XTS1500 feature question - 48 or 96 channels???

[radio_rob_nj]

I had the opportunity to play with another town's XTS1500's, and I did not have my programming equip with me to answer my own questions, so I have a question.

The radio had the normal three banks programmed, and they were switched using the A/B/C switch, as normal. The difference is that when you press side button 2, it appears that the radio had three additional banks. Bank 4(?) had about 12 or so channels programmed, and 5(?) and 6(?) were all unprogrammed.

The way it worked seemed to be A/B/C switched banks 1/2/3, then pressing side button 2 allowed A/B/C to change to banks 4/5/6.

So, does this radio have 48 or 96 channels? What option allows the side button to do this? Do the three additional banks only allow you to reorder the existing 48 channels, or can you have 96 channels/TG's.

Thanks for any assistance.

Rob

[MTS2000des]

96 channels with current firmware, and yes, banks are selected in the manner you described.

[Mfire39]

So, does this radio have 48 or 96 channels?

It depends.. They had 48 channels up to Host R11.xx.xx. When R12.00.00 came out, it jumped them to 96 channels.


-Marc

[radio_rob_nj]

OK, thanks. What option should the side button be programmed for to access the other three banks?

[ai4ui]

Zone Select, or something like that.

Anyhow, when the switch is on A, the button will toggle to D, B goes to E, & C goes to F. Unless these are model 1.5 with the display I wouldn't set radios up for field users unless you really need the other 48 channels. There's a bit of a learning curve getting your people to understand how this works & it is very easy to get a radio on the wrong channel unawares to the operator due to an accidental button push.

Robert

[radio_rob_nj]

OK, thanks. I agree, I'm not thrilled by the fact that mostly un-informed users were given radios programmed in this fashion. As a technician for the last 15 years, it confused me for a minute or two. I have a two 1.5's that are issued to me from two organizations, both radios are about filled up. It would REALLY be handy to have one radio do the job of two with only the touch of a button, instead of having the carry around two radios all the time.

I'll look for zone select or something similar. I've probably seen it and ignored it, not knowing what it was used for. As I get older, I find myself not playing with features unless I need them. I need to stop that. Feature hunting can prove useful.

[ai4ui]

Somebody on this board has a signature line that reads "The state of the art has exceeded the state of the need" and they're right.

[N4DES]

Read your radio's CP first and make sure that in Radio Wide it show's 96 channels. If it doesn't you will need a firmware bump and/or a more recent version of CPS.

OK, thanks. I agree, I'm not thrilled by the fact that mostly un-informed users were given radios programmed in this fashion. As a technician for the last 15 years, it confused me for a minute or two. I have a two 1.5's that are issued to me from two organizations, both radios are about filled up. It would REALLY be handy to have one radio do the job of two with only the touch of a button, instead of having the carry around two radios all the time.

I'll look for zone select or something similar. I've probably seen it and ignored it, not knowing what it was used for. As I get older, I find myself not playing with features unless I need them. I need to stop that. Feature hunting can prove useful.