Section 4 - Test Mode


Test mode access.

NEWER 95xx PHONES (Thank you Motorola!!!)

Many newer phones don't require grounding. If your software version number is 9526 (I think) or newer, enter this:

FCN 0 0 * * 8 3 7 8 6 6 3 3 STO

In case you have trouble remembering the number sequence, it spells out "TESTMODE." Leave it to Motorola to make this easier and easier all the time. I have used this and it does work. This command just backs up my claim even further that esn changing via handset is a reality. It's a matter of finding the correct combination of keys.

Normal test mode commands work like usual from then on.

For some odd reason, this hasn't been included in all the 95xx phones. I believe they started it in Software 9526. This is only an estimate, so if you have a 95xx flip, let me know what software version you have and whether it works or not so this date can be isolated. Mine is a 9562 that worked.
INSTALLED MOBILE PHONES AND TRANSPORTABLE MODELS

To enter test mode on units with software version 85 and higher you must short pins 20 and 21 of the transceiver data connector. An RS232 break out box is useful for this, or construct a test mode adapter from standard Radio Shack parts.

For MINI TR or Silver Mini Tac transceivers (smaller data connector) you can either short pins 9 and 14 or simply use a paper clip to short the hands free microphone connector.

HAND HELD PORTABLE MODELS:

There are two basic types of Motorola portable phones, the Micro-Tac series "Flip" phones, and the larger 8000 and Ultra Classic phones. Certain newer Motorola and Pioneer badged Micro-Tac phones do not have a "flip", but follow the same procedure as the Micro-Tac.
8000 & ULTRA CLASSIC SERIES:

If you have an 8000 series phone determine the "type" before trying to enter test mode. On the back of the phone, or on the bottom in certain older models, locate the F09... number this is the series number. If the FOURTH digit of this number is a "D" you CAN NOT program the unit through test mode, a Motorola RTL4154/RTL4153 programmer is required to make any changes to this unit.

Having determined that you do not have a "D" series phone the following procedure is used to access test mode:

Remove the battery from the phone and locate the 12 contacts at the top near the antenna connector. These contacts are numbered 1 through 12 from top left through bottom right. Pin 6, top right, is the Manual Test Mode Pin. You must ground this pin while powering up the phone. Pin 7 (lower left) or the antenna connector should be used for ground. Follow one of these procedures to gain access to pin 6:

  • The top section of the battery that covers the contacts contains nothing but air. By careful measuring you can drill a small hole in the battery to gain access to pin 6, alternately simply cut the top off the battery with a hack saw. Having gained access use a paper clip to short pin six to the antenna connector ground while powering up the phone.
  • If you do not want to "destroy" a battery you can apply an external 7.5 volts to the + and - connectors at the bottom of the phone, ground pin 6 while powering up the phone as above.
  • You can also try soldering or jamming a small jumper between pins 6 and 7 (top right to lower left), or between pin 6 and the antenna connector housing ground. Carefully replace the battery and power up the phone. Use caution with this method not to short out any other pin.
  • A cigarette lighter adapter, if you have one, also makes a great test mode adapter as it can be disassembled to give you easier access to pin 6. Many are pre marked, or even have holes in the right location. This is because they are often stamped from the same mold that the manufacturer uses for making hands free adapter kits and these kits require access to the phone's connectors.
ULTRA CLASSIC II SERIES:

Ground Pin 2 to pin 4.

MICRO-TAC "FLIP" SERIES:

This phone follows similar methods as outlined for the 8000 series above.
Remove the battery and locate the three contacts at the bottom of the phone, the two outer contacts are raised and connect with the battery. The center contact is recessed, this is the Manual Test Mode connector.

Now look at the battery contacts, the two outer ones supply power to the phone, the center contact is an "extra" ground. This ground needs to be shorted to the test mode connector on the phone. The easiest way to do this is to put a small piece of solder wick, wire, aluminum foil or any other conductive material into the recess on the phone. Having done this carefully replace the battery and turn on the power, if you have been successful the phone will wake up in test mode.

GENERAL NOTES:

HANDSETS: Most Motorola handsets are interchangeable, when a handset is used with a transceiver other than the one it was designed for the display will show "LOANER". Some features and buttons may not work, for instance if the original handset did not have a RCL or STO button, and the replacement does, you will have to use the control * or control # sequence to access memory and A/B system select procedures.

