XPR-6550 vs. XPR-7550 - Page 3

gonzalu · #41 (**permalink**) 12-06-2012, 7:57 PM

OK thanks...

gonzalu · #42 (**permalink**) 12-07-2012, 9:12 AM

Finally got the replacement battery and was able to turn on the radio. Here are a few pics of the box opening... also some closeups of the connector for the antenna. Does not seem to be a big deal. Just a connector, no center pin and shield... Why can,t there be an adapter? Oh well :-)

Also, was able to go over to a friend who has a version radio/firmware XPR6550 running on a Mac (Bootcamp Win7) and cables. Connecting the cable to the radio did not work. The software does not see the radio. Searching on Google we found that the cable needs to be VERSION B not VERSION A which works on 6550 but not on 7550 :-(

So, I did not give up and we tried to connect via Bluetooth. Amazing! The radio paired with Windows and made a connection. HOWEVER, the program kept giving an error something to the effect of Incompatible Region. He said it is because his 6550 and Firmware are Latin America region... huh? Long winded explanation but I get it now. He flashed his AA radio to LA region (I thought it was Los Angeles) so he could use a Latin America version of CPS!

So I am on the phone with MOL right now and they are totally confused. I am telling them I am not a Dealer or Reseller and I just want to use the radio on the HAM bands... The woman on the phone says I need to go to a Dealer or Distributor to get the programming done?

MOONBOOTS · #43 (**permalink**) 12-07-2012, 9:40 AM

Just so you know, there's a very simple mod to convert an "A" cable to a "B" cable.

gonzalu · #44 (**permalink**) 12-07-2012, 10:18 AM

Gary, thanks... I have seen your posts on other forums re: the mod :-) but since I have no cable, I will buy a B type if I do but it. I think for now all I want to do is program the radio and I think I can do it via BT. Just need to get the software and EID codes :-)

I keep asking myself, why no field programming capability at all? Would be nice to at least enter a frequency and talk analog :P

Feel free to send me the mod anyway just in case I trip over a A cable somewhere

MOONBOOTS · #45 (**permalink**) 12-07-2012, 1:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzalu

Feel free to send me the mod anyway just in case I trip over a A cable somewhere

No problem. Just PM me your e-mail address, because for some reason, I can't PM the mod.

gonzalu · #46 (**permalink**) 12-11-2012, 10:58 AM

All, I have good news and bad news.

The bad news is that Motorola still has NOT gotten back to me re: MOL account or otherwise :-(

Now the good.

ANTENNA connector:

As per Motorola Support directly, the antenna connector is a "lug" type. I do see a similar adapter out in the wild for a different radio to BNC... I have found the GP-68 to look very similar to what we want for the XPR7550 ... thoughts?

BNC Antenna Adapter Motorola MX Maxon Midland Tekk | eBay

PROGRAMMING

I realized we manage about 2500 radios here at work, so, I said let me go talk to my friends in the Security and Facilities departments and sure enough, we manage our own radios. I was directed to the sub sub sub basement level (jk) to the lair of one Radio Admin... VOILA!! While our radios and frequencies are all analog at this time, he has a Moto account and was able to download CPS ... we went with 8.0 as the newer ones his rep at Moto wasn't sure would work well for XPR7550 .

With CPS 8.0 and NO CABLE yet (mine is coming) I wanted to try and get Bluetooth going. I was told by someone (Gary?) that I may need to at least set up Bluetooth with the cable before I could use it.

Good news, the radio can be paired with a data connection (Bluetooth to Serial) and Windows 7 x64 (my case) right out of the box as it comes from Factory. Voila II !!

Once that happened, turned on Bluetooth on CPS and read the radio.. Yippee!!

Then with generous support and tons of reading, I have my XPR 7550 fully set up for DMR-MARC network, local Analog HAM bands and Public Service receive only (scanner basically)

One problem I noticed is that while the radio seem to be fully open from 403-512 (still have to test fully) it will NOT accept anything other than a 12.5 KHz bandwidth

so I need the EID for that. I am on the phone with MOT right now as we speak to settle my CPS order, MOL account, EID ;-)

Thanks to all who have helped me so far. This radio is absolutely SUPERB!! The audio output is unbelievable!

