XTL/XTS5000 Tune and Alignment

[lb2910]

Hello all... I have a question regarding my set of XTS5000 VHF radios.. I am really enjoying using them and with this forum's help, I've been able to set up my radios exactly how I like them... That said, I would like to ask about tuning and aligning the radios.. I have all three variant models of the XTS5000 and some of the radios TX/RX better than others. I am assuming, since I bought them all used, most need a tuning and alignment. At the risk of sounding like a total moron, is tuning and aligning these radios a pain? I do have Astro 25 CPS and Astro 25 Tuner. I've gotten fairly comfortable navigating and using CPS. I have not tried anything with Astro 25 Tuner.

As always, I really appreciate everyone's time and gracious effort in helping me out. Thanks and stay healthy everyone!!!

 

[Project25_MASTR]

If you have the equipment detailed in the basic service manual...tuning the radios is no hassle just takes a bit of time.

 

[xmo]

Here is the test configuration page from the basic service manual. Of course, you also have the laptop running the CPS tuner.

 

[com501]

Just plug them into your Aeroflex 3920B and hit 'autotune'.

 

[KevinC]

Just plug them into your Aeroflex 3920B and hit 'autotune'.

After of course you've added in your test cable losses (so TX power doesn't fail and get set way too high ).

 

[com501]

You forgot the $55k for the instrument.

 

[MTS2000des]

and unless one has a calibrated R8000B, 3920 or similar instrument on hand with appropriate test cables., RLN-4460 test interface box, or access to all of the above, a visit to a qualified MSS shouldn't charge more than a 1/2 hour labor for an autotune routine per radio, and provided there are no hardware problems that often lurk with "seller refurbished" "Ebay teknishun" radios, they shouldn't cost more than that labor charge, and should be able to provide a printed auto tune result or file showing the before and after softpot values.

 

[lb2910]

and unless one has a calibrated R8000B, 3920 or similar instrument on hand with appropriate test cables., RLN-4460 test interface box, or access to all of the above, a visit to a qualified MSS shouldn't charge more than a 1/2 hour labor for an autotune routine per radio, and provided there are no hardware problems that often lurk with "seller refurbished" "Ebay teknishun" radios, they shouldn't cost more than that labor charge, and should be able to provide a printed auto tune result or file showing the before and after softpot values.

OK.. haha.. yeah.. i figured this would be a rather heavy lift for an end user like myself.. I'll hit up my local radio dealer to see about charging a fair fee for the tune and alignment. Thanks again to everybody that chimed in. I'm just a little bit smarter today than I was yesterday... Kudos to all...

 

[MTS2000des]

any MSS that is reputable shouldn't charge more than a 1/2 hour labor. If they want more, find another. I auto tune XTS5000/2500s all day long and on our R8000-B it takes around 10-12 minutes including the time it takes connecting the cabling. The monitor does all the work. I've actually shown a couple of interested dispatch personnel how easy it is. The days of diddlesticks and tuning tools are over and these radios were designed to be aligned electronically using automated software, all of which costs absurd money. Our 8000 was a $52K purchase, and we just sent it off for calibration/software update last year at $17 grand.

 

[lb2910]

any MSS that is reputable shouldn't charge more than a 1/2 hour labor. If they want more, find another. I auto tune XTS5000/2500s all day long and on our R8000-B it takes around 10-12 minutes including the time it takes connecting the cabling. The monitor does all the work. I've actually shown a couple of interested dispatch personnel how easy it is. The days of diddlesticks and tuning tools are over and these radios were designed to be aligned electronically using automated software, all of which costs absurd money. Our 8000 was a $52K purchase, and we just sent it off for calibration/software update last year at $17 grand.

WOW.. HOLY CR@P Batman!!! So when I call them, they should charge me roughly 1/2 hour labor per radio not counting any needed hardware that may need to be replaced... Roger... thanks a TON.. I'll call them today and let you know what they want to charge me...

 

[lb2910]

Just called... $65 per radio... turn around time is roughly a day...

 

[MTS2000des]

That's a fair price. About what I would expect.

