CommandStar Lite
The CommandStar Lite is a standalone version of the CommandStar dispatch console that does not require an external rack of components to interface with radios. All connections are made from the rear panel of the console.
Hardware
Power Supply
The CommandStar Lite requires a unique, impossible to obtain power supply. It provides the following voltages per the service manual (linked below)
| Voltage | Ampacity (max) |
|---|---|
| +5VDC | 10 A |
| -5VDC | 1 A |
| +12VDC | 5 A |
| -12VDC | 1 A |
WARNING: the pinout listed in the service manual for the power connector is NOT referring to the blue 8-pin connector on the rear of the console. It is referring to the internal power connector footprint on the motherboard. Below is a verified working pinout reference for the CommandStar power connector:
The connector is a Positronic PLB-08 series connector, with the male end on the console and the female end on the power supply cable.
Using this info, I have successfully homebrewed a power supply that can power the console properly.
Manuals
Installation and Troubleshooting Manual
Installation and Troubleshooting Manual Revision
System Database Manager Manual
Software
CSDM-Lite
CSDM-Lite is the "programming software" package for the CommandStar Lite. It supports both programming as well as real-time diagnostics and software upgrades. CSDM-Lite will allow you to program the console, and will also provide printouts and cutsheets for wiring of your configured radios. Which is good, because the above service manuals only briefly touch on the console's pinouts and do not explain how various radios are interfaced. It also includes a LABELS program which can create printable labels for the console modules.
To use CSDM-Lite, you must first "login." The default login is SUPERUSER/SUPERUSER
Windows XP
The following are the known releases for the Windows XP version of the CommandSTAR Lite software. These include the installer for CSDM-Lite as well as software binaries for COP (runtime), TMS (the DSP unit) and the Bootstrap flash EEPROMs.
| Release Number | CSDM-Lite | Lite Bootstrap | Lite COP | Lite TMS | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R02.06.01 | 4211090-12 | 3211950-11 | 3211931-38 | 3211932-16 | R02.06.01 |
| R02.06.02 | 4211090-12 | 3211950-11 | 3211931-39 | 3211932-16 | R02.06.02 |
MS-DOS
We also have a DOS-based version of CSDM-Lite. This version can be used to flash software onto CommandStar Lite consoles that do not communicate properly with the above Windows XP versions. Simply place the COP.X and LITETMS.LO/.HI files from the above Windows XP release into the same directory as the DOS .EXE, and perform a software upgrade via the menu option in the DOS software.
