MOTOROLA radio for GMRS use

[Guest Jorge Rodriguez]

I just came across a MOTOROLA xtl 2500 multi-band radio. Can this radio be used for GMRS? I really want to hit the air. I wanted to have a commercial grade radio for this purpose.

 

Jorge

WQVF267

[n4gix]

Check carefully to make certain that it is the version that operates in the 380-470 MHz band. There were four versions produced for different bands of operation.

 

 

 

EDIT: I was mistaken about the availability of the CPS for this radio. All the more reason to look for older unsupported radios then. That's why I recently bought two CDM 1550 LS for a new GMRS repeater buildout.

Edited December 28, 2015 by spd641
I did the edit for you

[Guest Jorge Rodriguez]

Yes,  according to the specs manual, this model covers these frequencies.

 

Frequency Bands
• 136-174 MHz
• 380-470 MHz
• 450-520 MHz
• 764-870 MHz

 

Thanks for your reply, now all I have to do is, get the program cable and tune it to the GMRS frequencies.

 

Jorge

[edburke738]

Jorge,

 

I think you have a lot more learning to do.  The XTL2500 is available in the above referenced band splits, meaning that there are distinct versions for each band split. There is not one single model that covers all of those band splits. You would need a radio with either the 380-470 split or the 450-520 split to meet your needs for GMRS, assuming, of course, that you don't care that that the radio is not type accepted by the FCC for use on GMRS (don't worry too much about that though.)

 

I believe, based on the portable chart you would need a radio with a "Q", "R" or "S" as the 4th position of the model number.  If it's anything else, it won't work on GMRS.  Getting a programming cable is the simple part-you also need the proprietary Motorola software, which will run you several hundred dollars unless you have someone who already has it.  The XTL may no longer be in production but it is still a supported radio, so pay careful attention and do some research before using a pirated copy of the software.  Motorola, unlike many other companies does pursue people using their software illegally.  

 

Edit:  fixed model number typo

Edited December 26, 2015 by edburke738

[gortex2]

Check carefully to make certain that it is the version that operates in the 380-470 MHz band. There were four versions produced for different bands of operation.

 

The CPS (programming software) is available for download since the Astro 25 is no longer in production, the programming cable should be available for around $25 or thereabouts.

 

The XTL2500 is still supported by Motorola and software is not just downloadable. You need to sign up with MOL , sign a software agreement and purchase the software (around $250). There are various cables in Serial and USB. Depending on the version XTL will determine what is the best cable.

[n4gix]

The XTL2500 is still supported by Motorola and software is not just downloadable. You need to sign up with MOL , sign a software agreement and purchase the software (around $250). There are various cables in Serial and USB. Depending on the version XTL will determine what is the best cable.

Oops! I've edited my reply above to reflect the correct information. Sorry about that!

[zap]

The XTL2500 is still supported by Motorola and software is not just downloadable. You need to sign up with MOL , sign a software agreement and purchase the software (around $250). There are various cables in Serial and USB. Depending on the version XTL will determine what is the best cable.

XTL's can have a range of different heads on them...often another factor when selecting the cable (one is backwards compatible with the older Astro Plus line).