Two-way radio communication just got better with this Motorola XPR 6550 model. Imagine combining a workhorse two-way radio with digital technology, the endless list of features and applications in the world of walkie-talkie you will get.
This digital radio, with its extended battery capacity, delivers exceptionally on sound and audio quality and integrated data communication. The frequency range is enhanced with the ability to pick up both analog and digital devices; this radio is one step ahead of its contemporaries.
With advanced features like an integrated GPS module, full keypads and display, a large bank of about 1000 channels, IP57 specifications to protect against dust and liquid, this device broke limits in the world of two-way radios.
There is a long list of available accessories that improves ease of handling and user experience with this device. You have the option of using an earpiece with your radio for improved audio quality, noise cancellation and privacy, especially in public and noisy environments. Headsets are available for ease of communication via the hands-free mode; carry cases for mobility; remote speaker microphones for improved communication and control; high-performance battery for excellent work time and functionality.
This radio is suitable for law enforcement workers, emergency staff, first responders, factory works, hospitality and event staff. The radio covers either VHF or UHF band, so you should look out for the particular model you want.
Table of Contents
Motorola XPR 6550 Accessories
The XPR 6550 complete portfolio of accessories allows users to be able to optimize their radios for a completely functional and exceptional experience. The accessories are designed with the latest technology to help you work best harnessing the diverse functions of the array of accessories. They are designed so Motorola can offer different tiers of the solution to meet the needs of their XPR 6550 radio users.
The different accessories are made in varieties, and this is to give radio users options to decide from. They come at various costs with diverse features just so there’s something to satisfy everyone.
Antennas
There are a variety (flexible whip, stubby or Teleflex antennas) of compatible antennas of the array of Motorola antenna accessories for this radio. While choosing your antenna, you should consider safety, GPS compatibility (if you desire the feature), frequency band and type, type of antenna in structure, length and design of the antenna. The best kind of antennas is those that fit the users need and environment while delivering functionality simultaneously. Say, for example, the PMAE4023 antenna is a short non-obtrusive antenna with a rugged helical structure that enhances flexibility, which makes it suitable for radios worn on a user’s belt.
Batteries
Reliability is a key property of any good battery for a two-way radio. You want to be sure that while working, your radio can serve you as long as your shift lasts, and this should influence the kind of battery you use with your XPR 6550. The functionality of your radio is also a factor of your battery quality as some features work better with good battery capacity.
Suppose you wish to go for a battery replacement aside from the factor-packed battery that comes with your radio. In that case, the best choice will be to pick a high-capacity battery that will help your XPR 6550 deliver optimum functionality as designed for.
Carry Solutions
Several Motorola designed to carry accessories are available for this radio, and you’ll find one that will fit your use and line of work. Available carry accessories include replacement strap, leather belts, extension belts for large waists. There are also waterproof bags with large strap, adjustable black nylon carrying strap that attaches to D-ring on cases, plastic belt clips, replacement swivel belt loop. There is also the universal chest pack that comes with a radio holder, pen holder and secured pouch, which protects the radio and confers ease of handling when in motion.
Other carry accessories include; nylon carry case with a fixed belt loop, a hard leather carry case, a break-away chest pack and a radio utility case that can be worn around the waist.
Chargers
The quality of charger used greatly influences battery lifespan, capacity and functionality. You also want to consider the charging time of a charger; flash charging is a common feature with most chargers these days. You may also get a wall mount for a multi-unit charger if you are an owner of multiple radios.
There are other charger accessories you may purchase like the IMPRES battery reader than helps you access charging level, reconditioning and other data that might influence your battery performance, charger display modules, among others.
There are travel chargers that have a voltage-regulated lighter adapter, custom charger base, mounting bracket and a coil cord, which helps travelers adjust to the demands of a new environment.
Call boxes
This accessory for your radio helps a radio user communicate swiftly and effectively with a monitoring station. A two-way based call box allows integration and provides access for personnel connected to a radio system. You can upgrade your call box just in case you had any reason to change your radio’s frequency.
An all connectivity call box has a voice instruction message to guide users, courtesy light, easy push to talk operation, Callbox ID and location, low battery alert, rechargeable battery, discreet tamper alert broadcast to the station for security and call box keys. Some call boxes are solar-powered, and you also get a 1-5 year warranty depending on the type of call box you purchase.
Audio accessories
These include Earpieces and surveillance devices for privacy and security while communicating, headsets, remote speaker microphones and public safety microphones, wireless Bluetooth accessories. Some audio accessories may include a push-to-talk button.
Remote speaker microphones use advanced wind porting technology that reduces interference and background noises in windy conditions. With remote speakers, you can talk and listen without having to remove the radio from your belt or pouch. A typical remote speaker microphone has a loudspeaker, a microphone and a push to talk button. Advanced remote speakers may include more features like a dedicated button for an emergency that allows quick access to functions that are used frequently. There are various Motorola remote speaker microphones, and they’re sure is one that meets your need and fits your budget.
