APX 7000XE Questions

[FDRadioguy777]

Hi All,

We have a few APX 7000XE radios at my FD and I have a few questions:

1. It is possible to program an APX 7000 XE to show you your GPS coordinates or will it only allow you to transmit your location?

2. Is there any place that will upgrade the 1.5’s to 3.5? It has been hard finding info about that since they have been discontinued.

3. What is the ballpark cost to upgrade the flash code to include TDMA on an APX 7000 XE that only has P25 phase 1?

Thanks in advance to anyone that might be able to answer these questions!

 

[GlobalNorth]

I believe you will need new radios,

 

[mikewazowski]

1. You should be able to program a button which will show your coordinates.
2. Most likely no.
3. Don't know. I would check with a dealer.

 

[PhillyPhoto]

From my research, you need an entire new controller for the 2.5/3.5 models. I was going to upgrade a regular 1.5 until I found that out. You're better off buying a new 3.5 if that's what you want.

With that said, I have seen an APX 1500 converted to a 6500 and work with a O3 head, but was told hardware encryption might be an issue with any firmware updates. So who knows what will actually work in the real world. And if you have the means to convert it from a 1.5 to a 3.5 why not add TDMA at that point since Motorola probably won't touch a discontinued radio not converted by them?

As far as GPS goes, you have to enable location under Radio Wide as well as "User Selectable Location Enable" then add the "LOC" menu item to see your coordinates (see attached).

 

[BryanTheRed]

1. Yes you can program it to show your location.
2. No you cannot convert a model 1.5 to a 3.5
3. Yes you can still order flash code upgrades for the 7000.

 

[N0BDW]

GA00580AA ADD: TDMA OPERATION 1 $495.00
(list price, from a recent APX8500 order)

 

[Echo4Thirty]

From my research, you need an entire new controller for the 2.5/3.5 models. I was going to upgrade a regular 1.5 until I found that out. You're better off buying a new 3.5 if that's what you want.

This is correct. The 1.5 does not have the required hardware on the controller board to support a front display. Given the fact that the controller board is also married to the RF board, both would have to be replaced. With alignment and the other sketchy stuff required to do this, this puts the expense squarely in the "sell the 1.5 and get a 3.5" category.