Harris XL-95 PTT solution?

[tjordan331]

Hi guys,
We were just issued new XL-95 radios. They use a HR2 style connector (same as old XG radios) however, I can not get my 3rd party (N-Ear, EPC, SheepdogMic) PTT button to activate the mic. Is this a pinout issue or programming? using the radios PTT button allows mic broadcasting.

 

[BMDaug]

Depending on the hardware, you may need to change accessory PTT to ‘any’ instead of ‘both’ some hardware has two PTT buttons that need to be pressed at the same time.

That can be an issue with the XL200P so I assume the same applies to the 95.

-B

 

[tjordan331]

Depending on the hardware, you may need to change accessory PTT to ‘any’ instead of ‘both’ some hardware has two PTT buttons that need to be pressed at the same time.

That can be an issue with the XL200P so I assume the same applies to the 95.

-B

Can this be done from the radio? or does the admin need to reprogram?

 

[mmckenna]

Can this be done from the radio? or does the admin need to reprogram?

I don't know about the 95's but on the 200's, it needs to be done with programming software.

Either way, if this is an agency owned radio, the correct approach is to let your management/sergeant/etc know of the issue. Let them approach the radio techs and have it addressed, if that is what they want.

Changing programming on an agency owned radio without their permission isn't a good idea.

Usually these things can be solved by just asking. I'll always address these sorts of things for our officers if it is needed.

 

[tjordan331]

I don't know about the 95's but on the 200's, it needs to be done with programming software.

Either way, if this is an agency owned radio, the correct approach is to let your management/sergeant/etc know of the issue. Let them approach the radio techs and have it addressed, if that is what they want.

Changing programming on an agency owned radio without their permission isn't a good idea.

Usually these things can be solved by just asking. I'll always address these sorts of things for our officers if it is needed.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I needed to know if radio tech or our IT guy is our to go to as my LT tasked me to "figure out why these don't work"

 

[mmckenna]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I needed to know if radio tech or our IT guy is our to go to as my LT tasked me to "figure out why these don't work"

Easy way to do this is to ask your LT who does the radio programming for your agency. Might have been a shop, might be someone at your agency, county, etc.
Then start there.

These modern radios have so many features that it is difficult for us radio guys to set up every single feature exactly right the first time. I'm not a cop, so I have to rely on what I know from my experience, talking with them, and looking at the setup of previous radios. After all that, it still comes down to me making a few assumptions about programming the features. To top it off, a number of the features are tightly intertwined, so what might seem like a simple change can often get quite complex.

Then, I have the officers start using the radios. I stand by waiting for feedback and ready to make changes. Usually takes a bit of time to shake out all the finer details.

If your LT is wanting you to take this on, it's entirely worth the agencies time/money for you to build a relationship with the radio guys. They should be happy to work with you to get the radios set up correctly. Find out who that is, buy him/her a cup of coffee and sit down with them to go through the radio programming. Ultimately it'll work out better for everyone. My #1 goal is to make sure the radios work for the officers, and I'll go out of my way to make sure that happens. I know that when I program a radio for the first time, it will not be the last time I have to touch it.

 

[tjordan331]

Easy way to do this is to ask your LT who does the radio programming for your agency. Might have been a shop, might be someone at your agency, county, etc.
Then start there.

These modern radios have so many features that it is difficult for us radio guys to set up every single feature exactly right the first time. I'm not a cop, so I have to rely on what I know from my experience, talking with them, and looking at the setup of previous radios. After all that, it still comes down to me making a few assumptions about programming the features. To top it off, a number of the features are tightly intertwined, so what might seem like a simple change can often get quite complex.

Then, I have the officers start using the radios. I stand by waiting for feedback and ready to make changes. Usually takes a bit of time to shake out all the finer details.

If your LT is wanting you to take this on, it's entirely worth the agencies time/money for you to build a relationship with the radio guys. They should be happy to work with you to get the radios set up correctly. Find out who that is, buy him/her a cup of coffee and sit down with them to go through the radio programming. Ultimately it'll work out better for everyone. My #1 goal is to make sure the radios work for the officers, and I'll go out of my way to make sure that happens. I know that when I program a radio for the first time, it will not be the last time I have to touch it.

I bet it was an oversite. He got me our radio guys info. I'll update this once we get it resolved. Thanks again!