Other accessories available include control station accessories, mounting and installation accessories, Bluetooth accessories and Public Address Systems.
Considerations for Choosing Motorola XPR 6550 Radio
If you are to consider purchasing this Motorola two-way radio, here are the important factors that might influence your decision.
Reliability and Durability
With tremendous work power and solid structural design, this device is one of your best shots when you are considering a strong radio that you can rely on at any time for delivery. The plastic used in making this radio is thick and strong, the keypad and special buttons are of very high quality, and this radio is just about the most solid you can get (you will feel it when you hold it).
The sturdy build is so that the radio device is wind resistant and provide protection against dust that might want to penetrate the internal parts. This radio can be immersed in water for about 30 minutes without causing damage to the device.
You can improve the durability of this device by following the handling precautions of this device. These you should get family with if you are considering choosing this radio.
- Shake the radio well to remove any water that might have been trapped inside the speaker or microphone if your radio has been previously immersed in water to avoid impaired audio performance.
- Do not clean this radio with a high-pressure jet spray as that will exceed the pressure depth limit and may cause leakages that will allow water into the radio.
- Try to dry the battery contact area just in case it has been exposed to water before powering on your radio.
- If you have to immerse this radio in water, do not exceed the submersion time limit of 30 minutes. Make sure you have the antenna attached firmly to the device while immersed in water.
- Oily substances can damage your device; avoid them at all costs.
- Rinse the radio and battery with clean water after contact with corrosive substances or liquid.
- Do not poke, obstruct or cover the vents of this radio, not even with labels. This vent is located on the chassis, just below the battery area. The vent maintains pressure equalization on the radio, and it is important to maintain its integrity.
Audio Quality
This Motorola radio comes with improved audio clarity regardless of the volume. Besides this, there are several compatible audio accessories that you can use for the best sound you can get with a two-way radio. The radio uses a powerful speaker than gives excellent sound output and allows you to achieve very loud volume levels that improve communication even in noisy environments.
Safety
The safety of an employee should be the priority of the organization. Private radio owners should also consider the safety of users when purchasing a two-way radio.
This Motorola XPR radio uses accessories that are intrinsically safe by health standards and are certified. The FM battery is also suitable for use in toxic environments.
Privacy
This radio has built-in scrambling that enhances security and privacy. Lines of communication are rightly secured to protect users. These security features also come in handy in cases of theft or loss of a device.
Digital Compatibility
Not all two-way radios are compatible due to the type; either they are analog or digital radios. Analog radios can only receive signals from analog radios alike, while digital radios can receive and transmit signals with both analog and digital radios.
The XPR 6550 is a digital radio that allows communication and data integration. This feature is a big plus on the part of the radio and should influence your choice.
The dual compatibility allows it to securely migrate to digital migration from analog as the need arises. This radio is free of bugs on both analog and digital modes; hence you can be sure of hitch-free usage.
Features
Text Messaging
This radio allows you to receive group and scan works. It implements the DMR protocol so you can send and receive text messages on this radio. Text messaging feature can allow you to communicate discreetly in situations where vocal communications might not be fit.
Display
The radio has a menu-driven display interface that is flexible enough to give information on the system status from time to time. The display interface employs texts, icons and easy to operate buttons to ease message reading and menu navigation.
Integrated GPS
With this video, you can track anybody who has it on them by pinning down their location without the need for extra equipment. This feature can help serve security purposes by locating people or vehicles when they are lost or missing.
IP Connect
As a digital radio, you can use your IP network to link repeaters together and extend its voice and data capabilities. The IP connect allows you to create systems that can cover employees at different geographical locations. You can connect as much as fifteen sites to create an extensive area network coverage or improve the performance of a site that has physical barriers.
Capacity Plus
Capacity enhancement of this radio is permissible. You can expand the capacity using the entry-level trunking system by connecting several repeaters. The increased capacity can be used to increase voice volume, improve data communication and link your radio to multiple users at a single site without having to add new frequencies. You can only access channels with this feature using the channel selector knob.
While in capacity plus mode, features that are not applicable in this mode will not appear in the menu; however, some features are common to both the conventional mode of operation of the radio and the capacity plus mode. These features may come with a slight difference, but the difference doesn’t affect the performance of the radio.
Expanded capacity can be linked to provide a wide area of frequency coverage. You can expand the coverage and capacity of MOTOTBRO using a single site, digital and entry-level trunking system to support hundreds of users of over 254 groups.
Connect Plus
With this feature, you can unify your whole system using this model of Motorola’s two-way radio. This feature co-ordinates resources through a dedicated control channel. Connect plus allows you to queue calls during busy hours until there is an open channel available for the call to come in. You have the choice of assigning a priority status for certain users through a wireline console for centralized dispatch.
