is CPS 2.0 still to be avoided, and where can I download firmware R02.09.0001 for MOTOTRBO XPR 7550?

[ckolovson]

I have an old MOTOTRBO XPR 7550 with FW R02.30.01, which I believe is a very old version dating back to 2017. Due to a firmware rev format change, R02.30 is actually older than R.02.09. It seems that R02.30 is now considered R02.03, or something like that. I searched on the Motorola Solutions Customerhub for R02.09.001 (but was not able to find it), which apparently is the latest version of firmware for this radio that is compatible with CPS v16, which is what I plan to use. I have read many posts on this forum saying to avoid using CPS 2.0. Is it still the case that CPS 2.0 should be avoided? I'm basically looking for a "ham-friendly" CPS and I'm not sure if I should use CPS 2.0 or CPS v16. If CPS v16 is preferred, does anyone know where I can find the firmware update package for R02.09.001 for the MOTOTRBO XPR 7550? Or if CPS 2.0 is OK for ham-friendly use, what version of firmware should I upgrade to?

Thanks in advance, Curt W6RQ

 

[exkalibur]

What do you mean by "ham friendly"? Motorola never made anything like the old "ham flash" for the MPA radio. Any version of CPS will let you program in ham frequencies without issue.

 

[ckolovson]

Sorry I was being imprecise. I am new to the Motorola CPS software, though I have used other CPS software for other vendors radios. I am mainly looking for advice on what version of Motorola CPS to use for ham radio DMR. I have seen many dire warnings about CPS 2.0, but those all seem to be from a few years ago. From what you’re saying, it sounds like CPS 2.0 is fine for creating codeplugs for the XPR 7550. Thanks.

 

[exkalibur]

Some people (myself included) don't like CPS2.0 - but functionally there is nothing wrong with it at all.

 

[Firebuff880]

Actually, FW R02.30.01 is vintage 2014. You will need to walk this forward to R02.06.nnnn, The you can go to R02.09 and then without a SUM entitlement you can use CPS 2.0 and go to R02.10.10.

Find a dealer with a good archive --

 

[ckolovson]

Thanks very much! I managed to get a copy of the R02.09 firmware thanks to another member of this forum. So you're saying that I can't go from R02.30.01 directly to R02.09 using CPS v16 with the 25 KHz wideband entitlement? What do you mean by "You will need to walk this forward to R02.06.nnnn"? Would I have to upgrade to R02.04, R02.05, R02.06, and then R02.09?
If I manage to upgrade to R02.09, my thought was that I would stick with that so I can continue using CPS v16 and not have to switch to using CPS 2.0 unless I have to for some reason. I've read a lot of negative "reviews" of CPS 2.0, but as @exkalibur said, there's nothing wrong with it functionality-wise, so perhaps I should just take your suggestion and eventually switch over to it.
I see that "SUM entitlement" stands for "Software Update Management EID". I don't have that. I guess what you're saying is, even without it, I can follow your suggested process.
I really appreciate all your advice, guys! I'm clearly a novice when it comes to navigating the Motorola Solutions website, and using their CPS software to update firmware and create/modify codeplugs.

 

[Firebuff880]

You do not need all the intermediate releases, but I don't remember whether it's R06 or R07 you will need, then you can jump to R09.

Have not done one in a long time.

As I said, find a dealer with a good archive, as MSI no longer has the materials needed in myView.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Thanks very much! I managed to get a copy of the R02.09 firmware thanks to another member of this forum. So you're saying that I can't go from R02.30.01 directly to R02.09 using CPS v16 with the 25 KHz wideband entitlement? What do you mean by "You will need to walk this forward to R02.06.nnnn"? Would I have to upgrade to R02.04, R02.05, R02.06, and then R02.09?
If I manage to upgrade to R02.09, my thought was that I would stick with that so I can continue using CPS v16 and not have to switch to using CPS 2.0 unless I have to for some reason. I've read a lot of negative "reviews" of CPS 2.0, but as @exkalibur said, there's nothing wrong with it functionality-wise, so perhaps I should just take your suggestion and eventually switch over to it.
I see that "SUM entitlement" stands for "Software Update Management EID". I don't have that. I guess what you're saying is, even without it, I can follow your suggested process.
I really appreciate all your advice, guys! I'm clearly a novice when it comes to navigating the Motorola Solutions website, and using their CPS software to update firmware and create/modify codeplugs.

The 'Dire warnings' are just hams that don't want to lose Bluetooth programming. Just like CPS 16, 2.0 is slow, and sucks compared to other software like Astro25 CPS.

If you don't want or need Bluetooth programming, you can take that radio to R02.10.10, after that, you need to pay Motorola to update to newer firmware.