MOONBOOTS · #47 (**permalink**) 12-11-2012, 11:57 AM

Until you get your CPS, have your work apply for the EID & program your radio on their computer. GARY

gonzalu · #48 (**permalink**) 12-11-2012, 1:26 PM

Thanks Gary. I just asked our radio shop to do so. So, our MOT rep said to our guy that we TECHNICALLY can and should get the right CPS and the right Radios with the right settings (meaning 25KHz) BEFORE Jan 1st. That all this stuff and per-requisites are being shoved down our throats by MOT Legal because none of it is REQUIRED before 1/1/2013 by the FCC!! Further, the older CPS can work but it may not work with my XPR7550 ??? That I did not want to try although I guess it won't hurt to try lol.

So, it is silly for all this to be happening now and not after Jan 1st 2013.

Is the EID and CPS and Radio Serial number tied to each other? I just took a class as required by MOT so they can approve my EID application (ugh) I was never asked for my radio serial number nor my CPS serial (which I don;t have, if I had it) etc. ?

So difficult for something so simple...

gonzalu · #49 (**permalink**) 12-15-2012, 11:33 AM

Some questions on the XPR7550:

1. How can I make the back-light stay on indefinitely?
2. How should I set up Roaming Lists? I think I know but I have no clue if I am right :P
3. Is it possible to use the arrow keys to navigate Zones and Channels instead of going through the Knob on top panel or going through Zone button or Menus?
4. Can someone explain Intelligent Audio feature? I only see it on the radio and not in CPS (?)
5. I have a scan list with all the local NYC sites 3 each for the NA, WW and LCL talkgroups. Today while scanning, I was on NA channel, and the WW net never came on until I tuned to CH 1 (WW) directly... I thought the scan would show WW as well... what did I do wrong?

W2MLH · #50 (**permalink**) 12-19-2012, 3:03 PM

The GP68 lug that you found will not fit on the radio's connector unless it is modified, the neck of the radio is too tall and the lug will not secure deep enough, I have tried and modified one and fits snug...BUT to my surprise when I check the power level it is extremely low on high power less than 1 watt and in low power it is even lower, SWR looked fine..several friends have tried the same (lug) modification and have gotten the same results very low power output, any comments. /\/\ strikes again...

com501 · #51 (**permalink**) 12-19-2012, 3:09 PM

My thoughts:

Buy a mobile if you want an external antenna, or plunk down the $$$ for the factory adapter.

Worry more about the annoying, redundant channel number in the display in addition to the alpha tag for the channel.

Motorola says they will be addressing multiple ID capability in a future version also.

gonzalu · #52 (**permalink**) 12-19-2012, 8:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by com501

My thoughts:

Buy a mobile if you want an external antenna, or plunk down the $$$ for the factory adapter.

Worry more about the annoying, redundant channel number in the display in addition to the alpha tag for the channel.

Motorola says they will be addressing multiple ID capability in a future version also.

I actually don;t really care about the external antenna as I am using the radio as an HT... I would just like the option of a better HT antenna if possible :-) In time I think third party antennas will surface just as they have for other models.

As for the Lapha Tag and Channel number, I think it is necessary to know which channel you're on or need to dial up. How do you change channels if you don;t know the number? Unless they allow for channel access alphanumerically, no other elegant way.

Come to think of it, they need to have more than 16 channels per scan group ... and then allow me to change channels by entering the alpha tag!

salty · #53 (**permalink**) 12-20-2012, 7:24 AM

1. How can I make the back-light stay on indefinitely?

I'm interested in knowing about this as well, and if the radio is capable of having the back light automatically turn on upon receiving a transmission.

AB1RS · #54 (**permalink**) 03-10-2013, 10:14 AM

Hi Everybody, Richard here. I have the 7550. I, as I tried to follow in the posts here, want to do the wide band thing for a couple ham frequencies. I understand there is a way, my dealer has no idea on this so I am asking what would be the easiest way for me to proceed with getting my radio programmed for wide freqs, thanks

metrowest · #55 (**permalink**) 03-15-2013, 12:46 PM

Hi Richard i sent a message to your hotmail.

Noel
W1RSA

TDHG4U61 · #56 (**permalink**) 03-28-2013, 2:29 AM

Hey guys, I also have both the 6550 & 7550 and love them both. When I rented the 7550 before I purchased my own, the dealer's radio was setup so I can access a channel via the keypad ( press 4, then HOME) to access ch-4 within that zone. Did Moto removed that access feature or what because that is why I bought my radio, or if any one is using that mode how to turn it on, kinda fun. I did a You Tube video on the 7550 as well. The radio is cool but if you look at the antenna connector on the radio the base is raised about 1/8in as a potential to the antenna snapping off versus the 6550 where it is embedded. Thats my two cents

Amos