Configure Your APX With The Best Controls For Your Installation
Until last year, only the O3, O5, and O9 heads were available for Motorola APX mission critical P25 mobile radios. The APX 4500 was introduced with the new O2 head for dash or remote mount configurations. There are now five control head choices available for the APX 6500 and APX 7500 radios including the O2, O3, O5, O7, and O9.
The O2 and O7 heads should be considered before you order your next APX 6500 or 7500.
Choose the APX O2 Head Option for Outdoor Installations
The O2 head is rated IP55 for extreme environments and is designed for motorcycle, marine, and fire truck pump panel installations. We used this configuration for the South Bowers airboat. This rugged, XE style head has a color display, large knobs, and an integrated speaker.
Choose APX O7 Control Head for Integrated Keypad
The O7 control head has a flush-mount design with integrated keypad, siren, lights, public address (PA) and gun-lock controls. It features a color display with enlarged multi-function rotary knob for easier control of talk-group and volume settings.
APX O5 and Specialized O3, O9 Control Heads Are Still Available
The O5 head is still the most popular option for most applications but the new choices make it a tougher decision. The O3 hand-held control head is perfect for covert and other special installations. The O9 head is packed with features but requires a bigger footprint.
Motorola and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) developed a 15 minute training video to review best practices when using mission-critical 2-way radios for fireground operations. The training applies to all radio brands and models.
The video shows typical scenarios how a firefighter can minimize background noise and maximize voice communications intelligibility. Whether you use analog, digital, 800 MHz, or VHF/UHF – the tips to improve audio quality all apply.
Thousands of visitors pack the narrow strip of sand at Rehoboth Beach each summer resulting in hundreds of urgent events including lost children, water rescues, and medical emergencies. Rehoboth Beach Patrol, led by Captain Kent Buckson, has been the first responder team for the resort since 1921.
Not that long ago, most beach patrols relied on semaphore flags for mission-critical communications. The visual messages took several minutes to “transmit” vital information along the entire beach. Analog 2-way radios improved communications but still lacked features required for public-safety.
Starting Memorial Day Weekend, Rehoboth Beach Patrol will improve their Motorola MOTOTRBO DMR XPR 6550 digital radio coverage by adding a XPR 8400 repeater located on top of the City’s water tank. This will provide better radio-to-radio communications especially during emergencies.
Submersible MOTOTRBO Digital 2-Way Radios Improve Beach Safety
Motorola MOTOTRBO digital XPR 6550 hand-held radios are rugged enough to provide reliable communications from each lifeguard stand along the crowded shoreline. The XPR 6550 carries a IP57 submersible rating that protects the internal electronics from the harmful effects of sand and salt water. A bright orange silicone grip case provides additional protection and makes it easier to locate if dropped in the sand or surf.
Internal text based information from Headquarters is received on the XPR 6550’s rugged screen reducing the need for voice communications. A press of the orange button alerts the team when an emergency occurs. The radio is programmed with an identifier that provides precise location information when backup is needed.
Our Magnum Electronics team is proud to have been given the opportunity to design, install, and provide ongoing support for their next generation communications system that enhances public-safety on the beach.
Motorola made it official today with their cancellationannouncementof the XTS 5000 and XTL 5000 P25 radios. The last day to order is October 31, 2013.
XTS and XTL accessories will continue to be available with depot repair support until the end of 2018.
New and Improved APX P25 Radios are the Replacements for XTS/XTL
The APX platform has been shipping for about 2 years slowing XTS/XTL shipments. Public-safety agencies prefer the new APX P25 radios because of their durability, audio quality, and advanced features.
A full complement of audio and charging accessories are available.
Motorola Trade-in Promo Reduces APX price up to $450
Motorola has a $450 trade-in offer in effect until June 26, 2013 if you purchase a new APX. This discount is in addition to any special contract pricing. For details call your authorized Motorola manufacturer’s representative.
Bluetooth 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.
The 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
Optional 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.
Following are the certified Operations Critical accessories:
Motorola NNTN8203A APX XE is Designed for Firefighters
It is now possible to color match your APX radio and remote speaker-microphone. Available in high impact green, black, or public-safety yellow, the NNTN8203A is compatible with the APX 7000XE, APX 7000, APX 6000XE, APX 6000, and SRX2200. The new APX 4000 uses a different audio connector and is not compatible.
APX XE Dual Microphones Provide Best-in-Class Audio
The NNTN8203 is the first audio accessory to have 2 microphones that provide advanced noise suppression. The second microphone is able to differentiate voice from background noise and electronically cancel out the unwanted sounds. The speaker is also 50% louder than the XTS 5000 series speaker-mics.
Strobe Light Visible Up to 10 Feet in Smoke
A high visibility strobe light activates when the emergency button is pressed for firefighter safety. The microphone is powered by the radio so there is no need for additional batteries. The rugged, submersible design includes an IP67 rating, FM Approval for intrinsically-safe environments, and a 6 foot coiled cord.
Motorola and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) produced a training video, “Loud & Clear”, demonstrating the best practices of 2-way radio operation. The 15 minute video compares both analog and digital radio transmissions in typical firefighter environments.
You will learn how to maximize the clarity of your voice transmissions and minimize background noise. Recommended for anyone using professional mission-critical 2-way communications.
Choose the APX O2 Head Option for Outdoor Installations 
Magnum Electronics, Inc. 