Motorola XTS5000 - My XTS-5000 Configuration & How I Use GMRS, Encryption, Zones, Repeaters & P25

I show you how I have programmed and configured my Motorola XTS5000 Model III UHF radio. I demonstrate how I have programmed the buttons and knobs, how I make use of the XTS5000 voice-announcements, how I configured my zones for repeaters and GMRS and how I use P25 encryption on my XTS-5000. All setup was done using the Motorola Portable CPS software.
You can get a refurbished Motorola XTS5000 from Kemp Wireless at this link:
project25.us - Be sure to use the Discount Code: NOTARUBICON for my viewer discount.
CORRECTION & Clarification: I said in the video "affiliate link below" - but the link above is NOT an affiliate link. If you purchase an XTS-5000 or any radio from Kemp Wireless, even if you use my discount code, I do not get paid or reimbursed in any way.
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#XTS5000 #HamRadio #GMRS

[@enigma6482]

Can you do a video on the programming software? You make things way simpler than most channels.

[@wkisse1]

Press and HOLD keypad buttons 1, 2 or 3 for two seconds and these will be shortcut keys to the displayed channel. Many thanks for your informative - and always light-hearted videos.

[@brianengelhardt6650]

Great video. Brings back lots of memories. I used several versions of the XTS line during my career as LEO before retiring. Our biggest complaint wit the radios were always the short life of the batteries. Maybe we just charged them too much but we would always need to carry a spare with us. They would show fully charged , but after a few transmissions the radio would start beeping at us. Our department even went to aftermarket batteries to try and fix this issue. Eventually we went to a whole new line of Motorola radios to solve it. We were 800 MHz digital P25.

[@jt327gir]

The newer Lithium Ion batteries Motorola makes are better now, and are now 4500 mAh capacity. I have some older NiMH batteries that are long in the tooth and don’t hold a charge very well, just like you described in your post.

[@bobthompson4133]

I bought the 110 watt car Motorola car radio system as well as the UHF and a VHF Motorola 5000 series hand held’s. The “notarubicon” discount is pretty substantial and worth the call especially on the car radio.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

I have the 110W XTL in my Jeep.. it's a flamethrowing monster!

[@craigdavidson2977]

@@TheNotaRubicon You could probably heat up your coffee while transmitting. Just set your cup next to the antenna.

[@donaldoc]

Thank You, Sensei, for the, "Affiliate Link Below", covering Motorola products, and I love my XPR 5550e & XPR7550e radios, along with my Wouxon KG-UV9G Pro, auxiliary radio.

[@ke8mattj]

I loved the Motorola we used to have at the hospital I used to work at. They were a beast but so simplistic. Only a few channels, but it could transmit a bit of fars. I accidentally took one home one time and the battery just barely went down, and when I brought it back next day, I could hear what was going on in the hospital even though I was three miles away. They were worth the $150/each price tag the hospital paid for.

[@datutturugang666]

i mean, motorola products are usually pretty good, 150 bucks is starting to get into mid end radio, which of course has to assure a certain standard, usually in electronics and other things

[@jt327gir]

I have a UHF-R2 version of this radio (450-512 MHz) that I use for GMRS, and for listening to LAPD. I like the way you have your switches and rotary knobs set up. I have too many zones to do it your way, but yours is set up nicely efficient. One suggestion I would make is for zones with more than 16 channels, such as GMRS, you can program the screen menu to add CHDN and CHUP to the menu selection list, and use those buttons to switch between channels in a zone with a lot of channels.

[@n3qdz]

Smoking a cigarette completely relaxed..........You had me a XTS! When I was in the FD we used those radios and they were the workhorse. Awesome video I can’t wait to see the mobile you wanna talk about a powerhouse ohhhhhh momma

[@CluelessRanchHand]

Nuisance delete is a godsend lol. I like using that little rotary switch radio for "talk around" in case the repeater goes down so I can still use the channel without it. Which happens way too often in my area 😩. Great video!!!

