easy way of programming a VHF orion out of band with dos

2wayguru · Post by **2wayguru** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 8:09 pm

I assume someone already has done this, I found out a way to program an orion out of band with the dos software. I am using hex workshop, what I do is create a split of special. I then program the freq's I want into it, I then save it under special, from there I read the radio or create a new personality for the correct split the radio is for. Put in some freq's in the field, nothing spacific to anything but a valid freq. I then save the set under vhf. I then take hex workshop and open vhf.efq and special.efq. In the text area to th left of the hex codes I find the name of the channel I want to change. Example Goat.MT...Q.|@ in the area where the...Q.| is where your frequency lies. It will not always look identical to what I show you here since the freq is coded in the text. Now back to what I was saying. Locate the same area in the special.efq section and copy just that part. it should be around 6 charachters or something. and past that over your section in your VHF.EFQ file, make sure it overwrites the area you have selected not add the info in the text. I will show it better on my website and I will pass that info on. PM me or email me if you would like to get more info.. Thanks

redbird · Post by **redbird** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 9:37 am

After I download Hex Workshop, I cannot find it on my computer. Please give me instructions.

2wayguru · Post by **2wayguru** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 4:11 pm

I assume you have installed hex workshop on your computer or have you downloaded it and have no clue is to where it downloaded it to?

Anyways here is what you should be looking for once you have your program working.

Your Transmit frequency lies here

your recieve frequency lies here

RSS is Here

Once again remember to create your frequency set for your correct band split of your radio and save it with a file name. You will see you set saved as an .EFQ file. Example. I save my set as VHF it will be VHF.EFQ, I saved my special set as HAM thus being HAM.EFQ Here is a 150-174 split (VHF.EFQ),

Look at the pics closely. You can open the file in RSS and look at them to make sure your mod worked. HOWEVER, DO NOT move your bar to the frequency or it will tell you it is out of range. Once you have confirmed your mod worked exit out and program. If your radio does not need the mod it will boot up fine, if not you will get the dreaded error code NO LOCK. That is no big deal. Reprogram your radio back with in the split and the radio comes back. If you want to try it again after you modify VCOs and such re load the personality back in the radio and try it again. I hope this info is helpful. here is what the RSS should look like when the mod is done correctly.

rescue161 · Post by **rescue161** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 2:46 pm

Outstanding info!

rescue161 · Post by **rescue161** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 3:35 pm

Still does not work with my VHF Orion. I tried this method with 4 different versions of DOS with no luck. I am at my wits end with this radio. It works great on the HAM bands, but I can not get it to go to 154 MHz...

It looks as if it will work on the DOS Conventional software, but the VHF I have will not program with it. It will only program with EDACS3 DOS software, which will not let you program out of band.

I guess I'm going to have to break down and make my setup a dual radio/one control head configuration...

2wayguru · Post by **2wayguru** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 3:08 pm

what split orion do you have?

rescue161 · Post by **rescue161** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 3:10 pm

Low split, 136-153.

It's been an on going problem with this radio.

2wayguru · Post by **2wayguru** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 3:16 pm

I have a nice condition 150-174 if your interested in trading just the drawer units..

rescue161 · Post by **rescue161** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 3:21 pm

well, i need the low split for work/ham and just wanted to be able to monitor a few channels on 154MHz...

I've been looking in the EDACS4 Windows Programmer to try and find out what makes the software recognize which split radio I have. PITA!!!

Oh, well.

2wayguru · Post by **2wayguru** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 3:24 pm

I know the feeling, I am going nuts trying to get this one in to the 2 meter band.

rescue161 · Post by **rescue161** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 3:58 pm

I really like the way this thing looks and the way it works, I just HATE the splits... I just hope that the lowband units that I have will go out of band a little easier...