APX 6.00.00 Released

Release notes for new versions of programming software and firmware, for any product, should be posted here, as well as topics discussing issues and bugs with and FSB's/SRN's for particular releases.

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jmr061
was KB9KST
Posts: 3176
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2001 4:00 pm

APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by jmr061 »

===============================================
APX Portable and Mobile CPS R06.00.00
===============================================

What's New in the CPS:
======================

- Graphical Interface for O3 and O5 Control Heads

- Support for Russian Help Text

Detailed information for these features can be found in the CPS Help.

For first time users, please make sure to watch the 'CPS User Interface' tutorials
for an introduction to the CPS.


New Radios Supported:
=====================

- APX Consolette


New Radio Features Supported:
=============================

NOTE: FIRMWARE VERSION R06.00.00 or HIGHER IS REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING FEATURES
TO WORK IN THE RADIO:

- Phase 2 TDMA

- Man Down

- NAT operation for Digital Conventional Data

- Support for 125 Zones and 2000 Channels

- Support for 1250 Frequency Options per Conventional Personality

- Selection of Disabled added for Zone Bank feature (Feature available
in top-display Portables only)

Detailed information for these features can be accessed from the CPS Help ribbon
by selecting CPS Help Topics.

Changes to Default Values:
==========================

- None


Please note that:
=================

- FCC NARROWBANDING MANDATE ASTRO RADIO

New radios CERTIFIED AFTER December 31, 2010 will not be allowed to operate at 25 kHz
spacing in certain VHF or UHF frequencies defined by FCC Part 90. Radio models
certified earlier than December 31, 2010 will not be impacted till 2013.

Note: After the FCC mandate takes effect, specific frequencies in VHF and UHF will
still be allowed to operate at 25 kHz. Examples of VHF and UHF services that are not
subject to Part 90 narrowband include: Part 80 marine frequencies, Part 87 aviation
frequencies, Part 95, FRS/GMRS and MURS, Part 97 amateur frequencies, and NOAA weather
channels.

The following radios are still fully capable of 25 kHz/12.5kHz operation:
XTS 5000/2500/1500 and MT 1500 - All Configurations
XTL 5000/2500/1500 - All Configurations
APX 7000XE - All Configurations
APX 6500 - All Configurations
APX 7000 - Most configurations
APX 7500 - Most configurations
APX 6000 VHF / UHF Range 1
APX 6000XE VHF / UHF Range 1


Future radios impacted*:
APX 7000 UHF R1 / R2
APX 6000 UHF Range 2
APX 7500 VHF / UHF Range 2 Mid Power
APX 7500 UHF Range 1 / UHF Range 2 Mid Power
APX 7500 7/800 / UHF R1 High Power
APX 6000XE UHF Range 2

*Radios have not been submitted to FCC (as of 7/1/11), with forecasted availability
in the second half of 2011. Unless the radios are exempt from FCC regulation,
the CPS will not allow programming these radios for 25 KHz operation in specific
frequency ranges.

- Due to a change to the 'Individual Call Max Target Ring Time (sec)' field in the
General Tab of the Trunking Wide node, when reading a radio in which this field was
previously programmed to 'Infinite', this field will be displayed as '60' and invalid.
Please re-select the desired value for this field.


System Requirements:
====================

Recommended:
Processor 2 GHz dual core or higher Pentium grade processor.
Memory 2 GB RAM.
AERO capable graphics card with 128 MB graphics memory for VISTA and Windows 7.
250 MB minimum free hard disk space.
USB Port or parallel port for iButton dongle.
USB Port for radio communication.
CD-ROM for software installation.
NOTE: When working with large codeplugs, this configuration is required.

Minimum:
Processor 1 GHz Pentium grade processor.
Memory 1 GB RAM free memory, excluding onboard graphics card memory usage.
DirectX 9-class graphics.
250 MB minimum free hard disk space.
USB Port for iButton dongle and radio communication.
CD-ROM for software installation.



Operating Systems: Windows XP Home or Professional 32-bit (SP 3 or higher)
Vista Home Premium 32-bit (SP 2 or higher)
Vista Business 32-bit (SP 2 or higher)
Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit and 64-bit
Windows 7 Professional 32-bit and 64-bit

NOTE: XP upgrade, Vista upgrade or Windows 7 upgrade from other operating systems is
not supported.

Microsoft Office 2003 SP3 or Microsoft Word 2007 must be installed in order to access
User Defined Report. User Defined Report does not support office 2010.


