According to the Motorola sales brochures from the era, the "MSF" stands for "Maximum System Flexibility". The MSF10000 is the European version, and the PURC5000 is a paging base station that is derived from the MSF5000 (the older plain "PURC" station was Micor based). The "PURC" was a marketing-generated abbreviation and stood for Paging Universal Remote Control, which was a paging oriented modification to the standard tone remote control format for transmitter keying in both the analog and binary mode. Some Micor-based PURCs and MSF-based PURC5000s had crossband receivers (usually 75 or 900 MHz), others were analog wireline controlled, others had modems that passed digital data from a leased digital wireline to the transmitter. An interesting thread providing some PURC5000 station info can be found here.

The MSF5000 stations come in two basic types: those with "CLB" and those with "CXB", "RLB", or "GFB" in their model number. A "JLB" is a transmit-only (i.e. paging) version of a "CLB" (which used the marketing name of "PURC5000"), a "JXB" is the similar version of a "CXB", and a "JFB" is the similar version of the "GFB".

The front panel control shelf on the MSF identifies the type of controller it has. First find the volume and squelch controls; they will be on a small subpanel of the control unit. If you see a 3-digit red LED display window at the right side of that subpanel, then it's a "CXB", "RLB", or "GFB" that is programmed by a PC via a serial cable. If there is no display then it's a "CLB" that needs the suitcase. Photos of both are on the "Photo Tour" page listed below.

The "CLB" series (the earliest ones) are commonly called the "analog" stations and hold their parameters (RF frequency, PL tone or DPL code, etc.) in a 2732 family EPROM and are programmed via the R-1800/1801 suitcase programmer. If you have a "CLB" and don't have a suitcase you will need to find someone who does. You will only need it once to burn the frequency and configuration profile PROM for your station (unless you need to change frequency). And having the suitcase isn't everything; the suitcase has to have the MSF kit installed in it. See this web page on what it takes to program a "CLB" series MSF (it's an offsite link).

Those units with "CXB" or "RLB" in their model number are commonly called the "digital", "digital-capable" or "digital modulation capable" stations and this simply means that the station can be equipped for encrypted communications - a 12 kbps [two level] digital Securenet modulation format (DES / DVP). The secure option board enables the station to perform as a true digital repeater by regeneration of the recovered inbound data. It can also encrypt and decrypt analog audio from and to the station's analog wireline (the leased circuit from the station to the dispatch console), enable repeat based on proper code detect, etc.

Units with "GFB" in their model number are commonly called "analog-plus"; they're "digital" too, but are not capable of secure communications (and could be exported).

All of the "CXB", "RLB" and "GFB" stations (in other words, anything with a 3-digit display) are programmed via a serial port which can be accessed via the control or expansion jacks of the control tray. You will need a PC booted to DOS (it will not run properly in a DOS BOX or under any version of Windows) running Radio Service Software (RSS) product number RVN-4077G (the current version is R05.21.00) and a RIB and cable to connect to the MSF. There is an "RSS and RIB" web page on this web site that covers some of the details on them, and some of the limitations of the software.

An interesting and informative thread on 800 MHz vs 900 MHz MSF stations and how to tell them apart by the model number can be read here. The short version: any Cn5xxx-n1nn (where x is a letter and n is a number) is 800 MHz and Cn5xxx-n2nn is 900 MHz.

EBay buyers: beware! No matter WHAT the model tag says, no MSF or PURC station will ever operate over the entire 132-174 MHz or 403-475 MHz frequency band listed on its model tag / label. Each station will do only a portion of that model tag frequency spread, called a "split", a "bandsplit" or a "range". This is a simple law of physics.

Unfortunately, there are only two ways to determine the bandsplit of your station. You either have to read the code plug (with RSS or the suitcase programmer) and look at the information it displays, or you have to find a tag or number stamped on a major frequency-sensitive assembly (PA, RF Tray, VCO) and check the last digit. If it's a "1", the station is "Range 1"; if it's a "2", the station is "Range 2". The various ranges are detailed in the "MSF5000 Photo Tour" below - look for the heading "Selected Station Ratings and Specifications". You may notice some yellow/orange labels on the lower left corner of the RF tray casting and on the VCOs in some of the photos; as this is a Range 2 station, the last digit is "2" for all of these assembly numbers.

