Laptop for Programming

[APX8000user133]

Good morning to all. I have been using my desktop PC to program my radios. Which haven't failed me at all, but I am curious if I should get aa laptop, instead of dragging my mobile radios else where, if I could just use a laptop and dedicate it to programming. If that is a likely solution, what should I get? For note, all XTS/XTL software works on my current Windows 11 desktop.

 

[mmckenna]

Many in the two way radio industry carry Panasonic Toughbooks. Kind of 'standard issue' kit for most. After having a cheap laptop slide off the hood of a patrol car, I was sold.

If you shop around on eBay, sometimes you can find them for a good price and ~occasionally~ find one that already has some CPS on it.

 

[APX8000user133]

Many in the two way radio industry carry Panasonic Toughbooks. Kind of 'standard issue' kit for most. After having a cheap laptop slide off the hood of a patrol car, I was sold.

If you shop around on eBay, sometimes you can find them for a good price and ~occasionally~ find one that already has some CPS on it.

Awesome! I was looking at some off of ebay, does windows version really matter? Or will an older version work better or just choose whatever?

 

[mmckenna]

Awesome! I was looking at some off of ebay, does windows version really matter? Or will an older version work better or just choose whatever?

Depends on which software you are running.
Many of us keep an older Windows XP around for those old 1980's Motorola's….

 

[APX8000user133]

Depends on which software you are running.
Many of us keep an older Windows XP around for those old 1980's Motorola's….

I haven't dabbled in anything much other than the XTS/XTL and APX line, but I guess if I find one down the line I might.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Good morning to all. I have been using my desktop PC to program my radios. Which haven't failed me at all, but I am curious if I should get aa laptop, instead of dragging my mobile radios else where, if I could just use a laptop and dedicate it to programming. If that is a likely solution, what should I get? For note, all XTS/XTL software works on my current Windows 11 desktop.

What radios are you programming? With out knowing, we can't answer. If it's Astro25, then just about any current laptop will work, especially if you have a proper USB programming cable.

I'm currently using an el cheapo Lenovo I bought at Costco 6 plus years ago.

Over the years I've programmed:

Motorola:
-Astro25
-XPR3xxx, XPR4xxx, XPR5xxx, XPR6xxx, XPR7xxx,
-CDM 750
-HT1250/750

Kenwood:
-TK-x180, NX x00, NX 5x00, NX 3xxx.

Anytone
-AT868UV

I've also programmed the odd CCR for local hams using both OEM software and CHIRP.

There is no reason you can't use a laptop to program mobile and portable radios. You also don't need a rugged laptop if you take care of it and keep it in a decent laptop bag or laptop backpack

 

[APX8000user133]

What radios are you programming? With out knowing, we can't answer. If it's Astro25, then just about any current laptop will work, especially if you have a proper USB programming cable.

I'm currently using an el cheapo Lenovo I bought at Costco 6 plus years ago.

Over the years I've programmed:

Motorola:
-Astro25
-XPR3xxx, XPR4xxx, XPR5xxx, XPR6xxx, XPR7xxx,
-CDM 750
-HT1250/750

Kenwood:
-TK-x180, NX x00, NX 5x00, NX 3xxx.

Anytone
-AT868UV

I've also programmed the odd CCR for local hams using both OEM software and CHIRP.

There is no reason you can't use a laptop to program mobile and portable radios. You also don't need a rugged laptop if you take care of it and keep it in a decent laptop bag or laptop backpack

Alrighty, sounds good I was just doing some looking around, and mainly Astro25, but I have looked at other's like HT or CDM's.

 

[vagrant]

I use Windows tablets to program and or operate my radios. The on screen keyboard is handy, but I have Bluetooth keyboards as well. I use the tablets for XTL, XTS and APX radios. One tablet runs Win7 while another still runs 10. The one reminds me it can upgrade to 11, but I am still waiting for those bugs to get worked out

My needs are for personal use. mmckenna’s professional experience is exactly that.

 

[natedawg1604]

I currently use a Lenova Thinkpad T580 with dual boot Linux & Windows 10, and it works great for Harris, Moto and Kenwood programming. Make sure you're using a serial-to-USB cable with an FTDI chip. You can find a lot of used or refurbished Thinkpad laptops for relatively cheap; however, Toughbooks are also awesome. Also keep in mind, for some of the older Moto radios you can use DosBox to emulate slower processors.

There is a point at which the radio is so old, that you must have a native DOS machine with say an intel 286 processor. I've never owned such a radio, but I'm guessing it would be RSS era software from the 80's or 90's (certain versions, apparently some RSS versions can run on DosBox but I'm not an expert on the details).

 

[EuropeanUser]

Make sure not to get one with an ARM processor. Most Windows software and especially drivers aren’t native to ARM and may not work at all or have issues.

MotoTRBO CPS runs on ARM, but the driver for the programming isn’t working so you can’t communicate with any radios. The same is true for many virtual COM port drivers.