Known Issues:
=============

- Please note that when working with Voice Announcement for the APX portable radios,
the 'Monitor On/Off' message will only be announced when switching to a switch
programmed to 'PL Disable', not when the Monitor button is pressed.

- When adding a new Scan List using the "Current" rather than "Default" setting,
the new Scan List Alias field is invalid. To correct this condition, rename the Scan
List to a unique name.

- Sending codeplugs (MC) via email can cause corruption. Intermittently email
applications will corrupt the MC codeplug file and make the file unusable in the CPS.
To avoid this issue always zip MC files before emailing them.

- It is not recommended to change the Operating System Windows Theme while the
CPS is open, this may cause unpredictable CPS behavior. Before changing Windows Themes,
please close the CPS.

- Tutorials - Intermittently an Adobe Flash Player error message appears when
playing the tutorials. Please close this error window and the tutorial will
continue to play.

- The vendor is phasing out support for the parallel port adapter DS1410E.
Motorola will not support the parallel port on Windows 7 or x64 bit machines
starting with this version.

- Accelerator keys (ability to navigate to an item in a list by typing the
first letter of the item) are not supported in this version for the CPS.

- AERO theme is NOT supported for VISTA and Windows 7. If operating in this theme,
the CPS will switch out of it while the CPS is open. Upon closing the last CPS session,
the theme will switch back to AERO.

- When using the Voice Announcement Converter Utility, multiple .mva (converted) files
cannot be added back to the CPS when stored in 'All Users\Desktop' folder.
This is a Microsoft restriction.

- If changing the screen resolution while the CPS application is open, the CPS must
be restarted after the screen resolution has changed in order for
changes to fully take effect.

- The 'Scan List -> General -> Priority Member 1' field will be marked invalid and
appear in the Invalid Fields Report after an R05.00.00 version of a codeplug (MC) is
opened or an R05.00.00 radio is read that has the Priority Member 1 field set to
"<None>" or "<Unassigned>", the Dynamic Priority checkbox enabled and the
Priority 1 - Type field set to "Fixed". To correct this condition, select a valid
Scan List Member channel / mode for the current Scan List.

- Always use the Safely Remove Hardware icon when switching between USB FLASHkeys.
If FLASHport operation fails after switching USB FLASHkeys, try Safely Removing the
FLASHkey by following this procedure: From the system tray, right click on the
Safely Remove Hardware icon, and select Safely Remove Hardware. The Safely Remove
Hardware window appears. In the Hardware devices list, select the device "USB Host
Adapter for 1-Wire Network using WinUSB" and click the Stop button. The Stop a
Hardware Device window appears. Click OK to confirm. Once the device is stopped, a
temporary message is displayed in the system tray stating that the device can now
be safely removed from the system. Remove the FLASHkey from the USB port. Wait at
least 5 seconds and reconnect the FLASHkey to the USB port.


Installation:
=============

- If installing both the CPS and Tuner in Windows 7, DO NOT restart the
computer until both installs have completed.

- Please be sure to install the CPS or Tuner application BEFORE attaching
the USB cable and turning the radio on.

- When the Installation CD is inserted into the CD-ROM drive, the installation
will start automatically if auto start is enabled for the PC. Follow the on-screen
instructions to install the software.

- Please refer to the CPS Programming Installation Guide, which is included
with this software for more detailed information.

- If are installing both the CPS and the Tuner, install them to separate directories.

- If the PC has never had a 1-Wire USB device connected to it before, such as
the USB dongle used for FLASHkeys or Advanced keys, then plug it in right after
installation to complete the USB install. If it is not recognized or
if auto-detect can not locate the USB device driver, then point the New Hardware
Wizard's Driver installer to it in the install drive, such as
"C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers." The wizard should then find and install the driver
automatically.

- Multiple versions of the CPS are allowed to be installed on the same computer.
Please note that when double-clicking on a the .mc file, the latest installed CPS
will be launched to open the .mc file.
NOTE: DO NOT INSTALL MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF THE CPS INTO THE SAME FOLDER.

- If installing the CPS and/or Tuner on Windows 7 or 64 bit XP or Vista,
do not install any other applications that communicate with the APX Radio
such as the Data Terminal Application.



Connecting the PC to the Radio:
===============================

Only use the following direct PC to radio cables:

- PMKN4012A for the portable radios.
- HKN6184A for the mobile radios.