[@mattwin1986]

When I was a communication officer for the local county sheriff department, we had motorola and Harris radios for talking to other departments. They are a lot of fun and have a crap ton of features that you can program. But I sure do hate the digital audio. Wish they could find a way to take some of the base out of it. When standing next to a fire engine or a screaming domestic call,, its a mother to listen to.

[@maximumwoof8662]

bass

[@oscarb.7018]

Thanks for the great video. Yes, the XTS5000 is a great model radio. I use the XTS5000 Model III for ham and other communications I do. Software for these radios is hard to find due to the licensing restrictions, you can find them online if you’re lucky. I do my own programming. My radio is set up perhaps in a more complicated way, but that’s what make these radios unique to their owners. I have an APX7500 in my Jeep and I love it due to its dual band capabilities. I program all my own radios, but if you are in the market for Motorola radios, I would highly suggest you do your research on the radio you are purchasing and what you are getting into. If you are new to Motorola radios, and thinking of buying one and don’t have access to the software, I highly recommend you buy a radio that has the FPP enabled. So you can program frequencies using the front panel keypad. Programming’s radio via the FPP is a good alternative to using software, but remember is very limited. You won’t be able to program such things like scan lists, encryption, and MDC, just to name a few. Good luck.

[@garrisonsan]

I don't see any other comments answering the question about the data/laptop button. If you want to have a bit of extra novelty fun with the radio, you can set up the data button to get into the text message service (TMS) menus. It requires some fiddling in CPS to get the data stuff setup (plenty of tutorials out there if you include TMS in the search field), but once you've done it, you and other P25 users can exchange text messages in the style of cellphones before smart phones were a thing. I'm not 100% sure on this, but I believe text messages sent on an encrypted channel are also encrypted. The main downside is that TMS only works on P25 personality channels. Another kinda fun thing to play with that works on either P25 or analog (via MDC) are the paging and status check functions. You can set the personalities up to remain muted until the radio receives a page matching its own MDC/P25 unit ID number. Works well for people that don't want to hear random conversations but don't mind using the radio when they are being called specifically. Status check basically just verifies that the other radio is powered on, listening to that channel, and is within comms range.

[@alphawolf7956]

NGL I saw a rubicon jeep and it reminded me of you

[@apolloboi775]

Absolutely love the videos, no bs straight to the point and no care for the people who say stuff to say it

[@grigorirasputin5020]

The little laptop icon to the right of the "joystick", when we were issued new Moto's back in 2002, our radio guy explained it as being a control for possible future features, to be added at a later date via firmware upgrades. I am unaware of any department that ever made use of that button for anything.

[@johnkeo358]

you may as well set up the data button for TMS to send text messages on the radio to other radios, its pretty easy to set up

[@coreybabcock2025]

How ?

[@k9policexj]

Very nice Moto! I've used Motorola for years in the public safety field and they are great. For my gmrs stuff I've got a Motorola ht1250, and several Kenwood tk3180s, and a few Retivis rt29's. All are great radios. My biggest complaint with Motorola is the programming software, lol.

[@ve5wil]

love my XTS 5000 model 3, bot 2 of them so far

[@amhmadbarkat3328]

I was waiting this video for weeks

[@amhmadbarkat3328]

second

[@davidboyd7773]

I think the XTS/XTL 5000 radios are by far my favorite radios I have ever had and used.

[@joemorse524]

I would love to see an xts2500 and xts5000 comparison. I cant find much in regards to the differences aside from gps, battery size, and ip rating.

[@BobBob-il2ku]

What are there ip ratings?

[@craigdavidson2977]

Another outstanding review, simple, to the point, and very practical. Good job, young man. Question: Where does one get the programming software? Kemp wireless or somewhere else? This is why I have never owned a Motorola radio, the software was always so hard to get. Maybe times have changed?? Always hopeful. And to Chris..... We love ya', man!

[@TheNotaRubicon]

The software is still hard to get. I got it from someone in our GMRS group.

[@scottvanbuskirk3653]

I've used the xts5000 since 2003 mine is a 700-800 type II trunking my county public safety we went ro 800MHz in mid 90's then swapped over to 700 after the nextel change over ,I like mine tells dispatch sims who is talking to them, we have 7 digit security when we use the encrypted mode, it has been a good radio and it is some what fireman proof radio

[@leetaylor310]

That beep at the end of chris transmission was that his Roger beep or a beep from the radio ?

