APX CPS R05.00.00 Released

[akardam]

===============================================
APX Portable and Mobile CPS R05.00.00
===============================================

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

- Windows 7 is supported in R05.00.00 CPS and higher.

- Table enhancements: Copy/paste from/to Excel, Fill up/fill down,
right/left navigation keys in tables.

- The Converter Tool (tool that helps convert XTS/XTL codeplugs to APX codeplugs) has been renamed to 'APX Migration Assistant' and it is now included in the Support folder of the APX CPS CD.

- Advanced System Keys - Soft Keys Support (added in CPS version R04.00.02).

Detailed information for this feature can be found in the CPS help.
Help -> CPS Help -> Tutorials -> Security Features -> The Advanced System Keys Feature.

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


New Radios Supported:
=====================
- APX 7000XE
- APX 6000
- APX 6500


New Radio Features Supported:
=============================
NOTE: FIRMWARE VERSION R05.00.00 or HIGHER IS REQUIRED FOR THE
FOLLOWING FEATURES TO WORK IN THE RADIO:

- P25 Trunking Remote Monitor

- Advanced Extreme Noise Suppression

- Enhanced Zone Bank Navigation

- Radio Authentication for P25 Trunking

- Mission Critical Bluetooth

- Mobile Auto Power Off

- Voice Announcement On by default


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


Please note that:
------------------
- Beginning January 1, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission will no longer accept applications for new wideband 25 KHz operations, and modification of existing wideband 25 KHz stations that expands the authorized interference contour (19 dBu VHF, 21 dBu UHF)

Per the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), this software will not allow the programming of the radio to operate on 25 KHz channel spacing for the impacted frequencies. This Customer Programming Software is intended for programming radios to be used in the United States of America (USA) to ensure compliance with the VHF and UHF narrowband mandate issued by the Federal CC.

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

[rc50won]

Oh boy...here we go. Anyone want to test to see if this effects 144-148 and 440-450?

M


Please note that:
------------------
- Beginning January 1, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission will no longer accept applications for new wideband 25 KHz operations, and modification of existing wideband 25 KHz stations that expands the authorized interference contour (19 dBu VHF, 21 dBu UHF)

Per the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), this software will not allow the programming of the radio to operate on 25 KHz channel spacing for the impacted frequencies. This Customer Programming Software is intended for programming radios to be used in the United States of America (USA) to ensure compliance with the VHF and UHF narrowband mandate issued by the Federal CC.

[radioinstl]

All radio codeplugs that are subject to this requirement are identifiable by a "Q507/G507 - 12.5 kHz FCC Mandate" option in the codeplug's Purchased Feature Name list.

Cloning a target radio which has the "Q507/G507 - 12.5 kHz FCC Mandate" option from a source radio or codeplug that does not have this option holds certain restrictions.

The impacted FCC Part 90 Frequency ranges are:
VHF: 150-174 MHz (excluding the Part 80 Marine frequencies)
UHF1 / UHF2: 421-512 MHz

On Trunked Type II systems, the CPS allows only 12.5 kHz operation on OBT channels for radio codeplugs that are subject to the FCC Narrowbanding Requirement

[escomm]

But the FCC has said that it will allow manufacture, importation and sale of wideband capable radios all the way up to the Jan 1, 2013 deadline. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... 9410A1.pdf

/\/\ also forgot to point out that Part 22 and Part 74 frequencies are not subject to narrowbanding but that's probably picking nits a little too closely.

[radioinstl]

My guess is that you will not see any radio with Q507/G507 till after Jan 1, 2013.

The bigger question is will they block the ful range or not.... there is lots in the 421-512 range that narrowbanding does not apply to.

[cgroftmc]

Just to be clear, if my radio does not have the "Q507/G507 - 12.5 kHz FCC Mandate option" I can use this release and still have the ability to program non mandate frequencies?

Craig

[radioinstl]

Just to be clear, if my radio does not have the "Q507/G507 - 12.5 kHz FCC Mandate option" I can use this release and still have the ability to program non mandate frequencies?

Craig

Yes

[cgroftmc]

Great, thanks!!

Craig

[rc50won]

Firmware 05.00.00 appeared on MOL yesterday.

Marshall

[ASTROMODAT]

The impacted FCC Part 90 Frequency ranges are:
VHF: 150-174 MHz (excluding the Part 80 Marine frequencies)
UHF1 / UHF2: 421-512 MHz

It would appear that 2M will be OK (144 - 148 MHz), but UHF hammies are screwed (421 - 512 MHz). I highly doubt that Motorola will go to trouble to protect the 440 - 450 MHz slice.

[ASTROMODAT]

Ham use of 25 kHz wide channels with 5 kHz dev on Motorola radios seems clear to be soon extinct. Note the following from the Release Notes in CPS 5.00:

"New FCC Mandate Rule

Beginning January 1, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission will no
longer accept applications for new wideband 25 kHz operations, and modification
of existing wideband 25 kHz stations that expands the authorized interference
contour (19 dBu VHF, 21 dBu UHF).

This Customer Programming Software is intended for programming radios to
be used in the United States of America (USA) to ensure compliance with the
narrowband mandate issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Programming of the radio to operate on 25 KHz channel spacing has been
disabled in this application in compliance with the FCC mandate."

Someone posted that there are certain frequencies inside the 421-470 MHz range that are not subject to narrowbanding. Maybe so, but I bet Motorola's CPS will block ALL wideband capabilities within the entire range of 421 to 470 MHz. If not, Motorola would list the sub sections that are exempt from the narrowband rule.