When using the USB cable, be sure to always click "Yes" on the Digital
Signature window whenever it is displayed by the operating system. Wait
until the radio enumerates on the PC before attempting to read or program
the radio (5-7 seconds on Windows XP, 15-20 seconds on Windows Vista). Not waiting
for enumeration will cause the read or write to fail.

Note that you cannot continuously write the same radio multiple times without
performing any other operations in between successive writes.

We recommend disabling Proventia Desktop, BlackICE, and any other
software that affects networking capability, since these types of programs
sometimes interfere with reading from and writing to the radio. If BlackICE is
installed and required for the PC, ensure the BlackICE service is stopped and
the start-up type is set to Manual. This can be verified on Windows XP by
going to Start->Settings->Control Panel-> Administrative Tools->Services.
Under the Name column look for BlackICE.

To prevent intermittent Blue Screen Windows crashes when attaching or
detaching the Motorola APX Radio to a PC using USB, verify Nortel Contivity
VPN Client Software is not installed on the PC. If it is installed and required for
the PC, ensure that the EACFILT.sys driver is disabled on the
"Motorola APX Series Radio" connection by performing the following steps:

- Open Network connections (Start->Settings->Network Connections).
- Under LAN, right click on the "Motorola APX Series Radio" connection,
and select properties.
- Uncheck the Eacfilt check box.

If the wireless Internet connection on the laptop/PC gets disabled when
attaching the Motorola APX radio to the Laptop/PC, follow these trouble-shooting
steps to address the problem:

- Open Network Connections explorer window by going to
Start->Settings->Control Panel->Network Connections. Right click and select Open.
- Note the name of the LAN Connection associated with the
"Motorola APX Series Radio" device. It should be something like
"Local Area Connection 7".
- Go to the Advanced menu, and select Advanced Settings
- Under the "Connections" section, re-order the connections such that
the wireless or primary Internet LAN connection is listed above the LAN connection
associated with the "Motorola APX Series Radio"
(i.e. the primary wireless/Internet connection is given a higher priority
than the Motorola APX Series radio connection). This can be done by selecting
the connection
and then using the up/down arrows to move the connection in the list.
- Click OK on the Advanced Settings window Note that the above described
issue may also occur if your wireless driver utility has a configuration setting
to Disable Wi-Fi until the wired connection is terminated. Ensure that
any such a setting is disabled, so that the wireless connection stays
active even when a wired link is present.

Disable "Netbios over TCP/IP". This will help reduce unnecessary
traffic sent to the radio by the PC. Follow these steps:

- Open Network Connections explorer window.
To do that, go to Start->Settings->Control Panel->Network Connections.
Right click and select Open.
- Right-click on the LAN connection associated with
"Motorola APX Series Radio" and select properties.
- Select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and click Properties.
- Click Advanced button on the General page (bottom right).
- Select the WINS tab.
- Select "Disable Netbios over TCP/IP".
- Click OK on the pages opened for the setting to take effect.

On the Motorola APX Series Radio LAN connection, uncheck unused items. The LAN
connection on the PC only requires the Internet Protocol to communicate with the Radio.
This ensures the other unused items don't create any undesirable
effects when communicating with the Radio device. Follow these steps:

- Open Network Connections explorer window. To do that, go to
Start->Settings->Control Panel->Network Connections (right click and select Open).
- Right-click on the LAN connection associated with "Motorola APX Series Radio"
and select properties.
- On the General Tab, under the section "This Connection uses the following items"
uncheck all items except for Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). If the PC supports both
IPv4 and IPv6, keep both IPv4 and IPv6 checked.


-NetMotion wireless LAN software will interfere with radio programming.
Because the radio registers on the system with an IP Address, the NetMotion
software detects it and tries to manage it as a network. Please disable this software
in order to program radios with the CPS.


For POP25 Operation:
====================

TCP Retransmissions on your machine needs to be set to 5 or higher.
Motorola recommends that if the following registry keys are defined
on your system, they be set to the following values for POP25 operation:

On Both Windows Vista and XP:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SYSTEM
\CurrentControlSet
\Services
\Tcpip
\Parameters
\TcpMaxDataRetransmissions - 5 or more

On XP Only:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SYSTEM
\CurrentControlSet
\Services
\Tcpip
\Parameters
\TcpMaxConnectRetransmissions - 3 or more

For help on editing registry values, read Microsoft online support at
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986.

- While the POP25 operation is in progress, do NOT attempt to start
a second session until the first is done.