CPS2.0 isn't the worst software I've used. It is different, and really slow, but it's usable.

 

[K9KLC]

The 'Dire warnings' are just hams that don't want to lose Bluetooth programming. Just like CPS 16, 2.0 is slow, and sucks compared to other software like Astro25 CPS.

If you don't want or need Bluetooth programming, you can take that radio to R02.10.10, after that, you need to pay Motorola to update to newer firmware.

CPS2.0 isn't the worst software I've used. It is different, and really slow, but it's usable.

Exactly. Several of us use 2.0 at ham fests we attend to program radios for people. Sure it seems slow. To me a lot of software is slow but it works and I for one don't understand the "Dire warning" stuff.

 

[ckolovson]

Thanks, Guys. I didn’t realize that I can program the XPR 7550 using Bluetooth with CPS v16. I recently ordered the programming cable for big bucks. That’s ok though. It’s probably good to have. I really appreciate all the help and advice from you guys!!

 

[K9KLC]

Thanks, Guys. I didn’t realize that I can program the XPR 7550 using Bluetooth with CPS v16. I recently ordered the programming cable for big bucks. That’s ok though. It’s probably good to have. I really appreciate all the help and advice from you guys!!

Cable is the best way to do it. I did some Bluetooth with 16 and frankly it was quicker and to me better to have the physical connection for programming.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I recently ordered the programming cable for big bucks.

Define 'big bucks'. I bought my XPR/APX portable cable for ~US$20+shipping from China. If you paid more, you got ripped off, considering it's a USB-A plug to XPR/APX portable connector, with only wire in between. My XPR mobile cable was home made using an old USB keyboard cable and a 20 pin connector.

My XTS portable cable is a true USB cable, not a UART cable, it was home made as well.

I refuse to buy a extremely over priced OEM cable from Motorola.

That’s ok though. It’s probably good to have. I really appreciate all the help and advice from you guys!!

I only program with cables. It's reliable, and I haven't had a failure yet.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Exactly. Several of us use 2.0 at ham fests we attend to program radios for people. Sure it seems slow. To me a lot of software is slow but it works and I for one don't understand the "Dire warning" stuff.

I wanted 'talker alias' so CPS2.0 it was for my gen 2 radios. Honestly, it's not the worst, and I never used Bluetooth programming, so no loss to me.

 

[ckolovson]

OK guys, several of you have convinced me that CPS 2.0 is not the worst thing since the plague. So, I may attempt to follow this advice:

Actually, FW R02.30.01 is vintage 2014. You will need to walk this forward to R02.06.nnnn, The you can go to R02.09 and then without a SUM entitlement you can use CPS 2.0 and go to R02.10.10.

Find a dealer with a good archive --

I just heard from my dealer who said:

If the warranty is out of warranty, you will need a license to upgrade the firmware, which is a dealer only item.
Older firmware packages are no longer available through Motorola although I have them all in archives.

So I guess I would need to pay him for a "license" to upgrade the firmware. This seems to be a never-ending "pay to play" process.

Right now, my main objective will be to create a new codeplug and keep the existing firmware in place because the existing codeplug is very out of date with respect to current local DMR repeaters and talkgroup numbers. Eventually, I will tackle the firmware issue. Many thanks again to all you guys!!

 

[Firebuff880]

So I guess I would need to pay him for a "license" to upgrade the firmware. This seems to be a never-ending "pay to play" process.

Yes & No, you need to pay the dealer for their technician's time. But as long as you do not go beyond R02.10.10, you do not need the SUM Entitlement, and therefore you do not need to pay Moto any more $$s. If you go SUM, it is a three or five-year entitlement for THE subscriber.

 

[KC2GSP]

I'm new to XPR's myself and I didn't find 2.0 very user friendly I guess. Luckily I got a wideband entitlement from a source

 

[EWC_BDN]

CPS 2 works, but old CPS is more responsive and a little easier to use.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I'm new to XPR's myself and I didn't find 2.0 very user friendly I guess.

It sucks honestly.

Up there with some of the worst programming software I've used. Same with CPS16.

I'm trying to figure out why it is 1+GB to write less than 1MB of data to a radio. APX software is just as bad for being bloatware.

However, I would rather use CPS2.0 than the hot garbage that is used for the Anytone 868 portable.

 

[K9KLC]

However, I would rather use CPS2.0 than the hot garbage that is used for the Anytone 868 portable.

Same with the 568 mobile which is likely close to the same software. I've not programmed one of the Anytone HT's.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Same with the 568 mobile which is likely close to the same software. I've not programmed one of the Anytone HT's.

I believe it's the same software, I don't an Anytone mobile, but I believe they are basically the same radio, just a mobile version of the portable