FYI, I will try to program an APX 7500 and an APX 7000 dual bander VHF/UHF radios with CPS 5.00 using wideband channels with hammie 2M 144-148 freqs versus 150-174 freqs, and see what happens. I will also try to load some UHF hammie freqs in the 440 to 450 MHz range with wideband characteristics.

[radioinstl]

FYI, I will try to program an APX 7500 and an APX 7000 dual bander VHF/UHF radios with CPS 5.00 using wideband channels with hammie 2M 144-148 freqs versus 150-174 freqs, and see what happens. I will also try to load some UHF hammie freqs in the 440 to 450 MHz range with wideband characteristics.

Nothing different will happen than when you program it with 4.0

If you read above, you must have Q507/G507 in your flash for this to apply. This flash option will not be shipping in radios till 1/1/12

[ASTROMODAT]

Nothing different will happen than when you program it with 4.0 If you read above, you must have Q507/G507 in your flash for this to apply. This flash option will not be shipping in radios till 1/1/12

I'm sure you are right, but I still want to verify this.

The intersting thing will be what it will take to order a new APX after 1/1/12 and see what it will require to not be FORCED to order it with Q507/G507. I got to believe it will take an incredible circumstance to be permitted to order a radio without this option. I would think that even if the Motorola salesman would be willing to write a Stic 1 without Q507/G507, Order Edit would immediately kick it out, and place it on D1 Hold, awaiting a letter from the President.

[The Pager Geek]

Version 5.00 CPS with FW version 5.0 APX7000 will STILL allow you to program wideband. Nothing changes unless you have Q507.

tpg

[radioinstl]

The intersting thing will be what it will take to order a new APX after 1/1/12 and see what it will require to not be FORCED to order it with Q507/G507. I got to believe it will take an incredible circumstance to be permitted to order a radio without this option. I would think that even if the Motorola salesman would be willing to write a Stic 1 without Q507/G507, Order Edit would immediately kick it out, and place it on D1 Hold, awaiting a letter from the President.

It will be very simple and easy to order without Q507/G507.... if you are able to order Q52 now you will be able to order no Q507/G507 then. It is a FED only option or Non US option.

[ASTROMODAT]

Are you saying that 1) a Federal Agency, or 2) an off-shore customer will be permitted to order an APX without the narrowband restrictions?

If so, I'm a bit confused, as narrowbanding definitely applies to the Feds.

[tvsjr]

Are you saying that 1) a Federal Agency, or 2) an off-shore customer will be permitted to order an APX without the narrowband restrictions?

If so, I'm a bit confused, as narrowbanding definitely applies to the Feds.

Considering the feds are governed by NTIA, not FCC regulation, I suspect they can do damn well what they please...

[ASTROMODAT]

Apparently 150-174 MHz (excluding the Marine channels) is the VHF range encumbered with narrowbanding restrcitions for radios shipping after 1/1/2011. But, why is the low end range of 136 to 144 MHZ not included in narrowbanding? Why is 148 to 150 protected? Some of these frequencies, such as 137 to 139 MHz, are used in commercial trunked sytems, such as the P25 ALMR. Why wouldn't the FCC restrict the ALMR freqs with the narrowbanding edict? Maybe someone can kindly point me to where I can read up on this, as I would think there is some sort of logic that must apply here.

[akardam]

Maybe someone can kindly point me to where I can read up on this, as I would think there is some sort of logic that must apply here.

http://www.google.com/#q=fcc+narrowband+mandate

[escomm]

Maybe someone can kindly point me to where I can read up on this, as I would think there is some sort of logic that must apply here.

Yes. The logic is the frequencies are Part 90 frequencies. As an example, 148-150MHz are primarily satellite frequencies. They're not covered by Part 90. Also keep in mind that there are frequencies within 150-174MHz that will not be subject to narrowbanding, i.e. Part 74, Part 22, and this has been discussed at length here on the boards.

BTW, the FCC is now allowing manufacture, importation and sale of wideband capable radios all the way up to the Jan 1, 2013 deadline for narrowbanding. The only major change that is occurring on Jan 1, 2011, is that no new wideband licenses will be granted without an exception from the commission. Oh and I don't think the FCC will certify any new models after Jan 1, 2011 unless they are both narrowband (12.5KHz) compliant as well as 6.25KHz compliant (either in hardware or via future software upgrade).

[ASTROMODAT]

Thanks for all of the help on this, guys!

This gets me to thinking that perhaps Motorola (and other manufacturers) will make a business decision to eventually stop manufacturing radios that will do any wideband at all, including those small slices of the spectrum where it will still be permitted by the FCC. The marine channels, for instance, are probably much better served by lower priced Icom marine radios. This will be too bad for ham use of newer commercial radios. But, I can't imagine how it can be worth it to a big manufacturer to continue to produce h/w that will do wideband for such a limited slice of the spectrum, such as 136-150 MHz, given the limited impact this would have to their overall sales. Then again, this is all just pure speculation on my part. Who knows...

[radioinstl]

Thanks for all of the help on this, guys!

This gets me to thinking that perhaps Motorola (and other manufacturers) will make a business decision to eventually stop manufacturing radios that will do any wideband at all, including those small slices of the spectrum where it will still be permitted by the FCC.

I can tell you that Motorola and the others will make wide band radios well after the dead line since narrowbanding does not apply to the Feds or any non-US customer.

[akardam]

This also affects the Astro25 line.