- It is recommended to use batch programming if more than 16 codeplugs
need to be programmed in a single session.


Long Cable Configuration:
========================

The following steps will need to be completed to change
to a Long Cable Configuration.

1. A Flash Upgrade with the existing radio configuration will need to
be completed (use standard cable).

2. Within the CPS, set the field 'Aggregate Cable Length' to 'Greater than 40 m'.

3. Program the radio (use standard cable).

4. On the Control Head, change the control head ID to A or B:

a. Cycle power on the control head and immediately hold down the
following keys <EMG + left most menu button. A number (example 1) will
be displayed indicating the control head ID. Change the control head ID
by rotating the Mode Button from number 1 to A or B.

5. Cycle power on the radio.

6. Radio has reset with no errors.

7. Remove power from the radio.

8. Exchange the standard cable for the long cable.

9. Apply power to the radio.

10. Radio restarts with no errors.

11. Long cable setup has been completed.


Programming Hints:
==================

- To get help on a field, open the Field Information window
(on the right of the CPS screen) while focus is on the field. We recommend that
you "pin" the Field Information window by clicking on the thumbtack icon
at the top right of the Field Information window.
- View the "What's New" information on the Home Mode screen
and view the Help Tutorials to learn about exciting new features such as Codeplug
Comparison, Undo/Redo, and Restore to Default.
- The APX CPS does not support Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS).


Advanced System Keys Administrator
==================================

- If you will be programming Advanced System Keys (ASK), and you have the
R10.00.00 or later ASTRO 25 Mobile or Portable CPS installed, use the same Advanced
System Keys Administrator to program keys for your APX CPS.
- If you do not have the R10.00.00 or later ASTRO 25 Mobile or Portable
CPS installed, you can install the Advanced System Keys Administrator from the
installation CD by running Install_ASKAdmin.exe.
- After installation, launch the Advanced System Keys Administrator
using the desktop icon or from Start->Programs->Advanced System Keys Administrator.
- Do not remove the ASK while your computer is in sleep mode.


Legal Notices
==================================

This media, or Motorola Product, may include Publicly Available Software
(Open Source Software, Freeware, Shareware). Please reference the Motorola
Publicly Available Software Legal Notices File,
MOTOROLA_OSS_LEGAL_NOTICES_FILE-CPS.txt, located in the Legal folder found
in the CPS installation directory, for the Publicly Available Software
licensing terms, attributions, acknowledgements, and other
software information details.
User avatar
w2sjw
Posts: 143
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:12 pm

Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by w2sjw »

Nice! 125 zones/2000 channels & the P25 Phase-II features already!

I bet the matching firmware starts the need for iButtons now... :(
Scott, W2SJW
User avatar
kotaguchi
Posts: 1373
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:04 pm
What radios do you own?: XTS5000

Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by kotaguchi »

Anyone know if the latest firmware for the APX7000 portable came out yet from Moto??Firmware Ver R06.00.00??
In Memory of those that serve.

Seal Team Six

Radios I currently own:

2-qty APX7000 UHF R2/700-800MHz M3
User avatar
MSS-Dave
Posts: 770
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 6:02 pm
What radios do you own?: XTL5K, NX300, PD782, Spark Gap

Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by MSS-Dave »

Not on MOL yet as of 2145 EDT 04AUG11.....
User avatar
w2sjw
Posts: 143
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:12 pm

Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by w2sjw »

I'm checking out the new features in the CPS - first two I spotted already:

#1 - In the 'ASTRO 25 section', you can choose to have a system be 'X2 Voice Capable', and 'Phase 2 Voice Capable'. The one P25 system I have in the unit is already pre-chosen as "Phase 2 capable'. I wonder how it figured that out (they are FDMA)?

#2 - In the 'ASTRO 25 Channel ID' section, the option now appears to set the channel as FDMA or TDMA.

I just sent my 7K out to Jeff to be bench-aligned. I hope they drop this by the time it comes back from his place... 8)
Scott, W2SJW
26M10
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2002 4:29 am

APX R06 CPS out

Post by 26M10 »

APX R06 is out.

I noticed in the notes that it says it will not allow programming of 25KHz channels.

That we be a problem for us as we have lots of 25KHz channels programmed in our current APX fleet.

Has anyone installed the new CPS?

