Looking for the best XTS

[WQOC472]

Hello Everyone,

Im looking for a new UHF Portable. Im wanting to get a XTS, i have around 70 conventional UHF channels to put in it. Which XTS Portable is the best buy?

Thanks,

 

[Scannerhead1983]

Xts

Assuming since you want an XTS series radio you are wanting to input Digital trunked frequencies into it?? Or are you just looking for a good UHF portable in general?? I've got the HT-1550XL UHF portable radio here are the specs on it:

Features:

Alphanumeric screen
Four-line display uses icons and text to provide clear indication.

LTR and conventional operation
Transmits and receives on 160 conventional channels or 15 LTR trunked zones with up to 16 talkgroups.

MCD 1200 signaling
Sends and receives through features such as Push-to-Talk, Selective Call and Call Alert.

Programmable emergency button
Sounds alarm or alerts dispatcher in urgent situations.

Voice Storage with Answering Machine mode
Answers incoming calls with a personalized greeting, records voice messages from other users.

Telephone interconnection
Allows users to send and receive calls.

Voice-operated transmission
Enables hands-free operation with optional headset.

The HT1550-XLS portable has the following features:

•160 Channels
•Emergency Button
•4-Line Alphanumeric Display with User-Friendly Icons
•Navigation Button
•Control Buttons
•Call Stacking
•7 Programmable Buttons
•Telephone Inerconnect
•Voice Storage with Answering Machine Mode
•MDC1200 Signalling Features (Conventional and LTR Modes)

Applications:
The HT1550-XLS portable can be used for a variety of applications: Hospitality, Manufacturing, Construction and Entertainment.


The XTS series radio's are more aimed at digital public safety operations. I've got the XTS-2500I Digital astro 25 model 3 with display on it.. Radio works great for what I use it for. The XTS5000 model 3 is the top of the line with all the "bells"&"whistles" in it. The HT1550 portable was disscontinued by motorola, However there are sill a ton of them floating around out there. Not sure why motorola decided to disscontinue the radio....it's a nice rig.

 

[mrcengineer]

Best XTS

I guess it depends on what your wanting to do with that XTS.

XTS2500, XTS3000, XTS5000 all are very nice radios.

XTS3000 is the bottom of the line in my opinion, followed by the 2500 then the 5000

The biggest difference I have found (Not from a Public Safety Standpoint), is the
XTS2500 will not do secure (easily anyway), and there is no programmable button
on the radio for Low Power.

The 2500 & 5000 can be purchased with FPP (Front Panel Programmable).
*Only TX & RX Freqs, TX & RX pl/dpl, NAC, Narrow/Wide band, and channel/zone name*

Cost?

XTS3000 - expect to spend between $350 and up
XTS2500 - $400 and up
XTS5000 - $700 and up

 

[K8TEK]

I guess it depends on what your wanting to do with that XTS.

XTS2500, XTS3000, XTS5000 all are very nice radios.

XTS3000 is the bottom of the line in my opinion, followed by the 2500 then the 5000

The biggest difference I have found (Not from a Public Safety Standpoint), is the
XTS2500 will not do secure (easily anyway), and there is no programmable button
on the radio for Low Power.

The 2500 & 5000 can be purchased with FPP (Front Panel Programmable).
*Only TX & RX Freqs, TX & RX pl/dpl, NAC, Narrow/Wide band, and channel/zone name*

Cost?

XTS3000 - expect to spend between $350 and up
XTS2500 - $400 and up
XTS5000 - $700 and up

The encryption module for the XTS2500 is built into the keypad. They most certainly will do secure if you want to spend the money. As far as the selectable power output, it will do it but there is nowhere to do this in cps. Any button can be mapped to any function you want with the right tools.

As far as using the XTS simply for conventional (analog, I assume) you are wasting your money. Get a JT1000 or a HT1550XLS.

 

[XTS3000]

Also remember the XTS2500 will only do one encryption algo. No dual/tri modes for the XTS2500's.

 

[bezking]

No trading/buying/selling in the forums please. Thanks!

 

[Scannerhead1983]

The XTS2500I That I have works great for our states Astro25 800 system. Most of the channels we run arent encrypted so thats not an issue. The 5000 series is obviously the "Cadillac" Of the XTS series though, I would agree on the 3000 being the bottom of the line.

 

[PeterGV]

Let's explain a bit more, shall we?

The XTS-3000 is the older member of the XTS-2500, XTS-3000, XTS-5000 line. It is basically a repackaged Astro Saber, which is a darn good radio if you don't mind the form factor. You can pick up an Astro Saber with P25 for $150 these days.

Both the XTS-3000 and Astro Saber are no longer supported by Motorola. Getting parts for them can be difficult (though, given the price, you can throw it away if it stops working). They are both harder to program and require BOTH a cable and a RIB. This is not convenient.

The XTS-2500 and XTS-5000 are both current radios, supported by Motorola. The XTS-2500 is significantly lighter and smaller. Carrying around an XTS-5000 is like carrying around a brick. These radios do NOT require a RIB to program, which is a good thing.

ALL these radios can ONLY be programmed by computer software. So, if you're hanging with a buddy who has a ham HT, and you both want to access a repeater that neither of you has programmed, he'll just tap in the repeater frequency at CTCSS... you better have your laptop and cable with you.

