Motorola Astro XTL 5000 User manual

O5 Control Head
User's Guide

ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio with O5 Control Head ii
This declaration is applicable to your radio only if your radio is labeled
with the FCC logo shown below.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Per FCC CFR 47 Part 2 Section 2.1077(a)
Responsible Party 
Name: Motorola, Inc.
Address: 8000 West Sunrise Boulevard
Plantation, FL 33322 USA
Phone Number: 1-888-567-7347
Hereby declares that the product:
Model Name: XTL 5000
conforms to the following regulations:
FCC Part 15, subpart B, section 15.107(a), 15.107(d) and section 15.109(a)
Class B Digital Device
As a personal computer peripheral, this device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. this device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

iii
Product Safety and RF Exposure Compliance
ATTENTION!
This radio is restricted to occupational use only to satisfy FCC RF energy
exposure requirements. Before using this product, read the RF energy
awareness information and operating instructions in the Product Safety and RF
Exposure booklet enclosed with your radio (Motorola Publication part number
6881095C99) to ensure compliance with RF energy exposure limits.
Computer Software Copyrights
The Motorola products described in this manual may include copyrighted Motorola
computer programs stored in semiconductor memories or other media. Laws in the
United States and other countries preserve for Motorola certain exclusive rights for
copyrighted computer programs, including, but not limited to, the exclusive right to copy
or reproduce in any form the copyrighted computer program. Accordingly, any
copyrighted Motorola computer programs contained in the Motorola products described
in this manual may not be copied, reproduced, modified, reverse-engineered, or
distributed in any manner without the express written permission of Motorola.
Furthermore, the purchase of Motorola products shall not be deemed to grant either
directly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license under the copyrights,
patents or patent applications of Motorola, except for the normal non-exclusive license
to use that arises by operation of law in the sale of a product.
Documentation Copyrights
No duplication or distribution of this document or any portion thereof shall take place
without the express written permission of Motorola. No part of this manual may be
reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Motorola.
Disclaimer
The information in this document is carefully examined, and is believed to be entirely
reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies. Furthermore,
Motorola reserves the right to make changes to any products herein to improve
readability, function, or design. Motorola does not assume any liability arising out of the
applications or use of any product or circuit described herein; nor does it cover any
license under its patent rights, nor the rights of others.
MOTOROLA, the Stylized M Logo, ASTRO, SmartZone and FLASHport are registered
in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the
property of their respective owners. P25 radios contain technology patented by Digital
Voice Systems, Inc.
© Motorola, Inc. 2005. Printed in the U.S.A. 5/05.
Before using this product, read the operating instructions for safe
usage contained in the Product Safety and RF Exposure booklet
enclosed with your radio.
!
Caution

ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio with O5 Control Head iv
Notations Used in This Manual
Throughout the text in this publication, you will notice the use of WARNINGS,
CAUTIONS, and Notes. These notations are used to emphasize that safety
hazards exist, and care that must be taken or observed.
The following special notations identify certain items:
WARNING: An operational procedure, practice, or other
condition, which might result in injury or death if not carefully
observed.
CAUTION: An operational procedure, practice, or other
condition, which might result in damage to the equipment if not
carefully observed.
Note: Note: An operational procedure, practice, or other condition,
which is essential to emphasize.
Example Description
Light button or >Buttons and keys are shown in bold print or as a key
symbol.
PHONE Menu items (softkeys) are similar to the way they
appear on the radio’s display.
WARNING
!
CAUTION
!

v
Notes

ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio with O5 Control Head vi
Contents
O5 Control Head Foldout Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Declaration of Conformity .................................................................. ii
Computer Software Copyrights .........................................................iii
Documentation Copyrights ................................................................iii
Disclaimer .........................................................................................iii
Notations Used in This Manual ........................................................ iv
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Using Your Radio: The Basics .......................................................... 1
Getting Started .................................................................................. 2
Identifying Your Radio ....................................................................... 4
O5 Control Head ......................................................................... 4
Operating Your Control Head ............................................................ 4
Turning On the Radio ........................................................................ 5
Setting the Volume ..................................................................... 6
Adjusting the Display Brightness ................................................ 6
Using the navigation key ............................................................ 6
Trunked Modes or Conventional Channels ................................ 7
Field Programming ..................................................................... 7
Display Status ................................................................................... 8
Feature Control ................................................................................. 8
Alert Tones ........................................................................................ 8
Basic Operating Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Basic Functions ............................................................................... 11
Selecting the Zone or Mode ............................................................ 12
Selecting or Changing the Zone ............................................... 12
Selecting or Changing a Mode in the Current Zone ................. 13
Selecting or Changing to a Mode Not in the Current Zone ....... 13
Selecting the Home Mode ............................................................... 14
Transmitting (Conventional Modes Only) ........................................ 15
Transmitting (Trunked Modes Only) ................................................ 15
Selecting the Transmit Power Level ................................................ 16
Monitoring Conventional Mode Activity ........................................... 16
Adjusting the Squelch Level ............................................................ 17
General Radio Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Often-Used Features ....................................................................... 18
Emergency Call and Alarm ............................................................. 19
Emergency Call ........................................................................ 19

