KK6ZNS
K1MES
Hi, I just got a fleet of new Motorola radios (xpr7550e), and I’m learning a lot and fast. One question, I’ve seen references to something called an option board. is it a thing or is it an application? Thanks!
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What is the Motorola Option Board?
- Thread starter KK6ZNS
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- May 30, 2003
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- 277
Thing.
The radio can have a board installed for third party options.
The radio can have a board installed for third party options.
N4KVE
Member
I’ve seen Gen 1 6550’s with, & without option boards. I’ve also transferred option boards from 6550’s that didn’t need them to 6550’s that did. Easy swap. Do all 7550’s come with an option board, or is it built onto the mother board?
Firebuff880
Member
As Cameron314 said, it's a processor in many MOTOTRBO subscribers that allows third party software to be installed that extends the functionality of the basic firmware. One of the better know uses is the now EOL Connect Plus code, (Originally a Trident product) this had it's own loader and code.
We do a number of custom solutions solutions on it for customers, including some indoor Geo Fences built around a BLE iBeacon deployment and enabling QC-II for a public service agency on Cap Max as well as crash detection for another custom that will override the Tx-inhibit feature..
Building for the board is a unique skill, requires MOTOTRBO ADP membership and building a number of of specilized jigs for debug purposes
Lastly, it is powered off, by default and has to be enabled at the channel level (Connect Plus legacy) in your base code plug.
We do a number of custom solutions solutions on it for customers, including some indoor Geo Fences built around a BLE iBeacon deployment and enabling QC-II for a public service agency on Cap Max as well as crash detection for another custom that will override the Tx-inhibit feature..
Building for the board is a unique skill, requires MOTOTRBO ADP membership and building a number of of specilized jigs for debug purposes
Lastly, it is powered off, by default and has to be enabled at the channel level (Connect Plus legacy) in your base code plug.
KK6ZNS
K1MES
Thank you, all, for the feedback. This community (all of you) are great.
@Firebuff880 I'm mostly interested in FPP, and I understand that this is a feature (an app?) that must be loaded onto the option board. Is there a separate CPS-style software for reading/writing the option board? How does one access the option board (regardless of features/intent)? Thank you,
Mark
@Firebuff880 I'm mostly interested in FPP, and I understand that this is a feature (an app?) that must be loaded onto the option board. Is there a separate CPS-style software for reading/writing the option board? How does one access the option board (regardless of features/intent)? Thank you,
Mark
Forget it. The FPP capabilities that come with the option board are lacking in any real use.
KK6ZNS
K1MES
Do you know any VFO FPP solutions that are practical? I've seen various youtube videos where people are using M radios (typically the XPR7550e which I also own) and they show seemingly great direct frequency input, RSSI, and other features working
No, there are really no options for FPP in a MotoTRBO radio unless you convert it to Asian firmware which is beyond the scope of this forum.
Firebuff880
Member
Never looked at the FPP software that floats around. But yes, Connect Plus and most other OB offerings have there own installers / "CPS" . Although in Radio Manager there is an option to build a Connect Plus package and load it. But to my knowledge it own works for Connect Plus.
Sorry can't help more -
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