XTL/XTS5000 AES/UCM compatibility

[itsdox]

Howdy folks, long time lurker.

Finally bit the bullet and decided to go with big M for my small group on our licensed business freq.

The pile of radios are all the same flashcode:

180001-001002-5
Q806 ASTRO IMBE Digital Operation
Q498 Hardware Multikey Encryption w/ OTAR
H35 Conventional Systems Operation
Q947 APCO Packet Data Interface
Q446 Fireground Voice/Channel Announcement

My question is: I cracked open one of them and there is no UCM module. Would all it take to implement AES is to buy the UCM and load the corresponding keys with a Keyloader/KFDTool? Or am I hooped and have to live with the flashcode/crypto algorithms currently on the radio?

 

[K2NEC]

Howdy folks, long time lurker.

Finally bit the bullet and decided to go with big M for my small group on our licensed business freq.

The pile of radios are all the same flashcode:

180001-001002-5
Q806 ASTRO IMBE Digital Operation
Q498 Hardware Multikey Encryption w/ OTAR
H35 Conventional Systems Operation
Q947 APCO Packet Data Interface
Q446 Fireground Voice/Channel Announcement

My question is: I cracked open one of them and there is no UCM module. Would all it take to implement AES is to buy the UCM and load the corresponding keys with a Keyloader/KFDTool? Or am I hooped and have to live with the flashcode/crypto algorithms currently on the radio?

You should be able to buy a module and plug it into the radio. When you put the radio into service mode it will tell you the secure modes that it has installed.

It's none of my business but dont you think AES on a business frequency is a bit much?

 

[itsdox]

Unfortunately these are Model 1 radios, no screen to get a quick eyeball on. I should be able to tell from CPS correct?

As for the why, I figure why not. Free country, I got the freq, why not play with somethings you'd otherwise be unable to on amateur bands

 

[K2NEC]

Unfortunately these are Model 1 radios, no screen to get a quick eyeball on. I should be able to tell from CPS correct?

As for the why, I figure why not. Free country, I got the freq, why not play with somethings you'd otherwise be unable to on amateur bands

Nah unfortunately with a model 1 there is no way to since there is no display.

 

[Giddyuptd]

Crack it open, inspect for ucm in less its known it has one

 

[itsdox]

Crack it open, inspect for ucm in less its known it has one

Had done. No UCM. What I'm asking is if I were to install a UCM, would it be as simple as loading keys and flipping the right switches in CPS

Or is this a specific feature needed to be programmed into the radio via flashcode by /\/\ regardless of UCM or not

 

[MTS2000des]

You need hardware encryption/multi-key in your flash code.
The enable crypto in your codeplug.

It is also a good idea to update the firmware and MACE to the latest available. To do this correctly, this requires a firmware refresh iButton and appropriate refresh software packages. Good luck getting them from MSI, as the XTS series are off support and the dead line to order flashport upgrades for the XTS series ended 3 years ago.

 

[K2NEC]

You need hardware encryption/multi-key in your flash code.
The enable crypto in your codeplug.

It is also a good idea to update the firmware and MACE to the latest available. To do this correctly, this requires a firmware refresh iButton and appropriate refresh software packages. Good luck getting them from MSI, as the XTS series are off support and the dead line to order flashport upgrades for the XTS series ended 3 years ago.

Well said. I didn't really have an in depth answer for the OP

 

[itsdox]

You need hardware encryption/multi-key in your flash code.
The enable crypto in your codeplug.

It is also a good idea to update the firmware and MACE to the latest available. To do this correctly, this requires a firmware refresh iButton and appropriate refresh software packages. Good luck getting them from MSI, as the XTS series are off support and the dead line to order flashport upgrades for the XTS series ended 3 years ago.

Good to know, thanks for the reply!

 

[radioman2001]

DES or DES-Xl or any of the other older encryption modules are a lot easier to find along with the keyloader. AES is a bit of a PIA

 

[Opfor2]

To answer your question YES. All you need to do is buy the UCM module on say eBay, install said UCM, read the radio and check hardware equipped encryption in the CPS, load your key using your favorite KVL loader and you should be good to go. If your business frequencies are P25 you will use DES-OFB, if analog use DES-XL. Hope this helps.

 

[radioman2001]

Quote"
If your business frequencies are P25 you will use DES-OFB, if analog use DES-XL"

You can't use DES-XL on analog (unless you are using "T" band, or 800), as it requires 5kc deviation and will not work with 2.5kc narrowband.
You can use a DES-XL module with P-25 but you have to change settings in the radio for it to work.