[@timsmith9169]

Randy you are awesome just got a zello radio ,700 is very awesome just like your videos .the heck with those who knock your video we got them beat 200 to 1 👍

[@rohnkd4hct260]

I have a XTS300 on UHF (For Ham P25 and GMRS) and a XTS500 (VHF for ham and COAST GUARD AUX) Fine radios. Need to get the software.

[@StephanieLærkeAndersen]

No morons here. These videos are great. Beautiful quality audio and no-nonsense!

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

which button is for Roger Beep and which button is for Private Channels?

[@eddiecollins459]

I have a XTS5000 380-470 Mhz I programmed it for GMRS and ham I have a P25 digital simplex hotspot on 438.800, Not very long ago I was bringing up the 462.650 repeater at Oklahoma City with the XTS5000 80 miles away,,

[@FoxGam]

How do you add voice prompts to the function switch? I only know how to add voice prompts to the channel change.

[@Mrmosx1]

If is not to much to ask for, may you make one for the xts 3000? Let me know thanks.

[@noahmaceri]

Hey Randy, there is a codeplug modificaiton that changes the data button to adjust the transmit power levels. Let me know if you want more information.

[@orpheusepiphanes2797]

I'm interested for sure

[@AZ762SHOOTER]

I have a lot of experience with these radios. I've seen them take a nosedive from HMMWV s and the only thing that broke was the antenna. It looked beat to shit and after replacement of the antenna, it worked perfectly.

[@Angel-AbC9]

Do you ever do a how to video when reviewing a radio ? You explain a lot about what a radio can do but I don't see how to and show .

[@JoeFramo-uw9fp]

Very nice radio

[@K1STG-Fred]

I have a used Kenwood NX-210 that I really like. I programed it for VHF ham radio, but I could probably listen into MURS if I wanted to program that in and listen to what Wal Mart is up to.

[@coreybabcock2025]

Walmart murs is boring

[@orpheusepiphanes2797]

Can you share how you set up your repeater?

[@AaronScutt]

Thanks to you I own an XTS 2500 now 😛...boy is Astro CPS a royal PITA. Makes chirp or even the old Harris EDACS programming software child's play. Can you recommend a good programming video on KZbin? A lot of them are using older (or maybe newer?) versions of CPS so it's hard to follow.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

I think I've watched ALL the CPS related KZbin videos and I'm still figuring it out. The more you learn, the more you learn that there is more to learn.

[@AaronScutt]

@@TheNotaRubicon Roger that, experiment I will.

[@slidewaze]

Why you don't have 100k subs already is a mystery to me.

[@rksg2003]

Because there aren’t that many hams on KZbin

[@larceny3092]

Hi do you program them I have 2 that need to be programed

[@jamieb9556]

Now some one is going to want you to show a video of how to program it lol

[@j.p.saverance8972]

Do these radios have frequency tuners, or are they strictly channelized?

[@H.Q1776]

would be amazing to see a quantar setup video 🤠

[@marcgrammer7739]

Love the sig p365 mat

[@ROCKMASTER-G]

I just acquired this exact radio and was wondering if it's possible to manually enter frequencies on it ,,, or what do I need to enter them ....

[@TheNotaRubicon]

If "FPP" has been enabled on the radio you can enter frequencies via the FPP menu option on the screen.

[@AspieOperator]

Just got my Xts 5000 for gmrs. Chan 16-22 are Gmrs p25

[@careycraig4360]

Great Video! I indeed got some Very Important information watching. Your explanations are " too the point" clear and understandable. I have also got to comment on your " Sense of Hummer", I like it ! Jack Benny or Bob NewHart would be Proud of you! Best of Luck to you with your KZbin Videos!

[@jay_martin]

Tekmats say a lot about a person. #awesome

[@423tech]

I love these radios! They have unsurpassed audio quality. Consider picking up one of the lapel microphones. Some of them have a 2.5mm jack for a monitor only earpiece (great for loud vehicles) and even feature noise cancelling!

