Dual Band Mobile Choices

[Jim1348]

I am looking for some information before I make a recommendation at work. We will be buying some mobiles and have a need for both VHF high band and 800 mHz. My first reaction is to simply recommend a Motorola APX7500. However, the more I think about the more I ought to find out what others here have experienced. I have used dual and tri band portables and mobiles in the amateur radio world, but, as I understand it, the Motorola configurations are very different. I Am also aware that the XTL5000 is nearing end of life.

Anyway, what would people here be inclined to do:

-APX7500

-XTL5000 with a single control head controlling two RF decks

-Two completely separate radios, one VHF and one 800 mHz

The VHF will be straight up conventional, although it will likely contain both analog and P25. The 800 mHz side. however, will be an APCO P25 statewide trunked system. How does the scanning system work on an APX7500 with both VHF conventional and 800 trunked? Will it scan between both or is that not possible? I suspect the APX7500 allows for a cleaner installation.

[Jim202]

I am looking for some information before I make a recommendation at work. We will be buying some mobiles and have a need for both VHF high band and 800 mHz. My first reaction is to simply recommend a Motorola APX7500. However, the more I think about the more I ought to find out what others here have experienced. I have used dual and tri band portables and mobiles in the amateur radio world, but, as I understand it, the Motorola configurations are very different. I Am also aware that the XTL5000 is nearing end of life.

Anyway, what would people here be inclined to do:

-APX7500

-XTL5000 with a single control head controlling two RF decks

-Two completely separate radios, one VHF and one 800 mHz

The VHF will be straight up conventional, although it will likely contain both analog and P25. The 800 mHz side. however, will be an APCO P25 statewide trunked system. How does the scanning system work on an APX7500 with both VHF conventional and 800 trunked? Will it scan between both or is that not possible? I suspect the APX7500 allows for a cleaner installation.

Before you plunk down your decision on the radio, have you looked at the Harris Unity mobile XG100M? Take a look and see if it will not do the same thing and maybe much more.

Jim

[Bigfella237]

You can set up two XTL mobiles to operate from one control head (with the G474 - Multi Radio Software option) but you are restricted to using the old W3 HHCH only, and the "Hot Red Receiver" option is not supported in ASTRO 25 radios.

And as you say, the ASTRO 25 platform is virtually at it's EOL anyway, so the APX mobiles would seem to be the better option if you go with Motorola?

Andrew

[resqguy911]

And as you say, the ASTRO 25 platform is virtually at it's EOL anyway, so the APX mobiles would seem to be the better option if you go with Motorola?

Andrew

Not virtually, actually. You have about 15 days left to order one.

[p47r4ck]

...Not virtually, actually. You have about 15 days left to order one.

Huh? Isn't it just the XTS 5000 & XTL 5000 that are being cancelled on 11/30/2013, or did I miss something?

I thought the 1500 & 2500 (XTS & XTL) would still live on for a little bit longer.

I'm actually looking forward to the 5k being killed off so they become a little more affordable for the hobbyists!

[Pj]

The original poster stated XTL5000, not a 1500 or 2500. Those radios will most likely be announced EOL by 1st quarter 2014 (most likely based on the APX offerings).

Your choices are the APX and Harris radios supporting APCO25 trunked system. If your current fleet is Motorola, the logical choice is to stick with the 7500 for user familiarization and operation if already using or familiar with the ASTRO25 radios. To the end user, everything will generally operate the same way. You can generally reuse the same mobile accessories maximizing any spares/parts you have.

If your not stuck to Motorola, go out and see if you can get demo radios from your local dealers to be installed in a couple of test cars. Also check with your system administrator on what is officially approved for subscribers. I think in the midwest (as far as portables are concerned) the Unity was not approved or recommended due to some random issues - but they are not the only make or model that received a less than favorable rating.