vii
Initiating an Emergency Alarm ..................................................20
Initiating an Emergency Call .....................................................20
Initiating an Emergency Call and Alarm ....................................21
Initiating a Silent Emergency Alarm ..........................................22
Special Considerations for Emergencies ..................................22
Scan Operation ................................................................................23
Turning On Scan .......................................................................24
Turning Scan On While Disregarding the Squelch Code (Conven-
tional Modes Only) .................................................................25
Viewing a Scan List ...................................................................26
Transmitting While Scan Is On .................................................27
Temporarily Deleting a Nuisance Mode with Scan On ..............28
Restoring a Nuisance Mode ......................................................28
Changing Mode Priorities While Scan Is On .............................29
Restoring Mode Priorities in a Scan List ...................................29
Programming a Scan List ..........................................................30
Hang Up Box (HUB) ..................................................................32
Optional External Alarms (Horn and Lights) ....................................32
Activating the External Alarm(s) ................................................32
Changing the Selected Alarms .................................................33
Receiving a Call While Alarms Are Turned On .........................34
Time-Out Timer ................................................................................35
Push-To-Talk Identification (PTT-ID) ................................................35
Telephone Interconnect List (Conventional and Trunking) ..............36
Answering a Phone Call ............................................................36
Initiating a Telephone Call from the List ....................................37
Unlimited Telephone Interconnect ...................................................38
Calling a Phone Number Not in the List ....................................38
Storing a Number in the List .....................................................39
Editing a Name in the List ........................................................40
Call Alert Page (Conventional and Trunking— Digital Modes Only) 43
Sending a Call Alert Page .........................................................44
Conventional Radio Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Features Used in Conventional Operation ......................................47
Status Calls (Digital Modes Only) ....................................................48
Sending a Status Call ...............................................................48
Smart PTT .......................................................................................50
Conventional Talkgroup Calls ..........................................................50
Digital Modes Only ....................................................................50

ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio with O5 Control Head viii
Selecting a Conventional Talkgroup ......................................... 51
Conventional Talkaround ................................................................ 52
Talk Direct (Mobile-To-Mobile) ................................................. 52
Selective Calls (Digital Modes Only) ............................................... 52
Answering a Selective Call ....................................................... 53
Initiating a Selective Call .......................................................... 54
Viewing Your Unit ID Number ................................................... 56
Storing a Unit ID Number in the List ......................................... 57
Editing a Name in the List ......................................................... 58
Trunking Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Features Used on Trunking Systems .............................................. 61
Enhanced Private Conversation 
(Digital Modes Only) ...................................................................... 62
Answering an Enhanced Private Conversation Call ................. 62
Initiating an Enhanced Private Conversation Call .................... 63
Failsoft ............................................................................................. 65
Dynamic Regrouping (Digital Modes Only) ..................................... 66
Receiving a Dynamic Regrouping ID Assignment ................... 66
Selecting Enable and Disable (Digital Modes Only) ................. 67
Requesting a Dynamic Regrouping
(Digital Modes Only) .............................................................. 67
SmartZone ...................................................................................... 68
Site-Button Operation ............................................................... 68
Locking onto a Site ................................................................... 69
Site Trunking ............................................................................ 69
Out-of-Range Indication .................................................................. 70
Trunked Announcement .................................................................. 71
Initiating an Announcement ...................................................... 71
Secure Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Features Available on Secure XTL 5000 ........................................ 73
Receiving a Private Message ......................................................... 74
Transmitting a Private Message ...................................................... 74
System Considerations ................................................................... 75
Loss Indication ................................................................................ 75
Selecting an Encryption Key (Conventional Only) .......................... 76
Selecting an Encryption Index (Conventional Only) ........................ 78

