Programming Question re: XPR4550

[03msc]

OK, so while I'm not a total newbie to radios in general - I've programmed plenty of Kenwood, Icom, and Vertex radios, not to mention amateur radios - I am new to Motorola.

I have ordered a 4550. I realize that to many of you who are pros at the Moto radios this will be very elementary but to someone who is new to them, well, it isn't. I'm just trying to make sure I know what I need to do. So...here are the things I'm wondering:

1) I know I need to create an account on the MOL website. After I do this, what do I need to do to get the software I need? What are the steps? Anything special to get so that I can program wideband ham frequencies? I've seen posts that reference different things that have confused me so...I'm just asking and risking looking like a noob.

2) What is the software going to cost me?

3) I know to get a radio ID on the DMR-MARC system (if I'm going to use it on that system) and those instructions are pretty clear on their website.

4) Any other useful "I wish I'd known this when I started" info you have...?

Thanks in advance! I'll be standing by...

 

[N4KVE]

My suggestion would be to find a local ham to you who is already using that radio, & this way he can drop a local codeplug in your radio. This way when your radio arrives, you take it to him, & it's ready to go in 5 minutes. That's what most of us here in the Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale/ Palm Beach area did. There are many settings to learn, & in my case, even after 2 + years, I am still learning. 1st thing is to get that ID # from DMR-MARC. I use another system not related to DMR-MARC, but we still need to use their ID #. I own 2 4550's, & they're great radios. Enjoy.

 

[03msc]

My suggestion would be to find a local ham to you who is already using that radio, & this way he can drop a local codeplug in your radio. This way when your radio arrives, you take it to him, & it's ready to go in 5 minutes. That's what most of us here in the Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale/ Palm Beach area did. There are many settings to learn, & in my case, even after 2 + years, I am still learning. 1st thing is to get that ID # from DMR-MARC. I use another system not related to DMR-MARC, but we still need to use their ID #. I own 2 4550's, & they're great radios. Enjoy.

Thanks, I appreciate the info and your suggestion.

With that in mind, and I do mean that sincerely, it didn't really answer my questions. I'm more of a do it yourself type guy so I'd really like to know about those questions I asked. From moonboots or someone else.

I appreciate it!

 

[N4KVE]

Well, you can start here. The CPS costs $265, & then you have to apply [it's free] for the EID that allows for wideband use. Hope this helps.
DMR-MARC Network

 

[03msc]

Well, you can start here. The CPS costs $265, & then you have to apply [it's free] for the EID that allows for wideband use. Hope this helps.
DMR-MARC Network

Thanks. Do I apply for the EID within the MOL account?

 

[N4KVE]

No. You go to the DMR-MARC site to get the number. Motorola really has nothing to do with DMR-MARC. While it's run by Motorola employees in their spare time, Motorola has nothing to do with the operations of DMR-MARC.
Also read this.
http://www.dmr-marc.net/media/Amateur_Radio_Guide_to_DMR.pdf

 

[03msc]

No. You go to the DMR-MARC site to get the number. Motorola really has nothing to do with DMR-MARC. While it's run by Motorola employees in their spare time, Motorola has nothing to do with the operations of DMR-MARC.
Also read this.
http://www.dmr-marc.net/media/Amateur_Radio_Guide_to_DMR.pdf

Oh, I thought the EID which allows for wideband programming was something from Moto within the CPS software. Like I said in my first post, after reading so much, things started to get confusing.

 

[N4KVE]

I screwed up. I thought you asked if you got your DMR-MARC # when you got your MOL. Yes, the EID comes from Motorola.

 

[03msc]

I screwed up. I thought you asked if you got your DMR-MARC # when you got your MOL. Yes, the EID comes from Motorola.

Oh OK. So I would apply for that (the EID) within the MOL account then. Got it. Thanks for your help!

 

[03msc]

OK quick question to add to this thread. IT COULD BE THAT THIS IS HOW MOTOROLA WORKS but, if not, let me know what to do.

When I connect my radio to my computer and turn it on (with the mic disconnected) to program it, it seems to create a new network and adds a number to it incrementally. I am up to something like "Network 8" now, due to connecting it a few times to program. Is this normal? Or should it remember it and not create a new one every time? If that's the case, what am I doing wrong or what should I do differently?

 

[Firefighter6940]

OK quick question to add to this thread. IT COULD BE THAT THIS IS HOW MOTOROLA WORKS but, if not, let me know what to do.

When I connect my radio to my computer and turn it on (with the mic disconnected) to program it, it seems to create a new network and adds a number to it incrementally. I am up to something like "Network 8" now, due to connecting it a few times to program. Is this normal? Or should it remember it and not create a new one every time? If that's the case, what am I doing wrong or what should I do differently?

Unfortunately that's how the XPR series radios work these days. I'm up to Network 32 on my PC. I have no clue how to stop it from doing that.

 

[N4KVE]

Not to sound rude, but I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I have 4550's which I program all the time, & I don't get any of that. I'm using Windows XP, but I program through the rear connector, so I don't have to disconnect the mike every time I need to program the radios. My programming laptop is never on the internet.

 

[Firefighter6940]

Not to sound rude, but I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I have 4550's which I program all the time, & I don't get any of that. I'm using Windows XP, but I program through the rear connector, so I don't have to disconnect the mike every time I need to program the radios. My programming laptop is never on the internet.

It's cause you're on XP.. I'm on Windows 8.1.

 

[03msc]

Not to sound rude, but I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I have 4550's which I program all the time, & I don't get any of that. I'm using Windows XP, but I program through the rear connector, so I don't have to disconnect the mike every time I need to program the radios. My programming laptop is never on the internet.

Windows 7 here and using the rear connector as well. The radios show up as network connections each time connected. Apparently that's how they are designed.

Thanks BLS501 - at least I know it's not just me. Maybe it's no big deal. Maybe I can determine if the old ones can be deleted and do that every now and then.

 

[N4KVE]

Are your computers hooked up to the internet while you program? If so, did you try taking the computer offline?

 

[03msc]

Are your computers hooked up to the internet while you program? If so, did you try taking the computer offline?

Yes, it is on the Internet. However, it will still see the radio as a network connection/device from what I am finding. That's just how they are made, apparently.