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.