ix
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Antennas .........................................................................................81
Bull Horns for Siren and Public Address .........................................83
Cables .............................................................................................83
Microphones ....................................................................................84
Miscellaneous ..................................................................................84
Remote Mounting Kits .....................................................................85
Speakers ..........................................................................................85
Trunnion Kits ....................................................................................85
Appendix: Maritime Radio Use in the VHF Frequency
Range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Special Channel Assignments .........................................................86
Emergency Channel .................................................................86
Non-Commercial Call Channel .................................................87
Operating Frequency Requirements ...............................................87
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Commercial Warranty and Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Limited Warranty .............................................................................95
Service .............................................................................................99
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio with O5 Control Head 1
Introduction
Using Your Radio: The Basics
This chapter gives you the basic knowledge you need in order to use
your radio. The following topics are covered:
• Getting Started (page 2)
• Identifying Your Radio (page 4)
• Operating Your Control Head (page 4)
• Turning On the Radio (page 5)
• Setting the Volume (page 6)
• Adjusting the Display Brightness (page 6)
• Display Status (page 8)
• Feature Control (page 8)
•AlertTones(page8)

2
Introduction
Getting Started
The ASTRO®XTL™ 5000 Digital Mobile Radio is among the most
sophisticated two-way radios available. It can operate in the following
frequency ranges:
These channels provide maximum communications capability under
varying operating conditions.
One of the newest in a long line of quality Motorola products, the
ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio provides improved voice
quality across more of your coverage area. The digital process called
embedded signaling intermixes system signaling information with
digital voice, resulting in improved system reliability and the capability
of supporting a multitude of advanced features. Such features add up
to better, more cost-effective two-way radio communications.
ASTRO digital technology is also helping to provide the solution to
improved spectral efficiency requiring only half as much bandwidth
per channel (12.5kHz) compared to analog technology (25/30kHz).
The net benefit to you is fewer users per channel or more users per
system.
The ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile radio can include an optional
RS-232 data port to interface with external devices, such as certain
fax machines and laptop computers. ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile
voice radios and data terminals can access the same channel without
interfering with each other.
VHF UHF 700/800 MHz
136-174 MHz 380-470 MHz 762-776 MHz
450-520 MHz 794-806 MHz
806-825 MHz
851-870 MHz

ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio with O5 Control Head 3
Introduction
Note: In this manual—
Analog mode refers to a mode that uses traditional, non-ASTRO-
digital signaling.
ASTRO mode refers to a mode that uses ASTRO digital signaling.
Your ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio utilizes Motorola’s
revolutionary FLASHport™technology. This allows your radio’s
capabilities to be flexible, because FLASHport makes it possible to
add software that drives these capabilities both at the time of
purchase and later on. Similar to how a computer can be loaded with
different software, your radio’s features and capabilities can be
upgraded with software.
FLASHport allows you to add software to your radio as your needs
change and as technology advances, making your radio investment
go further.
FLASHport is the future of radio communications, and it’s yet another
example of Motorola’s commitment to your satisfaction.

4
Introduction
Identifying Your Radio
The ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio has two major
components: the radio unit installed in your vehicle and the control
head that is used to activate various radio features. Keep the foldout
page opened for reference as you read this manual. Your radio has
the following control head:
O5 Control Head
The O5 has the rotary Mode and Volume knobs, 5 programmable
menu buttons, a menu navigation button, and a 3-line, 14-character,
fully bitmapped display (page i).
Note: A "CH MISMATCH" error upon turning on your radio, means
that either the Control Head has been connected to a legacy
transceiver, or vice versa.
Operating Your Control Head
Your advanced control head is designed for ease of use and flexibility
of feature control. Before operating the radio, familiarize yourself with
the various controls, indicators, and alert tones. Refer to the foldout
diagrams in the front and back of this manual for your particular
control head.

ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio with O5 Control Head 5
Introduction
Turning On the Radio
Do the following:
• Turn the radio on with a short press of the power button in
the lower left corner of the control unit.
After a short time, the red, green and yellow LED’s light up,
indicating that the radio is powering up.
The display then shows XTL 5000.
When the radio is fully powered on, the Zone and Channel text and
menu items is displayed. The backlight will turn on to the last
selected color and dim level.
Note: Pressing the power button before the LED’s light up will be
ignored. 

Pressing the power button anytime after the LED’s light up
will TURN OFF the radio.
The radio then performs a self check.
Note: If FAIL ##/## appears in the display, the radio will not
function until the condition has been corrected.

If ERROR ##/## appears, some non-critical data has been
changed. If either of these displays appear, if the display
goes blank, or if the unit appears to be locked up, refer to the
“Troubleshooting” section.

