XTS5000 Call and Page problem

[GATR_Tech]

We are having a problem with the call and page functions on our XTS5000’s. It will work fine if the radio is on that channel and not in scan, as soon as the radio is placed in scan it will no longer work. We have tried changing the preamble length and changing the time that the radio stays on each channel. The freq that uses call and page is setup as the priority channel.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[jedi_saber]

are we talking MDC paging and calling? are you trying to send or receive pages?

[GATR_Tech]

it is the Astro call/page functions, sending and receiving.

I knew I left something out of the post.

[515]

There's not really a way to make the Astro "Page" function work reliably on a conventional channel when the radio you are trying to page is scanning. The problem is the page data packet sent by the radio is very short--about 90 milliseconds long. So depending on how many channels are in your scan list, the chances of the receiving radio being on the right channel at the precise moment when the page data is on the air is not all that great.

An Astro page through a Quantar repeater with a hang time (a.k.a. drop out delay) of several seconds will help some, as long as the page retrys occur before the hang time expires. At least that way, the radio will stop on the digital hang time transmission for a slightly longer period of time (a few more milliseconds) as it analyzes the P25 signal.

From experience, I can usually successfully page another scanning Motorola radio on a conventional P25 channel, but it usually takes several retrys. It works best if you keep tapping the PTT as fast as you can once you invoke the page function--that is, send as many of those 90 msec data bursts as fast as you can.

Of course, if the receiving radio isn't scanning, the page works first time, every time.

You could try making sure the "Voice RX Hold Time" is set to several seconds on all radios on the system, and then transmit a voice transmission (of silence, if you want) to the receiving radio first, and then, quickly send the page, before the radio resumes scanning.

I've tried increasing the Astro Preamble Length in the CPS, but it didn't seem to have any effect.


As for the "call function", I've only seen a problem there with XTS5000's with old firmware, as there was a firmware bug that caused the radio to get stuck in some kind of beeping loop when it received a P25 individual call while scanning. I know Motorola fixed this on the newer firmware, but I don't remember the version that fixed it. I'm guessing R04.00.00 and up.

The Call function should work as long as you don't have that firmware bug, as it is a "long" transmission.

[Ranger522]

I had the very same problem with my XTS5000's. They would not respond to ASTRO page/call or any other signaling while in scan mode. Firmware upgrade fixed all the problems + added other features.
This is on a large 500 mile system of 25 +- Quantars with analog microwave links so apparently the timing is not very important.
My upgrade was to R06.01.00 and was covered by warranty. Hope this helps.

[n9upw]

Sorry to revive an old thread, however I'm having a similar problem and I'm getting frustrated tying to get it resolved. I am able to use the ASTRO call feature with success through our Quantar, however when I use the page feature, I get no ACK. I've tried to extend the preamble without luck. MDC page works fine through the same repeater, just not ASTRO page. I'm using two 5000's with HOST/DSP 14. Is this a radio or repeater issue? Hang time on the repeater is set to 2 sec.