Question on model difference

[ruraloperationsgroup]

What is the difference between the Moto PM series and XTL series? The software is the same and equipment has similar connectors.

 

[ElroyJetson]

PM series is a commercial/professional conventional analog series.
XTL series is Astro 25 digital trunked capable meant for the public safety market.

They're not similar in ANY way other than being radios at the most basic level, and made by Motorola.

The software is NOT the same.

Some models may have the same mic and power connectors. Sure, why not? Is it reasonable to make a custom power connector for every new radio series? No.

 

[rescue161]

I have converted several VHF PM1500 to an XTL5000 and they worked flawlessly. I think the hardware is the exact same, but the features that are offered with the PM series are not the same and are limited. Once converted to an XTL5000, all of the features that are offered on the 5000 worked like a champ.

 

[GTR8000]

They're not similar in ANY way other than being radios at the most basic level, and made by Motorola.

The software is NOT the same.

Wrong and wrong. 🤦‍♂️

 

[K2NEC]

PM series is a commercial/professional conventional analog series.
XTL series is Astro 25 digital trunked capable meant for the public safety market.

They're not similar in ANY way other than being radios at the most basic level, and made by Motorola.

The software is NOT the same.

Some models may have the same mic and power connectors. Sure, why not? Is it reasonable to make a custom power connector for every new radio series? No.

Then why was I able to read one with XTL CPS?

 

[ElroyJetson]

Never messed with a PM1500, or heard that it could be converted. But as for any other PM series radio that I AM familiar with, I said what I believe to be true. In actual fact there are some radios on this planet that I don't know everything about. I'm bound to miss a couple.

I'm a bit surprised that Moto would have given the same chassis a position in two different model lines that are so different from each other.

 

[jeepsandradios]

If you read it with XTL its either got the wrong cover on it or someone converted it with software.

 

[K2NEC]

Never messed with a PM1500, or heard that it could be converted. But as for any other PM series radio that I AM familiar with, I said what I believe to be true. In actual fact there are some radios on this planet that I don't know everything about. I'm bound to miss a couple.

I'm a bit surprised that Moto would have given the same chassis a position in two different model lines that are so different from each other.

You've never messed with a PM1500 yet you're throwing in your 2 cents on it? You're probably thinking of the PM1200

If you read it with XTL its either got the wrong cover on it or someone converted it with software.

Or you don't like the idea that you might be wrong. I'm looking at the codeplug right now in Astro Mobile and will be more than happy to share a screenshot with the PM1500 model number in it if you'd like

 

[rescue161]

Here is the About screen for the Astro25 Mobile CPS and it clearly shows the PM1500 as one of the supported radios.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Learned something new. Really haven't encountered many PM series mobiles. Plenty of PR portables, though.

l stand corrected.

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[GTR8000]

No one here is going to think any less of you if you resist the urge (compulsion?) to post in every other thread. I promise, in fact we'll all be better for it, as a community like this is always better off when there is less misinformation disguised as fact being posted (throwing in a few words in CAPS, as if it was iron clad, didn't really help).

 

[Project25_MASTR]

The question was poorly worded without the OP (or some the responders) knowing that there is a whole PM line which uses the Commercial CPS and then there is the PM1500 which is a high power solution that uses a high power XTL brick with a unique control head and was limited to conventional/analog operation only. The PM1500 uses Astro25 mobile CPS...and created a lot of issues later on in life for many of us in the industry as (non-public safety) customers who wanted to upgrade radios got really mad at the fact a high power APX6500 cost double what the PM1500 did but there was nothing that offered 110W PA's in the TRBO line. Caused some business to go elsewhere...

I can't remember if the pre-amp option was available in the PM1500...but I never found those customers a practical alternative as both the Vertex and Icom offerings put out 100W but had absolutely garbage receivers compared to the PM1500.

 

[EWC_BDN]

you're right to be confused by this. It's objectively confusing. It basically is an XTL, but sold by different dealers in some cases. It's the top of the range analog only Motorola mobile. Motorola is aware that professional customers and mission critical customers have different sized wallets. so they price their radios differently. They often will sell one radios with similar or identical hardware very different prices. like Pm1500 vs XTL1500 and APX900 vs XPR7550. They are different radios, but not $1000 different.

straight from them I've heard to be careful with their Cap Max product, because it does most of the things that P25 did. Make sure we don't sell XPR radios to customers with APX money.

I know that P25 does more, but from a getting on the radio and talking standpoint. they are closer that Motorola had gone before.

 

[ruraloperationsgroup]

I was under the impression that they did p25 conventional, but not trunking. Thanks everyone for the replies.