Change from O5 to O3 Head on XTL5000

[JimD56]

I have an XTL5000 in Remote Config with an O5 Head.
I know my way around the CPS and I program through the front mic connection on the O5 head.
What does it take to switch over to an O3 Head?
Can I just pick up any O3 head on eBay?
Once I remove the O5 Head How am I programming?
Thanks to All.

Jim
KO9JAD

 

[MTS2000des]

You have to use a serial cable to either program via the J2 connector or GCAI serial on the radio. Once you use an O3 with an XTL, you'll get the "no USB" message on the XTL if you try to use USB programming cables via the GCAI port. Also, the first time you connect an O3 that has been used on an APX or XTL with different firmware, the host firmware will have to transfer from the brick to the head- the head will sit there and ingest it for several minutes. Do NOT interrupt this process. Once it's loaded, you should be good to go. Configure your menus and soft keys as you wish in Astro 25 Mobile CPS.

 

[N4DES]

I have a VHF XTL5K with an O3 head and mine requires programming from the rear accessory port using the serial RS232 HKN6160A cable. Trying to use a USB cable throws an error.

 

[JimD56]

I have a VHF XTL5K with an O3 head and mine requires programming from the rear accessory port using the serial RS232 HKN6160A cable. Trying to use a USB cable throws an error.

Yeah I thought so. I don't have any PCs with a R232 Serial Port connection.

 

[MTS2000des]

That's the only thing that sucks about using the O3 with an XTL, is you lose USB programming capability via the GCAI connector on the TIB.

 

[a417]

Yeah I thought so. I don't have any PCs with a R232 Serial Port connection.

I use a FTDI USB to Serial dongle and have had great success with programming my fleet of XTLs.

 

[n3obl]

I use a FTDI USB to Serial dongle and have had great success with programming my fleet of XTLs.

Cause per the software you are using a serial cable. The usb setting in software is for Motorola OEM programming cables.

 

[a417]

Cause per the software you are using a serial cable. The usb setting in software is for Motorola OEM programming cables.

Right, didn't say anything to the contrary.

I don't have any PCs with a R232 Serial Port connection.

Not having an onboard RS232 port doesn't prevent @JimD56 from using serial to program his XTL5k/O3 combo, provided he gets a USB/serial adaptor.

 

[redbeard]

Rear USB via J2 works fine too, and is easy to add to a rear accy connector to roll your own if you don't have one.

 

[n3obl]

Right, didn't say anything to the contrary.




Not having an onboard RS232 port doesn't prevent @JimD56 from using serial to program his XTL5k/O3 combo, provided he gets a USB/serial adaptor.

I was just making a mention as a lot of people think the usb to serial adapter means to use the usb setting in cps.

 

[a417]

Rear USB via J2 works fine too, and is easy to add to a rear accy connector to roll your own if you don't have one.

This is excellent advice. My bench J2 breaks everything available, it's good practice.

 

[Jasonjones]

When I used to use an O3 head only my xtl5000, the brick programmed just fine with the oem Motorola usb cable.

 

[APX8000]

I've used a USB cable to program 5000s via the brick with success. However, the last time it threw the "No USB detected" error code. Now the cable is giving me issues on everything else. Tried programming an XPR5550e and gave USB error. Then on an APX6500....it initially detected it and I was able to update the firmware and blow a codeplug in, and now it just keeps giving me the error. Tried different laptops, USB ports, update drivers etc. Almost like the cable is fried. Have a new one coming, but if anyone has a fix to "reset" the cable let me know.

Needless to say, I'll stick with the rear accessory port on the XTLs

 

[erikdhansen]

You have to use a serial cable to either program via the J2 connector or GCAI serial on the radio. Once you use an O3 with an XTL, you'll get the "no USB" message on the XTL if you try to use USB programming cables via the GCAI port. Also, the first time you connect an O3 that has been used on an APX or XTL with different firmware, the host firmware will have to transfer from the brick to the head- the head will sit there and ingest it for several minutes. Do NOT interrupt this process. Once it's loaded, you should be good to go. Configure your menus and soft keys as you wish in Astro 25 Mobile CPS.

There is a way around the “No USB” message and still use USB to configure the radio.

Lookup the pinout of the accessory connector and note the USB V+, USB GND, Data + and Data - pins, buy a non-terminated USB connector and terminated the appropriate pins in the appropriates holes in the accessory connector. Then when using the CPS, choose USB for the comm port.

I did this and it worked like a champ.

 

[MTS2000des]

Except reaching around (no joke) is a pain in the arse when a radio brick is buried deep. Using the proper serial cable is much easier and guaranteed to work. But I don't use XTLs anymore so...

 

[carlnphily]

just wanted to add a question here, can you use an O3 head on a Hi-Power xtl5000 with the GCAI head? Would this mean programming would be done through the front DB25 port?

 

[n3obl]

There would be a GCAI Port on the TIB that you can plug in the serial GCAI cable to.

 

[APX8000]

Except reaching around (no joke) is a pain in the arse when a radio brick is buried deep. Using the proper serial cable is much easier and guaranteed to work. But I don't use XTLs anymore so...

You mean your installers actually leave you room to unscrew it ?!?! I just saw this and laughed so hard. Every installation company we've ever used literally punches small holes through the vehicle panels for speaker/ignition, antenna and power cables, connects them and then backs that brick right up to the damn panel !

 

[MTS2000des]

You mean your installers actually leave you room to unscrew it ?!?! I just saw this and laughed so hard. Every installation company we've ever used literally punches small holes through the vehicle panels for speaker/ignition, antenna and power cables, connects them and then backs that brick right up to the damn panel !

There is video of me in the trunk of a Ford Taurus (newer one) fighting to connect a GCAI cable to a 6500 that some DUMBASS installed upside down with the TIB against the floor of the car. I used every expletive in the lexicon to describe the mouth breather who did that. My co-workers thought my tirade was funny so it circulated around the 911 center for a few months.

 

[carlnphily]

There would be a GCAI Port on the TIB that you can plug in the serial GCAI cable to.

My Question Was Related To The Above Post
"That's the only thing that sucks about using the O3 with an XTL, is you lose USB programming capability via the GCAI connector on the TIB."
I Found This To Be True On The Mid Power Units, Thats Why I Asked About The Hi Power Ones. Any Info Would Help!