The analog station has an identifier whose spacing is locked at 15 minutes, and whose tone frequency is locked at a specific tone frequency. These two characteristics contribute to the fact that almost every analog station I've seen has been programmed as a duplex base station and fitted with an external controller.
I've heard rumors that someone has identified the various locations in the firmware that control the IDer and has changed:
a) the spacing to 9 minutes and 55 seconds (to make it ham-radio-legal)
b) the tone frequency to 1064 Hz
c) the chip checksum to make the byte differences in the above two modifications "legitimate" so that the rest of the programming accepts it.
If anyone has the above info please let share it with repeater-builder so we can share it with others.

There is a bug in the MSF programming software that programs the digital stations. The Auto ID Interval field will accept any value, but seems to reduce some to the next lowest 5, 10, 20, or 40 minute interval. You can enter 009 but it seems to change that to 000. All other values between 001 and 010 work fine. 11-14 get reduced to 10. 15 works fine, but exceeds the FCC rules for amateur repeaters. This isn't a problem with amateur systems that are configured with external controllers and disable the MSF internal CW ID.

Speaking of CW ID, the deviation level of the internally-generated tones (CW ID and alarm) is fixed and not adjustable. Many people complain that it is too loud. There are several ways to deal with this issue:

• Make sure the station deviation is set correctly to 4.5 to 5.0 kHz maximum, 2.0 to 2.5 kHz for 896 MHz stations. Set it with PL/DPL activated.
• Adjust the various timing parameters such that the CW ID is sent when the transmitter is otherwise off; the CW ID will be sent without PL/DPL, and a coded receiver won't hear it. If users can't hear it, they won't complain that it's too loud.
• Adjust the CW ID parameters in RSS for tone and speed. Higher audio tones will sound softer on a de-emphasized receiver, since they aren't pre-emphasized in the transmitter.
• Change a resistor value or two on the SSCB (requires removing the SSCB) to lower the CW ID deviation ratio, then readjust EEPot #4 to get the deviation back where it belongs.
• Use an external repeater controller that gives you the ability to adjust the CW ID tone level separately.
• Live with it and enjoy all the good things the MSF5000 is known for.

The HMN1001B microphone plugs right into the RF drawer and allows you to locally key the transmitter and talk over it - there is just one problem: the MSF station receiver does not have a local speaker. It has a low level amplifier that drives the earpiece in the TMN6164A test handset. The page scan includes the pinout of the connector, and an amplified speaker could be wired into the receiver easily.

