Potential uses for the new 8MB flashport radios?

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Mon Jan 07, 2002 5:47 pm

I was sitting here, wondering just exactly WHAT does Motorola have in mind for these new 8MB flash memory radios like the XTS-5000 and whatever else is coming up shortly.

It did occur to me that 8MB is probably more than enough to give a radio the necessary operating code to run on any and every trunked and conventional format. SmartZone, CAI trunking, APCO Project 25 (Astro 25) trunking, MPT-1327, TETRA, EDACS, ProVoice, and SmarTrunk may ALL fit into one radio with 8MB available for the operating code. In addition to upgrades and enhancements.

Does anyone have ANY evidence that Motorola may have plans to do something like this? I could definitely see a market for a radio that will work in ANY competitor's system. Presumably there's somebody at Motorola who figured this out as well.

Elroy

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Jan 07, 2002 6:13 pm

Granted Elroy, 8MB is probably plenty of memory. Wouldn't Motorola have to pay heavy licensing fees to M/A Com, Ericsson... for use of their code in Motorola radios.

On the same note, how is it that EF Johnson makes a SmartZone compatible portable (or did they fork over big bucks to Motorola for the right)

Chris

Post by **xmo** » Mon Jan 07, 2002 6:48 pm

Motorola cross licensed Smartzone with EFJ in exchange for LTR & who knows how many $$$. This works to Motorola's advantage in competitive bid situations by having multi vendor support for purchase of field units.

As far as the 8 meg - when we talked to the product group they told us they are 'still defining' the feature sets they will support - so they are open to suggestions.

What is definite is that you can have conventional, Smartnet, Smartzone, Astro trunking, AND Astro25 trunking all in the same radio. In other words the radio will operate on 3600 baud analog/digital/mixed mode systems as well as 9600 baud (APCO25 compliant) digital trunked systems. All in one radio for compatibility & interoperability.

The XTS2500 can do any of the above but it is an either/or decision between 3600 and 9600 - not both in the same radio at the same time.

Also - NO VSELP in either of these.

Post by **alex** » Mon Jan 07, 2002 9:23 pm

My guess is that they will have some advanced capabilities to connect to an existing MDT system, so that you could bring the MDT to the field... Currently in the county I'm in, the Sherif's deputies all have MDT's in their vehicles. The ability to access a system to get info from would be quite usefull. I know that for the most part for access to databases to check info on people that the data connections are required to be secure if they are wireless (cellular, encrypted, something to that extent).

Currently, if I'm on an ambulance call, i have to call our dispatcher by phone, or over the air to get hospital status. At a batalion meeting I was at over the summer, there was more discussions about the move to narrow-band. One of the things that was discussed was "new" radios that would enable us to do things like checking hospital status... Supposably this has been demo'ed, however, no one at these meetings knows much about the radio systems, so I can't say for sure what radio's they were talking about....

These sound pretty cool... definatly something I'd like to see and play with...

-Alex

Post by **wavetar** » Tue Jan 08, 2002 9:50 am

Actually, I think the "Motorola approved" radio Johnson has is only SmartNet capable. They (Johnson) tried to get our local Telco (SmartZone system owner) to allow a supposedly SmartZone capable model radio on the system. Motorola told the Telco that they would basically stop supporting the system altogether if they even demo'd the unit. Motorola claimed they could not determine whether it would cause any problems on their SmartZone systems, since it was not "engineered nor approved" by them. Johnson was summarily told to go take a hike. So much for cooperation.

Todd

Post by **xmo** » Tue Jan 08, 2002 10:06 am

EFJ & Motorola have gotten to be better friends lately. South Dakota is putting in a new system with Motorola Infrastructure & EFJ radios!

"Transcrypt International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: TRII) announced that its EFJohnson Company subsidiary has signed a supply contract with the State of South Dakota to supply radio products to State and local government agencies. This follows the recent announcement of an initial order from the State, valued at $3.7 million, for VHF SmartZone® mobile radios to operate on the new communications system being installed."