Stick to a regular x86-64 Intel or AMD processor.

 

[mmckenna]

As noted above, hobby use and professional use can mean different tools. For hobby use, a basic laptop is good enough for most.

For professional use, they work fine if you are careful. Unfortunately, I can be very careful with expensive test equipment, but still have awful luck with laptops. I've dropped my toughbook several times with no issues. Same with my macbook, though. The last few windows laptops have not been as fortunate.

The Toughbook I have is running whatever the latest flavor of Widoze 11 is.

No issues running the cranky Kenwood KPG-D1N.
No problems with Harris RPM2
No problems with any of the latest Kenwood software. No issues with Astro.

I like it because it's one less thing I need to worry about. Dust, rain, etc, bouncing around in the work truck for days on end, no worries.

 

[mbnv992]

I’ve used a Thinkpad T61 for YEARS to program my MTS2000, Astro Saber, XTS3000 XTS5000 etc radios. Has worked flawlessly ( knock on wood ).
For APX I use a Thinkpad T540p
All my older stuff ( analog Sabers, P200’s MT1000’s etc ) I use a Dell Latitude D540 running DOS

 

[N2YQT]

Dell 5414 is abundant and cheap. And I haven't snapped a side cover off yet. The Toughbooks loose their covers like a gecko when you touch it's tail.

 

[hill]

I use a small Evolve computer running Win10 for programming. Plus it wasn't too much money.

Its small and is easy to carry with when stay overnight on my delivery route if need too. Only thing it can't run Win11, but all my Kenwood software packages run fine on it. Have about 6 different Kenwood software packages on it to program all the Kenwood radios, plus all software for all my other radios.

 

[K9KLC]

I use a small Evolve computer running Win10 for programming. Plus it wasn't too much money.

Its small and is easy to carry with when stay overnight on my delivery route if need too. Only thing it can't run Win11, but all my Kenwood software packages run fine on it. Have about 6 different Kenwood software packages on it to program all the Kenwood radios, plus all software for all my other radios.

I loved my Evolve until it died on me. Fortunately I was able to get the HD out and salvage much of what I had on it and had downloaded. Was a great little unit for programming.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I’ve used a Thinkpad T61 for YEARS to program my MTS2000, Astro Saber, XTS3000 XTS5000 etc radios. Has worked flawlessly ( knock on wood ).
For APX I use a Thinkpad T540p
All my older stuff ( analog Sabers, P200’s MT1000’s etc ) I use a Dell Latitude D540 running DOS

I made the decision to abandon anything that can not be programmed with 64 bit windows 11. I refuse to mess with DOS based software. The machine(2x TK-630 that make up our 6m machine) my club has that needs DOS, get programmed with a POS club owned laptop.

No more ancient stuff. No 32 bit stuff either.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I keep three different laptops for programming.

Firstly, my issued by my employer laptop. It's a current Dell Latitude Ultra 9 on Windows 11 and 32 GB of memory that annoyingly only has USB-C ports. We are thinking about exchanging the Latitudes either Dell the semi-rugged Latitudes or CF-55's so we can dock them in the trucks. My ask there is always to get a serial port when possible.

Next, my CF-55. It's currently running Windows 11 but I've been contemplating moving it down to LTSC 2021 or maybe up to LTSC 2024. Hardware serial port, older 6th gen i5 and only has 8 GB of memory.

Then my CF-19. It's running Windows LTSC 2019 which is the last 32 bit supported version of Windows released (supported until 2029). It's got 4 GB of memory running on an ancient Centrino CPU. 32 bit so it will support Astro, Professional, 1225, MCS, MTS, MTR2000. Basically that era of it's Windows based RSS but we are beginning to transition to calling it CPS. It can also boot MS-DOS 7.1 (which is what Windows 9x runs on top of) and run a good chunk of the older DOS RSS like the MT/HT1000/GP300/GTX/i750R/GM300/Radius/Maxtrac/SM50/etc. type stuff.

Now, I typically only carry the Windows 11 machines for response unless I very specifically know I'm going to need something old.

 

[mmckenna]

Hardware serial port

I ordered my Toughbook with that. None of our modern radios require it, but there's still a few old ones at remote sites that make it useful.
Plus a few remaining T-1 CSU's that need it for programming. (2 T-1/PRI's left, hope to have them gone in a year….)

Much easier than diddling around with dongles and adapters.

 

[TampaTyron]

With 50+ techs and engineers and programmers........ We go through a lot of laptops. We have standardized on refurb (but in great condition) Lenovo i7 units. We use cloud folders to control where the codeplugs get saved.

TT

 

[mikewazowski]

We were an all Toughbook company (except for a short period with an Itronix GoBook) but we recently switched over to Dell Rugged laptops. They were as good as the Panasonic offerings and the last one I had came with two serial ports.