 

[wa8pyr]

any MSS that is reputable shouldn't charge more than a 1/2 hour labor. If they want more, find another. I auto tune XTS5000/2500s all day long and on our R8000-B it takes around 10-12 minutes including the time it takes connecting the cabling. The monitor does all the work. I've actually shown a couple of interested dispatch personnel how easy it is. The days of diddlesticks and tuning tools are over and these radios were designed to be aligned electronically using automated software, all of which costs absurd money. Our 8000 was a $52K purchase, and we just sent it off for calibration/software update last year at $17 grand.

Concur. I've done my XTS5k manually using the proper gadgetry as well as on an R8000B with Autotune, and Autotune is the way to go. Your local shop shouldn't charge much more than about $50 for half an hour of labor, and many have a lower fixed rate for autotune services (my local shop quoted $40 per radio a few years ago) when no other repair gotchas rear their ugly heads.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Autotune is fun. I've Autotuned a few thousand Astro 25 and APX radios with an R8000A and R8000B. I've also checked a few hundred manually on my R2670A (which is what the service manual is actually written for). Once you get past the acquisition of an RLN-4470, you can often get a refurbished (and more importantly calibrated) R2670 from Freedom (when they get trades towards an R8x00) for around $3500.

 

[lb2910]

I'm ALL OVER doing stuff myself... I've been wrenching my Harley for several years now and dig knowing repairs and maintenance are done right... Being able to program my XTS5k has been a blast as well. But dropping that kinda moolah on that kind of gear and not knowing what the heck I'm doing.. yeah.. for this case, I'll leave it to the pros...

 

[lb2910]

Just a quick update to all the folks that helped me with this.. Just got my radios aligned and tuned.. wow.. what a difference.. the tech said my radios were putting out low wattage hence my range issues. It wasn't horrible but it definitely needed some tweaking. He did all 5 radios in a few hours and they work great.. thanks again to all for the solid advice as always... great forum here!!! Stay healthy!

 

[vagrant]

@lb2910 Thank you for this thread. It encouraged me to go in the opposite direction and read up and start using the R2670A as a friend owns one. Still, I know what you mean. Sometimes we are better off having someone else handle things and get us back on track.

 

[lb2910]

@lb2910 Thank you for this thread. It encouraged me to go in the opposite direction and read up and start using the R2670A as a friend owns one. Still, I know what you mean. Sometimes we are better off having someone else handle things and get us back on track.

Glad the thread was helpful and motivated you to take a stab at the R2670A. I'm envious you have a friend that has one. I'd love to learn how to properly use one and doing all the maintenance, tuning, etc myself. I can say that the difference when I got my radios back was pretty obvious. Best of luck to you!!

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Glad the thread was helpful and motivated you to take a stab at the R2670A. I'm envious you have a friend that has one. I'd love to learn how to properly use one and doing all the maintenance, tuning, etc myself. I can say that the difference when I got my radios back was pretty obvious. Best of luck to you!!

You just have to keep an eye out for them. I watched an R2600D on eBay go for around $300 a few months ago and when it comes to the actual alignment process, an R2600 works just fine you just can't verify P25 function (you can still set the levels as that's done with analog). If you begin to dig into service manuals for various radios they are all really written for performing alignments with an analog service monitor (you just need digital function to test/verify digital function on the radio).

 

[lb2910]

You just have to keep an eye out for them. I watched an R2600D on eBay go for around $300 a few months ago and when it comes to the actual alignment process, an R2600 works just fine you just can't verify P25 function (you can still set the levels as that's done with analog). If you begin to dig into service manuals for various radios they are all really written for performing alignments with an analog service monitor (you just need digital function to test/verify digital function on the radio).

$300???? WOW.... I'd get one for that as long as it will do a solid tune/alignment. That said, I have ZERO clue on how to do it. I hear the term "autotune" used that sounds like a simple procedure. Does that model do that? My luck is I'll brick my nice XTS5Ks.. haha.. Clearly there's a YouTube video on alignment/tuning right??