Motorola xts series

[troubadour1318]

Does anyone know where I can go to but a Motorola xts series p25 radio? Im a volunteer fire fighter and out dept doesn't have the funds to get everyone radios so I'm buying my own. I live in the Webb county are in south Texas .

 

[N2ICV]

motorola astro | eBay

 

[krokus]

If a trunked system is in use, then talk to the system administrator, and see if they will allow privately owned radios on the system.

 

[troubadour1318]

Programming Radio RX?

I want to purchase a Motorola XTS 3000 with P25 capabality is it illegal to program just recieve on freqeuncies on the radio. I live in webb county and im thinking of programming it with the SO, Tx DPS, and out of town frequencies. Also i am a volunteer fire fighter so i might get the SO programmed to transmit also but i have to get permission. Also is it illegal to program federal frequencies?

 

[loumaag]

The above post was moved to your already open topic. Please don't start a new topic when you already have an active one on the same subject.

 

[W2NJS]

The correct search terminology for an eBay search for an XTS radio is "Motorola XTS," not Astro.

Before you go any farther you will have to find out what kinds of systems are in use in your area, whether they are VHF, UHF, or 700/800 mHz, whether they are trunked digital or conventional FM, and then decide exactly what agencies you want to monitor. Most of the information you'll need can be found on the Wiki section of this Board. Don't spend any money until you are certain of what you need or else you are bound to make serious mistakes.

 

[Michael-SATX]

I agree with W2NJS, by the lQQks of it most of the Public Safety TG's show in the RR DB as "E" mode
meaning Encrypted Digital. So just buying a radio is the least of your problems ? Thanks to all the notorius
drug traffic and crime is why the Laredo/Webb Co area went to the digital encrypted comms, etc.
Your should reply and let others know exactly which agencies that you are wanting to monitor in Webb Co ?

 

[troubadour1318]

Im going to Monitor Webb CO. SO
TX DPS 1 & 2
Bexar Co. Fire
Zapata Co, FIre
Zapata Co. SO
Travis Co. Fire
Hays Fire
hays SO

Most of the frequencies are going to be RX only so there wont be a prob. And I getting permission for the fire chief to have access to the Webb CO SO

 

[texasemt13]

Im going to Monitor Webb CO. SO
TX DPS 1 & 2
Bexar Co. Fire
Zapata Co, FIre
Zapata Co. SO
Travis Co. Fire
Hays Fire
hays SO

Most of the frequencies are going to be RX only so there wont be a prob. And I getting permission for the fire chief to have access to the Webb CO SO

Don't take this the wrong way- you need to learn a lot more about what you're trying to do. It's not simple- it is risky- it could get you in a lot of trouble if done improperly- it could put you in jail if not done properly.

You're not going to be able to monitor Bexar Co. Fire, Travis Co. Fire, Hays Co. Fire and Hays SO from Webb County (surely you knew that right?). Bexar Co. Fire is a mix of analog conventional and EDACS ProVoice, of those the Moto XTS would only pick up the analog conventional. Travis Co. Fire is a mix of analog conventional and P25 trunking (GATRRS). Hays Fire is a mix of analog conventional and analog EDACS TRS. Hays SO is strictly analog EDACS TRS. The Motos won't handle the analog EDACS TRS programming. The radios you're looking at, aren't ideal for the agencies you want (for Webb Co and Travis Co they could be used, if they have the right options). But you still won't get around the encryption (let's face it, no one is going to give a vollie the encryption keys to listen to the SO, that'd be an unnecessary risk- consider if your radio got stolen- they have to reprogram EVERY radio, if by OTAR or by hand).

The majority of the ones I listed above do not require a MotoXTS. I think it goes without saying that you wouldn't pick any of these up from Webb County. You're looking at many disparate systems, and if you've never tried to program a Moto (or any public safety radio for that matter) for receive only, you're in for an uphill battle. There are many nuances you must be aware of.

That being said, the fire chief is NOT the person who can give you permission to monitor the SO. That would have to be the Sheriff and probably the SysAdmin for the TRS. You could find yourself in a lot of trouble if you're not taking the proper precautions (permission and programming precautions).

Just curious why a scanner won't solve your problems (since you aren't likely going to get permission) for simply receiving, and an HT to fulfill your VFD communications gap?

 

[Michael-SATX]

Hello Troubadour, I must agree with texasemt13, start lQQking at a GREat scanner to solve your needs.
So lQQk at the GREat RS Pro-106/197 to for comms you CAN receive in Webb Co and Zapata Co and
for the far away comms, have you considered live streaming of these agencies on a PC or a smartphone ?
The RS Pro-106 Digital handheld scanner is on sale thru 6/16 for only $359, reg price now up at $424 !!!
Nothing new on the market gives you as much bang for the buck as these RS Scanners. (Pro-197 @ $349)

So here is what you posted that you would like to monitor with my comments !

Originally Posted by troubadour1318
Im going to Monitor Webb CO. SO (Scanner)
TX DPS 1 & 2 (Scanner ..note DPS 1 & 2 don't give away what you want ... Tx Law 1 & 2 or DPS Digital Rptrs ?
Bexar Co. Fire (Stream it on RR or a smartphone app)
Zapata Co, FIre (Scanner)
Zapata Co. SO (Scanner)
Travis Co. Fire (Stream)
Hays Co Fire (Sream)
Hays Co SO (Stream)

155.70000 131.8 PL Webb Co SO-1/FD Sheriff Dispatch/County Fire Rescue FM Multi-Dispatch
154.95000 CSQ Texas Law-1 Sheriff - Intercity Car-to-Car FM Law Tac
155.37000 CSQ Texas Law-2 Sheriff - Intercity FM Law Tac
155.56500 131.8 PL Webb Co SO-2 Sheriff - Justice Center Security FM Law Tac
453.35000 315 DPL Webb Co SO Jail Shefiff - Jail Ops

155.55000 131.8 PL Zapata SO-1 Sheriff Primary FM Law Dispatch
155.80500 131.8 PL Zapata SO-2/FD-2 Sheriff Secondary, Fire Ops FM Multi-Tac
154.19000 131.8 PL Zapata Co FD-1 Fire Dispatch FM Fire Dispatch
154.99500 Zapata Co Water Water Department FM Public Works

ps ~ I hope this helps and if you slide into my Radio Shack store you will get custom programmed too
It is my logical guess you either you have family in SATX, used to live in SATX or just visit, etc ?

btw ~ If you want to also program in the Laredo Public Safety P25 Motorola Digital Trunking System
(Project 25 Phase I (FDMA) Loredo Public Safety, Public works, Airport, Transportation, Utilities)
I see about 11 "E" encrypted talkgroups to lock out "if"observed that they are still in encrypted mode
and 14 "D" regular P25 digital talkgroups that would be good to go for your monitoring enjoyment.
So let me know if I may be of assistance to you, etc.