After reviewing what felt like 100 different posts where people reported similar issues to what I experienced with programming a new XTS3000 I purchased recently, I thought i'd post how I overcome numerous issues I faced, and ultimately the kit I used to get my radio programmed and working.
The PC and CPS
First, ensure you're using CPS version R5.03.00 - that's the latest version of the CPS for the XTS3000. Don't use anything newer - it won't work.
Also ensure that you're running Windows XP 32bit - either on an old laptop or in a virtual machine on your PC/Laptop. It MUST be 32bit - not 64bit. I'm using virtualbox, with a VM configured to run Windows XP.
Upon first boot of the CPS, you'll probably get an error and the program will crash. This is because the software either hasn't detected your programming cable, or that you don't currently have one connected. Install the drivers for your programming cable within Windows XP (not on your local PC/laptop). More on this below.
The programming cable
I purchased a RIB-less cable from china. I paid $30 for it. It works (so far).
I attempted to use 2 different types of USB to RS232 cables to connect the RIB-less cable to my laptop (as I don't have an old RS232/Serial port on my surface laptop).
In short, Prolific-based USB to RS232 cables = BAD, FTDI-based USB to RS232 cables= Good. I could NOT get my prolific based USB cable to work with my radio. The radio would beep, and show 1. CSQ on screen but would then error out with "Cannot read radio" in the CPS. No amount of editing settings fixed this. I sucked it up and dropped $45 on an FTDI based USB cable, which worked flawlessly.
How do you know if your cable is Prolific or FTDI? It should say on the packaging, or at least within Windows Device manager itself.
Save yourself pain - get a quality FTDI-based cable.
Programming the radio
If this is the first time you've touched CPS, you're going to find the learning curve a little steep. There's lots of youtube videos out there that shows how to program basic channels.
The key things to point out are:
Conventional = analogue or ASTRO (p25) channels
Trunked = Trunked system (unless you're programming the radio for an agency, there's no need to go into this section).
Hopefully this helps someone out there.
The PC and CPS
First, ensure you're using CPS version R5.03.00 - that's the latest version of the CPS for the XTS3000. Don't use anything newer - it won't work.
Also ensure that you're running Windows XP 32bit - either on an old laptop or in a virtual machine on your PC/Laptop. It MUST be 32bit - not 64bit. I'm using virtualbox, with a VM configured to run Windows XP.
Upon first boot of the CPS, you'll probably get an error and the program will crash. This is because the software either hasn't detected your programming cable, or that you don't currently have one connected. Install the drivers for your programming cable within Windows XP (not on your local PC/laptop). More on this below.
The programming cable
I purchased a RIB-less cable from china. I paid $30 for it. It works (so far).
I attempted to use 2 different types of USB to RS232 cables to connect the RIB-less cable to my laptop (as I don't have an old RS232/Serial port on my surface laptop).
In short, Prolific-based USB to RS232 cables = BAD, FTDI-based USB to RS232 cables= Good. I could NOT get my prolific based USB cable to work with my radio. The radio would beep, and show 1. CSQ on screen but would then error out with "Cannot read radio" in the CPS. No amount of editing settings fixed this. I sucked it up and dropped $45 on an FTDI based USB cable, which worked flawlessly.
How do you know if your cable is Prolific or FTDI? It should say on the packaging, or at least within Windows Device manager itself.
Save yourself pain - get a quality FTDI-based cable.
Programming the radio
If this is the first time you've touched CPS, you're going to find the learning curve a little steep. There's lots of youtube videos out there that shows how to program basic channels.
The key things to point out are:
Conventional = analogue or ASTRO (p25) channels
Trunked = Trunked system (unless you're programming the radio for an agency, there's no need to go into this section).
Hopefully this helps someone out there.