See also:

http://www.state.sd.us/news/issues/25.pdf

1 Adam 12 · Post by **1 Adam 12** » Tue Jan 08, 2002 11:44 am

Transcrypt Johnsons radios can do either just like Motorola, we are running the radios in both digital and analog and on both Smartnet and Smartzone. The deal is this. Motorola gets $ for every radio sold that is Smartzone or Smartnet, from Transcrypt. The 7780 series seems to hold up a lot better and has more features than the LTS2000 and the 5000 Series is a durable but heavy. Also uses all accessories from MTS series, charger, mike, etc. They just came out with 5100 series, check their web page out, nice unit. Have not had anything but good luck with them, but if anyone has any feedback, I like to hear it.

Post by **wavetar** » Tue Jan 08, 2002 11:46 am

I see, looks like money always talks with Motorola. I wonder when we'll start seeing them up here...

Todd

Bugs Bunny · Post by **Bugs Bunny** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 5:10 am

Toronto Police Service has bought a few Johnsons to use on their Smartzone system. The reason was based on price and BETTER SERVICE. The civilian head of the communications unit does not like Motorola Canada's attitude, especially toward upgrade pricing and part cost.

Bugs

phrawg · Post by **phrawg** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 5:53 am

We operate a EFJ multinet system here in houston and some of our people also have to interact with the county around us that is smartnet/zone. EFJ has been great for us.
almost 500 portables and 1800 mobiles in the fleet and their repeaters are almost bulletproof. 175 watts all day key down and hardly get warm. Been on line for 4 years now. We also have some // product and I have no problems with it, but EFJ deserves a LOT of credit for some of the products thet build. Some of them really are "bricks"
as far as performing and lasting. Phrawg

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 9:31 am

You all think that today's Motorola is Motorola of the past...
Don't be surprised if the extra memory is provided for a calculator, calendar, organiser, video games and who knows what other gadgets that have nothing to do with a radio.
Anyway, I will not...

Post by **/\/\y 2 cents** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 3:41 pm

well said.....like the // nextel unit with sega games built into it.....freakin' joke......they buyout all of the 800 commercial SMR's and get all these small business's on their system paying 49.00 + 21% tax andthen are irresponsible enough to give a device like that to a delivery driver or worker....they guy is gonna be messin with the radio playing games while the boss is payin the guy to work. The business owner loses twice (price of radio service + workers playing snake on company time) but feels like he has no choice because it has better range (thats all they care about) and he's apprehensive about SMR because he probably lost $10,000.00 on his 800Mhz units. Crazy....what ever happend to only PTT's and a few knobs? I hate all these new panzee radios

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 10:19 pm

Let's extend that irresponsibility to the extreme: The games that are playable in your radio (now called a personal digital communicator) are 3D, high resolution, full color games that make full use of the radio's bitmapped, hi res color display, and use the radio system to link up for multiplayer gameplay. And the manufacturer would forget to assign gameplay to lowest system priority status so the system will busy out during emergency calls due to excessive gameplay.

It could happen. The way Motorola is screwing the pooch, they'll probably be the ones to do it.

Elroy

Twisted_Pear · Post by **Twisted_Pear** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 3:39 am

The XTS5k is supposed to support WAP right? Then my guess is for the space to store that info.

Also, I believe the XTS3000 supports data transmission via the XTVA. The XTS3k might need the option in the firmware but with the XTVA and the data cable you plug right into the serial port on the computer.

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 8:46 am

Duh...what's WAP?

I'm sorry, I just don't know that one.

Elroy

Post by **HumHead** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 9:04 am

Wireless Application Protocol-

WAP is an open standard for internet and advanced telphony access over wirelss devices.

Post by **/\/\y 2 cents** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 9:44 am

Oh yeah....you would need to 8Mb for WAP to look at porn on your radio when you are supposed to be doing your job.

Twisted_Pear · Post by **Twisted_Pear** » Fri Jan 11, 2002 1:13 am

Batlabs if you're a radio tech.