[@TheNotaRubicon]

For my loud vehicle (Jeep) I have an XTL5000 !

[@timsmith9169]

@@TheNotaRubicon I have a old cdm 1250 for a base what a beast

[@John_C007]

@@TheNotaRubicon Very Cool 😎👍🏻 I’d love ❤️ to see a video about your XTL5000 & how you use your radio in your Jeep. Did you get your XTL5000 from Kemp wireless too? Did Kemp wireless program your radios for you or did they provide the Motorola programming software to you? If you programmed your own radio, did you use the Motorola programming software? If so, what computer type did you use? Apple/Mac 🖥 🍎 or PC? Thanks again, keep up the good work on the channel. 👍🏻

[@frankb6333]

@@timsmith9169 Got a bunch of them as well...love the alphanumeric display. However, I find that Maxtracs have better reception.

[@terryf2122]

@@TheNotaRubicon any advice on resources to help me learn how to program the xtl5000 mobile?

[@radiosnmore]

video on KVL keyloading?. DES encryption? explain crypto keys for this radio please.

[@jimie7287]

Great video, just had a quick question on which antenna is the one you have attached, and how well does it work? I like the way it looks and would like to get one for my XTS5000. Thanks and keep up the great work, always excited to see you upload something new.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Thats a Motorola Stubby. Works great and only costs about $25.

[@royalnavy2]

hey im trying to program my radio. i have the software and i have the cable to program it. and im having huge diffcuilty programming it. can you please help me to point me in the write direction on what i need to do... because im getting really irritated. i dont know what to do and im really confused. please help me and show/tell me what i need to do. when i try to write the device. it tells me i need an advance system software key

[@kevingross7139]

I have a question about your buisness radio and repeater. What kind of setup do you use for your base station and repeater? I really like the idea of the encryption capabilities. About to buy some xts5000 from kemp wireless soon. Trying to figure out the base station and repeater setup. To compliment the HT radios.

[@blakemounts8295]

Guessing this is a UHF radio, when your friend radioed to you from 10 miles away was that hitting the repeater or just radio to radio?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Direct, simplex, radio-to-radio.

[@danielcate9409]

Show us more radios you bought!!! I love this video!!!!

[@wendiig0]

I'd put a nice sticker on the battery, something with some edge or style. Yeah, this radio is WAAAAAY over my ken. Hooray for Chris 530!!!

[@SleepyTom2165]

So, I was given an XTS 5000 700/800 a while back, I know they are single band radios, and I’m pretty sure the hardware is the same across models (could be wrong, I’m new in the radio world), but there is absolutely no way to reband it to VHF to scan those frequencies, or is there?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

no.. at least not without resulting in damage to the radio because the hardware is not the same.

[@W8VHS]

Great video Sir. Thank you

[@lunarnightshift2465]

What model # is the shoulder mic for this one? There's a lot of options out there

[@RRD64]

Can u comment on where you got your CPS and Cable? Motos are picky when it comes to models and Firmware revisions, any concerns about this? I plan on getting some of these in 800Mhz range for our Local CERT group to have coms with our local OES when on deployments. Thanks, Rick

[@dannydivine7699]

@NotaRubicon Productions is there an equivalent mobile radio to match the quality / reliability / capabilities of this handheld??

[@TheNotaRubicon]

yes! XTL5000

[@parkerd619]

I enjoy your videos. Keep it up!

[@thomashale8063]

can I get a very good refurbished model from you? xts5000 model 3

[@hectormelgar2956]

Can those radios been use like a ? CB radios

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You mean to talk with other radios? Yes.

[@coreybabcock2025]

Could you use these as a public safety scanner ?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

If your local public safety uses the frequencies in the range of the radio and transmits in either analog or P25/Trunked and you have access to any encryption keys, frequencies, trunking info, etc, then, yes.

[@coreybabcock2025]

@@TheNotaRubicon would be awesome just can't key the mike

[@chisway2021]

Where do I plug my microphone in on the XTS 5000?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

The Mic connection is on the right side toward the top - there is usually a plastic cover over it. You dont plug it "in", you connect it, as it is a waterproof connector.