LOCK/UNLOCK PROCEDURES:

Phones with "LOCK" buttons: Press lock for at least 1/2 a second.

Phones with a "FCN" button: Press FCN 5, note that 5 has the letter's "J,K, and L" for lock.

Phones with no FCN or LOCK button: Press Control 5, control is the black volume button on the side of the handset.

SYSTEM SELECT PROCEDURES:

Phones with a RCL button: Press RCL *, then * to select, STO to store.

Phones with no RCL button: Press Control * then * to select, # to store.
     Options are:    CSCAn:    Preferred/Non preferred with system lockout.
		     Std A/b, or Std b/A:  Preferred/Non preferred.
		     SCAn Ab, or SCAn bA:  Non preferred/Preferred
		     SCAn A:  "A" ONLY
		     SCAn b:  "B" ONLY
		     HOME:     Home only
		     Pref'd SIDS:  Service within the entered SIDS (up to 15)

     (these are typical options, some phone's vary.  C-Scan is only available 
     on newer models and does not appear unless programmed, see below.)

TEST MODE

NOTE: Not all commands work on all telephones. If a command is not valid the display will show "ErrOr." Not all numbers have been assigned. Not all numbers have been listed here. Some commands were intended only for Motorola factory applications. (This is the disclaimer in the technical training manual. I have included all of the other commands I have discovered one way or another. Some that say no function do have a function but it is unknown until it is figured out.)

Three test commands are significant for programming and registering the the telephone for service: see full descriptions under TEST MODE COMMANDS.

32# Clears the telephone. (Older Motorola allowed either three or fifteen changes in the MIN. After that, the phone had to be sent to Motorola to reset the counter. This is the command they use.)

38# Displays the ESN
55# This is the TEST MODE PROGRAMMING (as described below).

TEST MODE DISPLAY:

Test mode consists of two separate levels. When the telephone is first placed in Test Mode, it is in the STATUS DISPLAY LEVEL. The display will be scrolling (or flashing), or it will be locked. If locked, enter the unlock code and the display will begin scrolling. If the unlock code is not known, press #. By pushing the # key, the technician causes the cellular telephone to change to its SERVICING LEVEL. The display will be US' . There are five types of display, depending on the model of the telephone: a 16 character display, a 14 character display, a 10 digit display (with two versions), an 8 character display, and a 7 character display. The status display is different in analog operation than in a TDMA call.

NOTE: Use of a loaner handset is allowed in servicing level, but may not be allowed in the status display level. A locked telephone will not show the status display, but will enter the servicing level.
14 Character Analog Call Display                  14 Character TDMA Call Display

      +---------------+                                 +---------------+
      | A B C D E F G |                                 | A B C D E F G |
      | H I J K L M N |                                 | H I J K L M N |                           
      +---------------+                                 +---------------+

ABC = Channel                                     ABC = Channel ("A" in the 
D   = *Call Processing Mode                             position indicates a
EFG = RSSI                                              channel above 1000)
H   = **(D)SAT                                    D   = *Call Processing Mode
I   = 1=TX on                                     EFG = RSSI
J   = 1=Signalling Tone On                        HIJ = Digital Verification
K   = Power Level (0-7)                                 Color Code (1-255)
L   = 1=Control Channel                           K   = Power Level (0-7)
M   = 1=RX Audio off                              L   = 1=TX on
N   = 1=TX Audio off                              M   = 1=Bit Error Rate (0-7)
						  N   = 1=Audio Muted

*Call Processing Mode:                            *Call Processing Mode
BLANK = AMPS                                      BLANK = AMPS
A = NAMPS High Sub-Channel                        1 = Slot 1, half rate
B = NAMPS Center Sub-Channel                      2 = Slot 2, half rate
C = NAMPS Low Sub-Channel                         3 = Slot 3, half rate
						  4 = Slot 4, half rate
**(D)SAT:                                         5 = Slot 5, half rate
0 = 5970 Hz                                       6 = Slot 6, half rate
1 = 6000 Hz                                       7 = Slot 1, full rate
2 = 6030 Hz                                       8 = Slot 2, full rate
3 = No SAT                                        9 = Slot 3, full rate
------------
0-6 = DSAT Vector                                 NOTE:  The Analog Call 
7 = No DSAT                                              Display will always
							 show when on a control channel.


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