Motorola XTL 2500 *HELP*

[holdenck]

I work for a small government agency and we use a XTL 2500 converted to a base station to dispatch units in the field. We are wanting to add a foot pedal configuration somehow, to allow hands-free operation at our dispatch console. I am not finding anything very easily online.... Has anyone on here come across this or know how it can be done? We are currently using a desktop PTT mic to run this radio.

Any help and or suggestions would be great. I am new to this forum, so if you are able to shoot me an e-mail with ideas, that would be great. christian.holden@multco.us

I attached a photo of our set up. The console behind it is an old remote not used with this radio.

Thanks!

 

[mmckenna]

There is an "auxiliary PTT" pin on the rear 26 pin connector. That should do what you want, but it might require some programming changes. Never done it myself, but I bet someone who has will chime in.

 

[SCPD]

If I'm correct I believe motorola sold a foot pedal ptt. I do not recall the part number but maybe someone will chime in On it.

 

[holdenck]

And was it designed for this particular radio do you know? thanks!

 

[kf8yk]

I'm not aware of any accessory port function that can simulate a front panel PTT, the only programming choices for the accessory port PTT audio source are AUX_MIC [the default setting] or AUX_TX and both are located on the rear of the radio.

The cleanest way to solve this is to wire a separate external microphone to the rear accessory port & either unplug the front mic or leave it as a backup.

An external mic is wired to pin 23 (Aux Mic) and pin 14 (analog ground). The normally open footswitch is connected to pin 16 (Aux PTT) and pin 1 (digital ground).

 

[holdenck]

Awesome, thanks. Any idea what foot mic would be ideal, or does it matter? I'm guessing just a matter of wiring things in?

Thanks

 

[mmckenna]

Is that tone remote on the back of the desk hooked up to this XTL, or is it for something else?

 

[holdenck]

That is for our old system, we are in the process of switching over. It is not used

 

[wsykes41770]

Motorola offers a foot switch,

GLN7278 PTT Footswitch (G235AB) is the part number. From the pictures I've seen on the internet, it looks more like the old high beam light switch that cars used to have. I don't know the price on it. I'm sure you can convert something else and use the same pinouts.

 

[holdenck]

Any suggestions on a mic? Or would the current mic still work if a foot pedal was wired in?

 

[kf8yk]

Here's a typical foot switch:

https://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=57149&eventGroup=4&eventPage=1

The existing desk microphone plugged into the front connector is not going to work with a foot switch wired to the accessory connector, you'll also need a microphone plugged into the rear accessory connector.

You would need an electret type of microphone with a built in preamp, or use an external preamp for a dynamic microphone element.

Another option is to just wire a foot switch in parallel across the existing desk microphone PTT switch. Take off the bottom desk mic cover and solder your normally open foot switch to the points indicated by the arrows:

View attachment 50280

 

[holdenck]

Awesome. Thanks for that! Our radio techs were puzzled so I'm sure this will help us all out