XTL Series Digital Mobile Radio
Technical articles, guides and resources for communication hobbyists...
However, due to their age, most public safety agencies have transitioned to newer, more advanced multi-band radios, such as the Motorola APX Series. This shift has led to thousands of XTL radios being available at online marketplaces like eBay, often at a fraction of their original cost. Because of their affordability, durability, and high performance, many Amateur Radio Hobbyist & Motorola Enthusiasts like myself now utilize XTL Series Digital Mobile Radio within SKYWARN and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service activities.
A Brief History of the XTL Series Digital Mobile Radio
The Motorola ASTRO 25 platform, of which the XTL Series Digital Mobile Radio is a key part, entered production in the early 2000s, with initial deployments beginning around 2001-2002. This platform represented a major milestone in the evolution of public safety communications, as it marked Motorola’s transition from legacy analog systems to fully integrated APCO Project 25 (P25) digital technology. ASTRO 25 was designed to meet the growing demands of mission-critical users, offering improved audio quality, interoperability, spectral efficiency, and support for advanced features such as digital trunking and encryption.
The Motorola XTL Series Digital Mobile Radio quickly became a widely adopted mobile radio across public safety, government, and commercial agencies due to its robust design, flexible configuration options, and compatibility with both conventional and trunked P25 systems. Throughout its production life, the XTL Series Digital Mobile Radio earned a reputation for reliability in demanding environments, making it a mainstay in police, fire, EMS, and utility fleets for well over a decade.
Production of the Motorola XTL Series Digital Mobile Radio officially ended in 2019, as Motorola Solutions shifted its focus to newer generations of ASTRO 25 radios Such as the APX Series. The newer APX platforms offered enhanced cybersecurity protections, improved processing capabilities, and expanded support for evolving public safety standards. Despite the end of production, many XTL Series Digital Mobile Radio remain in active service today, continuing to perform reliably in systems that have not yet transitioned to newer hardware.
The XTL series was offered in three primary models, each designed to meet different operational and budgetary requirements: the XTL 1500, XTL 2500, and XTL 5000. These radios were available in VHF, UHF, and 700/800 MHz frequency bands, allowing agencies to deploy them across a wide range of system types. Higher-tier models provided advanced features such as P25 digital trunking, AES and DES encryption support, over-the-air rekeying (OTAR), and expanded control head options, while lower-tier models focused on essential digital voice functionality.
Together, the ASTRO 25 platform and the XTL Series Digital Mobile Radio set a high standard for modern public safety communications. Even years after the end of production, these radios continue to be respected for their performance, durability, and technical sophistication. For many communication professionals and radio hobbyists, including myself, the XTL remains an iconic and highly regarded example of Motorola’s engineering during a pivotal era in the shift from analog to digital radio systems.
Marketing Materials
Type: PDF | Version: R3-1-2033B | Size: 142.0 KB
Type: PDF | Version: R3-1-2027F | Size: 102.4 KB
Type: PDF | Version: R3-1-2028D | Size: 96.3 KB
Type: PDF | Version: R3-1-2034A | Size: 96.3 KB
Type: PDF | Version: R3-1-12012 | Size: 104.5 KB
Type: PDF | Version: R3-1-203A | Size: 104.5 KB
Type: PDF | Version: R3-1-2029C | Size: 89.6 KB
Type: PDF | Version: R3-1-2031A | Size: 128.7 KB
Type: PDF | Version: R3-1-2011A | Size: 16.3 KB
Instillation Guides & Manuals
Type: PDF | Version: 6881097C72-P | Size: 860.2 KB
User Guides & Manuals
Type: PDF | Version: HLN6951A | Size: 4.3 MB
Service Bulletins, Guides & Manuals
You must have an Amateur Radio Membership to access this content.
Firmware
Codeplugs
You must have an Amateur Radio Membership to access this content.
