700/800MHz Scanning with APX 7000XE

[FDRadioguy777]

Scanning with APX 7000XE

For an APX 7000XE VHF Should I have any issues programming conventional frequencies to receive only on VHF? I also transmit on VHF for fire frequencies. Lastly, in your opinions, is it worth making the switch from an XTS 5000 VHF to an APX 7000XE Radio? Thank you.

 

[MTS2000des]

You can program any RX conventional for receive only on an APX radio. As far as moving up from an XTS5000, yes, the 7000XE is quite a bit more radio, performance wise a properly tuned/vetted (read not garbage pail Ebay ALT junk) will outperform an XTS5000.

The biggest gain besides the ruggedized housing of the XE is in RX audio output. The 7000 has two speakers, one main and one on the rear. 1 full watt of audio vs. 500mw on the XTS. If you're using the radio on digital you'll notice superior performance audio wise on P25 (provided your APX firmware is current).

The noise cancelling on the APX is also superior to the XTS series. Remember the XTS is a legacy product line no longer in production, the APX is what replaced it. Don't expect to see many HOST/DSP updates to the XTS/XTL line. And they've already cancelled official flash upgrade orders for XTS/XTL as of Dec 31 2016.

 

[ME801]

We are in the process of moving from the XTS5000 to the APX's. The XE's are a more rugged radio, my user's are pretty rough on their radio's.
The APX's need a different software (CPS) than the XTS line, so be prepared to spend some additional money for the new CPS from Moto, and different programming cable.
We have noticed the battery's don't last as long on the APX's vs the XTS, unless you go with the extended battery.
We have programmed the weather channels on our APX's and had no problems.