Front Panel Programmable Motorola Portable Choices

[Jim1348]

I am sort of re-kindling my interest in getting a Front Panel Programmable Motorola portable transceiver. Possibly one for VHF and one for UHF. (I know about the somewhat dated now JT1000s and the somewhat newer XTS2500 and XTS5000.) I am pretty sure that I would rather have a pair of XTS5000s, but I suspect that XTS2500s might be a bit more affordable. Anyway, can someone point to a place that lists all of them and what features each has? I know that the XTS5000 is more feature rich, but for amateur radio use and monitoring of APCO P25 public safety, would an XTS2500 be good enough for me? I ask to ask this in another way, what are some of the most important features on the XTS5000 that aren't available on the XTS2500? Also, if I did decide to spring for an XTVA, would it work for either the VHF or UHF XTS2500 or XTS5000? I am just assuming that it simply passes the RF without amplification. And, if so, if I were to connect it to a suitable dual band amateur antenna for VHF and UHF I assume that I could insert either a VHF or UHF XTS2500 ot XTS5000 and it should work seamlessly, correct? Or am I missing something here? Also, what are some of the most important features that I can't adjust from the front panel? I recall reading that I can't do anything with QCII from the front panel, but what other options can't I do from the front panel?

I did also run across these posts http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... 14&start=0 Can anybody comment if any of the issues mentioned here have changes since these original posts? It does look like the XTVA will work with the XTS5000, but not the XTS2500. Also, is there any other vehicular adapter compatible with the XTS2500 or not? I know there is the vehicular travel charger, but a version of the XTVA for the XTS2500 would be nice, but if it isn't made, so be it.

Thanks in advance!

Jim NØJS

[escomm]

I see you've asked this question before... http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... 35&start=0