Now that we have a couple of these radios in our trucks,
it would be nice to be able to change the contrast/viewing
angle on the display. From the driver's perspective, the
display looks pretty dark.
Any good ideas on how to change it? I'm even open to opening
up the control head & changing resistors, if it's a fixed thing.
How come with such a large LCD Motorola uses such a small font
for the channel name? I might be able to get 14 characters, but
they are 14 very small characters. The older I get, the smaller
they get too! Sure hate to have to put my glasses on while
driving the truck to be able to see the channel!
Anyhow, thanks!
Tim
XTL2500 LCD Contrast
Moderator: Queue Moderator
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chartofmaryland
- Batboard $upporter
- Posts: 411
- Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2002 11:25 pm
- What radios do you own?: Alot
Re: XTL2500 LCD Contrast
The contrast is a fixed value that is part of the firmware for the display atmel.
The viewing angle should be directed toward the operator as the LCD is limited in wide angle. In some circumstances you can mount the control head or entire radio, on a swivel mount to facilitate moving the control head toward the person operating the unit.
When your installer is tasked with difficult mounting locations along with apparently a lack on understanding of the product, you can get problems like this. It works better if you are going to have a radio in an abnormal location to fire it up and place it where it's going to see before the final screw is in what it will look like.
Aside from that, the 2500 series has had a number of firmware revisions since it's release. The contrast issue can also be a firmware problem if you notice the screen is more dark than what would be considered a normal view.
If the unit is less that 2 years old, shows a firmware of less that 9.00 for Host and DSP, pull the head / brick or the radio depending on which configuration you have, and get whomever to send the unit in for a depot upgrade.
This will also resolve issues with the older firmware and control head that cause the radio to shut off when finished with a PTT and the radio shutting off in general at random times where after it turns back on and works like normal.
Just some thoughts,
CoM
The viewing angle should be directed toward the operator as the LCD is limited in wide angle. In some circumstances you can mount the control head or entire radio, on a swivel mount to facilitate moving the control head toward the person operating the unit.
When your installer is tasked with difficult mounting locations along with apparently a lack on understanding of the product, you can get problems like this. It works better if you are going to have a radio in an abnormal location to fire it up and place it where it's going to see before the final screw is in what it will look like.
Aside from that, the 2500 series has had a number of firmware revisions since it's release. The contrast issue can also be a firmware problem if you notice the screen is more dark than what would be considered a normal view.
If the unit is less that 2 years old, shows a firmware of less that 9.00 for Host and DSP, pull the head / brick or the radio depending on which configuration you have, and get whomever to send the unit in for a depot upgrade.
This will also resolve issues with the older firmware and control head that cause the radio to shut off when finished with a PTT and the radio shutting off in general at random times where after it turns back on and works like normal.
Just some thoughts,
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.
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MSS-Dave
- Posts: 770
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 6:02 pm
- What radios do you own?: Harris XL200M. XPR7550E, NX300
Re: XTL2500 LCD Contrast
I have a simular problem with new XTL5000 control stations. 3 of the 5 I have show some "twisting" of the LCD view angle. I'm not too worried about it since they are in the back room but it would be unacceptable if they were going in mobiles. These are 12.00 + host and DSP and have been programmed several times with CPS 13.00 with no change. I might still pull them out and depot them since they are 5 months old.
Dave
Dave