Motorola XTS2500i? Fake?

Motoballa · Dec 31, 2015

Hello, I've stumbled across a few radios claiming to be "Motorola XTS2500i" What does the i mean? I havent done much research, I've seen em mostly on ebay. Here is an example of one of the descriptions of it.

"For sale is a MOTOROLA XTS 2500. It is in great condition. I don't know very much about this unit, however it still has the original screen protector on it and comes with 3 batteries and 2 Antennas. Also comes with an Amstron charger. Radio is in working condition, however I forgot the password so it is currently locked."

My thoughts: Yep.. "I forgot the password so it is currently locked." oh and, "I don't know very much about this unit." So.. It's an XTS2500, but there is nothing saying "XTS2500" on it, on every single picture, nothing indicates its that, unless this person just looked it up and compared it, either way. There are these and then the XTS2500i. The ones I see, I noticed there is just the tag above the speaker saying "Motorola" not "XTS####" just "Motorola" any thoughts or ideas?

Mikek · Jan 1, 2016

A 2500i has an IP67 rating, so it's dust proof and can be submerged in water for a few minutes without damage.

jruta · Jan 1, 2016

As the previous poster said, the "i" means immersible. As far as "locked" goes? Pretty much makes the radio useless...no?

N1GJB · Jan 1, 2016

Depends on what password they are referring to. I imagine there is a workaround to the front panel programming password assuming that's what the seller meant.

N4KVE · Jan 1, 2016

Some radios can be programmed with a password needed to turn them on. Other radios are programmed with an ASK password needed to program them.

wv8mat · Jan 2, 2016

We were talking about this on one of the Facebook Motorola groups... That password is power on password for the radio and the general thought is stolen or fouled up when typing it it the cps..... either way, needs to be hit with the depot software to fix.... according to them in the group.

mikewazowski · Jan 2, 2016

The power on password can be removed by reading the radio with CPS, removing it and writing.

petnrdx · Jan 2, 2016

I am pretty sure the "i" means intrinsically safe" which means non-incendive.
It is not supposed to cause a fire or explosion in certain Classes of environments.
Also expressed as "FM" at different times.
NOT frequency modulated, but FACTORY MUTUAL.
Now Factory Mutual Global, which is an insurance company, underwriter, engineering firm.
Mostly misunderstood.
While they can be immersed in water or other liquids, that is not really the intent.
The "immersible" radios are the R designations (usually).
Anybody know for sure?

mikewazowski · Jan 2, 2016

As others have said, i is Immersible.

http://www.motorolasolutions.com/co...cuments/static_files/r3-4-2003k_xts2500_1.pdf

Scroll to the last page and look under the Immersible Option Specifications.

gtaman · Jan 3, 2016

The radio you are referring to is indeed an XTS2500i. The reason the label only says Motorola is due the fact that it is a government surplus unit. It has an NSN number, cage number and QR code on the back. The name for it is the PRC153. It was issued for the US Marines primarily. These are special government units. If it is not type 1 then it should have an AES256 module in it. I have one of these sitting in my office.

petnrdx · Jan 4, 2016

Thanks Mike.
Learned something new.

KJ6HCB · Feb 1, 2016

gtaman said:
The radio you are referring to is indeed an XTS2500i. The reason the label only says Motorola is due the fact that it is a government surplus unit. It has an NSN number, cage number and QR code on the back. The name for it is the PRC153. It was issued for the US Marines primarily. These are special government units. If it is not type 1 then it should have an AES256 module in it. I have one of these sitting in my office.

Are they programmed and usable as normal? No issues?

Motoballa · Feb 1, 2016

I know the one I saw was locked, hell, all the ones I saw were locked, to program, to turn on, or both! Idk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

N4KVE · Feb 1, 2016

gtaman said:
The radio you are referring to is indeed an XTS2500i. The reason the label only says Motorola is due the fact that it is a government surplus unit. It has an NSN number, cage number and QR code on the back. The name for it is the PRC153. It was issued for the US Marines primarily. These are special government units. If it is not type 1 then it should have an AES256 module in it. I have one of these sitting in my office.

Be aware these radios have VERY dim lighting on the screen, & the flashing green/red light on top does not work. These radios were meant to be used with night vision goggles, hence the dim lights.

Motoballa · Feb 1, 2016

Wow, pretty cool! I'll note that down!

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gtaman · Feb 1, 2016

MOONBOOTS said:
Be aware these radios have VERY dim lighting on the screen, & the flashing green/red light on top does not work. These radios were meant to be used with night vision goggles, hence the dim lights.

Sure is. Mine is dim with no tx/rx led. The dim lights can be fixed by swapping the UCM or adding a non UCM keypad board.

sfd119 · Feb 1, 2016

gtaman said:
The radio you are referring to is indeed an XTS2500i. The reason the label only says Motorola is due the fact that it is a government surplus unit. It has an NSN number, cage number and QR code on the back. The name for it is the PRC153. It was issued for the US Marines primarily. These are special government units. If it is not type 1 then it should have an AES256 module in it. I have one of these sitting in my office.

Not all 2500is are Government radios though. Mine has none of that and functions normally without the dim screen and top LED light being out.

gtaman · Feb 1, 2016

sfd119 said:
Not all 2500is are Government radios though. Mine has none of that and functions normally without the dim screen and top LED light being out.

I'm not talking about all 2500is. I'm only talking about the ones that arnt labeled. Sometimes you may get a non govt model in a govt housing. I post a pic later this evening to show you guys.

N4KVE · Feb 1, 2016

sfd119 said:
Not all 2500is are Government radios though. Mine has none of that and functions normally without the dim screen and top LED light being out.

And I'll bet your 2500 has a FCC ID # on the tag, while these Gov't radios do not.

gtaman · Feb 1, 2016

MOONBOOTS said:
And I'll bet your 2500 has a FCC ID # on the tag, while these Gov't radios do not.

Govt ones may have them. Mine has an FCC tag but it doesn't say FCC ID anywhere. It has numbers that I will run to see if it is the FCC ID. The only difference between mine and the real special one is mine is AES-256. While the really rare and never found alive ones have type 1 in them.

If you want one. 400 and it's yours. This just got posted

http://communications.support/threads/12034-FT-FS-XTS2500-UHF-MIII

Motorola XTS2500i? Fake?

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