Midland Syntech II
Do I have a Syntech I, Syntech II, or XTR ?
Does your radio have a rubber plug about 1 inch x 1 inch on one of the covers? If not, you have a Syntech I.
Syntech I, II, and XTR Differences
| Feature | Syntech I | XTR | Syntech II |
| Trunk mount radio/control head interface connectors | 34 pin | 34 pin | 37 pin |
| Color of buttons on control panel/head | Blue | Blue | Gray/White |
| Display | 1/2 inch 2 digit LED | 1 inch 2 digit LED | 1 inch 3 digit LED or alphanumeric LCD |
| Control Head Trim Color | Gray | Black | Gray |
| Z273 or Z383 Module | YES | NO | NO |
| Programming port covered by rubber plug on cover | NO | YES | YES |
For more information about your radio, check the Repeater Builder's model chart.
WARNING!
Disconnect the power from your ST2 before connecting the control head to the radio. Failure to disconnect the power may result in a 5 amp pico fuse blowing. More information below.
Syntech II radios are 320 channel radios with the channels arranged in groups. They are available in both trunk mount and dash mount radios in 2 power ranges. Trunk mount radios can be converted to dash mount by removing the front panel from a "wide "control head housing and replacing the handle on the radio. This does not apply to the small control head.
There are two types of display options available. A 3 digit LED display and a 12 character alpha-numeric LCD display. Channel names are limited to 6 characters on the LCD version.
XTR and ST1 control heads cannot be used on ST1 radios. ST1/ XTR control cables are not the same, as the ST2 cable uses a 37 pin connector. The standard Midland mic is the same for all 3 models of radio, but the connector for some XTR's and ST2 is a 6 pin instead of 4.
ST2 Bandsplits
| Lowband VHF | Midband VHF | Hiband VHF | UHF |
| A = 30-36 mhz | ? | A = 136-160 mhz | A = 402-420 mhz |
| B = 36-42 mhz | ? | B = 150-174 mhz | B = 450-470 mhz |
| C = 42-50 mhz | |||
| CWB = 37-48 mhz Wideband |
6 meter Conversions
The 70-0520CWB radios will tune to 6 meters with no modifications to the front end if the model number is changed to a C instead of a W in the programming software. The C version radios tune to 6 meters. Some have reported that tinkering with low pass filter at the antenna connector improves the output. The VCO will require realignment (E11 error on power up) and the front end tuning should be checked.
Power and control cables may be purchased from Bridgeman Communications and they have wiring diagrams available.
Programming Information
Programming Tip: If the programmer errors when trying to read or write to the radio, make sure the radio is not in scan mode. When the programmer is connected to the radio, the display shows SC1 and will not change until the programmer is disconnected.
Programming hardware for an ST2 is a Midland 70-1080, 70-1308 programmer, or GCC's clone of the 70-1308 called the MP-1. You can order it here. The 70-1308 or MP-1 plugs into your computer's serial port. See our Programmer FAQ if you are experiencing problems with reading/writing to your ST2. ST2's seem to be more finicky than XTR's and there have been a few cases where other vender's programmers have not worked properly with them but the XTR performed with no problems.
ST2 software comes in both MS DOS and Windows versions. The Windows version works with Win95, Win98. Many reports have come in that it works with 2000 Professional, and XP. Refer to our Programmer FAQ for more information.
Frequency programming is straightforward in both DOS and Windows software. Programming the radio for the control panel features can be a nightmare. There are many different configurations between the standard and public safety control panels. There is some information posted in the MidlandLMR Yahoo Group (link on our resources page). If you have information on programming for the various control panels, we would like your contribution. Programming out of band frequencies may require a file in the software be edited. This can be done in any text editor to open up the bandsplit.
ST2 Error Codes
Note: These codes are displayed on the channel readout and not in software
| CODE | Meaning | Comments |
| E00 | Microcomputer error - Master Program ROM | |
| E01 | Microcomputer error – RAM | |
| E02 | Model number not defined in programming Data-Packet | |
| E03 | No Channel Groups defined | At least one channel must be assigned to at least one group. |
| E04 | No channels defined | At least one channel must be defined by entering a receive frequency for normal radio operation. E04 will also result if Channel 1 is deleted from the channel list but not from the group assignment, even if other channels are defined. |
| E05 | Memory-check error | Courtesy http://www.greenecountycommunications.com |
| E06 | An undefined channel is assigned to a group | This will most commonly occur if a channel was defined, assigned to a group, then deleted from the channel list but not the group assignment. |
| E07 | P/S mode has been chosen and a Priority 1 channel P/S mode: the Priority 1 channel is user has been programmed into a group, or G/P mode selectable only and must not be programmed has been chosen and an undefined channel is into any group. |
The Priority 2 channel may be assigned as the Priority 1 channel programmed. P/S-2 & P/S-3 only: If one touch tone selection is made without programming P/S-2 and P/S-3: No direct tones programmed any tones on the buttons. G/P mode: E07 will occur if the channel is deleted from the channel list but is not deleted from the Priority 1 channel assignment within a group. |
| E08 | An undefined channel is selected as the Priority 2 | This can occur if a channel is deleted from the channel in a group channel list but not from the Priority 2 assignment within a group. |
| E09 | Manual mode entries have been incorrectly made | If the incorrect entries cannot be identified, it is recommended that a known good data packet be cloned or transferred from another radio, or, as a last resort, the programming data can be re-entered. |
| E10 | Synthesizer unlocked at center frequency | |
| E11 | Synthesizer unlocked | Common Error when programming amateur frequencies - Requires VCO to be realigned |
| E12 | Duplex synthesizer unlocked | |
| E50 | Programmer interface error | |
| E51 | Cloning interface error |
No Display On Power Up
If your radio does not power up, the 5 amp pico fuse located near J111 and the relay on the RF board may be open. This happens quite often when the control head is plugged into the radio while power is connected. For clarity, J111 is unplugged and the screwdriver is just above F1 in the picture below. There is room to replace this fuse with a small pigtail type AGC fuse holder if an exact replacement fuse is not available.
Other Pages
| Syntech I | Syntech II |
| XTR | XTR 8 Channel |
| Bantam | Titan |
| Olympian | ML Series and STM Series |
| Identifying Your Radio | Programming Cable FAQ |