[Scan-DC] Buying An Astro

[Shawnerz]

Hello Randy,
My name is Shawn.
To answer your question, yes, an XTS3000 will work
with Loudon County.
However, (and this is intended for everybody) buying
an ASTRO product is sort of like opening Pandora's
box.
There are many things to consider.
First off, new or used?  If you buy new for Mother
Motorola, then I imagine the cost will be around
$3,500 to $4,000.
If you buy used, the price is about $1,500.  Then of
course, you have no idea of the quality.  My
recommendation is to go to
http://batboard.batlabs.com.  Register and look for
radios from Nick (Watchbuddy).  Typically, the
codeplug is are non-standard but it works.

Programming is another concern.  You can buy the
software (CPS or RSS) from Motorola for about $300.  I
have heard varying reports as to whether Motorola will
sell it.  Some people report they had no problem, some
people said that too many copies were sold in their
area, etc, etc.  I guess it's hit or miss.
Then you need a RIB (Radio Interface Box) and cable to
connect the computer to the radio.
Another programming option is to take it to an
authorized Motorola shop to have the radio programmed.
 Of course you'll have to pay for that. Then you'll
find you want to tweak the scan options, or change the
alphanumeric tag or something.  They'll charge you
again for that.

Flashport. Generally not needed.  There are RIB's that
are "SmartRIB's" with the "Flashport" option that
allows the Host and DSP software versions in the radio
to be changed.

Another consideration is 'use.'  If you're planning to
use it basically as a scanner, I wouldn't recommend
it.  The XTS is a great radio.  Its intended purpose
is to be used as a radio.  It does have scan
capability but it is not a robust scanner.  And, it
does not do nice "scanner tricks" like finding new
talkgroups, new PL/DPL tones or codes.

The other big issue (not necessarily directed at you,
Randy but to everyone considering buying an ASTRO
product) is legality.
It is not illegal to own an XTS3000/3500/5000 or
Spectra radio.  Additionally, it's not illegal to own
the CPS or RSS software.  However, it is illegal to
transmit as an unauthozied user on the radio system.
When the XTS is turned on, it tries to "affiliate"
with the system.  Basically it transmits it's ID and
says, "I'm here and I'm listening for traffic in
talkgroup XXXXX in Zone XXXXX."
Although you didn't hit the PTT, the radio transmits
this information.  Yes, in the CPS/RSS you can change
the system type so it doesn't affiliate, but you run
the option if missing traffic if you change Zones.
Under a strict interpretation of the law, you
transmitted on the system as an unauthorized user and
have broken the law.
Realistically, it would take a lot of detective work
to track down the user and then prosecutor work to
bring charges up against the user in an essentially
"victim-less crime."  However, if an agency is trying
to set precedent, then its no holds barred.
One interesting side note is the inability of
disabling the PTT switch in ASTRO mode.  Short of
cutting the ribbon cable, you cannot do it.  The round
about way is to set the time out timer to it's minimum
value of 1 second, but technically (under a strict
intereptation) you have transmitted (albeit
unintentionally) on the radio system.

So, in short, if you're going to use it as a scanner
and do not plan to transmit, then save the $700 and
but the Uniden.  If you have the authorization to use
the system, and you have access to the programming
software, then the XTS is a fine radio.
-Shawn
--- Randy Benn <rbenn@clark.net> wrote:
> Are there any Motorola Astro gurus out there?
> 
> I see that there are usually mutiple listings on
> e-bay for Astros.  I've been tempted to acquire one
> on this fashion, but I'm not not sure of everything
> I need to know to be sure it will work for my area
> (Loudoun County, which uses XTS3000s).  Some
> questions I have are:
> 
> -I assume that it would need some programming. 
> Where can this be done?  By whom?
> 
> -Are they any certain specs I need to look at to be
> sure it is compatible with the local system?  For
> example, what do the following represent:
>    -FLASHPORT
>    -Host
>    -DSP
> 
> Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.
> 
> Randy
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
> multipart/alternative
>   text/plain (text body -- kept)
>   text/html
> The reason this message is shown is because the post
> was in HTML
> or had an attachment.  Attachments are not allowed. 
> To learn how
> to post in Plain-Text go to:
> http://www.expita.com/nomime.html  ---
> _______________________________________________
> Scan-DC mailing list
> Scan-DC@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/scan-dc


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
http://search.yahoo.com