Category Archives: MOTOTRBO

Low Cost Digital Radios for Business – CP200d, CM200d, CM300d

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Motorola MOTOTRBO CP200d DMR Digital RadioMotorola Solutions Upgrades Popular Commercial Tier

The most popular two-way radios for business now support DMR digital voice communications with advanced features. The CP200d, CM200d, and CM300d can be ordered with both analog/digital operation or analog-only with future upgrade capability. They are compatible with other MOTOTRBO radios but are limited to conventional voice features. They will also support dual-capacity direct mode meaning you can have two simultaneous conversations on a single channel without a repeater.

CP200d batteries and chargers are backward compatible but2 Pin Audio Connector for CP200d audio accessories have been optimized for use with digital. Motorola’s new upgraded audio accessories are marked with a symbol on the 2 pin connector.

Improve Coverage with CM200d and CM300d with Display

MOTOTRBO CM200d Front ViewBase, mobile, and control station operation is now possible in VHF (136-174 MHz) with 25 and 45 watt versions. UHF band will be released later this year. Both the CM200d and the CM300d support 99 channels, repeater/talkaround, and MOTOTRBO CM300d Displayvoice announcement.

The CM300d has an alpha-numeric display and two additional programmable buttons.

DMR Digital Radio Choices Slow Analog-Only Sales

The CP200d, CM200d, and CM300d are included in the “Buy 6” August Promotion that ends this month. Receive $185 from Motorola when you purchase six radios on the same invoice.

CP200 analog-only sales slowed significantly since the introduction of the XPR 3300/3500 and Vertex Standard EVX-530 series. Now it appears there is an even easier migration for commercial customers requiring basic voice communications to migrate to DMR. The most rugged business radio for the past ten years just got a new life.

MOTOTRBO CP200d Specs and Data Sheet   MOTOTRBO CM200d CM300d Specs

Why Digital is Better    CP200d Accessory Catalog

MOTOTRBO Digital CP200d Banner

Earmuff and Temple Headsets Compared

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Radio Headset Comparison in High Noise

Bone Conduction vs.Traditional Earmuff Style in High Noise Areas

Motorola Solutions offers temple headsets for most two-way radio models and they continue to grow in popularity. Temple transducers use bone conduction technology and are more comfortable in hot weather as compared to traditional earmuff headsets.

Temple Headset Users TalkingTemple transducers keep the ears uncovered making it easier to communicate with the public. The speaker is muted so radio transmissions cannot be monitored and surrounding voices or other sounds can be heard normally. When used in high noise areas, earplugs can be worn for hearing protection.

Comparison Using MOTOTRBO Analog and Digital RadiosSpring and Associates HDD Driller

Spring & Associates, Inc an HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) contractor from Easton, Maryland relies on Motorola MOTOTRBO DMR digital radios on the jobsite.

Communications are challenging because noise levels can be 100db and often exceed 130dB close to where the drill operator sits. They compared the Motorola PMLN5275 heavy-duty, dual muff headset and the PMLN5101 temple transducer.

Tests were performed in digital and analog modes using their XPR 6550 UHF two-way radios. Digital mode audio quality was found to be superior to analog. Following are comments by Rodney Spring, President  of Spring and Associates:

Muff Style Preferred in Extreme Noise Approaching 130dBLoud Noise Chart (dB)

In extreme noise, I’m guessing over 130dB, the earmuff headset was slightly preferred over the temple transducer/hearing protection muffs combo by the operator. It seems that when you idle up the drill to full power/full noise the muff headset has ZERO distortion in the receive mode, while the temple transducer has a little.

Temple Headsets Preferred Below 100dB Noise Level

In noise levels under 100dB the temple transducer was preferred because of comfort and during temporary times of low area noise, being able to remove the auxiliary hearing protection, and still be in touch with other radios while having the ability to hear people around him.

New RLN6500 MOTOTRBO Bluetooth Kit Replaces HK200

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MOTOTRBO RLN6500 Bluetooth Accessory KitMotorola Solutions recently cancelled pending HK200 Bluetooth headset orders after running out of stock. The recommended replacement is the new RLN6500 MOTOTRBO Bluetooth Accessory Kit. The RLN6500 has a comfortable swivel earpiece connected to a pod with clothing clip.

The new design provides a more professional appearance and prevents others from thinking your employees are on their cell phones. Additional earpiece styles will be added in the future.

RLN6500 ChargerThe RLN6500 provides enough battery life for a full 8-10 hour shift unlike most cellular style Bluetooth headsets.

Included is a compact 120V AC charger with cradle for quick and easy charging for the next shift.

