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XTL5000 programming problem

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thedanderzone

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Hello all,

I just acquired a used XTL5000 high power with a W5 head. Prior to getting this radio, it was in service and recently reprogrammed. When I received the radio, I had plans on switching to a W3 head. I bought the power cable, accessory cable (for the ignition sense and speaker,) wired everything up and cannot get my radio to read. I am using a Panasonic CF-29 with Windows XP (XTS software installed that works fine) and have used both the HKN6184 cable and the HKN6160. From my understanding, the HKN6160 ONLY does the mid power and the HKN6184 does both high and mid power.

Now, I'm new to the XTL line of radios but definitely not new to programming APX/XTS/Astro spectra.
My first question is: Do I need the W5 head hooked to the radio in order to program it? I wasn't given a cable to connect the head to the radio so I'm trying to read the radio without having to dish out money for a cable I'll never use.

Second, I have played around with the COM ports/USB ports with no luck. I continue to receive error code c0000386 as well as c0000343. I have attempted to search all over the internet and haven't yet found a solution.

I tried another computer running Windows XP as well with no success.

At this point, I'm baffled. I've run into communication errors in the past but have had problems with COM ports/cables. Nothing of which I have been able to pinpoint with this situation.

I have an HKN6183 on the way and hopefully will be here next week. At this point, I guess I'll continue with the install in my vehicle, hopefully not in disappointment.

Best regards and many thanks ahead of time,
Dan
 

MTS2000des

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Are you supplying the necessary B+ on the J2 connector? The radio should read without a control head, but it must have a TIB installed IIRC.

When using a USB cable, you will know immediately if you have a connection to the radio, as inserting the USB or connecting the radio should result in the Windows hardware/driver wizard appearing along with a sound (unless disabled) that the driver is loading. It will then show up as a connected device in the Windows device manager.

If you aren't getting that far, then your radio is not getting correct B+ where it wants it, or something is wrong with your wiring.
 

thedanderzone

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As far as the J2 connection goes, I only have pins in slots 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 14, 15, 20, 25, and 26. So if what I'm finding is correct about the B+ being in slot 2, then no, it is not present. That is the cable I received from one of my coworkers who had success programming the mid power. Again, I believe this cable is not the correct one as far as the high power goes. I can look at my other ignition sense/speaker J2 connector and see if that has the pin 2.

I do have the TIB installed. It is the TIB for the W style heads.

The USB cable did make noise on my laptop one time that I can remember; however, I can't recall what settings I had and how I had things set up. Now when I connect it, I get nothing. Possibly because of the lack of the B+?

My wiring powers up my Astro Spectra (power cable and ignition sense) so I don't see any problems there.

Dan
 

MTS2000des

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The USB cable did make noise on my laptop one time that I can remember; however, I can't recall what settings I had and how I had things set up. Now when I connect it, I get nothing. Possibly because of the lack of the B+?

With no B+, the radio is "asleep" and thus, the USB cable won't be recognized by Windows to load the appropriate device driver.

You've got to make the radio "wake up" and the only way to do that is to get power to the J2 connector where it wants it.

You'll know you're in business when you hear Windows give you that magic sound.
 

W0JJK

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XTL5000 uses a different interconnect board for the W3.

The W4,W5,W7, and W9 share a common one and changes that in the CPS.
 

thedanderzone

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Okay, that makes sense. So what happens if I use a serial cable? Will I have the same issue? Or is it just a problem with USB cables?

As far as the interconnect board, I have looked into that a little bit but don't want to pull the plug on it if I can't get it to work. What about changing the radio to an O3 head? Would I still need a different interconnect board? I understand changing the TIB and flex connect but would anything else be required other than changing the head in CPS?

I planned on going to an O3 head eventually, I just wasn't planning on it being this soon. However, if that means not having to do anything other than changing the TIB and flex, I'm all for it. I've read several forum posts about going from say a W4 or W3 to an O3 or O5 with nothing but an O5 parts kit and the O3 head.

Just trying to figure out options with this thing. If all goes well, I'll probably be searching for another similar radio for our radio room at work. PD and FD have their own respective radios in there (in the event of having to set up a secondary dispatch or command center) but we lack our own radio.
 

thedanderzone

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Alright well, I'm still outta luck. Got the serial cable in the mail and still no luck on two different computers. So my guess is B+ still needs to be powered.

Any ideas how to do this? I haven't seen much literature or forum posts on it.

Best regards,
Dan
 

thedanderzone

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That doesn't help at all since I don't have the O style TIB. My TIB is the W style and the only power leads I have is my regular power cable and my ignition sense. Plus it's high power.

The only other thing I can think of is getting the cable that has the yellow and red wire for the O5 control head and plug the red wire in to 12v. I've got the O style TIB ordered with an O3 head, so I can give that a shot if you think that would work.
 

thedanderzone

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All,

Just wanted to give a quick update. I ordered a control head cable for the W5 and hooked up the cables in the appropriate fashion. Radio powered on and voila, the USB cable worked. I was able to read/write the radio and now I wait for the high power flex to arrive. The O3 head and TIB arrived and will soon be installed. Thank you to everyone who helped!

Dan
 
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