[@chisway2021]

How do you take the plastic part off?

[@erice4611]

Would you but the xts2500 or XTS5000 if u can only afford 1? And would u pay the extra $95 to have it FPP? And will this be ready to use out of the box? And will it work on gmrs repeaters without the fpp option? Or I could but the cable to program it?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

I have both and I prefer the 5000.. it's larger, but it also feels better constructed and is just a nicer radio - but nothing wrong with the 2500. If you dont plan to program the radio yourself (you will need the magic cable, software and time to learn how to use it) then you absolutely should have it set up for FPP. It will only be ready to use out of the box if you have them program it for you to use out of the box. It will only work on GMRS repeaters if you or someone programs it to work with GMRS repeaters.

[@erice4611]

@@TheNotaRubicon thank you sooo much for your help. Do you know where i can get the programming software and would u but the 380mhz-470mhz pr the 450mhz-51hz?

[@ghostkun4039]

It’s capable of running MS win cellular that covers a entire state so all agencies can connect on one channel

[@michaelrios8255]

I have the XTS5000 I bought it from EBay was an old radio from Louisiana DPS! I am also a volunteer fire fighter wanting to get it programmed for use! But the guy that does them for the county can’t bc yes it is old! I was wondering if you could help me out? I can send it to you and pay for you to program it for me if possible.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

No.

[@michaelrios8255]

Is there a way to program these radio manually then! I know the frequencies I need

[@TheNotaRubicon]

If FPP (Front Panel Programming) has been enabled/pre-programmed on the radio then you should be able to add new frequencies/channels.

[@cypherf0x]

So for your favorite subscriber can you detail how to get the CPS software?

[@craigdavidson2977]

Last I heard, Motorola software is licensed. You can't just get a free copy. You have to purchase it. If you have an unlicensed copy it makes Motorola very sad. I have also heard that some commercial radio shops will program your radio for you for a fee.

[@timeinthefield]

Curious about the encryption part. I have a few of these setup with aes256 and I’d like to set up my own repeater in order to talk with others in my area who I share the keys with on a few channels. Yes I also have a business freq assigned to my business so it’ll be all legal. Anyway how expensive and or difficult is it to make / buy a repeater? Love your channel!

[@P6ttyMack]

Just wanted to ask what is the range on the talkaround?

[@jacob7185]

For using this radio as a functional GMRS radio as well as a police scanner do you need a business license? I have a GMRS license but confused if you need business? Also can you show how to program frequencies onto the radio?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

To transmit on GMRS you need a GMRS license, however this radio is not FCC Part 95e type accepted for GMRS use.

[@Steven-cr8ju]

So which FCC license is needed to transmit with a pair of these radios (outside of GMRS freqs)? I can't speak to what freqs are possible. Still learning.

[@navydoc8695]

Had no idea these could be used on GMRS

[@jamesa4958]

Thank YOU!

[@JEM7678]

Can you do a video on the kenwood nx 5300

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Yes! Send me one and I'll get that done ASAP.

[@waltermillan1717]

señor Randy, how many watts are you able to transmit on these XTS???

[@TheNotaRubicon]

It depends on what frequency you are transmitting on, but they run from 4 to 6 watts.

[@ethannolan594]

How do you get the business license?

[@nbookie]

What mobile can we use that also work with the encryption?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

XTL5000

[@c-jen8923]

Randy, how do you set the Roger beep on the 5000?

[@craigdavidson2977]

Its called MDC-1200 and it sounds really cool. I wan't it on my boofwong radio but they don't offer it..... Yet......

[@craigdavidson2977]

Here is an example of what the motorola Roger beep sounds like kzbin.info/www/bejne/oF6uZKFmm72HaKM

[@Xzzotica]

Is this one the 450 to 520 mhz range I assume for use on GMRS?

[@AspieOperator]

Yes

[@killdozer3464]

I been looking at these for a while. We used a similar Moto XTS in the military. My main requirement is AES256. Do you know of any other radios with that capability that compare to the XTS line?