Designed for MOTOTRBO DMR Bluetooth Enabled Radios

The RLN6500 is designed to be used with MOTOTRBO Bluetooth enabled radios including the SL 7550, XPR 5350, 5550, XPR 7350, 7550. It is also compatible with XPR 6100, 6300, and 6500 series radios using the PMLN5712 adapter.PMLN6397 Replacement Swivel Earpiece and In-line Mic

It is easy to share among employees with extra PMLN6397 earpieces with in-line mic (pack of 3). The earpiece has a antimicrobial coating for healthcare applications.

Once paired, the headset will reconnect with the radio the next time it is turned on. It is not compatible with the PMLN5993 Bluetooth adapter with touch pairing so you will need to keep it paired with the same radio. The RLN6500 is not compatible with cell phones so you are less likely to lose them due to theft.

Lower Cost Alternative for MOTOTRBO Bluetooth Audio Accessories

The RLN6500 is priced lower than the Operations Critical NNTN8295 wireless earbud with pod and the NNTN8125, NNTN8126 earpieces.

Plantronics-85550-01 M50For those who need a HK200 replacement with long battery life that will also pair with a cell phone, we recommend the Plantronics M50 85550-01.

It has standard Bluetooth 3.0, provides 9-11 hours of typical use, and uses a micro-USB charger connector.

For more Motorola Bluetooth accessories download the Operations Critical MOTOTRBO Wireless Accessory Catalog.

How to Choose the Correct Motorola Bluetooth Accessory for your Radio

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Radios_BluetoothBluetooth accessories are starting to get complicated for Motorola public-safety and professional radio models. There are now three different types of wireless audio accessories: 

  • Mission Critical with encryption and touch pairing
  • Operations Critical Enhanced with touch pairing
  • Operations Critical Standard Bluetooth

Mission Critical Wireless With 128-bit Encryption is Most Secure

For the most secure wireless communications that is extremely difficult to hack, choose the mission critical models. These are only available for APX series with the internal Bluetooth option or the XTS series with the external PMLN5792 Mission Critical wireless adapter. Motorola’s proprietary “out of band” pairing with 128-bit encryption provides the best secure connection and only takes a few seconds. Pairing takes place when the radio and the audio accessory are within an inch of each other. It does not matter which radio you use – pairing is easy and quick.

Mission Critical Wireless Accessories for APX and XTS

If you have an APX 7000, APX6000, or APX 4000, the internal Bluetooth option must be enabled. At this time, Mission Critical Wireless is only available for APX radios although it is rumored standard Bluetooth might be available in the future. It is possible to use an external third party or MOTOTRBO adapter but it would not support the encrypted accessories.

Mission Critical Wireless AdapterThe PMLN5792 external adapter is compatible with the XTS 5000, XTS 2500, XTS 1500, MT1500, and PR1500. Cancelled models including XTS3000, HT1000, MTS2000, etc. will probably work but are not supported.

Following are the mission critical accessories for APX and XTS models:

  • NTN2570 Earpiece with 12 inch cable includes NTN2571 PTT pod
  • NTN2573 Earpiece with 9.5 inch cable includes NTN2571 PTT pod

Wireless Covert KitOptional wireless earbuds (NNTN8294 11.4 inch cable) or (NNTN8295 45.7 inch cable) are available that attach to the NTN2571 PTT pod. For covert surveillance operations, the  NNTN8295 uses ipod type earbuds or any 3.5mm audio accessory.

Enhanced Operations Critical with Touch Pairing

Enhanced Operations Critical provides intrinsically-safe operation with grab-and-go touch pairing. It is only available with the MOTOTRBO XPR 6300, XPR 6350, XPR 6380, XPR 6500, XPR 6550, and XPR 6580 radios. The PMLN5993 external adapter uses the NTN2570 earpiece.

We tried the PMLN5993 adapter with both the APX 4000 and XPR 7550 after getting conflicting answers from Motorola tech support. We tried multiple times with different accessories without success.

Operations Critical Standard Wireless Bluetooth

Standard Bluetooth adapters are available for all XTS, and XPR MOTOTRBO radio models. The RMN5104 allows the XTS 5000, XTS 2500, XTS 1500, MT1500, and PR1500 to use any standard Bluetooth headset. The PMLN5712 adapter is designed for the XPR6100/6300/6500 series. The XPR5350/5550 mobile radio, XPR7350/7550 portable, and the SL7550 have internal Bluetooth included.

Operations Critical Pod

Following are the certified Operations Critical accessories:

Optional wireless earbuds (NNTN8294 11.4 inch cable) or (NNTN8295 45.7 inch cable) are available that attach to the NNTN8127 PTT pod.

Motorola Temple Transducers Provide Discreet Listening

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2-Way Radio Headset Keeps Ears Uncovered

Motorola 2-way Radio Temple TransducerTemple transducers are available for most Motorola 2-way radios and are the only audio accessory that keeps your communications discreet without covering your ears. Loud and clear radio transmissions are received using transducers that rest on each temple. The ears are uncovered so you will hear normally when there is no radio traffic. People close by will not hear radio messages keeping your communications private.

