XTL/XTS5000 Programing the XTS5000 for scanning only?

[dmason04]

Hello,
I purchased a Motorola XTS5000 and need assistance. I am looking to set it up for scanning my local law enforcement talkgroup ( Centre County, Pennsylvania (PA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference (radioreference.com) ) and need some assistance. I have the CPS software and need insight on how to create the talkgroup and assign channels and what everything on the RadioReference table means. I don't intend on transmitting on those frequencies, just listening. I'm aware that transmitting and affiliating on the system will get me arrested. Please don't flood this with legal lectures. I am looking for help on creating zones and listening to the LEO's.

 

[clbsquared]

You need to have a system key to start with. Without this, the CPS will not allow access to create or edit a trunking system.

 

[tyler3328]

Do you want to monitor a Trunked system with a Moto? Read This!

Here are the key facts that you need to know about monitoring a TRS with your /\/\otorola radio: Programming of Motorola Radios is done with software called CPS - see the sticky in this forum for info on how to legally obtain it - it's actually quite easy; Motorola is glad to sell it to you...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[dmason04]

If I obtain a system key, would that make the radio automatically affiliate?

 

[chrismol1]

Start by searching the numerous threads on here, its explained. Search and then search more, Go back a few pages, this is a frequent topic

 

[natedawg1604]

Create a (free) account at austech.info and visit the "Communication Devices" sub forum. That's about all I can say, other than to mention this is very involved, expect to spend many, many hours doing extensive research.

Once you take the numerous steps to be ready for programming in CPS, everything must be programmed 100% perfectly or you will have major problems. With proper research and preparation, it's eminently doable. You will need a lot more than just CPS. Beyond that, I can't really comment any further, other than to reiterate that you should visit Austech.info.

 

[N4KVE]

I’ve been programming Moto radios for more than 30 years now, & wanted to do what the OP asked to listen to the new digital unencrypted systems. I went to all the sites to absorb all the info I could. Getting the “key” was the easiest part, but the whole NAS procedure was over my head. I had no problem programming TRS on analog systems that don’t affiliate, & never had a radio zapped in over 25 years. I ended up paying an expert good $ to do it for me. Two years later, & all is still well.

 

[merlin]

This is just the thing I am starting on. The 2 systems I want to scan I just cannot allow affiliation or transmitting of any sort. These are part of the state public safety. I can't emphasize enough how bad a trouble one can get into interfering with or unauthorized transmission on such systems.
Been away from Motorola 25 years, so this is a real learning curve.

 

[merlin]

Create a (free) account at austech.info and visit the "Communication Devices" sub forum. That's about all I can say, other than to mention this is very involved, expect to spend many, many hours doing extensive research.

Once you take the numerous steps to be ready for programming in CPS, everything must be programmed 100% perfectly or you will have major problems. With proper research and preparation, it's eminently doable. You will need a lot more than just CPS. Beyond that, I can't really comment any further, other than to reiterate that you should visit Austech.info.

That looks like an empty site, nothing posted there.

 

[N4KVE]

You have to log in to get anything. Every time I go there, it’s empty, but when I log in, it’s all there.

 

[natedawg1604]

That looks like an empty site, nothing posted there.

Yeah like the prior comment said, you have to create an account and login to see anything. It's really easy though.

 

[merlin]

You have to log in to get anything. Every time I go there, it’s empty, but when I log in, it’s all there.

OK, I didn't catch that part. Sort of private threads for members ?

 

[merlin]

I’ve been programming Moto radios for more than 30 years now, & wanted to do what the OP asked to listen to the new digital unencrypted systems. I went to all the sites to absorb all the info I could. Getting the “key” was the easiest part, but the whole NAS procedure was over my head. I had no problem programming TRS on analog systems that don’t affiliate, & never had a radio zapped in over 25 years. I ended up paying an expert good $ to do it for me. Two years later, & all is still well.

Is that key something local or do you have to glean that from the site(s) ?
That has been one of my puzzelments programming with CPS.

 

[GTR8000]

Is that key something local or do you have to glean that from the site(s) ?
That has been one of my puzzelments programming with CPS.

I think you had better read this thread and head the warnings regarding asking about system keys: Do you want to monitor a Trunked system with a Moto? Read This!

 

[ma8007]

Hello,
I purchased a Motorola XTS5000 and need assistance. I am looking to set it up for scanning my local law enforcement talkgroup ( Centre County, Pennsylvania (PA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference (radioreference.com) ) and need some assistance. I have the CPS software and need insight on how to create the talkgroup and assign channels and what everything on the RadioReference table means. I don't intend on transmitting on those frequencies, just listening. I'm aware that transmitting and affiliating on the system will get me arrested. Please don't flood this with legal lectures. I am looking for help on creating zones and listening to the LEO's.

 

[natedawg1604]

OK, I didn't catch that part. Sort of private threads for members ?

Yeah but anyone can become a member. As you're already learning, folks on Radio Reference will not be helping you (or anyone else) with the methods and procedures to setup non-affiliate scanning. The video posted above, while quite correct, only shows the EASY part, after other hard work has been done (there's other steps you must take before worrying about the stupid system key). The bottom line is you need to visit Austech.info, and plan to spend dozens of hours reading and researching. This is not for the faint of heart.

 

[N4KVE]

Then of course there were a couple of extra steps required to get a XTS2500 to properly listen to a Harris system.

 

[merlin]

I think you had better read this thread and head the warnings regarding asking about system keys: Do you want to monitor a Trunked system with a Moto? Read This!

I read that, didn't know this infringed on policy. This must be encryption keys that being the case and the sites of interest are not encrypted(yet) so why keys at all ??

 

[merlin]

Yeah but anyone can become a member. As you're already learning, folks on Radio Reference will not be helping you (or anyone else) with the methods and procedures to setup non-affiliate scanning. The video posted above, while quite correct, only shows the EASY part, after other hard work has been done (there's other steps you must take before worrying about the stupid system key). The bottom line is you need to visit Austech.info, and plan to spend dozens of hours reading and researching. This is not for the faint of heart.

Yea, I logged on and been doing some reading. I started a file of programming notes and it is growing fast.
73s

 

[clbsquared]

I read that, didn't know this infringed on policy. This must be encryption keys that being the case and the sites of interest are not encrypted(yet) so why keys at all ??

They’re not encryption keys. It’s a software key that allows access to the Trunking portion of CPS. It does not reside in the radio and has nothing to do with the radio affiliating to the system. It simply unlocks all the sections in the CPS needed to program a trunking system.