Help with a XTL 2500

The General forum is where users can discuss any topic regarding Motorola communications equipment - hardware, software, etc. There are also several focused forums on this board, so please take the time to ensure that your questions doesn't fall into one of those categories before posting here!

Moderator: Queue Moderator

Post Reply
etexemt
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2003 7:49 am

Help with a XTL 2500

Post by etexemt »

I know that a PAC-RT is an old piece of equipment, but the one I have works great. I had it hooked up to a CM300, then hooked up to a Syntor x9000. We have recently upgraded to XTL 2500's. While I have no complaints with the radio, I have once again lost my mobile repeater. Working in a rural area with spotty reception with a hand held, the repeater is very helpful.
I need to know if anyone has a pin out of of the XTL 2500 or a schematic for a PAC-RT cable that would work with the radio, so that I can build my own. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I also would like to know the most current version of RSS to program my XTS 1500 portable.
Thanks for the help..
Image
etexemt
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2003 7:49 am

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by etexemt »

Well, quite a few views, no replies.. Can anyone atleast tell me if this can be done??
Thanks..
Image
ard099
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2006 1:00 pm

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by ard099 »

I've never interfaced a Pac-Rt to an XTL mobile but I've done several Pyramid repeater interfaces. Take a look at their app note page and you should be able to cross-reference to your Pac. Good Luck!

http://www.pyramidcomm.com/an_svr.php
Jim202
Posts: 3610
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2001 4:00 pm

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by Jim202 »

ard099 wrote:I've never interfaced a Pac-Rt to an XTL mobile but I've done several Pyramid repeater interfaces. Take a look at their app note page and you should be able to cross-reference to your Pac. Good Luck!

http://www.pyramidcomm.com/an_svr.php



I am not sure that I feel comfortable going into an expensive radio like the XTL series and
actually cut or remove circuit components just to make an external device work. Having
worked with with these radios for a number of years, I would have expected that a different
mode of attack would have been developed by now. Where I work with "interoperability"
equipment all the time, the accessory connector and software setting adjustments have
always provided the needed connections.

You should be made aware of the software settings in the radio TX audio. I would go in
there and un check the AGC blocks for the external audio and set the gain as needed.
Have found that the AGC tends to hit the transmitter deviation with too much of a
compressed audio sound.

Jim
User avatar
d119
Posts: 3538
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2002 4:00 pm

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by d119 »

I'd highly suggest looking into a Pyramid mobile repeater rather than fooling with a 1980's PAC device. You could fit about 6 or 8 Pyramid SVR-200's in the space that a PAC-RT occupies. Besides that, the Pyramid is synthesized and has a nifty display on it.

It appears that you're able to interface the Pyramid to the XTL 2500 without any internal modifications (for conventional operation), and minimal modifications for trunking (on-air detect isn't required for conventional operations).

There are a number of Motorola VRS 750 units appearing on eBay, but I don't know if that product is compatible with the XTL series radios or not... I'm not as much of a subscriber guy as I used to be.

Additionally, the most recent version of the Astro25 portable software is R15.00.00. That will program your XTS 1500 handheld.
tvsjr
Posts: 4118
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 9:46 am

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by tvsjr »

The VRS750s work great with the XTLs except for the O3. Not too expensive, synthesized, plug-and-play.
User avatar
d119
Posts: 3538
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2002 4:00 pm

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by d119 »

Excellent Terry. I'll add that to my knowledge base. :)

Then I would suggest a VRS 750 to the OP, as the VRS 750 just takes up the same space as an MCS2000 low power RT unit, is plug and play, and will do both conventional and trunking without any radio modifications.
User avatar
Bill_G
Posts: 3087
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:00 am

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by Bill_G »

I haven't noticed - is there a vrs tab in the xtl cps to program the vrs like there is in Spectra?
tvsjr
Posts: 4118
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 9:46 am

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by tvsjr »

Bill_G wrote:I haven't noticed - is there a vrs tab in the xtl cps to program the vrs like there is in Spectra?
Yeah, there's an enable in radiowide, then a separate page to configure mode steering (if desired). It's a bit tricky to get all the options set properly, but it does work... I have one in my truck.
User avatar
Bill_G
Posts: 3087
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:00 am

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by Bill_G »

Excellent. Thanks. Sounds like that would be the way to go then.
User avatar
chartofmaryland
Batboard $upporter
Posts: 411
Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2002 11:25 pm
What radios do you own?: Alot

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by chartofmaryland »

You can wire just about any exterior radio accessory into the DB26 connections on the rear of the dash mount XTL or with even better luck you have a remote mount with the optional VIP out's and in's, in's being exclusive to the remote mount setup only.

You may need to jack the right wiring together, but it can be done.

Note: the external speaker leads are the same as other motorola products, ground one and get out the iron. You do not want to blow the audio amps in these.
It can be repalced, but you are better off making sure which wires you use.


Need more info let me know.

CoM
If the lights are out when you leave the station and then come on the second you key up, you know you have enough power.
User avatar
a1emt
Posts: 105
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2003 7:44 am

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by a1emt »

+1 on the VRS750 recommendation. I run one on an XTL5000 with very good results in both analog and P25 modes from the XTL.... VRS750 is always analog. Good audio and remote channel steering via PL.

Jim
Dorf411
Posts: 115
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:53 pm

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by Dorf411 »

You can order a smart cable from Pyramid to hook a SVR repeater to the XTL series radio and there are no modifications needed on the radio to run it in conventional or trunked mode. You only need to program a few options on the pyramid extender to sense the on air and cor porlarity.
dbusse
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Aug 28, 2002 7:56 pm
What radios do you own?: XTL, XTS, Saber, Spectra, MTS2

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by dbusse »

Will a VRS750 work on a XTL2500? I always thought it would only work on a XTL5000.

Please post if you know otherwise.

Dan
Jason
Posts: 802
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2001 4:00 pm

Re: Help with a XTL 2500

Post by Jason »

The Futurecom/MOBEX advanced DVRS units will. I would certainly think the older VRS units would too. There isn't too much different about how they talk to the radio.

Dont have one to test for you tho.
Post Reply

Return to “General Motorola Solutions & Legacy Radio Discussion”