Controlling XTL through computer

[tuckerm]

I'm looking at trying to control my XTL 5000 through a computer. It's a mid power with an O5 head. Ideally, I would like to see Digital IDs on the computer and change channels, I don't need to TX with it (yet).

Thoughts?

 

[carterblumeyer]

Don't think it can be done.. There was a student who wrote a paper on controlling an old W9 head using moto's sb9600 protocol.. But all the info on what he did was stated per priority and he signed a nondisclosure with moto...

 

[tuckerm]

I think it can be. I just found this, take a look at Page 29: http://www.catlab.sr.unh.edu/implementation/installation/manual.pdf

 

[duggerd]

I think it can be. I just found this, take a look at Page 29: http://www.catlab.sr.unh.edu/implementation/installation/manual.pdf

Wow, that is a pretty cool project that you linked to.

That must have taken quite a bit of work to figure all of that out.

 

[tbendick]

Check these guys out, not sure about decoding ids http://www.sytechcorp.com/products/RIOS_Interoperability

 

[Astro Spectra]

You don't have to go past these forums, the XTL talks SB 9600 see:

http://communications.support/threads/210-SB9600-Exploration-and-controlling-radio-from-PC

You only need to deal with Moto for licensing if you're intending to sell something that contains their IP.

 

[tuckerm]

Awesome. Not planning on selling anything or do anything other then mentioned above for my own personal use. Is this tool confirmed working with an XTL? Does it show P25 IDs along with the capability to change channels/zones? Finally, is there a pin out from the XTL to the Serial Cable that shows what I need to wire up?

Appreciate it.

 

[jmfirefighter20]

I'm from NH....I have seen the Project54 system controlling both an Astro Spectra and XTL using the software shown on the screen. It's pretty slick. In fact, I had a bunch of the boxes that they talk about that just went into the trash a few months ago. Wish I had saved them I would have sent you one.

Project54, although pretty cool, ended up being a "failure" in that it was hard to use and had issues. The voice commands would not work all the time, and sometimes activate when you didn't want them to. There were also glitches such as sirens getting stuck on, lights that would come on randomly, etc. Most departments have stripped P54 out and went back to good ol' buttons and switches.

 

[tuckerm]

In fact, I had a bunch of the boxes that they talk about that just went into the trash a few months ago. Wish I had saved them I would have sent you one.

You sir, just broke my heart. It seems as if those boxes were the key.

 

[Astro Spectra]

If you Google the 26 pin XTL connector you'll find both the pinouts and how to get the necessary pins, lots of people myself included have made RS232 cables to program the XTL. You can find posts here and at Batlabs.

Exactly what you'll get from the XTL via SB9600 is something you'll have to find out but yes that series of radios support it.

 

[tuckerm]

It does sound like a fun project. I appreciate all the input.

 

[jmfirefighter20]

You sir, just broke my heart. It seems as if those boxes were the key.

Well I do run into them every now and then.....I'll keep my eyes open. The software though, I don't have.

 

[DisasterGuy]

Catalyst makes a product that does what you describe. I know for a fact it does the full feature set for the Harris XG platform and pretty sure it does for the Motorola APX line as well.

 

[QBFreak]

You have a mid-power with an O5 head, is it dash mount or remote mount? If it's remote mount you should be able to use a RIB and a high power XTL programming cable in J6 Radio Operations Connector. I looked in the Service Manual and the right pins appear to be there (I was too lazy to dig up the cable pinout and match them, sorry).

If your radio is a dash mount things get a lot trickier. The pinouts for J2 Rear Accessory Connector show there are pins for SB9600 at 5v Logic Level. Off the top of my head I'm not sure how to easily convert to/from that. It's still got the BUS+ and BUS- lines so it's still differential. You can't just throw an RS-232 5v level shifter on it, unless you can just ignore BUS-? If I get some time maybe I'll try that and play around with my RS-485 serial adapter and see if I can make it go with 5v instead of 12v.

I recently acquired some XTLs in various states of water-logged-ness, I'm hoping to play with them a bit in the near future. I really like the idea of remote control. Let me know if you persue this. If I get a chance to do anything I'll post an update