Local Radio-to-Radio ASTRO TMS Network

These are the CPS settings needed to join our conventional ASTRO digital voice + Text Messaging Service (TMS) network. Encryption is disabled. This works radio-to-radio with no infrastructure required.

Requirements: XTS 2500/5000 (or similar) with ASTRO Digital (Q806 or equivalent) and APCO packet data (Q947, W947, or equivalent) enabled. Model II or III preferred for practical TMS use. Use ASTRO 25 Portable CPS. ASTRO 25 CPS software can be found free of charge on the Internet Archive at archive.org. A current XTS 5000 export is on the codeplug page. Change every personal field before you write it to another radio.

1. ASTRO System Settings

Create or use an ASTRO System and set:

Individual ID: A 4-character code, 0001 through FFFF. Same form as an MDC1200 ID. Keep leading zeros and letters.
- Check the radio ID roster.
- If the ID is already listed, it is taken.
- Ask Devin before you write the radio.
Data tab:
- Packet Data Compatible System (PDS): Checked
- Auto Generate IP Address: Checked
- Auto Generate Target IP Address: Checked
- Packet Data Mode: Direct
- Text Messaging Service: List Only (Model II) or Unlimited (Model III)
ARS tab:
- Automatic Registration Service Enable: Checked
- ARS Mode: Non-Server

2. Conventional Personality Settings

For each channel you want in the TMS zone:

Rx Voice/Signal Type: ASTRO (or Mixed Mode)
Tx Voice/Signal Type: ASTRO
ASTRO System: Point to the system created above
Frequencies: Use the shared frequencies listed below
Deviation / Channel Spacing: 2.5 kHz / 12.5 kHz typical for digital
Secure/Clear: Clear (encryption off)
ASTRO tab → Terminal Data: Checked
Rx Network ID, Tx Network ID, and Direct Network ID: 293
Rx Unmute Rule: Normal Squelch

3. Zone

Create a dedicated zone (example name: TMS or DIGITAL) and assign the personalities above to the channels in that zone. FPP can stay disabled.

4. Radio-Wide & Button Settings

Radio Configuration → Radio Wide. These fields are not the 4-character radio ID.
- Soft ID / Username: The name listed for you on the radio ID roster.
  - Ask Devin before you write the radio. He records the name on the roster.
  - If that name is already listed, it is taken.
  - Other radios add this name to their Data User List.
- PIN/Password: Any value.
- ARS User Login Enable (Radio Wide → General): Checked
- Subscriber IP (Radio Wide → Data): unique 192.168.128.x
Controls → Buttons: Assign one button (often App or a side button) to TMS
Data User List: Add the Soft ID from the roster for each radio you want to message.

5. ASTRO Call List

The radio shows these Soft IDs next to the ASTRO number. Import ASTROCallList.csv in CPS and set the import to overwrite. The file includes every assigned ID on the roster and updates when the roster is edited. Do not open the file in Excel.

Soft ID	ASTRO number
Kameron	644
Devin	795
Jason	1318
Bryan	1528
Jeff	1602
Gracie	2602
Jen	3318
Michelle	5281
Kaleb	53289
Shawn	54057

6. Message Aliases

These are the canned TMS messages. Import MessageAliasTable.csv in CPS and set the import to overwrite. Do not open the file in Excel.

Number	Message
1	Monitoring
2	On repeater
3	Simplex
4	Mobile
5	Base
6	QRT
7	Listening
8	Available
9	En route
10	On scene
11	Returning
12	Stand by
13	All clear
14	Need backup
15	Copy
16	Negative

7. Quick Text Messages

Import QuickTextMessageList.csv into Quick Text Message Entry in CPS. Set the import to overwrite. Do not open the file in Excel.

Message
Status check
En route
On scene
Need backup
Returning to base
Copy that
Stand by
All clear
Switching to analog
Battery low
Arrived
Departing
Traffic stop
Code 4
Requesting backup
In pursuit
Suspect in custody
Medical assist
Fire assist
Road closed
Accident scene
Clearing
Out of service
Back in service
Meal break
Fuel stop
Heading home
Copy. Proceeding
Negative
Affirmative
10-36
Did someone say snacks
This is fine
Copy. Also hungry
Who has the good coffee
Still alive
Send tacos
Wrong channel again
Lost the plot
Radio check or snack check
Where is the mute button
Do not eat my snacks
Situation normal
All clear except coffee
Who has the good signal
Battery is a suggestion
I can hear you clipping
Is this thing on
Copy. Regret
Send help or snacks
Wrong zone again
Who moved the repeater
I am in the trees
Signal is a rumor
Copy. Barely
Need a better antenna
This is not the channel
Who has the map
I am lost but upright
Send directions or tacos
Copy. On the way
Stand by one
Switching channels
Monitoring
No traffic
Clear to copy
Go ahead
Say again
Weak signal
Better now
Moving
Stopped
At the scene
Leaving scene
Need a second unit
Unit clear
Available
Unavailable
Checking
Confirmed

Shared Frequencies & Zone Info

Primary is 147.500 MHz simplex. Same transmit and receive, no offset, no tone. Secondary is undetermined.

Channel	Frequency	Notes
1	147.500 MHz	Primary. P25 simplex.
2	Undetermined	Secondary

Zone name: TMS (or as agreed)

Quick Checklist

ASTRO System with a 4-character Individual ID you requested from the roster + PDS + Packet Data Mode = Direct + TMS enabled
Personalities set to ASTRO Tx/Rx and pointed at that system
Zone created and channels assigned
Soft ID from the roster + TMS button assigned
Import the ASTRO call list so the radio shows these Soft IDs
Import the message aliases
Import the quick text messages
Terminal Data checked, and Rx / Tx / Direct Network ID all set to 293
ARS User Login Enable checked
Write the radio and test radio-to-radio TMS on 147.500

Sending a message

Both radios on the TMS channel, 147.500 MHz.
Press the TMS button.
Pick the recipient from the Data User List. That Soft ID has to be in the sender's list.
Pick a Quick Text or Message Alias, or compose a message on a Model III.
Send.

Questions, or to request a radio ID and Soft ID, contact Devin (KJ7OES) / eskridge.org. Check the radio ID roster and ask for a 4-character ID that is still open. Your Soft ID name is recorded on that same roster.

Last updated: 26 October 2026. Settings based on proven conventional ASTRO TMS configurations for XTS series radios.