Motorola APX900 Question !

[jasej]

Hello friends!
I have a question, and due to my very limited knowledge of Motorola radios, I'm asking for those who buy and sell new APX series radios, specifically the APX900!
When these radios are purchased new, do they come with Phase 1 and Phase 2 already installed? I'm obviously asking about the base version!

I know that you can later purchase a license or something similar to activate at least Phase 1 or Phase 2 on the radios!

Please excuse the question; I'm asking it because I don't know much about this.



Regards

 

[K2NEC]

Hello friends!
I have a question, and due to my very limited knowledge of Motorola radios, I'm asking for those who buy and sell new APX series radios, specifically the APX900!
When these radios are purchased new, do they come with Phase 1 and Phase 2 already installed? I'm obviously asking about the base version!

I know that you can later purchase a license or something similar to activate at least Phase 1 or Phase 2 on the radios!

Please excuse the question; I'm asking it because I don't know much about this.



Regards

APXs come with what features you pay for, all determined by the flashcode of the radio.
See below:

 

[jasej]

APXs come with what features you pay for, all determined by the flashcode of the radio.
See below:
View attachment 192302

Okay my friend, thank you for your prompt response...

So, this comes from the Motorola APX specifications table

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

.• Dual-knob solution
• Available in VHF, UHF (R1 and R2) and 700/800 MHz bands
• Operating modes:

• APCO P25 FDMA Phase 1 and TDMA Phase 2 digital trunking, encrypted or clear

•
•
•
Remote monitoring (*)
Radio inhibit/disinhibit (*)
Radio check (*)
• Analog MDC-1200 and digital P25
• Conventional system configuration
• Wideband and narrowband digital receiver (equivalent to 6.25 kHz/12.5 kHz/25 kHz)¹
• Integrated digital signaling (ASTRO and ASTRO 25)
• Intelligent priority search
• Available in Models 2 and 3
• Radio profiles
• Unified calllist
• User-programmable voice announcement
• Instant redial
• Meets specifications MIL-STD-810C, D, E, F, and G compliant
• Complete accessory portfolio; includes audio devices, chargers, and IMPRES² batteries
• Optional Features (Tactical Functionalities)




One of the options, point four, says APCO P25 FDMA Phase 1 and TDMA Phase 2 digital trunk link. I believe that's the basic requirement for the equipment when purchased new!

Thanks again.

 

[n3obl]

It could be ordered with or without phase 1 or 2 trunking.. The base specifications list all that should be capable but does not mean its enabled.

 

[K2NEC]

The radio is  capable of Phase 1 and 2, but is customizable to whatever the agency needs when purchasing. Ive seen conventional only APXs before with next to no features simply because the agency ordering it just needed a P25 conventional radio and the XTS series was EOL.

 

[jasej]

Okay, after searching and studying what I found on Google, I can confirm that yes, the APX900 in the 7-800 MHz band does come with Phase One and Phase Two as a standard option, as does the APX1500 7-800 MHz mobile radio, which is another device I was interested in knowing if it also includes Phase One and Phase Two as a standard option...

Here's what I found on Google....

All radios in the Motorola APX series support both P25 Phase 1 (FDMA) and Phase 2 (TDMA) standards.

Motorola Radios Supporting Phase 1 and Phase 2
The following Motorola APX radio models are designed to operate in both P25 Phase 1 and Phase 2 modes:
Portable Radios:

• APX 8000 / 8000XE (All-band)
• APX 7000 / 7000XE (Multi-band)
• APX 6000 / 6000XE (Single-band)
• APX 4000 / 4000XH (Single-band, budget-friendly option)
• APX 3000 (Single-band, covert operations)
• APX 2000
• APX 1000
• APX 900
• APX N30, N50, N70 (Next-generation portables)
• SRX 2200 (Enhanced combat radio)

Mobile Radios:

• APX 8500 (All-band)
• APX 7500 (Multi-band)
• APX 6500 (Single-band)
• APX 4500 (Single-band)
• APX 1500 (Single-band, budget-friendly option)

Key Information

• Backward Compatibility: All P25 Phase 2 capable radios are inherently backward compatible with Phase 1 operations.
• P25 Phase 2 is for Trunked Systems: The Phase 2 TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) standard is specifically for P25 trunked systems, allowing two effective voice channels per 12.5 kHz of bandwidth.
• P25 Conventional is Phase 1 Only: P25 conventional (radio-to-radio or single-site repeater) operations still use Phase 1 (FDMA) technology; there is no "Phase 2 conventional".
• Dynamic Dual Mode: Motorola's systems (Astro 25) can utilize a feature called Dynamic Dual Mode which automatically switches between Phase 1 (FDMA) and Phase 2 (TDMA) operation based on the capabilities of the radios in a specific talkgroup, ensuring seamless interoperability during migration periods.

Thank you, group !

It could be ordered with or without phase 1 or 2 trunking.. The base specifications list all that should be capable but does not mean its enabled.

That's great to know, friend!

And how can I be sure, just by looking at the label or something more specific, if it comes with phase one and phase two?

The radio is  capable of Phase 1 and 2, but is customizable to whatever the agency needs when purchasing. Ive seen conventional only APXs before with next to no features simply because the agency ordering it just needed a P25 conventional radio and the XTS series was EOL.

Yes, on this specific occasion, they need phase two, in Apx900, 7-800MHz radios.

Jason the only PD on the Collier system in the clear is Marco Island. All Lee LE are encrypted.

 

[MTS2000des]

That's great to know, friend!

And how can I be sure, just by looking at the label or something more specific, if it comes with phase one and phase two?

The flashcode cam be found on the rear product label, but it can be upgraded, so the actual used flashcode can be pulled from the radio via CPS or by placing the portable in field test mode, or using the INFO soft key and scrolling (if programmed).

 

[K2NEC]

Yes, on this specific occasion, they need phase two, in Apx900, 7-800MHz radios.

Then it will need to be  ordered with phase 2. If its not specified when ordering, it will  not automatic be included.

 

[jasej]

Thank you for your replies, I'm learning about these Motorola radio models!

Best regards and have a good day.

Then it will need to be  ordered with phase 2. If its not specified when ordering, it will  not automatic be included.

And in the hypothetical case that this option (phase 2) is not installed and needs to be installed, is it easy to obtain and install it on the radio? Regards

 

[K7UDZ]

And in the hypothetical case that this option (phase 2) is not installed and needs to be installed, is it easy to obtain and install it on the radio? Regards

Relatively - you just find a Motorola dealer who is willing to process a small order, pay up the fee for TDMA/phase2, and a month or two later (if all goes well), you get the upgrade key to upgrade the radio with.

 

[MTS2000des]

What he said. A flash upgrade requires and order for the specific serial number of the radio(s), the upgrade itself delivered on dongle, loaded via CPS. Then the flashcode is changed and the new feature(s) added. What he said, getting a dealer to process the order for a one or two radio is not always easy. FWIW the APX900 is discontinued and the clock is ticking on time to order any Flashport upgrades.

 

[jasej]

Relatively - you just find a Motorola dealer who is willing to process a small order, pay up the fee for TDMA/phase2, and a month or two later (if all goes well), you get the upgrade key to upgrade the radio with.

And so, it takes all this time to get the licenses?
It does take a long time!
And for the APX1500 devices, for Phase 1 and Phase 2 licenses, how much do the licenses cost?

I hope they're still available!

What he said. A flash upgrade requires and order for the specific serial number of the radio(s), the upgrade itself delivered on dongle, loaded via CPS. Then the flashcode is changed and the new feature(s) added. What he said, getting a dealer to process the order for a one or two radio is not always easy. FWIW the APX900 is discontinued and the clock is ticking on time to order any Flashport upgrades.

