Programming Consolette/MIP 5000

[KG5HHS]

Hello,
I've been working at a Comm Center for about 4 months now and have experience programming Motorola radios both mobile and portable. We use an MIP 5000 connected to an Astro Consolette. The Consolette has no faceplate, its just a creme colored cover. The consolette is digital as it is used for the sheriff's department. It needs to be reprogrammed to update / add new frequencies for departments. I have the hardware/software to program both Astro High & Low power as well as the Astro 25 radio's (Just not Astro Plus radios). I know I will need to take the cover off the consolette to reach the radio, but my question is, is that all I will need to do to reprogram it or is there more that needs to be done with in MIP5000 to update the channel's/names

 

[N1GTL]

There are different types of MIP5000 gateways....local, tone remote and digital. How is yours connected?

If it is already able to change channels, you most likely will not need to change the MIP5000.

 

[jim202]

One quirk that the consolettes have is that channels 3 & 4 are swapped with channels 7 & 8. In simple words, channel 3 selection is really channel 7 in the radio. Channel 4 is really channel 8 in the radio. Channel 7 becomes channel 3 in the radio and channel 8 selection is really channel 4 in the radio.

Sounds confusing doesn't it. Blame the dumb engineers at Motorola for this great FUBAR. You just have to live with it and remember it when you program the radio.

 

[KG5HHS]

Im not sure what type of gateway we use. all i know is that some radio's are connected to little black box. From the MIP5000 we are able to select "ZnUp", "Scan", Scroll up, & Scroll down.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

The question will be what is the radio under the hood of the Astro consolette?

If it's an Astro Spectra, you'll need the DB15 and RIB setup with the Astro Spectra CPS.

If it's an Astro Spectra Plus, you'll need the Astro Plus programming cable.

If it's and XTL, you'll need either the Astro plus programming cable or the rear Accessory USB programming/test cable for the XTL/APX.

Realize, the Astro consolette is just a power supply, radio and tone/digital remote adapter in a box.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KG5HHS]

I am about to take another look at the consolette to see what all I will need to open it up. I have attached pictures of the gateway, if that helps any. My only concern at the moment is the new channel line up on the MIP5000 console. I will be changing the names and channel locations, as well as adding channels. I just want to verify that what I program into the consolette will come across on the MIP5000.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Doesn't take any tools to remove the cover from the consolette. Just the proper application of a force vector.

 

[KG5HHS]

I just verified that the radio is in fact an XTL5000. I don't have any XTL programming cables. Can someone please provide me with the model number(s) for these cables.