APX7000 with identity crisis

[RMW1010]

Hello all,

I have a APX7000. On the back of the radio were normally sits the serial tag there is a label which says: "This device has not been authorized as required by the FCC. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease. or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained."

Maybe it's an early test radio, not sure...

So far so good.

But if I put the radio in servicemode, the modelnumber is H18UCH9PW7AN which is for a XTS5000
I've uploaded a video of the complete servicemode info : YouTube - APX

If I try to read it with ASTRO CPS R14.00 it comes up with an error: "unsupported model"
If I try to read it with APX CPS R04.00 it comes up with the error: "Could not find a radio connected to a USB port."

If I have a look in the Windows device manager there is a modem called XTS5000 radio.

I don't recall when installing the APX CPS there was a driver installed. So it may just take the XTS5000 USB driver. I'm not sure if the are the same.

Hopefully someone can give me some advice...

Thanks!

Regards,
Robert.

 

[gary123]

sounds like a factory test unit. to bring it to life you will have to reflash and then run the cps.

It looks like the unit was used as a data radio.

 

[mikewazowski]

You've got yourself an early developmental APX which probably has more in common with an XTS5000 then an APX.

It would have developmental firmware and hardware which Motorola would not support.

Unfortunately, unless you can get your hands on the developmental CPS which was used to program that radio, there's not much you can do with it except use it as a parts radio.

 

[gary123]

I agree mike, but the unit will probably have the same processor and flash arrangements as the production units even if it was loaded with a custom cps for the prototype. Unless M has radically changed thier beta design processes I believe that the unit may take a early APX flash and run from an early APX cps.

Either way its worth a shot because as you said its only good for parts otherwise.

 

[Mr_Observer]

Interesting situation.

I see you are using release 4.0 of the APX CPS. Have you tried an earlier CPS release? Say 1.0?

They may have taken the developmental part of the CPS out after the earlier releases.

 

[RMW1010]

Hello,

Thanks for all your replies.

Unfortunately I don't have access to earlier CPS.

I would like to try and have it flashed, but I'm not sure a Motorola dealer is willing and able to do so.
Especially not in Europe, where I'm located.

I still have doubts regarding if the correct USB driver has been installed. Where is it located on the CD? I can't seem to find it.

Regards,
Robert.

 

[mikewazowski]

There's a file on MOL called "Motorola APX USB Setup" which sets up your PC with the correct drivers. You might want to give this a shot.

My APX reports as a "Motorola APX Series Radio" in the Device Manager and the driver is located at c:\windows\system32\drivers\usb8023x.sys.

I did try and read my apx with the latest version of ASTRO25 CPS and it doesn't even try. Comes up with an open radio error message.

The fact that the device manager and your ASTRO25 CPS both seem to communicate with the radio leads me to believe that you've got a very early APX that used a hacked version of the XTS5K controller.

I think your only hope is to get your hands on the developmental CPS that was used to program the radio.

Even the firmware and dsp seem to imply a Lab version which might only give the radio enough functionality to be used in some environmental tests.

Hope you didn't pay much for this radio.

 

[RMW1010]

Unfortunately I don't have access to MOL
Tried applying for it several times. The give me a hard time because I'm in Europe.
The APX is not for EMEA market

I paid about $350 for it. It was sold to me as defective because the battery was dead.
So I knew it was a gamble.

If I was able to program some simple conventional RX TX channels then that would be great.
Don't need any extra's

It makes a nice radio for my showcase anyway.

 

[chrismol1]

123ABC1234 is serial number. that tells a lot right there. pretty cool to get an APX for 350 though

 

[ElroyJetson]

It will probably never be a very usable radio in the state it's in. Just put it on the shelf as a display piece and enjoy the view.

It would probably bring you a nice profit on ebay. But let the buyers know what you've posted here or you risk bad feedback.

 

[chrismol1]

It will probably never be a very usable radio in the state it's in. Just put it on the shelf as a display piece and enjoy the view.

It would probably bring you a nice profit on ebay. But let the buyers know what you've posted here or you risk bad feedback.

I've seen the same thing. Some people will just do insane bidding for experimental moto stuff

 

[mancow]

Unfortunately, it's a beta unit and no dealer will touch it and even if they would most wouldn't have the tools or knowledge to convert it.


Obviously, Motorola has the tools in house to do it since they made the thing. For whatever reason the discussion of it is synonymous with spitting in the face of the mods over at the other board where you initially asked the question. I find it completely bizarre since it's only common sense that a manufacturer would posses special tools to manipulate the items they build....but whatever.

