APX 7500 Mobile Photo Tour

[akardam]

Here are some photos of the external and internal arrangement of the APX 7500 mobile. This particular radio is a remote mount, mid power, VHF and 700/800 unit. Inane ramblings might find their way into this post, so you've been warned...



The external arrangement is at first glance very similar to an XTL5000. The radio uses an O5 head, though with a newer firmware revision than I've seen on XTL5000's, even fresh from the factory. Presumably this is to accomodate the APX, and this firmware is backwards compatible with current XTL's. The head also uses the newer black styling for the O5.



The differences start to become more apparent when you look at the rear end of the radio body. There's an antenna connector for each band, plus a SMA connector for the GPS. Power and accessory connections are physically identical to the XTL5000, other than being oriented and placed differently.

Now, for the guts...





Unlike the XTL5000 which is a uni-board radio, the APX 7500 is split into two boards, much like the portables have been for years. The RF board contains both bands and all radio RF, except for the GPS receiver, which is integrated into the control board. Each of the RF and control board fit on opposite sides of the chassis, and mate with a hard surface mount connector. The accessory port connects to the controller board via a flex, and the GPS connector routes there as well.

The control head (dash mount) or TIB (remote mount) connects to the controller board via an edge connector. This same edge connector also includes a portion that connects to the secure carrier (not pictured). When the secure carrier is in place, it appears that the CH or TIB flex passes through the middle of it.

All in all, I'm happy with what I've seen so far. The separate components makes field repair much easier (and in the case of a bad RF board, doesn't necessitate reprogramming, just re-doing the alignment). I like the edge connector vs the old high density pinout on the XTL's - much more robust and less liable to be damaged during removal and reconnection.

Enjoy!

[SYNTORX71MAN]

Nice Job Peter!

Much appreciated for the virtual tour and info!!

[Elroy Jetson]

Interesting.

When you compare this to, for example, an old Micor mobile radio chassis, it's really impressive how much simpler the physical construction of a modern radio
has become. And yet it can do so much more.

The drawback, of course, is that serviceability takes a hit. You practically have to have a degree in computer science with a dual major in embedded
processing and digital signal processing, with classes in advanced SMD handling and rework, in order to be a fully capable repair tech on a modern radio.

If you torch the PA on a Micor, you fix it. If you torch the PA on one of these, you order a whole new board.

Both have their virtues and drawbacks.


Elroy

[wd9cms]

Thanks for the tour.....Does the radio have space for two secure boards, one for each band, or will the radio have a special board to decode two bands at once. This is one issue that is unclear on the functionality of the two bands in the APX7500. With the dual band xtl5000 and previous two radio dual band configuration you could receive traffic simultaneously on both bands or transmit on one band while still receiving on the other. Is this still the case with the APX7500???

Thanks,

Bill

[akardam]

Thanks for the tour.....Does the radio have space for two secure boards, one for each band, or will the radio have a special board to decode two bands at once. This is one issue that is unclear on the functionality of the two bands in the APX7500. With the dual band xtl5000 and previous two radio dual band configuration you could receive traffic simultaneously on both bands or transmit on one band while still receiving on the other. Is this still the case with the APX7500???

Thanks,

Bill

There is only a single encryption hardware engine per radio. There is no indication as of yet that the APX7500 supports dual receive. If this was an option on the Astro Spectra or XTL series radios, other than with the exception of the HRR, I'm not aware of it.

The part numbers for the secure hardware option (which appears to combine the carrier and the module into one) are as follows:

MHLN6999 - Option board for APX7500 Mobile w/ 3 day retention
MHLN7000 - Option board for APX7500 Mobile

Presumably the latter is the 30 second retention version.

[radioinstl]

Thanks for the tour.....Does the radio have space for two secure boards, one for each band, or will the radio have a special board to decode two bands at once. This is one issue that is unclear on the functionality of the two bands in the APX7500. With the dual band xtl5000 and previous two radio dual band configuration you could receive traffic simultaneously on both bands or transmit on one band while still receiving on the other. Is this still the case with the APX7500???

Thanks,

Bill

Radio will use the "MACE" board. The only info so far is available here:

http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/do ... sp1254.pdf

The radio does not use the MACE board, it and the portable will use the MACE in the future.

[rc50won]

Radio will use the "MACE" board. The only info so far is available here:

http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/do ... sp1254.pdf[/quote]

The radio does not use the MACE board, it and the portable will use the MACE in the future.[/quote]


Word is the future is less than 2 weeks away (at least for the portable).

Marshall