	The original MSF5000 Sales Brochure   Donated by A. Nony Mous   4.3mb 12-page PDF file.
	A Photo Tour of the MSF5000 UHF Station   By Robert W. Meister WA1MIK This is a web page filled with almost a megabyte of thumbnail photos and about 71kb of text, including a description of the MSF metering panels / test sets and the TRN7794A tuning tool kit. Those on dialup connections need to understand that this is a very LARGE article... It's over 30 pages if you print it. The full size photos total about 12.5MB.
	MSF5000 Interface Signals   By Robert W. Meister WA1MIK Everything you wanted to know about the available signals an external controller could use, but didn't know whom to ask...
	Interfacing the MSF to a CAT200 or CAT250 Repeater Controller   By Robert W. Meister WA1MIK Yet another method of connecting an external controller to a digital station.
	RSS Programming of the MSF for Repeater use   By Robert W. Meister WA1MIK This article takes you through all the settings necessary to have a stand-alone repeater using the internal controller, then tells you what to change to utilize an external controller via the MRTI interface using the cable described in the above article. While the author used a CAT200/250 series controller, any controller can be interfaced.
	Removing a Secure board from an MSF5000 station   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK A simple step-by-step procedure that tells you how to remove the secure board from a digital-capable station. Also applicable to the TTRC board.
	Making a Programming Cable for a Digital-Capable station   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK Details on connectors and signals to make your own radio-to-RIB cable for use on RSS-programmed digital-capable stations.
	Info on Interfacing an Analog MSF5000 Station to a Repeater Controller   By Jim Reese WD5IYT; 240kB PDF file While Jim is interfacing an analog station to a home-brew controller the basic concept is useful - as long as you have the right voltages COR is COR no matter if it's a home-brew controller or an NHRC, a Link / RLC or an S-Com, etc.
	Info on Interfacing an Analog MSF5000 Station to an RLC Repeater Controller   By A. Nony Mous; 75kB PDF file Another user's interfacing information, specifically for the analog MSF5000 and the RLC repeater controllers.
	Programming Information for the Analog MSF5000 stations   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK These stations use EPROMs and require a suitcase programmer. Here's a step-by-step run-through of the various parameters used to create or modify your code plug EPROM.
	How to get a CXB Secure-capable Station Control Board to work in a CLB station   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK The CLB station can be upgraded with a CXB control board (which converts it from an EPROM to RSS programming), but you need to get 5V to the rest of the station. This article tells you why this is so, and how to fix it.
	How to use the MSF5000 power amplifier stand-alone   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK Enough people have asked how to do this. Not much to it, just a few precautions. Put that spare VHF, UHF, or 900 MHz power amp and power supply to good use.
	How to make the MSF5000 work without a power amplifier   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK This is complementary to the previous article. It explains what I did to get a digital-capable UHF station to transmit without its power amplifier attached.
	Accessing the electronic adjustments in the digital-capable MSF5000 station   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK A quick summary of the EEPots and how to adjust them via RSS or the front panel.
	MSF5000 900 MHz Repeater Ordeal   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK One group's ordeal getting a bunch of the New Jersey repeaters functioning. Also includes performance tests on the 5 MHz ovenized oscillators that were required to make each of these a stand-alone repeater. This article is a work-in-progress and will be amended as necessary.
	MSF5000 900 MHz Miscellaneous Adjustments   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK An addendum to the above article that provides helpful information and procedures for several critical adjustments to the 900 MHz repeater stations.
	Adding Simple DTMF On/Off Control to an MSF5000 900 MHz Station   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK Multi-digit DTMF control necessary for the New Jersey repeaters, but it should work just as good on any digital-capable MSF5000 station with a TTRC.
	Disabling HearClear on the MSF5000 900 MHz Repeaters   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. A few jumper changes on a CLB station and an unexpected result of a programming change to a GLB station totally disables the HearClear circuitry (compressor, expander, flutter-fighter) on these otherwise fine repeaters. Read on, McDuff.
	MSF5000 900 MHz Repeater Conversion   by Mark A. Tomany N9WYS Another group's ordeal getting a few of the New Jersey repeaters functioning. Mark added a duplexer inside his station; read more about that in his article below.
	Adding an Internal Duplexer to the 900 MHz Repeater Stations   by Mark A. Tomany N9WYS Mark also had one of the New Jersey 900 MHz repeaters, but wanted to make it totally self-contained. He managed to innovatively squeeze a duplexer inside the cabinet. This article describes what he went through.
	Analog and digital error and alarm codes   Compiled by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK; 81kB PDF file This info was obtained from the RSS HELP file plus several instruction manuals. It also includes the blinking display and LED codes as well as the audible beeping alarm codes.
	Digital error codes, probable causes, and corrective actions   Compiled by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK; 180kB PDF file This came from a PDF file sent to Repeater-Builder. It was converted to RTF, then turned into a DOC file, where the tables were converted to text, straightened out, turned back to tables, then heavily edited and standardized.
	Digital and Analog-Plus SSCB controls and indicators documentation   Compiled by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK; 60kB PDF file This came from chapter 2 of the Instruction Manual and was hand-typed and formatted as a PDF file. More information may be added as the need arises or time is available.
	Interfacing the PURC5000 Link Receiver   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK I found this 72 MHz link receiver on a popular auction site. I had a manual for it so I took it all apart and documented the available signals.
	Adding a Speaker and Audio Amplifier to the PURC5000 Link Receiver   by Robert W. Meister WA1MIK A follow-up / companion article to the one above. It's now a very useful stand-alone bench tune-up chassis.
	MSF5000 VHF Model Chart (PDF)   Submitted by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	MSF5000 UHF Model Chart (PDF)   Submitted by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	MSF5000 800 MHz Model Chart (PDF)   Submitted by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	MSF5000 900 MHz Model Chart (PDF)   Submitted by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	Combining Tee Duplexer cable (PDF)   Submitted by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY The actual measurements for the most common of these cables can be found in the drawings below.
	TLE5732A Green Tee cable (PDF)   Submitted by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY This cable handles TX below RX.
	TLE5772A Yellow Tee cable (PDF)   Submitted by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY This cable handles TX above RX.

