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Taking the plunge into TRBO CPS 2.0

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redbeard

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I have a 'fully upgraded' XPR 7550 that I am considering upgrading to newer firmware to get new features like talker alias. I also want to start learning CPS 2.0 which up until now I have avoided. Any caveats I should be aware of before making the move? Can I even install the latest firmware without a service contract? I'm aware that I can use the new CPS without upgrading the portable but if there are new features to be had I'd like to go for it. Not like I need the old CPS anymore to add features to the radio, it has all of them that can be added in that fashion. Just trying to do my homework ahead of time.
 

devicelab

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If you don't have an active license then I would forget it. The newest versions wouldn't let me update the firmware because of this... so it's pretty pointless. If you use your XPR a lot then you probably should just fork out the cash for MOL and a proper license.
 

redbeard

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One of the reasons I'm asking is that I'm not sure how the software licensing works. I am under the impression I could bump up to the latest version, but perhaps after that I would need a license to upgrade from there. Or perhaps I can only go up to 2.10 and not the M2021.1 that is current. I really have no interest in paying for a software license only to update firmware, and I don't need to upgrade either. I'm doing it more for the learning experience. I only use these XPRs for ham stuff anyway.
 

alcahuete

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One of the reasons I'm asking is that I'm not sure how the software licensing works. I am under the impression I could bump up to the latest version, but perhaps after that I would need a license to upgrade from there. Or perhaps I can only go up to 2.10 and not the M2021.1 that is current. I really have no interest in paying for a software license only to update firmware, and I don't need to upgrade either. I'm doing it more for the learning experience. I only use these XPRs for ham stuff anyway.

I'm pretty certain that to get to the firmware with talker alias, you need to have the support plan in place. Sure, you won't have to memorize call signs like we have done for the past 100+ years, but in return, you get a ridiculous slow and poorly designed CPS, you lose bluetooth programming, etc.

If the only reason you want to upgrade is talker alias, I would seriously rethink that. Just my opinion.
 

redbeard

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Virtual channel stop is a nice new feature too :)

As I read through the release notes it seems I do need to start with 2.10 before I can move beyond. I thought there was maybe a grace period where if I installed 2.10 it would give me time to install something newer before being locked down to Subscriber Update Management. But I may be confusing that with device that came from the factory with 2.10 vs those upgraded to it.

As CPS 2.0 being clunky, I've heard it's improved but not by much. I could also continue to program in CPS 16 then just open it with 2.0 in order to write it to the radio. I don't really use BT programming due to compatibility issues I've had with my BT hardware.
 

alcahuete

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Only you can make that determination if it's worth it for you or not. For me, those features are useless considering what you lose. I use mine for ham and Part 90.

I honestly don't know what the ESP costs...I haven't looked into it.
 

redbeard

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Until I can narrow down the best/cheapest way to get this radio on a support plan I will just have to open the codeplug in CPS 2.0 in order to get more familiar with it. As I said this is partially a learning exercise because like it or not CPS 2.0 is not going away and I don't want to be starting from scratch when the next radio I get comes factory with newer firmware. With this radio I have the luxury of choice for now but the next I will not.

My current radio losing BT programming is no issue as I don't use it anyway, and would get far more use out of talker alias and virtual channel stop features.
 

gman1971

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What do you mean the cheapest way to get on a support plan? Currently MOL MyView has CPS 16 Build 828 also available for download when you purchase the CPS entitlement.
 

alcahuete

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What do you mean the cheapest way to get on a support plan? Currently MOL MyView has CPS 16 Build 828 also available for download when you purchase the CPS entitlement.

He is talking about the support plan for CPS 2.0, not CPS 16. You can no longer upgrade the firmware on CPS2 without being on a plan.
 

IMPRES2

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You can no longer upgrade the firmware on CPS2 without being on a plan.
Not totally correct. CPS 2.0 can be used to upgrade firmware on any gen2 professional subscriber that is not covered by an ESA as long as the target version is 2.10.xx.xxxx or older. You DO need a SUM license to upgrade to anything above 2.10 (like 2.20 or M2020/M2021).
 

alcahuete

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Not totally correct. CPS 2.0 can be used to upgrade firmware on any gen2 professional subscriber that is not covered by an ESA as long as the target version is 2.10.xx.xxxx or older. You DO need a SUM license to upgrade to anything above 2.10 (like 2.20 or M2020/M2021).

Correct. If you look at the features he wants, you have to go beyond 2.10, which is why I said he would need to be on the plan.
 

KN4EHX

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Be prepared for a lot of frustration going from the old version to 2.0. There is good and bad with both versions, but 2.0 definitely has a way about it. At this point I’ve learned to walk away from it whenever I need to. The layout is what bothers me the most; it is far from user friendly.
 

redbeard

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Anyone been down this road with a radio that has been optioned by other means? I don't want to lose any options in the process. I know 2.0 has an online server-based recovery process for EIDs by serial but I don't know if that is referenced during firmware update.
 

KN4EHX

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Anyone been down this road with a radio that has been optioned by other means? I don't want to lose any options in the process. I know 2.0 has an online server-based recovery process for EIDs by serial but I don't know if that is referenced during firmware update.
I didn’t lose any features. I seem to recall there might have been a couple of free options I didn’t already have. If you have something like a wideband key you might possibly lose it if you don’t have a legit CPS or if you’ve cloned the radio. My codeplug came from an online database since I use DMR for mostly ham things. If you had FPP (gasp) as an option I’d probably proceed with caution.
 

redbeard

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I didn’t lose any features. I seem to recall there might have been a couple of free options I didn’t already have. If you have something like a wideband key you might possibly lose it if you don’t have a legit CPS or if you’ve cloned the radio. My codeplug came from an online database since I use DMR for mostly ham things. If you had FPP (gasp) as an option I’d probably proceed with caution.
Wideband is a CPS EID not a radio feature so of course I will need to re-enter the EID for CPS 2.0. FPP isn't a feature either, it's an option board software. I do have AES-256 though.
 

KN4EHX

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I suppose it was new enough the software management wasn’t in the equation.
 
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