 

[Batwings21]

Yep, not even a reason. Just LOCKED... typical these days.

 

[ElroyJetson]

There may be some changes afoot on certain other boards. I predict the Batwings board (you know the one) will get a bit friendlier to some of this information soon due to certain changes in the admin staff.

I'm now an administrator there. While I don't plan to change much, I won't tolerate the quashing of information that's been out in the wild for some time, or discrimination against those who have something of technical knowledge to offer.

There will always be a level of secret knowledge that should never, and will never, be permitted on open forums, but certain BL admins went overboard on this and that's about to change if I have anything to do with it. Some of those admins are no longer admins.

Elroy

 

[XTS3000]

These APX's that identify themselves as an XTS5000 are actually "alpha" radios. In order for the APX series of radios to be certified for mil spec, they have to go through riggerious testing for static shock, water, heat, dust, etc. These radios were built for mil spec testing, but there was no APX CPS at that early time, so Moto took Astro25 CPS and modified it slightly so they could program in the test frequencies and have them tested by an outside company who does certification for mil spec.

They beat the living heck out of these APX's till they fail or break. The ones that didn't fail, were sold on eBay and other sources. I've seen a few of these radios, and one of them had a sticker under the battery compartment with "ESD" and "Passed". Hmmm, I wonder how many volts they shot into that radio for it to pass the ESD tests.

These Alpha test radios have XTS5000 firmware, DSP, and tuning partitions in them. The radio shows up as an XTS5000 because the USB driver in the radio is actually a XTS5000 USB driver. That is why the APX CPS can not even see the radio when its hooked up. APX CPS is trying to communicate with APX USB driver, but it's not there.

123ABC1234 radios can be Alpha or Development or Demo radios. 123ABC1234 is the default serial number before the radio is flashed with software options and sold to the customer. When Motorola gives you a demo radio, its usually a 123ABC1234.

 

[radioman2001]

Elroy I hope there are some changes over there, the atmosphere has been really bad for a while. I tried to bring up what Batlabs used to be when on physco.net, but that fell on deaf ears. Even an olive branch offer via PM did no good. I would hate to see it all go away(It's off line right now) but maybe someone else would pick it up and do it right.

 

[ElroyJetson]

If it's up to me, things will relax a bit. But, remember that it's always important to not get a site into trouble. In this post-911, post-PATRIOT Act period of time, there have to be some limits on what's discussed openly. People who have advanced knowledge will inevitably contact each other and set
up their own private area for discussion of advanced information, outside of the public areas of the internet.

My intent would be to allow people to discuss matters relating to the techniques and tools that have already been discussed in the open many times. Old news, old knowledge, old hat, whatever you want to call it...stuff that's by default in the public domain now. Talking about that stuff should not be a problem. But any newer and more significant developments probably shouldn't be discussed on ANY public forum, you know?

People were getting stomped on for daring to mention the names of tools from the lab that we have known about for over a decade now. That's just silly. I won't have it, not if I have anything to do with it. And I expect a high level of professionalism out of all the staffers at the site, even those who are above me in position...ESPECIALLY them.

Elroy

 

[radioman2001]

I agree most of what goes on with today's equipment hacking is behind the curtain, but refusing to allow even suggesting that is wrong buy the admins at the labs. I hate to say it but the post 911 world is real scary, not because of terrorism per se, but because of how we now have to worry about how we think and speak, and how we are being surveiled under the guise of public safety. Our freedoms are being curtailed more in a free society than if they were actually taken away. We are beginning to look like a British society than an American one. Sorry to go on like this, it wasn't my intent to hijack this thread.
I hope some thing else hasn't happened. The batboards are down now for 2 days, now I don't even get a 403 error, maybe you can shed some light on this, it would be a real shame if it doesn't come back up. I don't ever remember them being off this long before.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Incidentally, I WOULD be interested in purchasing one of those test APX7000s, knowing full well that its utility will be minimal. I would be happy to simply add it to my growing museum of excellent condition
examples of portable radios. It's not just Motorola radios but of course they do have pride of place in
the collection. My only requirements are that they are complete and they will power up if connected
to a charged battery. Pristine examples of rare and interesting variants of common types of radios
are always welcome.

For example, I don't have an example of an HT220 cardiac monitor radio. Memcor, was it? I'd like to get one.


Elroy

 

[radioman2001]

Now that's a hard one to find, I have only seen one in all my days as a medic and radio tech. New York Hospital HAD one, I doubt if it's around anymore, we cleaned out their storeroom pretty good in the 90's.