Futurecom DVRS Vehicle Repeater - Need assistance getting it to work with XTL5000!

[n6fnp]

I'm a volunteer firefighter and have a Futurecom UHF DVRS vehicle repeater/extender that I would like to get working with a VHF XTL5000 radio.




I have the "XTL Tweaker Ver 3.51" programming software, but unfortunately, the firmware in the DVRS unit is somewhat newer than what the programming software supports, and it gives the following error message when attempting to read the unit:

ERROR!
You are using XTL Tweaker Ver 3.51/6V083X00-351
This XTL Tweaker DOES NOT support connected device or its firmware version!



The respective dates for the software and firmware are:
XTL Tweaker Ver 3.51 Date: Feb 21 2018
App Software Release Date: Nov 01 2018
(The full details for the DVRS are listed below)



Seeing that the difference is only a matter of months, is there a XTL Tweaker program that's slightly newer than version 3.51 that would potentially work with this version of firmware?


Or if, not would it be a possibility to downgrade the DVRS firmware to a version that will work with this version of XTL Tweaker? I have some old firmware files including version 3.42 which supports XTL radios.


Any assistance will be much appreciated!


-TR




Here is the information from the DVRS unit:

Serial Number - 11112336 DVRS
Hardware Part Number - 7V083X03
Hardware Revision - 002.00
Hardware Release Date - 03/10/08

Boot Software Part Number - 4C083X02
Boot Software Version - 01.10
Boot Software Release Date - 11/07/2014 12:51

App Software Part Number - 4C083X11
App Software Version - 01.41
App Software Release Date - 11/01/2018 11:37

Host DSP SW Part Number - 4C083X04
Host DSP SW Version - 01.42
Host DSP SW Release Date - 28/02/2017

Slave DSP SW Part Number - 4C083X03
Slave DSP SW Version - 01.18
Slave DSP SW Release Date - 17/03/2017

 

[K7UDZ]

I don't know XTL FW version numbers for Futurecom, but I'd bet $10 that 1.41 is an APX FW.

 

[n6fnp]

I'm hoping that's not the case, especially considering that the Firmware is only 9 months newer than the programming software.

It would be very helpful if someone knows what the last version of the XTL Tweaker programming was or how to downgrade the Firmware if this version does turn out to only work with APX radios!


-TR

 

[K7UDZ]

Per proditc the end of support/repair for the XTL 5000 was in 2018, and the APX came out a decade before.... so you're firmly in APX territory at that point. Not gonna lie, a bit shocked that there was even an XTL Tweaker released that late.

The latest XTL DVRS firmware I have seen is 3.42, which is for the latest major release of XTL FW (R20), and was released in 2014.



You may be able to downgrade the firmware, but from what I've heard you definitely risk bricking the DVRS - it is not formally supported, and the transition from XTL to APX quite possibly includes irreversible codeplug format changes.

Honestly, unless you're ready to risk that and experiment, the best idea is to sell it and buy one that is actually on XTL-compatible FW...
but I'll be following closely in case someone does know how to downgrade them!

 

[n6fnp]

K7UDZ - Thank you for the information! Ugh, not good news, lol. Yes, I'm hoping that someone might have knowledge on downgrading the firmware, or something else which might make this work!


-TR

 

[n6fnp]

I haven't been able to get this Futurecom DVR to work with the XTL5000 radio so am going to return it as fortunately the seller said that I can send it back if unable to get it working.

K7UDZ - Thank you again for your replies to my posting!


-TR

 

[K7UDZ]

Of course! Best bet is to get one that is known (or believed) to have XTL FW, there are some eBay sellers who have them.

 

[KE4ZNR]

You may be able to downgrade the firmware, but from what I've heard you definitely risk bricking the DVRS - it is not formally supported, and the transition from XTL to APX quite possibly includes irreversible codeplug format changes.

Late to this thread but as someone that has several FutureCom units on my system (both mobile installed and suitcase) I can attest that there is no going back to XTL once a DVRS unit is upgraded to APX. It is a one way street by design. FutureCom wants to eliminate XTL usage with their DVRS units and only provides support for APX configurations. Even the DVRS upgrade process from XTL->APX is locked down to individual unit serial numbers. We had to go through the upgrade process many times.
You are doing the right thing by returning it though at some point you are going to have to consider working with an APX unit as they will be the only ones left.

 

[n6fnp]

KE4NZR - Thank you for your reply. I'm hoping to find a DVRS that will work with the XTL radio. The XTL5000 that I have is fully meeting my needs but I would consider getting an APX radio if I happen across one that's at a too good to turn down price!