XG-100M and features

[brian86]

This may be a little out of place, but is on par for the title of the thread. What is the latest Firmware you can load on a Unity XG-100F Mobile Radio and still use RPM14?

 

[mancow]

I don't know but mine has revision F.

 

[BMDaug]

The latest… XLPR06T02 works great with RPM14. Disregard any manual that says otherwise.

XG100F is the model number for the 100M… don’t know why.

-B

 

[brian86]

The latest… XLPR06T02 works great with RPM14. Disregard any manual that says otherwise.

XG100F is the model number for the 100M… don’t know why.

-B

I had seen this in other forums but I didn't want to cause issues with my programming abilities. I will give it a shot.... Any chance someone has a link to the release notes for this firmware version or do they know what features it enables? I currently have R02D01 and it is working fine on a Phase 2 800mhz System NOS.

 

[mancow]

The latest… XLPR06T02 works great with RPM14. Disregard any manual that says otherwise.

XG100F is the model number for the 100M… don’t know why.

-B

Yep, I was mixed up. Mine is revision T. Good to know that's the latest.

 

[snoopyII]

The latest… XLPR06T02 works great with RPM14. Disregard any manual that says otherwise.

XG100F is the model number for the 100M… don’t know why.

-B

XG100F = All bands enabled
XG100F-D01 = VHF/UHF
XG100F-D02 = VHF/7-800
XG100F-D03 = UHF/7-800

 

[merlin]

I wish not the bastards drilled or and killed it. Only the rf board seems like it might be saved.

Drilled means there is about 8 pounds of scrap aluminum.
Takes a real nut job to destroy such expensive radio.
You might salvage a PA module or two.

 

[merlin]

What would be needed to make a remote mount XG-100M with CH721 into an under dash/base style unit?

A front mount kit, that simple.

 

[merlin]

I just pulled the trigger on an XG-100M, so I'll be searching for a low band amp solution and other things mentioned above.

LPAs are so rare I elect to mod a low band Orion. Takes some added circuity but works.

 

[merlin]

Another question, what is needed to use an HHC-731 hand held control head with the XG-100M? Would it use the same interface cable to a CAN link like an M7300 or something else?

Does it not just plug into the 44 pin socket ? I know they have extention cables for remote mount.

 

[merlin]

Does it not just plug into the 44 pin socket ? I know they have extention cables for remote mount.

Hmm. DB25f. probably plugs into an accessory cable.

 

[prcguy]

A front mount kit, that simple.

I'm finding you have to HyperTerminal into the control head by itself and change it to front mount, in addition to needing the mounting hardware. I also found there is an expensive and scarce adapter needed between the radio and HHC-731 mic. This mic would solve some mounting problems in my Jeep if I can find the parts at a fair price.

 

[brian86]

A front mount kit, that simple.

I can't even find the Front Mount Kit anywhere. I have a few brand new remote heads and Unity Mobiles I would like to make front mounts. Any suggestions on where I can pick up a few Front Mount Kits from?

 

[ElroyJetson]

If the radio already has a control head attached to it, you should be able to transfer the CH100 front to it. The mounting system should be more or less the same. If I could see a photo of the back of a CH100 I'd have a clearer idea of that.

 

[merlin]

I'm finding you have to HyperTerminal into the control head by itself and change it to front mount, in addition to needing the mounting hardware. I also found there is an expensive and scarce adapter needed between the radio and HHC-731 mic. This mic would solve some mounting problems in my Jeep if I can find the parts at a fair price.

Yes, changing the head type is fairly easy. (Talking CH-721)
True, that adapter cable can be hard to come by. Keep an eye on feebay, I spot them now and again.
I need similar for my M7100, the cable cost way more than the HHC.
Mounting hardware ? does any of that really exist ?

 

[brian86]

Yes, changing the head type is fairly easy. (Talking CH-721)
True, that adapter cable can be hard to come by. Keep an eye on feebay, I spot them now and again.
I need similar for my M7100, the cable cost way more than the HHC.
Mounting hardware ? does any of that really exist ?

To bad you can’t connect the HHC-731 directly to options cable CA-012349-001. I don’t necessarily need or want to use a can cable. The radio is mounted 1 foot under the seat where the HHC would be mounted.

 

[BMDaug]

Does it not just plug into the 44 pin socket ? I know they have extention cables for remote mount.

No. There is an interface box between the 731 and the MRU. The interface box has a can pigtail and a power pigtail, then a db25 accessory port like the 721, and another db25 that the actual 731 plugs into. You cannot use the 731 without the interface box.

If the radio already has a control head attached to it, you should be able to transfer the CH100 front to it. The mounting system should be more or less the same. If I could see a photo of the back of a CH100 I'd have a clearer idea of that.

The back of the front mount CH100 looks very different from the remote mount. There’s a fair amount of cast aluminum on the back that attaches it to the MRU.

-B

 

[ElroyJetson]

Compared to the back of a regular CH721, that's what I want to see as a reference. Because I have an M7300 that I'm about to replace with my own XG100M and I don't know if or how I will need to/be able to modify the installation when I switch over to a CH100 head, which I expect will eventually happen.

The M7300 is configured as a dual head radio. The remote head is the one I use, as it's been nicely installed in the center console. When I switch to the XG100M, I will need to know my options. Can it take two different head types? CH100 on the radio unit, CH721 remote head? Will that work? If so, I'd expect that I would not be able to switch mission plans from the 721 head.

Something tells me that I would not be able to put a CH100 remote head in the place of the 721 remote head without modifying my installation.

 

[prcguy]

Compared to the back of a regular CH721, that's what I want to see as a reference. Because I have an M7300 that I'm about to replace with my own XG100M and I don't know if or how I will need to/be able to modify the installation when I switch over to a CH100 head, which I expect will eventually happen.

The M7300 is configured as a dual head radio. The remote head is the one I use, as it's been nicely installed in the center console. When I switch to the XG100M, I will need to know my options. Can it take two different head types? CH100 on the radio unit, CH721 remote head? Will that work? If so, I'd expect that I would not be able to switch mission plans from the 721 head.

Something tells me that I would not be able to put a CH100 remote head in the place of the 721 remote head without modifying my installation.

You cannot use a CH100 and a CH721 at the same time on the same radio, two CH721s yes. And that is when using both remote on the CAN bus. You may not be able to use a front mount head with a second remote head due to one being on the CAN bus and the other maybe not.

 

[BMDaug]

@ElroyJetson Here’s some info about control head arrangements and some external photos. From looking at the pictures, you would need to remove the rear chassis of the remote mount unit, and completely replace that metal casting with a front mount rear chassis casting. If you can’t find a CH100, you aren’t going to find just half of a chassis…

Edit: Not that you are necessarily looking for one and not the other or whatever, but many are looking for a CH100 and are striking out… I think @motorcoachdoug may have a lead on some front mount CH100s and Troy makes a mounting plate. 4" Faceplate Harris G-100M / CH100 One-Piece - Troy Products

-B

P.S. What I find interesting about the CH100 pictures I have, is the presence of a microSD card slot on the PCB. Anyone know what that’s for? Surely the mission plans aren’t stored on a 128MB Sandisk LOL…