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xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 5:02 am
by OCSD117
I have an xtl2500 mid power with really old (R6.02.01) FW. Whats the best way to bump it up?
Model M21KSM9PW1AN

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 5:15 pm
by N4DES
With the latest Motorola FW, refresh dongle with available flashes, and OEM programming cable (preferably serial).

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 6:01 pm
by OCSD117
I get that part I was more wondering if I can go from 6 to current?

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 6:57 pm
by jmr061
Yes. You do not need to update in steps. That was never true.

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 12:43 pm
by spectragod
He most likely will have to go in steps, anything below 8.xx.xx a USB cable won't work, he will have to use a rs232 for the first fw bump. Then a USB for the rest.

Side note,
A buddy of mine just bought a pm1500 off this board, allegedly un-flashable according to the guy who owned it, who had flashed dozens of radios, called himself a tech....whatever.

And it wouldn't go from 8.xx to 20.xx in one shot, but it went to 10.xx, then 14.xx and then to 20.xx and aligned wonderfully. Best $200 for a radio he ever spent.

And yes, I have flashed literally thousands, 3814 to be exact, I have some wheel time doing flash upgrades, everything is dependent on what your starting with.

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 2:12 pm
by OCSD117
I only have access to the latest FW

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:19 pm
by JeffFireRadio
Agree with spectragod on the stepping.

Btw, that was me on the PM1500. Glad it worked for your friend. I tried to step that radio numerous times in small increments, not the whole enchilada, with numerous computers, cables, etc. It came close, but couldn't seal the deal. I've been flashing copious radios for a decade as a Federal, state, and local system manager, a school-trained tech, and Motorola-trained XTL and XTS Schaumburg grad. Don't be so pious, my friend.

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 4:38 am
by spectragod
JeffFireRadio wrote:Agree with spectragod on the stepping.

Btw, that was me on the PM1500. Glad it worked for your friend. I tried to step that radio numerous times in small increments, not the whole enchilada, with numerous computers, cables, etc. It came close, but couldn't seal the deal. I've been flashing copious radios for a decade as a Federal, state, and local system manager, a school-trained tech, and Motorola-trained XTL and XTS Schaumburg grad. Don't be so pious, my friend.
The caveat to that radio was I had to use a xtl head as a pass through. I've been to Scamburg too, got tired of instructing the instructor. It didn't seem like a good use of gov't monies for me to teach them and pay.

As far as CVN files, I had the forethought to keep all of those from about 7.xx on, it come in handy for flashing problem children radios.

Sorry if I came off as a know it all, I never saw the thread, my buddy told me that the guy he got it from was a tech, I made any additional assumptions based on experiences with "other" techs, please accept my apologies .

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 4:40 am
by spectragod
OCSD117 wrote:I only have access to the latest FW
I can flash and align it for you.

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 3:53 am
by OCSD117
Pm sent

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 7:21 am
by OCSD117
So I was able to do the upgrade from R6 to the current no issues!

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 1:03 pm
by spectragod
OCSD117 wrote:So I was able to do the upgrade from R6 to the current no issues!
Sometimes you will get lucky and it will go, an alignment will be in order if for nothing else, the age of the radio.

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 1:03 pm
by spectragod
OCSD117 wrote:So I was able to do the upgrade from R6 to the current no issues!
Sometimes you will get lucky and it will go, an alignment will be in order if for nothing else, the age of the radio.

Re: xtl2500 Firmware update

Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 10:26 am
by OCSD117
how much to tune and align?