[Jim1348]

Here is the Approved Equipment List

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ecn/progra ... pment.aspx



EF Johnson



Portables

Ascend 700/800MHz
5186 Limited Keypad
5186 Encrypted
5187 Full Keypad
5187 Encrypted
51SL-ES
VP600


Mobiles

5387 Dash Mount
5387 Dash Mount Encrypted
5388 Remote Mount
5388 Remote Mount Encrypted
5388 Dual Control Head
5388 Dual Control Head Encrypted
53SL-ES
5300 ES

Harris

Portables

P5400 (portable)
P7300 (portable)
XG100P (portable)

Mobiles

M7300 (mobile)
XG100M (mobile)


Kenwood

Portables

TK5400 K
TK5410

Mobile

TK5910


Motorola

Portables

XTS 1500
XTS 2500, Models I, II, and III
XTS 3000, Models I, II, and III (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTS 5000, Models I, II, and III (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTS-1500, Model 1.5 portable radio
XTS-2500, Model 1.5 portable radio
APX 6000
APX 7000, Models 1.5 and 3.5
APX 4000

Mobiles

XTL 1500
XTL 2500 Remote Mount
XTL 2500 Dash Mount
XTL 2500 mobile radio with the M-5 control head, front & rear mount
XTL 5000 W3 Remote Hand-Held (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W4 Dash Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W4 Remote Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W4 Remote/Dual Control Head (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W5 Dash Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W5 Remote Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W5 Remote/Dual Control Head (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W7 Dash Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W7 Remote Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W7 Remote/Dual Control Head (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL W9 Remote Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL W9 Remote/Dual Control Head (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 mobile radio with the O-5 control head, front & rear mount
APX 6500
APX 7500
Spectra Dash and Remote Mount
Spectra Plus Dash and Remote Mount

Consolettes

XTL 5000 (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)

Relm

Portable

KNG P800 (portable)


Tait

Portable

TP9100

Mobile

TM9155


Technisonic

Aircraft

TDFM 600
TDFM 6000
TDFM 7000

[Jim202]

Here is the Approved Equipment List

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ecn/progra ... pment.aspx



EF Johnson



Portables

Ascend 700/800MHz
5186 Limited Keypad
5186 Encrypted
5187 Full Keypad
5187 Encrypted
51SL-ES
VP600


Mobiles

5387 Dash Mount
5387 Dash Mount Encrypted
5388 Remote Mount
5388 Remote Mount Encrypted
5388 Dual Control Head
5388 Dual Control Head Encrypted
53SL-ES
5300 ES

Harris

Portables

P5400 (portable)
P7300 (portable)
XG100P (portable)

Mobiles

M7300 (mobile)
XG100M (mobile)


Kenwood

Portables

TK5400 K
TK5410

Mobile

TK5910


Motorola

Portables

XTS 1500
XTS 2500, Models I, II, and III
XTS 3000, Models I, II, and III (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTS 5000, Models I, II, and III (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTS-1500, Model 1.5 portable radio
XTS-2500, Model 1.5 portable radio
APX 6000
APX 7000, Models 1.5 and 3.5
APX 4000

Mobiles

XTL 1500
XTL 2500 Remote Mount
XTL 2500 Dash Mount
XTL 2500 mobile radio with the M-5 control head, front & rear mount
XTL 5000 W3 Remote Hand-Held (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W4 Dash Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W4 Remote Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W4 Remote/Dual Control Head (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W5 Dash Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W5 Remote Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W5 Remote/Dual Control Head (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W7 Dash Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W7 Remote Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 W7 Remote/Dual Control Head (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL W9 Remote Mount (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL W9 Remote/Dual Control Head (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)
XTL 5000 mobile radio with the O-5 control head, front & rear mount
APX 6500
APX 7500
Spectra Dash and Remote Mount
Spectra Plus Dash and Remote Mount

Consolettes

XTL 5000 (incl. base models ruggedized and/or encrypted)

Relm

Portable

KNG P800 (portable)


Tait

Portable

TP9100

Mobile

TM9155


Technisonic

Aircraft

TDFM 600
TDFM 6000
TDFM 7000

Who ever is the keeper of that list, it looks like they need to update it. Unless I am wrong, several of those radios can no longer be used on the VHF and UHF bands due to the required narrow banding.

Jim

[tvsjr]

Who ever is the keeper of that list, it looks like they need to update it. Unless I am wrong, several of those radios can no longer be used on the VHF and UHF bands due to the required narrow banding.

Err, which ones?

[Pj]

Prob the normal looking spectra is all that I see

[tvsjr]

Considering ARMER is a P25 Phase 1 system and all 800, I suspect they are referring to ASTRO Spectra and ASTRO Spectra Plus... probably just discounted old analog Spectra.