The following commercial businesses or private individuals claim to provide analog station EPROM programming services. You may have to send some your old EPROM.

The MSF Manual library:
In the two tables below "NLA" indicates that the manual is no longer available (the dealer web site shows "Canceled" in the availability column). Where a a dollar amount is shown it indicates the dealer price as of December 2007. Many that were listed as available were flagged as being limited to the on-hand supply. Prices change quarterly; use the price shown only as a guideline, and expect that retail pricing will be higher anyway.

Manual Part Number	Description	Status (see note)
6880310B31	RTL-4826C MSF5000 Station Control Codeplug Programming Manual (this is for the CLB "analog" stations)	???
6881061E95	PURC radio link receiver manual 72-76 MHz and 928-960 MHz	NLA
6881062E75	Older UHF CLB (analog) Base / Repeater Instruction Manual	$60
6881063E39	MSF5000 Power Supply Chassis TPN1186A	NLA
6881063E47	"The "MSF5000 Introduction" manual is a 14-page Technical Executive Summary type of writeup which covers the analog station only"	NLA
6881064E05	PURC5000 Paging Transmitter 928-932 MHz 50-150 watts Instruction Manual The paging synthesizer section was scanned by Tom KB5DPE and subsequently cleaned up and turned into a PDF file by Bob WA1MIK. This contains the HSO, 14.4 MHz reference oscillator, digital modulator, and power supplies. This is NOT the unit that came with the New Jersey GFB stations. It can be downloaded as an 8.2MB file here.	NLA
6881064E70	Older 900 MHz (Motos parts guide lists this as an 800 MHz manual, but it's really a 900 MHz) Trunked/Repeater (150 watt CLB) Instruction Manual that has full schematics of every assembly. The Driver Power Amplifier (TTF1242B, TTF1243A) section of the manual has been scanned and can be downloaded as a 2.4MB PDF file here. The Final Power Amplifier (TTF1212B, TTF1213A) section of the manual has been scanned and can be downloaded as a 2.6MB PDF file here.	$53
6881065E70	MSF5000 Supplemental Manual UHF Phone Applications	$67
6881067E50	PURC5000 VHF 350W Service Manual	???
6881077E15	MSF5000 Supplemental Manual UHF 6-75W	$35
6881077E25	MSF5000 Repeater 850-860 / 905-915 MHz	NLA
6881077E35	PURC5000 UHF Paging Transmitter Service Manual Contains a separate manual # 6881117E76-D titled "PURC & PURC 5000 Digital Wattmeter & Audio Delay Line" option C47 & option C770.	$90
6881078E25	MSF5000 800 MHz (851-869 TX and 806-824 RX) Trunked and Repeater Service Manual	$53
6881078E40	MSF5000 Trunked Repeater Operations Manual	NLA
6881079E95	MSF5000 Supplemental Manual UHF SECURE	$79
6881080E30	This "Options" manual is an expensive list of some of the available options for the digital / analog station. It is not at all complete and not terribly helpful once you own the system.	$53
6881080E80	MSF10000 VHF Base / Repeater Service Manual	NLA
6881081E95	MSF5000 SMARTWORKS INSTL MANUAL	$60
6881082E05	Older CXB (Digital) / RLB (Analog) Control & Applications Manual	NLA
6881082E10	Older CXB (Digital) / RLB (Analog) UHF Service Manual. This is huge and worth trying to find and has been replaced by the newer band-specific service manual. It contains schematics and parts lists for EVERY unit (PA, PS, RF tray, Control tray) and has detailed theory of operation sections.	NLA
6881082E20	Older CXB (Digital) / RLB (Analog) VHF Instruction Manual. This is huge and worth having if you ever find one. It covers the 125 watt / 350 watt stations and has full schematics and parts lists. Almost all of the 28 Volt power supply (TPN1260A, TPN1265A) section has been scanned and can be downloaded as a 1.9MB PDF file here.	NLA
6881084E45	MSF10000 UHF Service Manual	NLA
6881084E50	MSF10000 Service Manual, VHF Digital - No, the price in the right hand column is NOT a typographical error. That's what Moto's dealer web site says.	$520
6881084E80	PURC5000 w/Advanced Controller Installation/Operation Manual	???
