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XLT-1500

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C

Clarky

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Dec 19, 2002
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Location
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I purchased a used UHF XLT-1500 to use on a P25 digital system. I live just outside of the county, (Pensacola, Florida) which is across the bay. The county uses the frequency of 450.575 RM with a Nac of A35. I first utilized a quarter wave antenna. During their radio transmissions, the was a lot of digital noise. However, I had on a XTS-3000, which picked up the radio transmissions "loud and clear". I next drove over to the communications center. There, the XLT-1500, picked up the signal "loud and clear".

It was then suggested that I try a UHF high gain antenna. After installing a new Laird Technology (450-470) antenna, along with a new Laird cable, there was little improvement. But once again, the XTS3000 was picking up the county system "loud and clear".

Since I am not a radio technician, are there any programming settings which could improve the reception on the 1500? Right now, the radio was set up as a glorified scanner. It's not actually on the county system. I am perplexed as to why the walkie talkie would pick up better than a mobile?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you again.

Motorola XTL1500 UHF 450-520MHz P25 Digital Radio w/ADP UPDATED F/W FLASH.


Communications Protocol:APCO Project 25 (P25)Model:XTL1500
Service:P25Frequency Band(s):450-520 MHz
Band:UHFFeatures:Digital, Analog, Conventional, Trunking, 9600 Baud Trunking, Narrowband, Wideband, Automatic Noise Limiter (ANL), Channel Monitor, CTCSS, DCS
MPN:M28SSS9PW1ANCountry/Region of Manufacture:United States
Brand:MotorolaPower:49 Watts
Type:Mobile/In-VehicleProduct Line:ASTRO-25 XTL
Number of Channels:512
 
H

hill

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Middle River, MD
I guess you mean XTL 1500, since multiple times in your post you listed the radios as a XLT 1500.
 
mmckenna

mmckenna

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If you are 100% sure it's programmed correctly (I'm showing 460.575, not 450.575) then you need to look at the antenna. If it's not the antenna, then consider any used radio in need of a trip to Mr. Service Monitor for a tune up. Used radios are not reliable.

Tell us about your antenna setup? How is it installed, where is it installed?
 
C

Clarky

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Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
108
Location
N/W Florida
mmckenna said:
If you are 100% sure it's programmed correctly (I'm showing 460.575, not 450.575) then you need to look at the antenna. If it's not the antenna, then consider any used radio in need of a trip to Mr. Service Monitor for a tune up. Used radios are not reliable.

Tell us about your antenna setup? How is it installed, where is it installed?
Click to expand...
Yes, you are correct on the frequency. I will call the radio shop to have it checked. I will present your ideas. Thank you for the input. The other question was about the antenna. I used a brand new Laird trunk lip mount.
 
D

devicelab

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Clarky said:
I purchased a used UHF XLT-1500 to use on a P25 digital system. I live just outside of the county, (Pensacola, Florida) which is across the bay. The county uses the frequency of 460.575 RM with a NAC of A35.

Since I am not a radio technician, are there any programming settings which could improve the reception on the 1500? Right now, the radio was set up as a glorified scanner. It's not actually on the county system. I am perplexed as to why the walkie talkie would pick up better than a mobile?
Click to expand...

I would have bought the same radio but I was looking for a 380-470 split.

1. Make sure the channel bandwidth is set to 12.5khz (FM-N) settings for P25.
2. Make sure the personality is set for ASTRO Rx Voice/Signal type (not mixed mode.)
3. Make sure the Advanced RF AGC to "Enhanced" (also under the personality.)

I've heard that some Motorola's can go 'deaf' on receive due to either a bad RF front-end or a improperly tuned receiver. Since it was working at the comm center then it sounds like it's working OK though.
 
D

devicelab

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I just discovered this myself but I discovered something annoying about the XTL radios. So in CPS, the squelch setting is global and only configurable as a menu item OR you can go into CONV CONFIGURATION and enable the checkbox "Squelch per personality." I recommend the latter because the DEFAULT squelch value is "6" out of 15. Setting this to a value of "3" should help with receive performance.

I also thought my XTL was a little deaf at times.
 
N

N4KVE

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Mar 1, 2003
Messages
4,126
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PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
devicelab said:
I just discovered this myself but I discovered something annoying about the XTL radios. So in CPS, the squelch setting is global and only configurable as a menu item OR you can go into CONV CONFIGURATION and enable the checkbox "Squelch per personality." I recommend the latter because the DEFAULT squelch value is "6" out of 15. Setting this to a value of "3" should help with receive performance.

I also thought my XTL was a little deaf at times.
Click to expand...
I always set the squelch on my XTS/XTL radios to 1. And I make sure the flash code has the pre amp feature.
 
D

devicelab

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Nowhere in WA
N4KVE said:
I always set the squelch on my XTS/XTL radios to 1. And I make sure the flash code has the pre amp feature.
Click to expand...

On my XTS portables I use "3" because I thought 1 or 2 might cause a bit of excess noise on weaker signals. I never tried it though.
 
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