Use Temple Transducers in High Noise Environments with Earplugs

Temple transducers can be more comfortable than muff style headsets in hot weather orSpring & Associates Driller when working on loud machinery. Maryland based Spring and Associates performed a comparison on their job site with extreme machinery noise using MOTOTRBO XPR6550  radios. The PMLN5101 temple transducer was preferred except when extreme noise levels approached 130dB.

Choose the Correct Temple Transducer for Your Radio

Motorola offers temple transducers with connectors for most of their radios. The new APX series radios have a direct wire connector and a new boomless model that is compatible with the APX display microphone.

APX 7000, 7000XE, APX 6000, 6000XE, APX 4000 Radio Models

RMN5116 Temple TransducerFor the new APX P25 series, choose the PMLN5101 temple transducer with boom microphone.

The boomless RMN5116 is the correct choice if you use a APX display remote speaker microphone.

XTS 5000, XTS 2500, XTS 1500, PR1500, MT1500 Radio Models

Rugged Temple Transducer

RMN5049

The standard temple transducer with the XTS series connector is the RMN4049. There is also a more rugged version, RMN5049, that includes an adjustable headband keeping it more secure when repelling, jumping, or performing other physical activity. These are also compatible with HT1000, JT1000, MTS2000, MT2000, MTX8000, MTX9000, XTS3000, and XTS3500.

MOTOTRBO XPR 6100, 6350, 6550, 7350, 7550 Radio ModelsMotorola PMLN5101

All Motorola XPR 6000 and 7000 series radios are compatible with the PMLN5101 temple transducer. An oversized PTT and coiled cord is included.

There is no temple transducer available yet for the XPR3300, XPR3500, or SL7550.

Motorola HT750, HT1250, HT1550, PR860 Radio Models

The RMN4048 is the correct temple transducer model if you have a Motorola HT750/1250/1550, PR860, MTX850, MTX8250, MTX950, or MTX9250.

There is a rugged version, RMN5048 with an adjustable headband too. Both have a large PTT body switch.

Motorola EX500, EX560, EX600 Radio Models

The Motorola EX radio compatible temple transducer is the PMLN4585.

Motorola BPR40, CP110, CP185, CP150, CP200, PR400

CP200 Temple TransducerChoose the PMLN5003 boomless lightweight temple transducer with in-line microphone and 2 prong connector. Adjustable for use on long shifts. Not suitable for high noise environments.

Also compatible with P1225, CP125, VL130, CT150, CT250, CT450, GP300.

Motorola DTR410, DTR650, VL50

The RMN5114 is the correct choice. Although it uses a similar sized 2 prong connector like the PMLN5003, they will not fit the jack.

Advantages of New Motorola DMR MOTOTRBO XPR 5550

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New Motorola XPR 5000 Series Supports Analog and Digital DMR

Motorola MOTOTRBO XPR 5350 & XPR 5550 Motorola’s newest base/mobile offering to the MOTOTRBO DMR platform is the XPR 5000 series. Introduced in the VHF and UHF bands, the radios can be programmed with up to 1,000 analog and digital channels providing easier migration and interoperability. 

The flagship XPR 5550 includes a color display with day and night modes for easier viewing. The XPR 5350 has a numeric channel display and 32 channel capability.

An internal GPS receiver and text messaging is standard on both models.

New XPR 5000 Series Includes Embedded Wireless Bluetooth for Voice and Data

Workers can monitor and respond to voice radio traffic when not in the vehicle using any standard Bluetooth headset. This can enhance productivity by giving your workforce the ability to stay in touch when away from the mobile radio.

Bluetooth is also an easy way to connect hand-held scanners, bar code readers, and other data collection devices. You will need to purchase the HKVN4088 optional software license at a cost of $50 to enable the data transfer feature. MOTOTRBO already supports many independent software applications that enhance mobile worker productivity.

XPR 5550 5 Line Color Display Provides Day and Night Modes for Easier Viewing

Motorola XPR 55550 Display in Night Mode

Motorola XPR 5550 Display in Night Mode

Text messaging, mobile workforce productivity applications, and large channel lists are easily managed with the XPR 5550 5 line color display. The bright display can be viewed easily in broad daylight or in low light environments with night mode. Four programmable buttons can be labeled for your operational needs and a home button provides an easy user interface.

Dual Function Channel/Volume Knob Eliminates Rocker Switches

The XPR 5000 series incorporates a single knob for both volume and channel control. With a short press of the knob you can change your volume and channel easily. The XPR 5000 platform also has a nice feature called “intelligent audio” that increases or decreases the volume automatically if surrounding noise conditions change.

One Minute Video Summary of the XPR 5000 Series