APX Programming Troubles

[huntercody]

All — I’m new to Motorola programming and am attempting to read an APX 7000 that’s new to me. I’ve installed APX CPS R36 (from Motorola Customer Hub) on a Windows 11 VM. When I connect the radio, Windows enumerates the cable as a USB Serial Device rather than a USB composite device, and CPS fails to establish a connection when attempting to read the radio. Has anyone encountered this behavior, particularly on a VM? Or any recommendations? Thank you.

 

[K2NEC]

How come you are trying to use a VM?

 

[huntercody]

How come you are trying to use a VM?

My everyday is a Mac, pause for the sigh, so I installed a VM using Parallels

 

[KevinC]

I would have said something like “Hey guys, trying to program my APX with a Mac….blah, blah, blah” in my first post. 😁

 

[Cortexian]

Only thing I've seen is that CPS doesn't work on Apple hardware with any level of reliability, even with a Windows VM or Bootcamped.

 

[mikegilbert]

I used to program my APX radios on a Mac running parallels, but that was via BT. If you can, find someone to help enable BT in the codeplug, then you should be okay.

 

[AEFI]

Either moto, a shop, or the leak can add bluetooth I don't trust the leaked stuff and a shop will be pricey I suggest a cheap windows machine on fb marketplace.

 

[yaknamedjak]

I haven't looked at Parallels in a while, and hope I never have to again, but when I use other VM software (in Windows) to program with CPS, I have to make sure that device is being passed through, and I have to make sure the device "filter" is on for that USB device in the VM settings. This ensures that the top level host (your Mac) doesn't "steal" the device and lets it pass completely through to the VM. There could still be some weird stuff there, but I can tell you that it wasn't a seamless/plug-and-play process with the VMs I use even in Windows. Now that I know to check for that, though, it's a breeze. I believe it should be showing up as a network adapter under other devices...

 

[MTS2000des]

Solution: used a supported Windows PC with supported Windows operating system instead of trying to square peg in a round hole. The help files in your CPS application provide the system requirements.

 

[PACNWDude]

I use CPS R37 for APX radios now.....and try to purchase used Panasonic Toughbooks, with USB and serial ports to keep it simple.....and reliable. WindowsXP/7/10 for Motorola (depending on radio programming software needed), and a Keyspan DB9 to USB adapter for some older gear.

I came from a company that used Mac/Apple computers and dual boot systems, and I was able to convince management to get dedicated Windows PC's as radio programmers from the various problems that caused. And, if you program really old radios, a dedicated DOS computer with serial port is recommended too.

 

[marcotor]

You also fail to mention which version of Windows (x86, ARM) you are running and what type of Mac (x86, A Si) you are running it on, which is kind of important.

If you are using a modern Mac, with Parallels, VMWare, or UTM and Windows11 for ARM, while Microsoft did an excellent job on the x86 emularor or what it accomplishes, is not perfect. And CPS is all x86. Even worse if you're trying to shoehorn an x86 version of Windows 11 on an A Si mac, in what is not anything close to a virtualization, but emulation.

As others have said, it's best to invest in a proper tool for the job.

 

[swank_star]

can you do bootcamp? that is exclusively how I program all my apx radios, with ease.

 

[n3obl]

can you do bootcamp? that is exclusively how I program all my apx radios, with ease.

Suspect they are using a new silicon processor Mac which does not support boot camp.