6
Introduction
Setting the Volume
Adjusting the Display Brightness
Using the navigation key
Rotate the Volume knob clockwise to increase the volume and
counterclockwise to decrease the volume.
Press the dimmer button (DIM) to change the display brightness
to one of four levels:
• Off to high
• High to medium
• Medium to low
•Lowtooff

In Off, both the display and backlight are off (used for
surveillance operations).
When accessing a feature on the radio, use the left or right
toggles on the navigation key to access further options within
the menu.

If you cannot locate a menu item, it may not be programmed, or
it may not apply to the radio's current mode setting.

ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio with O5 Control Head 7
Introduction
Trunked Modes or Conventional Channels
Depending on how your radio is programmed, you can select
conventional channels or trunked talkgroup. Conventional channels
consist of a transmit and receive frequency pair, an associated
squelch code pair, and a time-out timer value. See “Conventional
Radio Features” on page 47.
Trunked modes consist of the system/announcement group/talkgroup
combination and a time-out timer value. See “Trunking Operation” on
page 61.
Field Programming
Other radio features may be slaved to the selected mode by field
programming. This mode slaving means that the radio is
preprogrammed to automatically give you the proper operation for
each mode you select.
You may use the control head to program your own mode names.
The names you assign are clearly shown in the alphanumeric display.
You can see all the key operating information, including the mode
selected or being scanned, and the on/off status of various features.
The operating conditions are shown either by the display or by visual/
audio indicators, or by both.

8
Introduction
Display Status
The control head display indicates your selected mode, or the
currently active receive mode when scan is on.
Feature Control
You can turn the various radio features on or off, change modes, and
adjust the volume.
To exit a feature, such as phone, press the HOME button.
Alert Tones
Tone Type Name Description
Two high-
pitched tones
Private
Conversation™
Indicate that a private call has been
received.
Four high-
pitched tones
every five
seconds
Call Alert Indicate that a Call Alert page has been
received.
Single, high-
pitched tone
Central
Acknowledge
Indicates that a Call Alert, emergency
alarm, reprogram request, or status/
message transmission has been
received by the system’s central
controller.
Four high-
pitched tones
Mobile Unit
Acknowledge
Indicate that a Call Alert page has been
received by the intended unit, or the
emergency alarm, reprogram request, or
status/message transmission has been
acknowledged by the intended
dispatcher.
Sound similar
to a telephone
busy signal
System Busy Indicates, when you press the
microphone push-to-talk (PTT) button,
that you cannot transmit because all
system radio channels are in use.
Release the PTT button and wait for call
back.

ASTRO XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio with O5 Control Head 9
Introduction
A series of
two short,
high-pitched
tones
Automatic Call
Back
Indicate that a channel is now available
for your previously requested
transmission.
A series of
two short,
high-pitched
tones (same
as automatic
call back)
Tal k Pe rm i t
(optional)
Indicate, when you press the
microphone PTT button, that the system
is accepting your transmission.
Continuous,
low-pitched
tone
Talk-Prohibit/
Out-of-Range
Indicates, when you press the
microphone PTT button, that either you
are out of the range of the trunked radio
system, or the system is out of service,
or the channel is busy with the Smart
PTT feature enabled.
Single, high-
pitched tone
every nine
seconds
Failsoft In an unmuted receive condition,
indicates a trunked system central
controller failure. The radio reverts from
trunked operation to a system similar to
conventional radio repeater operation.
Other system users can be heard
sharing the channel.
Continuous,
low-pitched
tone
Illegal Mode Indicates that you have entered a mode
where normal system traffic will be
missed, or you are attempting something
which is not permitted. Examples
include: forgetting to exit the telephone
interconnect mode after a call ends (fleet
and subfleet calls cannot be received),
attempting to transmit on a receive-only
conventional mode, attempting to select
a dynamic mode where no dynamic ID
assignment has been made.
Brief low-
pitched tone
Time-Out Timer
Warning
Indicates that your present transmission
will soon be disabled.
Tone Type Name Description

10
Introduction
Single, short,
high-pitched
tone
Valid Key Indicates that you pressed a valid key, or
you entered a feature configuration
state, or you are receiving or
transmitting in the clear mode on secure
models (with TX Clear Alert Tones
enabled).
Single, low-
pitched tone
Invalid Key Indicates that you tried to make an
invalid key press, or that an emergency
alarm, reprogram request, or status/
message was not acknowledged.
Unique
chirping
sound
Dynamic
Reprogram-
ming
Indicates that a dynamic ID is assigned.
Tone Type Name Description