ImTheGuy Posted April 29, 2014 Report Posted April 29, 2014 I have acquired a pair of brand new Yaesu Vertex VX-500 HTs to use with my GMRS system. I have since learned that an old DOS pc (386 or 486) with a very specific RIB-less cable is needed to program the things. No wonder these things are brand new! Finding access to a PC that old is nearly impossible. I checked with my local radio shop and learned from one of the techs that they barely know what GMRS is, let alone have the ability to do any programming with old equipment. It's a Moto geared shop and they only service the latest equipment.Does anyone know of an experienced shop or service I may get these programmed at? I will continue to try to locate a reasonably priced old PC but, it appears most that I've seen have very proud owners. Quote
PastorGary Posted April 29, 2014 Report Posted April 29, 2014 Guy - The local shop near me uses a Dell PC with XP Pro and Pentium 4 for all their Vertex programming in DOS. Do you have something like that available to you? This RR thread below has the Vertex CE-6 programming software in post number 10 and owner's manual data in post number 11... http://forums.radioreference.com/vertex-standard/285470-vertex-vx-500-a.html This next link lists a programming cable (not USB) that looks as if it will work for you... http://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-Vertex-Mobile-Portable-Programming/dp/B002YZ98CU Looks as if the majority of the storms are finally east of you. Take care and be safe. Quote
Tim Posted April 29, 2014 Report Posted April 29, 2014 I've got the Software and computer I gave my cable to a local two way shop but have access to it any time only issuse is I'm in Ohio Quote
ImTheGuy Posted April 30, 2014 Author Report Posted April 30, 2014 Guy - The local shop near me uses a Dell PC with XP Pro and Pentium 4 for all their Vertex programming in DOS. Do you have something like that available to you? This RR thread below has the Vertex CE-6 programming software in post number 10 and owner's manual data in post number 11... http://forums.radioreference.com/vertex-standard/285470-vertex-vx-500-a.html This next link lists a programming cable (not USB) that looks as if it will work for you... http://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-Vertex-Mobile-Portable-Programming/dp/B002YZ98CU Looks as if the majority of the storms are finally east of you. Take care and be safe. Thanks for the info. I have the software and the radios came in new condition with manuals although, they aren't very friendly with the programming instructions at all. In viewing that particular cable, I realized it's one I've looked at. I'm hesitant on purchasing it because it says the phone plug is 3.5mm. That means it would have to connect to the earphone jack and in my research on the Vertex VX-500 HTs, I understood the programming jack to be the smaller mic jack which is the 2.5mm I believe. I hope I didn't misunderstand that. I may look that up again. There is one puzzling thing to me about these radios. I understand that to put them into program mode, you must depress and hold the "Monitor" button and the "PTT" button simultaneously while turning the radio on and the display should read "PROG". I haven't been able to achieve this on these radios. All I get is a moment of silence then it sounds like the radio keys up four times, changing the channel and blinking a green LED each time and then three, what sounds like to me, error tones with three simultaneous blinks of the red LED. After that, it just scans "CH01" through "CH04". I never see the "PROG" at all. I'm not experienced with this and it may be the program mode won't activate until I have a compatible cable and serial connection to a PC. I don't know. They seem like sturdy enough radios, perfect for GMRS. Quote
ImTheGuy Posted May 10, 2014 Author Report Posted May 10, 2014 Ok fellow operators, I need some help. I can't get these radios to go into program mode. They are Vertex VX-500x4 with DTMF pads installed. I guess that's what the x4 means. Anyway, holding the "MON" and "PTT" switches while turning the radios on is not working. Does anyone have any ideas or knowledge on this? Quote
PastorGary Posted June 8, 2014 Report Posted June 8, 2014 Just bumping this thread to see if anyone can assist with suggestions. Thank you... Quote
unit997 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Hello, I just seen this post. The radio has to be on Channel 1 and the battery needs to be fully charged. Then try holding the MON/PTT buttons while turning the radio on. Also, are you in true DOS mode on your pc? The software cannot run on Command prompt in windows mode. Let me know. Thanks. Logan5 1 Quote
Logan5 Posted June 24, 2014 Report Posted June 24, 2014 You can download and burn to CD or DVD a dos boot disk. old dos on a newer computer is still DOS? no? I once had a radio that required Win XP, I just got rid of the radio. Quote
ImTheGuy Posted June 24, 2014 Author Report Posted June 24, 2014 Hello, I just seen this post. The radio has to be on Channel 1 and the battery needs to be fully charged. Then try holding the MON/PTT buttons while turning the radio on. Also, are you in true DOS mode on your pc? The software cannot run on Command prompt in windows mode. Let me know. Thanks.Hello Unit 997 and thanks for replying. Yes, actually that's what I was originally instructed to do. Use a fully charged new battery. Place the radios on channel 1, press "MON" and "PTT" buttons simultaneously while turning the radios on. Instead of getting the "PROG" on the display as it should, I get 4 squelch burst or "key-ups" with the display showing "CH01", "CH02", "CH03", "CH04" and a green LED blink respectively with each "key-up" and then immediately thereafter, I get 3 tones with a red LED blink on each tone and the display continuing to show "CH04" until I release the "MON" and "PTT" buttons. Once I release these buttons, the display scans "CH01" through "CH04" continuously.I can't get a radio shop to even peep at the radios. None I've contacted will even try to repair these older radios.I now have an old IBM DOS 6.22 computer that programs older radios usually without issue. Quote
ImTheGuy Posted June 24, 2014 Author Report Posted June 24, 2014 Additionally, I understand that these radios need not be connected to a computer to be placed into "Program" mode. Merely pressing the correct buttons while turning the radio on is supposed to place it in "Program" mode. Thanks. Quote
unit997 Posted June 24, 2014 Report Posted June 24, 2014 Additionally, I understand that these radios need not be connected to a computer to be placed into "Program" mode. Merely pressing the correct buttons while turning the radio on is supposed to place it in "Program" mode. Thanks.That is correct. Quote
ImTheGuy Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Posted June 30, 2014 That is correct. Well, neither of the pair will do this, so I'll surmise that they're bricked until I can find someone who knows enough about them that may know what needs to be repaired on them. Quote
ImTheGuy Posted September 7, 2014 Author Report Posted September 7, 2014 I'm bumping this to see if anyone experienced with using or working on the old VX-500 may have some input. Quote
Billy Posted September 8, 2014 Report Posted September 8, 2014 There are several programming services that advertise on Ebay. They range around the $20 for programming a radio. Worth a look. Quote
ImTheGuy Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Posted September 8, 2014 There are several programming services that advertise on Ebay. They range around the $20 for programming a radio. Worth a look. Yes, but neither of the two radios will go into "Program Mode" and there's only one way of initiating it. They would just be sent back with advice that they're in need of repair, which I already know. What would be better is if I could find a shop that will still take a look at them. Quote
janyitrai Posted March 11, 2021 Report Posted March 11, 2021 in toledo ohio- can program the VX-500's if needed still ---- real old post! but you never know Quote
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