6881087E60	MSF5000/10000 Data Station Smart Wildcard and Diagnostic Options Manual. Contains options charts, installation, and configuration info on the RSSI Loopback Combiner board (used in Data and Diversity Reception stations) as well as the Station Access Module.	$60
6881089E28	PURC 900 MHz 5W, 75W, 15W Station Intercabling diagram showing the Low Power Control Head (LPCH) documented below.	???
6881089E69	PURC 900 MHz 5W Low Power Control Head (LPCH) manual. Basically a stand-alone forward power sensor that allows a station to operate without a PA or DPA/FPA, turning it into a 5W station. While this came from a PURC manual, it should also be usable on an MSF station. Used with the intercabling diagram above.	???
6881092E05	CXB (Digital) / RLB (Analog) Installation Manual, covers alignment, operation, limited circuit theory, installation, error codes, specifications, etc., for all models. The entire alignment section has been scanned and can be downloaded as a 5.5MB PDF file here. The board jumpers section has been scanned and can be downloaded as a 640kB PDF file here. The HSO/USHO section was scanned by Mark N9WYS and subsequently turned into a PDF file by Bob WA1MIK. This contains the HSO, 14.4 MHz reference oscillator, and power supplies. THIS is the unit that's in the New Jersey 900 MHz GFB stations. It can be downloaded as a 22MB file here.	$52
6881092E75	CXB (Digital) / RLB (Analog) VHF Service Manual (Depot)	$87
6881092E80	CXB (Digital) / RLB (Analog) UHF Service Manual, covers alignment, operation, and minimal troubleshooting, and has schematics, parts lists, and board layouts for the Uniboard, front end, and control tray ONLY. It has nothing on the power amplifiers, power supplies, intermediate power amplifiers, or VCOs	NLA
6881092E85	CXB (Digital) / RLB (Analog) 800 MHz Service Manual	$87
6881092E90	CXB (Digital) / RLB (Analog) 900 MHz Service Manual	$87
6881094E30	MSF5000 Power Supply Service Manual From an email to repeater-builder: This manual, which comes in a nice 3-ring ring binder, contains tech data, schematics, and parts lists for all power supplies used in MSF5000 stations. Sixteen different AC-input power supplies are included, as well as two DC-input power supplies. Battery charging supplies are included, as well. Curiously, the MSF5000 service manuals that I have do not include power supply information, but include a phrase like, "see the power supply manual for further information" without revealing the publication number.	$22
6881114E40	Wild Card - Option C232AA, AB, AG or C233AB when factory installed, or Model QLN2914A when field installed. This option is used only on wireline controlled stations.	NLA
6881114E93	Expansion Tray	NLA
6881125E68	Field Programming (RSS) User's Guide	NLA
6881126E87	Multi-Coded Squelch (MCS) Manual for digital-capable and analog-plus stations. You need a different manual for the analog (CLB) stations.	$13

Manuals for metering panels:

Part Number	Description	Status
6881114E04	The TLN2418 Remote Metering Panel (RMP) is the same unit as below but without the LED matrix. The internal circuit board is the same, just missing a lot of parts. Of course the case is different too. This unit is sufficient to tune a CLB / JLB station.	$18
6881143E03	The TLN2419 Digital Metering Panel (DMP) has a meter, and a speaker (and the associated speaker amplifier) and a matrix of 64 LEDs. If you are responsible for the operation and / or maintenance of any MSF stations you really want this unit!!! This is especially true if you have the digital station.	NLA

There may be other manuals out there; contributions of additional numbers and descriptions are always welcome.

Eric Lemmon WB6FLY compiled this PDF list of MSF and PURC manuals.

In May 2009, Motorola no longer had the firmware EPROM for the SSCB, TVN6055A. They did still list the latest firmware EPROM for the TTRC, TVN6056A, for about US$31. There's also no part number listed for the Secure board EPROM.

Back to the top of the page
Up one level (Moto index)
Back to Home

Hand-coded HTML © Copyright 2006 and date of last update by Mike Morris WA6ILQ and repeater-builder.com.
This page created 26-Mar-2006

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.