Having SAID that, the XTS-5000 is often available second hand with the options that will allow "FPP", AKA Front Panel Programming. This allows you the ability to enter frequencies from the front keypad, similar to how you can with a ham HT. 99.99% of the radios that are sold with this capability have been "field upgraded" (cough, cough) to include this feature. You should understand that if you DID ever have to send the radio to the Motorola repair depot to get it fixed, it'll probably come back to you without that feature. A local dealer might be fine working on the radio, or they might not. And, of course, you might be able to find a technically savvy "friend" via the internet who can trust to work on your radio for you.

All of the XTS line work well and will take a ton of abuse. It's soooo nice not having to worry about getting your radio wet, or worry about dropping it and having it fall to pieces.

I hope that helps,

Peter
K1PGV

 

[RodStrong]

Both the XTS-3000 and Astro Saber are no longer supported by Motorola. They are both harder to program and require BOTH a cable and a RIB.

Actually, several vendors sell ribless XTS3000 cables.

 

[K8TEK]

They still require a RIB. The RIB is built into the DB9 hood.

 

[WQOC472]

Okay, let me get this straight, I can program a XTS3000 without a RIB? Correct? I have found a "Ribless" Cable on ebay. The link to that cable is below. Let me know if this will work...

Thanks,

Programming Cable for Motorola XTS3000 MTS2000 HT1000 | eBay

 

[FFPM571]

I personally dont trust ribless cables. I own both XTS3000's and 5000's when I do reporgramming on my 3000 I still use a rib and cable. You can get a aftermarket rib and non rib cable for a decent price and still have the rib to use on other radios.

 

[W2NJS]

"Ribless cable" where the radio, such as an XTS3000, requires a RIB is a misnomer. As was pointed out above, in such cables the RIB components are built into the connector, that's all. XTS2500 and XTS3000 radios do not require a RIB, and the connection between the (USB or serial port) and the radio are direct-wired in the cable.

The eBay auction cited clearly states that the RIB is built into the cable.

 

[K8TEK]

"Ribless cable" where the radio, such as an XTS3000, requires a RIB is a misnomer. As was pointed out above, in such cables the RIB components are built into the connector, that's all. XTS2500 and XTS3000 radios do not require a RIB, and the connection between the (USB or serial port) and the radio are direct-wired in the cable.

The eBay auction cited clearly states that the RIB is built into the cable.

I think you meant XTS5000

 

[W2NJS]

I did mean to write XTS5000. Sorry about that; discovered the error today, a month after I wrote it.

Ribless cable is a misnomer when the cable contains a RIB. 2500s and 5000s don't use a RIB. If your radio requires a RIB, look around for the real Motorola RIB; they ALWAYS work whereas the aftermarket stuff may or may not work well.

 

[PeterGV]

No matter WHAT your radio requires, get the real Motorola cable. Just consider it another necessity along with the cost of CPS.

The aftermarket cables that I have tried, and I've tried multiple models from multiple dealers -- some expensive, some cheap -- have all sucked. Sometimes not immediately, sometimes not on every radio. But they all eventually sucked.

OTOH, I have never, not once, had a problem with a real Motorola programming cable.

Peter
K1PGV

 

[mancow]

XTS2500 / 5000 "ribless" cables are similar in concept to the older ribless XTS3000 style. The fat bulb in the XTS2500 / 5000 contains a MAX233 RS232 to TTL converter chip. The cheap Chinese ribless XTS3000 and up through the 5000 series utilize the same type of circuit. The difference between the 2500 / 5000 series when it comes to progamming is mainly in the fact they can use USB.

I did mean to write XTS5000. Sorry about that; discovered the error today, a month after I wrote it.

Ribless cable is a misnomer when the cable contains a RIB. 2500s and 5000s don't use a RIB. If your radio requires a RIB, look around for the real Motorola RIB; they ALWAYS work whereas the aftermarket stuff may or may not work well.

 

[mancow]

I have had the opposite experience. I realize I'm a cheap bastard but I can't bring myself to waste $250 + on a factory cable that when opened is found to contain the same stuff as a Chinese ebay model offered for $30.

No matter WHAT your radio requires, get the real Motorola cable. Just consider it another necessity along with the cost of CPS.

The aftermarket cables that I have tried, and I've tried multiple models from multiple dealers -- some expensive, some cheap -- have all sucked. Sometimes not immediately, sometimes not on every radio. But they all eventually sucked.

OTOH, I have never, not once, had a problem with a real Motorola programming cable.

Peter
K1PGV

 

[bezking]

I have had the opposite experience. I realize I'm a cheap bastard but I can't bring myself to waste $250 + on a factory cable that when opened is found to contain the same stuff as a Chinese ebay model offered for $30.

+1

I have programmed Waris, Jedi, and XTS radios with the aftermarket serial cables many many times, without issue. With the real /\/\ cables you are basically paying for advertising and maybe parts of a marginally higher quality.

 

[mancow]

And... if you have an extra ribless computer end (I had one that had a damaged XTS3000 radio connector) you can make a ribless Astro Saber easily enough as well. I don't know why they have never been offered but it's simple. You just add another pin that taps some power from the radio and route that to the voltage regulator in the other end.