Review
The Motorola Solutions MOTOTRBO XiR M8668i is a professional mobile two-way radio designed for vehicle-mounted and fixed communication applications. It supports both analogue operation and DMR Tier II and DMR Tier III digital protocols, making it suitable for conventional radio networks as well as advanced digital voice and data communication systems.
The XiR M8668i is available in VHF, 350 MHz, UHF Band 1, UHF Band 2 and 800 MHz variants. Depending on the selected frequency band, high-power RF output ranges from 1 W to 45 W. The radio provides a capacity of 1000 channels, supports 12.5 and 25 kHz channel spacing and features a four-line colour alphanumeric display.
Integrated Wi-Fi supports over-the-air software updates, while Bluetooth 4.0 provides audio and data connectivity. The integrated GNSS system supports GPS, BeiDou and GLONASS, with a stated horizontal positioning accuracy of less than 5 metres. Additional communication features include canned and freeform text messaging, work-order ticketing, voice announcement and event-driven location updates.
For audio performance, the XiR M8668i uses the AMBE+2 digital vocoder and provides 3 W through the internal speaker. Audio output can reach 7.5 W with an external 8-ohm speaker and 13 W with an external 4-ohm speaker. Intelligent Audio, IMPRES audio, background noise cancellation and acoustic feedback suppression help improve voice clarity in demanding operational environments.
The radio operates from a nominal 12 V power supply and measures 53 x 175 x 206 mm with a weight of 1.8 kg. It provides IP54 protection, operates from -30°C to +60°C and has been tested against MIL-STD-810 C, D, E, F, G and H environmental methods. Conventional, Dual Capacity Direct Mode, IP Site Connect and Capacity Plus systems are supported, while features such as Capacity Max, Enhanced Privacy and AES-256 encryption are optional.