DD
User avatar
N4DES
was KS4VT
Posts: 1233
Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2003 7:59 am
What radios do you own?: APX,XTS2500,XTL2500,XTL1500

Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by N4DES »

No issues....I'm still able to program 25KHz Part 90 systems with the updated FW and CPS.
resqguy911
Posts: 613
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2004 3:35 pm

Re: APX R06 CPS out

Post by resqguy911 »

26M10 wrote:APX R06 is out.

I noticed in the notes that it says it will not allow programming of 25KHz channels.

That we be a problem for us as we have lots of 25KHz channels programmed in our current APX fleet.

DD
This keeps coming up every time new CPS is released!

The software will still allow you to program 25KHz channels until January 31st 2013. After that date, you would have to have a wavier to operate wideband on the applicable channels.
"TDMA = digital and same great taste, half the bits"
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escomm
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Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by escomm »

6.01.00 is out
User avatar
mr.syntrx
Posts: 1587
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2004 10:09 pm

Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by mr.syntrx »

Is CPS going to be smart enough to still allow 25KHz channels in the amateur bands specifically, or will it just enforce narrowband channels globally?
resqguy911
Posts: 613
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2004 3:35 pm

Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by resqguy911 »

mr.syntrx wrote:Is CPS going to be smart enough to still allow 25KHz channels in the amateur bands specifically, or will it just enforce narrowband channels globally?
We have been told that it will enforce restrictions by frequency. Imagine if your 380-470 radio suddenly couldn't do 25KHz on NTIA channels. That would certainly cause more waves than any Part 97 restrictions....
"TDMA = digital and same great taste, half the bits"
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escomm
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Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by escomm »

SUBJECT: APX 6000 and APX 6000XE UHF R1 Band Radios – Must be Re-Tuned after Upgrading to Host firmware
of R06.00.00 or Higher

MODEL / SYSTEM AFFECTED:
Only APX 6000 and APX 6000XE UHF R1 band - All Models with Host firmware R05.05.10 or earlier denoted by
units with serial number of 481CMRxxxx and earlier
H98QDD9PW5 N - APX6000 UHF R1 MODEL 1 PORTABLE
H98QDF9PW6 N - APX6000 UHF R1 MODEL 2 PORTABLE
H98QDH9PW7 N - APX6000 UHF R1 MODEL 3 PORTABLE

SYMPTOM:
After upgrading a Host firmware from R05.05.10 or earlier to R06.00.00 or later, the unit may appear to function
normally. If checked before returning to service, it may be observed that the frequency error, deviation level,
power level, etc. may be shifted slightly, thus causing the radio to not to operate at optimal level.

CAUSE:
A new tuning frequency was added to the tuning profile of the APX radio firmware, R06.00.00 and later, which
results in the factory tuning parameters of the radio to be overwritten with default settings. These default settings
are not radio specific, thus the radio is not tuned for optimal performance.

Note: Radios shipped from the factory with R06.00.00 or higher are not affected. Factory shipments of R06.00.00
Host firmware began 2-Sep-2011 denoted by 481CMSxxxx and later.

RESOLUTION:
Full radio alignment should be performed before returning any UHF R1 radio, upgraded from R05.05.10 or earlier
to R06.00.00 or later Host firmware, back into service. Full radio alignment procedures are documented in the
APX6000 Basic Service Manual, 68012002028-A, chapter 6, section 6.1 to section 6.6.1 and can be downloaded
from Motorola On-Line (MOL), if needed.
User avatar
MSS-Dave
Posts: 770
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 6:02 pm
What radios do you own?: XTL5K, NX300, PD782, Spark Gap

Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by MSS-Dave »

mr.syntrx wrote:Is CPS going to be smart enough to still allow 25KHz channels in the amateur bands specifically, or will it just enforce narrowband channels globally?
So... I have a APX7K UHF1/7-800 here that I am going to test on. Right now, has FW Host/DSP 2.00.15 Secure 1.01.04. This one was last programmed probably with CPS 2.0x. I'm going to load up CPS 6.01 and the latest FW currently 6.05.05 and see what happens. Anyone have any shocking results when upgrading this many revisions up at one time? If it goes stupid FUBAR, I'll ship it off to the depot under warranty. I'm leaving my other radios at FW/CPS 5 for now....

Dave
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w2sjw
Posts: 143
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:12 pm

Re: APX 6.00.00 Released

Post by w2sjw »

Guys,

You must have Q507 in your APX radios to be affected by the forced NFM mode changes. I've got a V/R-2 7k that works just fine on the current wideband channels I have in there, and the CPS still allows all bandwidths valid for each band...
Scott, W2SJW
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