What to know when buying a XTS3000

[S_Holmes]

With income taxes coming in I'm looking to spoil my self with an XTS3000, they seem to have decent prices on ebay (depending on the flash and what not). So what are some things I need to look out for and I should know when purchasing one of these units? I know of the obvious like radios with no tags could possibly be stolen, but I'm not looking for one with a huge flash..just one that will do IMBE and digital ID display. Do these units come standard with MDC and quick call? and what are some standard features on these radios? I just don't want to run into to the same problem when I bought an MTS....they are nice radios but do not come standard with quick call...

[Mfire39]

Do these units come standard with MDC and quick call? and what are some standard features on these radios? I just don't want to run into to the same problem when I bought an MTS....they are nice radios but do not come standard with quick call...

None of the older Astro's/XTS3000's support QCII at all.. If you want an XTS platform with QCII, you'll have to start with the Astro25 line, ie XTS2500/XTS5000. It will need to have firmware R08.00.00 or higher to support QCII.

-Marc

[S_Holmes]

Okay just to clarify none of the older XTS3000's will not do quickcall..what mfg date would make an xts3000 older? that wont support quickcall?

[AL7OC]

Read r0f's Guide to Astro Digital Radios before you shop for a 3K. It's important that you get a radio with current ROS and DSP firmware flashes. It can be a pain and expensive to get the radio flash updated after the fact. My dealer could not do it and told me that I would have to go to M myself to get it done. Old firmware may give you crappy P25 audio, or you could end up with firmware that won't support P25 at all. Read the article -http://www.akardam.net/moto/docs/mirror ... .00.01.pdf

The XTS 3000 will not support QC II. The CPS has no option for setting up QC II encode or decode. If you are bent on QC II decoding for FD paging, you'll need a Astro 25 radio like the XTS5000. Both are "XTS" radios, but the 3K is an older platform and a entirely different kitty-cat. The aforementioned article explains that too.

The pair of 3Ks that I own are fine. They aren't as sensitive as my Thales 25s, but they have a bunch of features that the T25s don't. The are loads of surplus new batteries, microphones, chargers and such that you can find for a 3K. If you need CPS, you can get it at MOL for ~ $276 list. There are scads of RIBs and programming cables for the 3K, and most of the cables, batteries, and other accessories will fit 5Ks too.

Good luck. Remember - watch out for old ROS and DSP versions in the radios at auction.

-Pierre

[n7maq]

I would recommend that you try to buy a radio off of here on the board before ebay.

Jim

[S_Holmes]

What versions of the ROS and DSP would be considered old?

[d119]

Anything prior to R07.xx.xx

Some would consider anything prior to R07.71.06 (the last version Motorola released) to be old.

I've not come across any XTS3000's with host/dsp prior to R07.xx.xx, but that's not to say they aren't out there.

[Pj]

Mirrored from Akardam's site:

XTS3000/XTS5000/ASTRO Saber internals/how to open up etc:
http://www.akardam.net/moto/docs/mirrored/combined.pdf

r0f's write up:
http://www.akardam.net/moto/docs/mirror ... .00.01.pdf

Both are a few years old at this point, but the information is still pretty accurate. As an aside, the ASTRO Saber and the XTS3000 are pretty much the same in terms of function. Both support the same software options, just the hardware is different. Its comes down to preference. I like both, but I just finshed buying my third collection of ASTRO Sabers, and no longer have any XTS3000's. With the short saber batteries available, they can be pretty compact. On the flip side, with the slim batteries available for the XTS as well, they can be made "thinner".

[vince7003]

would this be a good Firmw are: R07.08.00.00 and DSP:N08.02.02

for a 800 xts3000

[jmr061]

Thats pre-rebanding so I would say it should get updated.

Jason

[vince7003]

ok thanks

[SoCalRescue]

The P25 audio is much better on ASTRO25 radios as opposed to the ASTRO Series, however, they are great radios. I have owned one and I loved it but there is a noticeable difference between the 3000 and the 5000.

[vince7003]

like what ?

[N4KVE]

The P25 audio is much better on ASTRO25 radios as opposed to the ASTRO Series, however, they are great radios. I have owned one and I loved it but there is a noticeable difference between the 3000 and the 5000.

I have several AS & 3000 radios with the latest host/dsp, & they sound just fine to me. My 5000 with 14 is a nice radio, but doesn't sound any better. GARY N4KVE