CS800 Update - External Speaker Modification Procedure

CS800 Update - External Speaker Modification Procedure

We will post something to our website today that shows how to put in the diode. As was mentioned earlier, it does not matter which way you put in the diode. You could also mount the diode external to the CS800 or across the speaker. The problem with this is you might forget in a few years and get another speaker and forget about the diode and burn out the radio after the warranty has expired.

As Jerry mentioned, we have a solution for the external speaker problem and it is being implemented in all new radios being shipped and also those being manufactured. For those who already have a CS800, we will either add the diode for you or send the diode to you for installation. If you want to see what is involved, here is a step by step with photos (sorry, they are not the best pics). I will upload this to the files section also.

CS800 The Programming Cable Used For?

[CS800DMR] BTW, what's the "other" programming cable used for?
Well, I inserted the DB15 cable and it's working well. What is the "other programming cable that appears to plug into the microphone jack?

Question
A friend of mine just got his CS800. In the box is a USB to RJ45 cable. He also has the programming cable which is USB to DS9. So what the heck is the other USB cable to be used for?

Ham Radio 2.0: Episode 6 - Unboxing the Connect Systems CS800 Mobile DMR Radio

Ham Radio 2.0: Episode 6 - Unboxing the Connect Systems CS800 Mobile DMR Radio

Repair of CS800 External Speaker Problem

Connect Systems is going to offer you three options for fixing the external speaker problem:

1. You can send the radio to us and we will pay for shipping both ways. We will get you a FedEx or USPS call tag to send it back to us. WE WILL NOT REIMBURSE YOU IF YOU SEND IT YOURSELF.

2. We will send you a P4KE12CA diode and have you install it yourself. To install the diode you need to take off the top cover and install the diode on top of the Speaker Jack. This is a relatively easy job because it is NOT surface mount. The diodes are a D041 case with leads.

3. You do nothing.

4. At this time this is only a possibility. We will supply a diode on an external device that will plug into the radio and you will then plug your speaker into that external device.

Upgrade Firmware for CS800

Upgrade Firmware for CS800 (Disclaimer-It worked for me)

Disclaimer- Not an expert, Not a representative of CSI and it worked for me. If you don't have a basic understanding of manipulating softwares and files, then make sure you understand before you start messing around or ask for help from somebody that does. 

To upgrade your CS800 to the lastest firmware, You will need the latest flash burn version 1.10

which you can get from the Connect Systems Website  under the CS750 Radio. Its not under the CS800 section. Flashburn 1.10 Download and open it. Minimize it (has an icon of a micro chip).

You will need it later  to upload the Mobile bootloader R2.01S.bin and the Firmware version 1.01.01 .bin

to your CS800. (MUST LOAD BOOT LOADER FIRST) 

Download the Mobile_Bootloader_ R2.01S.bin from the CS800 Section of the Connect Systems Website

Connect Systems CS800 software upgrade flash firmware update

I was happy to find out a new firmware update was available (I find it annoying to be stuck on a channel while it is receiving any digital signals).

So, I go to the Connect Systems web site under CS800 and I get a "boot loader", a "firmware update" and a Read Me" file...

Now I have a text file and two .bin files - what do I use to load this stuff, certainly not the programming software...

So, I go to "software" on the website, and it seems sure that what I need is to download something that turns out to be "Silicon Laboratories Flash Utility", which is one of the most oblique programs I have ever run. It looks like it could cause far more damage than help in the wrong hands, and it doesn't seem to accept .bin files anyway!

To make a tediously long story shorter, I finally traced down the FlashBurn software on the CS750 (where else would you expert to find software required for your CS800???) and I successfully flashed my CS800.

Isn't DMR obscure enough? Do newbies really need these rites of initiation where there is no explanation of how to flash your firmware?

Is there documentation written in easy to understand colloquial English for those that have survived this rite of fire?

CS800 power settings

I was confused by the power setting listed in the CS800 manual. It lists 25w low, 45w UHF/50w VHF high. however the radio shows low, medium, and high settings. I checked the radio on analog with my bird meter and it shows 5 watts low, 25 watts medium, and 50 watts high. Another ham confirmed those readings with a service monitor. My bird meter will only show half the output for a digital signal but the readings I got were close to what I saw for analog. Several of us in my area were using the low setting assuming it was 25 watts but it fact we were only putting out about 5 watts. My advice is to verify for yourself what is listed in the manual because I am sure there are other mistakes listed.
Posted by: Richard W7AM

[CS800] separating the front head

Any productive guidelines to get the front separated? I slide the little plastic tab towards the arrow on the left hand side, but everything is still tight together...

Answer:

Push the tab as you have done then you slide the front to the left.  It does not pull out like your instincts would show.

Who would have thunk it slid off, rather than "popped" off!

CS800 USING EXTERNAL SPEAKERS - IMPORTANT NOTICE - UPDATE JUNE 17

Reply-To: CS800DMR@yahoogroups.com
Here is the latest information and our recommendation -

Currently, we request that you DO NOT USE any external speaker of any impedance value with the CS800. We are working on solutions to correct this problem as quickly as possible.

We have been able to recreate the damage to the audio output system while using an external speaker. On careful analysis, Jerry has determined that this problem originates in speakers with a high inductance, and that impedance will play little role. The cause is a voltage spike generated due to high inductance that is reflected back into the system, overpowering the MOSFETs. The spike is generated when a sharp waveform is passed to the speaker, which is possible under both analog and digital reception.

We are researching solutions and have some ideas that need to be tested and approved by the manufacturer. We will publish the changes for those who would like to make the modification

CS800 Using External Speaker - UPDATE

CS800 Using External Speaker - UPDATE
Reply-To: CS800DMR@yahoogroups.com

We have been testing a variety of scenarios and researching the circuitry on the CS800 since the last post. Here is the latest information:

The audio output is rated to handle between 2 and 16 ohms, and is supposed to be able to handle a dead short. The part number for the audio amplifier is TDA2003 in case anyone is interested in doing additional research. We do not suggest experimenting on your radio - but instead we are providing this to assure folks that we will not currently be refusing warranty repair or replacement if the audio output is compromised.

We have tried to break a couple of radios by using a variety of speakers with a range of impedance values, but we have yet to recreate the problem. Our manufacturer is also investigating the problem, and we are exchanging information often.

We have heard that some folks are using an external speaker with no problems noted. While there is probably no need to disconnect existing speakers that are working, we are leaning toward the conservative view until we know more. The purpose behind our current recommendation is to avoid any more damaged radios until we can determine a specific cause. It may have nothing to do with an external speaker, but right now that is the only item in common.