN8199A kits. This power supply was used on the high power base station versions of the MCX100, the Maxar and the Maxar-80.
	Syntor and MCX PROM replacement 188 kB PDF file by Ted Maczulat VE7TFM
	PROM to EPROM Adapter Boards for the Syntor and MCX100 from Andy Brinkley of Brinkley Electronics in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (offsite link) These boards let you use more modern chips in place of the unobtainable old ones that Moto used. A board specifically for the Syntor A board specifically for the MCX100 (offsite links) For the Syntor-X use the Xcat mentioned above.

	The MCX1000 RSS manual is part number 6802902A30.
	MCX1000 VHF Service Manual 8.7 MB PDF file donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY A note from Eric: The "Diagnostic Test Plug" is mentioned twice in the manual, once in Section 3.6.2 (Oscillator Frequency Adjustment), and once in Section 3.6.3 (Deviation Adjustment). The Test Plug is Motorola Part #0180358A54 and while it is no longer available you can make your own. It is nothing more than an RJ-45 (8-wire) modular plug that has a jumper between pins 4 and 5. Those are the middle two pins, so it's hard to get it wrong.
	MCX1000 VXN1017A Touch-Code Microphone Manual 1.2 MB PDF file

	Mostar Information and Programming Source Andy Brinkley of Brinkley Electronics in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (offsite link) While his web site may not specifically say Mostar, he does have the equipment to do them.
	Repeater-Builder is looking for a schematic (even a hand-drawn one that you traced out) of the MIB (Mostar Interface Box); even Moto's own MIB service manual (6880900Z57) doesn't have the schematic. The MIB is different enough from the standard RIB that it can't be used to program a Mostar.