Is the APX900 already at the end of its life cycle?
That's bad news!

We also need APX900s with those Phase 1 and Phase 2 licenses.

By the way, this next part is a reading from one of the new APX1500 radios!
Does it have a Phase 1 or Phase 2 option?
I'm asking you, since you know more about APX radios.

 

[Enjoi19]

This may help explain and guide you a bit more as to the various options. Your best bet is to get in touch with your dealer though and see what options are available to you.

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/content/dam/msi/docs/astro-25/apx_radio_software_catalog_na.pdf

 

[K2NEC]

And so, it takes all this time to get the licenses?
It does take a long time!
And for the APX1500 devices, for Phase 1 and Phase 2 licenses, how much do the licenses cost?

I hope they're still available!

Yes it takes time because someone at Mototola has to physically make the license key. 1-2 months is generous, I got mine after about 6 months.

By the way, this next part is a reading from one of the new APX1500 radios!
Does it have a Phase 1 or Phase 2 option?
I'm asking you, since you know more about APX radios.

View attachment 192489

This radio has Phase 1 but not Phase 2. Im also questioning whether thats the actual flash because you have invalid bits.

 

[jasej]

This may help explain and guide you a bit more as to the various options. Your best bet is to get in touch with your dealer though and see what options are available to you.

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/content/dam/msi/docs/astro-25/apx_radio_software_catalog_na.pdf

Thank you !
regards

Yes it takes time because someone at Mototola has to physically make the license key. 1-2 months is generous, I got mine after about 6 months.

This radio has Phase 1 but not Phase 2. Im also questioning whether thats the actual flash because you have invalid bits.

Okay, thanks for telling me what's installed on the radio. I see that Phase 2 isn't installed! I want to see what's actually installed on the radio using the buttons in the radio's information menu. How do I access the radio's information using the front buttons? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[K2NEC]

It needs to be programmed into the menu keys. And even then, it won't tell you exact features, only the flashcode.

Look for the Info button

 

[kf8yk]

By the way, this next part is a reading from one of the new APX1500 radios!
Does it have a Phase 1 or Phase 2 option?
I'm asking you, since you know more about APX radios.

View attachment 192489

Be careful with flashcodes on APX radios, the flashcode is case sensitive so Q does not equal q.

Also the APX1500 has different flashcode formats for the AN and BN versions, your flashcode for a BN version decodes without errors:

 

[jasej]

Tenga cuidado con los códigos de flash en las radios APX, el código de flash distingue entre mayúsculas y minúsculas, por lo que Q no es igual a q.

Además, el APX1500 tiene diferentes formatos de código flash para las versiones AN y BN; su código flash para una versión BN se decodifica sin errores:

View attachment 192512

OK,,,
Thanks for the information...and for now I need to know the reference number for phase 1 and phase 2, I don't know it yet!

Primarily, this is what I need them to have installed

It needs to be programmed into the menu keys. And even then, it won't tell you exact features, only the flashcode.

Look for the Info button

Okay, thanks, I'll keep experimenting to learn more about the basic operation of these radios.

 

[Colin9690]

Okay, thanks, I'll keep experimenting to learn more about the basic operation of these radios.

That would be a good start, and afterwards get in touch with a local Motorola dealer. They will have the answers and the expertise to help you out.

 

[jasej]

That would be a good start, and afterwards get in touch with a local Motorola dealer. They will have the answers and the expertise to help you out.

Yes, I will continue learning about these radios!
Sometimes, if you're not a distributor, in this case a Motorola distributor, the support is very limited. They effectively cut off access to all information, and that's my situation. So, I don't think I'll get much help from Motorola distributors regarding the APX series.
Now, all I need is to understand the basic technical aspects so I can service these radios. That's all!

And also to know how to purchase and install licenses! For now, my knowledge of this Motorola APX series is very limited.

Thanks, and any help will be welcome.