05 to 03 Conversion for an XTL5000 Remote Mount Radio

[ASTROMODAT]

I have an XTL5000 VHF remote mount, mid power (50 watts) 05 radio. It shipped about 1 year ago. I would like to convert it to a remote mount 03. Will the H1822 kit do the job, as long as I also buy the HKN6190 mid-power flex? I think the H1822 kit is designed to convert a HIGH Powered 05 to an 03, thus the need for the mid-power flex.

Has anyone actually done this conversion? Are there any pitfalls to watch out for?

As best I understand this conversion process, it appears to me that you have to: 1) first, FLASH the latest control head software into the radio, then 2) load the latest CPS software to convert the radio from an 05 to an 03 whilst the radio is still "intact" as an 05, and then 3) do the hardware change outs, and 4) re-power up the radio to finalize the conversion process? Is this in the correct order, and is it complete?

Looks like the H1822 kit alone is about $900, not to mention the cost of the mid-power flex cable. Ouch!

Thanks, in advance, for any kind help you may be able to provide me on this!

[escomm]

If the radio is already remote mount you just need to plug in your O3 head into the same socket on the TIB that you're using for your remote O5 head. You may then need to sync the control and radio with CPS. You shouldn't need any additional hardware

[motorola_otaku]

I did one with R09 firmware in the radio and a brand-new O3 head. No synching was needed at all, and since O5 and O3 share the same setting under control head selection in CPS I didn't really need to change anything. Just plugged it in like it was and everything came on.

I did use a HLN1472A TIB, but so far as I can tell there's no difference between them and the new part.

[ASTROMODAT]

Thanks guys for all of your kind help!

I plugged in the 03, and it works like a champ! Yahoo!

It took a while the first time I powered it up, but then it booted up normally. I did notice that it does not say "XTL 5000" in the display, however. I will download the latest control head sync software and load that up. I was surprised it worked without the HLN1829 kit because in the Ecat it says this kit is required to convert from an 05 to and 03. Check this out from the current Ecat, and note that it specifically includes an 05 in the list of radios requiring this kit to convert to 03 compatibility:

O3 Remote - HIGH Power ONLY

(Can convert a high power remote mounted XTL5000 with W3/W4/W5/W7/W9 or O5 control head to a high power remote mounted XTL5000 O3)

Description Nomenclature APC Price
W3 TO O3 CONVERSION KIT H1829 514 $850.00

Contains complete O3 remote control head, 17 Ft remote O3 extension cable, accessory cable, O3 remote transceiver faceplate, standard TIB, and high power flex assembly. Does not include transceiver trunion. Does not include HKN6190 mid power flex; you must order HKN6190 separately for mid power.

I just plugged in the 03 to the unconverted XTL 5000 05 radio, and it appears to be working just fine. Maybe there are some missing features and functionality that I haven’t yet noticed?

[escomm]

No, as far as the radio is concerned the O3 and O5 heads are the same. Check the change control head type screen in CPS and you'll find that O3 and O5 are side by side with each other.

[ASTROMODAT]

I finally figured out what the deal is with the conversion kit. I called Motorola and they said that the kit includes everything necessary to convert a W3 to an 03. Therefore, if you already have an 05, a lot of the parts in the conversion kit are simply not necessary. However, even to convert an 05 to an 03, you will still need a lot of the parts included in the conversion kit, such as the actual 03 control head, plus the various cabling (except for the high powered A+ cable, of course, which you'd probably already have from the 05). The new head and the CHub, etc. are just extra scrap material if you already have an 05, but the conversion kit is still pretty handy for doing this conversion. It ensures you will definitely have everything you will need to do the job. Very pricey though, to be sure!

Thanks again for all of your kind help on this, guys!