In searching I was unable to find any useful information online on how to successfully implement APRS on an xts5000 or xts2500 so I decided to post this in case someone is looking for the answer like I originally was. This was done with the Mobilinkd TNC4. To start...the keyload adapter will NOT work for this. I saw this referenced in some posts. It interfaces with the radio differently and prevents it from working properly. I stumbled across that crucial piece of information on another site and I was able to confirm this is indeed the case after I got my setup working by using a key adapter that I have. Instead you will either need to repurpose an old mic cable cable/connector (I have not tried this but it should work) or use a PTT adapter like I did with hirose connector (see pic) .
TRRS wiring works as follows:
Tip = EXT_SPKR [2]
Ring 1 = OPT_SEL1 [1]
Ring 2 = EXT_MIC [3]
Ground = GND [8] & OPT_SEL2 [5]
The positions of OPT_SEL1 and OPT_SEL2 can be reversed and still achieve the same results. Keep in mind that the above wiring is for the Mobilinkd TNC 4. The Digirig wiring is DIFFERENT so consult the appropriate resource.
Beyond the cable you will also need to make some changes in CPS. Under the Radio Wide tab you will need to turn on Surveillance mode. You will then need to create a Conventional Personality for your APRS frequency and select Surveillance for that specific Personality. This will shut off audio through the front speaker for just the APRS frequency/Personality. This is necessary in order to get the proper audio levels out to the TNC without blowing out your ear drums or the speaker. You will also want to assign a button to the Monitor setting. I prefer the orange button at the top of the radio but you can pick what you want. This will allow you to open the squelch by holding down the button for 5-10 seconds to ensure you are receiving all packets. The other workaround would be to turn off the squelch for that Personality, presuming CPS will let you, but I haven't explored this.
So the downsides. One is that there is no easy way to confirm if you successfully opened the squelch via the radio since there is no audio from the front speaker. One way to check, provided everything is set correctly through the Mobilinkd app, is the Bluetooth light on the Mobilinkd TNC4 will flash rapidly if the audio overdrives the device so that is the easiest way to tell if the squelch is off. If the squelch is on you won't overdrive the audio when the volume is cranked therefore you won't see the Bluetooth light flash rapidly i.e. squelch is likely on.
If in doubt turn the radio off and back on and then hold the monitor button for ten seconds. You can also switch to a different frequency and then back. I experienced one anomaly where the radio wasn't outputting audio on other frequency/personalities but I was never able to duplicate this again and it was solved by turning the radio off and back on.
The next downside is that you are dedicating a radio specifically to APRS which means you will need a second radio for anything else unlike a dual VFO radio with built in TNC like the Kenwood D-74/75. Also, for the price and "sweat equity" to get the setup going you're basically into it for the cost of the Kenwood depending on what you paid for your xts to begin with. The Mobilinkd TNC4 isn't cheap! So, at the end of the day, does it work and is it usable...definitely! Are there better and easier options out there for APRS....yes there are. I hope someone finds this useful.
N7WDM
TRRS wiring works as follows:
Tip = EXT_SPKR [2]
Ring 1 = OPT_SEL1 [1]
Ring 2 = EXT_MIC [3]
Ground = GND [8] & OPT_SEL2 [5]
The positions of OPT_SEL1 and OPT_SEL2 can be reversed and still achieve the same results. Keep in mind that the above wiring is for the Mobilinkd TNC 4. The Digirig wiring is DIFFERENT so consult the appropriate resource.
Beyond the cable you will also need to make some changes in CPS. Under the Radio Wide tab you will need to turn on Surveillance mode. You will then need to create a Conventional Personality for your APRS frequency and select Surveillance for that specific Personality. This will shut off audio through the front speaker for just the APRS frequency/Personality. This is necessary in order to get the proper audio levels out to the TNC without blowing out your ear drums or the speaker. You will also want to assign a button to the Monitor setting. I prefer the orange button at the top of the radio but you can pick what you want. This will allow you to open the squelch by holding down the button for 5-10 seconds to ensure you are receiving all packets. The other workaround would be to turn off the squelch for that Personality, presuming CPS will let you, but I haven't explored this.
So the downsides. One is that there is no easy way to confirm if you successfully opened the squelch via the radio since there is no audio from the front speaker. One way to check, provided everything is set correctly through the Mobilinkd app, is the Bluetooth light on the Mobilinkd TNC4 will flash rapidly if the audio overdrives the device so that is the easiest way to tell if the squelch is off. If the squelch is on you won't overdrive the audio when the volume is cranked therefore you won't see the Bluetooth light flash rapidly i.e. squelch is likely on.
If in doubt turn the radio off and back on and then hold the monitor button for ten seconds. You can also switch to a different frequency and then back. I experienced one anomaly where the radio wasn't outputting audio on other frequency/personalities but I was never able to duplicate this again and it was solved by turning the radio off and back on.
The next downside is that you are dedicating a radio specifically to APRS which means you will need a second radio for anything else unlike a dual VFO radio with built in TNC like the Kenwood D-74/75. Also, for the price and "sweat equity" to get the setup going you're basically into it for the cost of the Kenwood depending on what you paid for your xts to begin with. The Mobilinkd TNC4 isn't cheap! So, at the end of the day, does it work and is it usable...definitely! Are there better and easier options out there for APRS....yes there are. I hope someone finds this useful.
N7WDM
