New ASTRO Spectra Features

[ASTRO_25]

Hi Folks,

I just purchased a brand new ASTRO Spectra 800 MHz Radio which has some new features/functionality that I'm not sure most are aware of:

Here some some notes/thoughts on this ASTRO Spectra:

1. This ASTRO Spectra supports both ASTRO-25 (Project 25 trunking) and Type II Smartnet/Smartzone/APCO-25 systems, all in the same radio. I was only aware of the new 2500/5000 series XTS portables as being able to support both system types with one radio.

2. Scan List functionality has changed a bit. You have 4 types of scan lists, Conventional, Priority Monitor, "Limited talkgroup" and Voting Scan. The size of the scan lists remains the same, 15 for conventional and 10 for trunking, but the key change is that scan lists can ONLY contain members from the same trunked system. Meaning, you cannot scan across multiple systems. This is a big departure from the way a regular "Talkgroup" scan list used to work on the Astro Spectras.

3. When defining a Trunked System, for Type II systems you no longer have the option to select the affiliation type, it stays on automatic. The ability to select "Affiliate on PTT" is no longer available - this pertains to Smartzone systems AS WELL as "Disabled" Coverage Type. Also, AMSS is gone as a coverage type selection, you have Smartzone and Disabled, that's it.

These are interesting, significant changes!

Comments?

[usaastro]

Hello,

If you bought an Astro Spectra + then it sounds identical to the XTS5000. The XTS500 no longer supports WAC if the radio is flashed with Smartzone. Also it affiliates automaticly and Type I, Type IIi systems are no longer supported in the XTS5000. Also the XTS5000 requires a new programming cable.

All these "flaws" sounds simular since the XTS5000/Spectra + are like brother and sister radios.

Based on these opservations the Astro Spectra + & XTS5000 in 800mhz are not ment and do not work for the "listener" Mainly ment for an agency.

[mhaynes41]

(and Type I, Type IIi systems are no longer supported in the XTS5000)

I can tell you for a fact this statment is very worng the county has brad new xts5000 800 radios and yes the still support type I and IIi systems in fact the radios now have both type IIi and the new coloroda state apco 25 in the same radio.

[usaastro]

Unless its a flash for Type IIi in the XTS5000 I am finding Type IIi no where in the XTS5000. No where in the system menu or the personality menu

[mhaynes41]

Unless its a flash for Type IIi in the XTS5000 I am finding Type IIi no where in the XTS5000. No where in the system menu or the personality menu

Well I can say for sure they will do both all the new xts5000 have both systems in them the county is on a type II/IIi system untill maybe DEC and the all have the new state 9.6k apco25 system in the same radio.

[jcobb]

Which county? They didn't switch some of the talkgroups over early to the state system?

Jack