Transmit Interrupt
You can interrupt another radio conversation with this radio, possibly when there is an urgent need to deliver emergency information directly to a user that is busy on the other line.
Digital Telephone Interconnect
With this XPR 6550, you can use your radio as much as a mobile phone. This radio can connect with radios, landlines and mobile phones to exchange voice and text messages. It is not the regular two-way radio you get out there in terms of functionality.
Other exciting features of this radio includes;
- multiple colors (green, yellow and red) LED indicator that for scanning, notifications, visible calling and monitoring system status.
- Emergency buttons and signaling that helps to send messages to a predefined person or group. You can alert other persons during emergencies.
- Accessory connector with which different accessories can be connected to the radio.
- Navigation buttons that help for the selection of the menu, which comes in handy during device set-up or programming.
- Radio housing.
- Powerful speakers that produce clear and loud audio regardless of the volume of the radio or quietness of the environment.
- Five programming buttons for accessing and setting up features.
- Push to talk button that allows a one at a time communication that is less susceptible to interference. This button allows the radio to transmit to other radios in a call when a call is in progress. When you press the PTT button to talk, the microphone is activated, and it becomes deactivated once you release the button to listen. You can use the PTT button to make a call when there is no ongoing call.
- Digital calling that entails encoding and decoding, quick call and identification.
- Optional expansion card that allows additional features for improved functionality.
- Contact list where you can have about 1000 contacts.
- Voice Activated Transmit (VOX)
- UHF or VHF frequency bands.
- Talkaround feature that enables you to communicate with other users even when the repeater is not operating or when you are out of range with the repeater but within range with other radios.
- Password lock features that secure your radio and allows access only upon the provision of preset password upon powering your device. You can turn on this feature on or off in the menu options.
- Squelch features that allow you to filter unwanted calls with weak signals that may have a higher level of disturbing background noise.
FAQs
How to Program the Motorola XPR 6550
You cannot program this radio from the front panel. While you can access certain features through the front panel, programming and settings like inputting new frequency, PL tones and so on cannot be done without a personal computer.
This device is naturally not an amateur radio; hence you cannot program it to use the FM wide that is characteristic of ham radios. It allows only narrow bands 12.5KHz spacing, except you purchase a separate license from Motorola to allow wide bands.
The programming software for this radio is not up for free download. You have to purchase the software from Motorola for about $400. The payment allows you a 3-year license to use the radio. There might get an alternate to this cost if you can get a licensed dealer or expert that could sell the software and program your radio.
Your dealer can program the programmable buttons on your radio as shortcuts to radio functions or preset channels or groups depending on how long you press the buttons. This duration of the button press will be applied to all assigned radio functions.
If you do not choose to use these programmable buttons, you can access programmed radio functions through the following steps:
- Press the menu button and use the navigation buttons to move through the menu options.
- Select a function or sub-menu by pressing the OK button.
- You may use the back button to go back to a previous menu or home screen, depending on the number of times you press the button.
It would be best if you had a special cable and the AA version of Customer Programming Software from Motorola to connect your device to the computer for programming. Install the software on the computer and run. When you open your CPS, you can either access your radio or computer. Put your CPS in expert view for easy use. New software can come with new features for your radio.
Once you have your codeplug open, you can follow the instructions displayed to program your radio as you choose to.
Where can I find accessories for my radio?
You should use compatible accessories as listed in the XPR 6550 user manual. Motorola accessories can be gotten from certified dealers or platforms like Amazon, e-bay and many others, or directly from the Motorola store.
Make sure you purchase only specified Motorola accessories for your radio.
Conclusion
This Motorola two-way radio provides you with a way to connect your team effortlessly without extra cost. It uses advanced technology to cater to the communications and digital needs of your organization to help you increase productivity and efficiency.
The powerfully designed radio was built to weather several harsh conditions that would normally damage any two-way radio. The ability to stay immersed in water also makes a statement on its reliability and durability. The buttons are built to be of super-quality and functionality.
This radio, due to its advanced features and multiple functionalities, can help you save costs on some other devices you might want to purchase if you were using a simple radio. With its GPS tracker, telephone interconnect feature, connect plus, among other exciting features, you have yourself a multipurpose device in this radio.
The audio capacity of this radio is one of the best you can get. With the ability to control the volume to extremes of both ends, you can control your sound and ensure communication irrespective of your environment. The output on both ends is crystal clear, and receivers can distinctly pick every word said.
These enhanced features are not complicated in use and understanding, and they allow the radio to meet your communication needs through increased capacity.
The waterproof receiver meets military specifications and can thus be used in extreme conditions. It is relatively safe to use this radio in places with flammable gases, specks of dust and high humidity.
The Motorola XPR 6550 is the pick for you if you aim at excellence among your team.