[@P25AES]

Harris and Kenwood

[@evonini375]

Motorola SRX2200

[@vasquez81]

What model frequency range do you buy on this radio?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You buy the range that covers the frequencies you wish to transmit and receive.

[@davidbinkowski4825]

He wasn't kidding. He didn't crucify a single sad ham to the top of the comments section for mockery. That's ok, there are plenty of videos where he did.

[@williampfaffjr7684]

Thank you.....

[@lancedooley7558]

Pretty cool.

[@Oberkaptain]

Maybe set the data button to aprs?

[@ntechgamer7504]

Maybe you can help me program mine? I am having trouble getting the software Astro Saber XTS 3000 CPS to connect to the radio. Dell Optiplex 780 running XP, XTS5000 direct connection via serial port

[@Redneck_Ed]

The ASTRO Saber XTS 3000 is a different series radio, so you have the wrong software. You need the software ASTRO25 Portable R20.01.00 CPS (07 Mar 2014) which according to my records was the final release of the 5000 software. The 3000 software you have only connects to a 3000 series radio which looks a lot like the 5000 but it's a different radio. Once you get the right software, your best bet is to use the 5000's USB cable but even if you stick with the serial cable the 5000 does not require the SRIB for CPS programming.

[@4000marcdman]

Anyone know the difference between models white letters on the number pad vs models with the light green letters on the number pad?

[@iyot1020]

i just got this bad boy right here and I'm having a hardtime using my midlands and baofeng now... JK anyways its a non-fpp model is there something I can do on astro 25 to change this

[@TheNotaRubicon]

if it has the front keypad you can program it for FPP using the CPS software.

[@iyot1020]

@@TheNotaRubicon aaahhh ok because on the ebay description it has a keypad but it says non fpp

[@richardwallace2590]

Is the antenna detachable? Can it be used as a handle?

[@richardwallace2590]

Does RT Systems have programming for those of us hobbled by apple products?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

The antenna is detachable and replaceable. I dont know what an RT Systems is but Motorola's software for programming the XTS/Astro radios is made for Windows.

[@frankb6333]

Love it...got the exact same radio. I also have 8 in the 800mhz band for NAS...refurbed and sold another 50. They are bricks...built like a tank...and work everytime. I programmed mine so the "channel" knob changes zones and the front buttons "." and "..." change the channels so I can have over 16 channels per zone. It's a bitch to program the voice shit...only did it on once. P25 on my Zumspot is fun. They are perfect for a broadcastify feed...buy the adapter with the earphone jack, feed it into a raspberry Pi with an external sound card, and Bob's your uncle--broadcastify feed on line (don't forget the battery eliminator).

[@attribute-4677]

How do you keep them from associating to the local system? I’ve heard there’s no “real” way to prevent it? Is that true?

[@looxmaxxingpro]

is the antenna removable?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Yes

[@mattm1817]

Data button is for TMS

[@nertervern]

Hey Randy thanks for the videos! Love your deadpan comedy and bashing of sad hams. If I buy a uhf digital radio with analog capabilities would i be able to talk on GMRS? Thanks

[@TheNotaRubicon]

If the radio can transmit an analog FM signal with a 12.5/20/25Khz bandwidth in the 462-467Mhz range, then yes! A fine example of that type of radio would be a XTS5000 or the less expensive XTS2500.

[@Chris-ro8ft]

Best Radio (HT) ever… I love mine it talks 10,000 fars

[@coreybabcock2025]

I really want a triband one vhf UHF and 700 800 MHz digital p25 phase 2 capable too been doing more research about them lately and i want it completely unlocked and 100 💯 programmable and Dmr capable too

[@SocialistDistancing]

Yes randy. You are indeed the shit. And, nice explanation of the set up,

[@jamesmcgarity614]

So, buying use police radios for the right price wood be a good buy

[@smorris281]

Just a note. Baofeng and other cheap Chinese radios use a different reverse burst/squelch tail eliminator than Motorola, Kenwood, etc. So if your using Chinese radios in the states or Canada, you can’t get rid of squelch tail when using them as a scanner or communicating with someone else when they’re using a Motorola. It’s very annoying.