ASTRO XTS2500 can't read radio

[SEAFIRE]

I'm new to the XTS25001500 programming,
We've been programming Minitor III/IV/V pagers and M1225/CM300/P1225/CP200/HT1000/ICOM radios for some time on the same computer using serial communications with no problem.

We recently got some XTS2500/1500 radios and got the ASTRO 25 Portable CPS Version R12.00.00

We just purchased a XTS1500/2500 serial no-rib programming cable, but can't get the software to read the radios? I have the right com port selected, and tried the other com ports to make sure. The help files say the radio should go into programming mode but the radios display never changes?

Any help would be appreciated,

[Tom in D.C.]

Where did you get the program cable? If you didn't get it from Motorola that's probably the cause of your problem.

[SEAFIRE]

No it's not a Motorola Cable, it is a generic cable that just has the radio connector and a 9 pin male serial plug.

All of our Motorola cables are generic non-Motorola.

[Tom in D.C.]

Do a search on this Board for XTS program cables and any other parameter that fits. You will find that the quality issue on these aftermarket cables is a never-ending source of problems for our members. Last post about the subject was just a few days ago. Here is one thread to start you off:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... es#p369158

[DEMCERT14]

I ran into the same issue with you a while ago when I first got my XTS2500. It turns out that some after-market cables are not designed "universal".... those "Jedi" type cables that promise to program XTS3000,XTS3500,and so on could be built differently. I had to purchase a specific after-market cable designed just for the XTS2500 type radio and it works fine. Make sure that where ever you got your after-market cable from guarentees compatibility with the XTS2500 and XTS1500 radios in particular. Another thing to note is that those of you who run Motorola Commander2 Mics on the XTS3000 and tried to use it on the XTS2500 it will not work. Just food for thought.

[SEAFIRE]

Thanks for all the information,
I ordered a Motorola XTS serial communications cable after looking at all the other posts about the problems with the non-Moto XTS cables.

Since we had never had a problem with after market cables before now I never gave it a 2nd thought.

I've been coming to this site for years, but never joined the forum as I never had an issue before now, lol.

Thanks for the great site

[tvsjr]

I ran into the same issue with you a while ago when I first got my XTS2500. It turns out that some after-market cables are not designed "universal".... those "Jedi" type cables that promise to program XTS3000,XTS3500,and so on could be built differently. I had to purchase a specific after-market cable designed just for the XTS2500 type radio and it works fine. Make sure that where ever you got your after-market cable from guarentees compatibility with the XTS2500 and XTS1500 radios in particular. Another thing to note is that those of you who run Motorola Commander2 Mics on the XTS3000 and tried to use it on the XTS2500 it will not work. Just food for thought.

Well, considering the interface for the XTS3000 and XTS3500 is totally different than the ASTRO25 platform - XTS1500/2500/5000 - that's not too surprising.

[SEAFIRE]

We got our Motorola $280 XTS1500/2500 serial programming cable in and it works great, no problems at all. I guess since the new radios were purchased with govt funds, it was a small price to pay to make sure they don't get fried.

The after market XTS1500/2500 cable we purchased was advertised for the XTS1500/2500 only, the sellers say they will exchange it if we mail it in, we'll see what happens....

Thanks for all the help