Astro25 Text Messaging

The Astro25 Text Messaging Service (also known as TMS) is a protocol for text messaging between supported Motorola Astro25 and APX radios. It is part of the Q947 APCO Packet Data Interface flashcode option and is available on Astro25 radios with firmware R09+ and on all APX series radios. The service allows for direct messaging between radios and system infrastructure in a trunked radio environment, and for simple messaging between user radios in a conventional repeater or simplex environment.

Conventional TMS Configuration

determined experimentally using original How-To from Akardam.net

Astro25 Configuration

Radio Configuration

Radio Wide

General

ARS User Login Enable: Checked

Soft ID/Username: Unique per-user (see note below)

Data

Subscriber IP Address: Same for all users (typically 192.168.128.1)

Mobile Computer IP: Same for all users (typically 192.168.128.2)

Conventional

Astro Systems

Astro System - X

General

Preamble Length: 80 to 160 (longer allows for more time for radios and/or repeaters to sync)

Advanced

CAI Data Registration: Checked

Data

Packet Data Capable System (PDS): Checked

Limited Broadcast: Checked

Packet Data Mode: Repeated (always, even on simplex channels)

Data Scan Preamble: Disabled

Queue Dwell Timer: 25

Subscriber Air-Interface IP Address: Unique per-user in the same /24 subnet

Mobile Computer IP Address: Same for all users

Text Messaging Service: "Unlimited" or "List" depending on flashcode/model options

Application Time (sec): 15

Application Number: 5

ARS

ARS Enable: Checked

ARS Mode: Non-Server

APX Radio Configuration

(to be continued...)

A Note on Soft ID

While the Soft ID field will allow for up to 20 characters, TMS soft-IDs are limited to no more than 8 characters. If the soft ID specified in Radio Wide is longer than 8 characters, the radio will not use the username for TMS and will instead use the numeric Astro ID defined in the Astro system.