MOTOTRBO Capacity Max: Enterprise-Scale Trunking for Mission-Critical Operations

When your organization's communications need to work across hundreds of sites, thousands of users, and conditions where failure isn't an option — Capacity Max is the system built for that reality.

As an authorized Motorola Solutions dealer and Service Elite Specialist, Day Wireless Systems designs, deploys, and supports Capacity Max systems across the United States. We've helped utilities, mining operations, higher education institutions, and enterprise campuses build communication networks that don't quit — and we've completed complex migrations from legacy systems like Connect Plus to Capacity Max.

What Is MOTOTRBO Capacity Max?

MOTOTRBO Capacity Max is Motorola Solutions' most advanced DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) Tier III trunking platform. It's engineered for large-scale, mission-critical environments where the stakes of a dropped call or a system outage are simply too high.

At its core, Capacity Max uses a dedicated control channel and centralized system management to deliver fast, reliable call setup and seamless multi-site roaming across organizations of virtually any size.

750
Max sites per system
15
Voice/data repeaters per site
3,000
Users per site
6
Dedicated data-revert repeaters per site
2–3s
Fast roaming between sites

Unlike older trunking systems, Capacity Max is able to run on the open DMR Tier III standard, which means greater interoperability and long-term investment protection. (Running Capacity Max on DMR Tier III will lose some functionality — please contact Day Wireless to discuss the right mode for your operation.)

Capacity Max vs. Capacity Plus: Which System Do You Need?

This is the question we hear most from organizations evaluating MOTOTRBO platforms. Both are excellent trunking solutions, but they're designed for different scales of operation.

Feature Capacity Plus Capacity Max
Max SitesUp to 15 sitesUp to 750 sites
Max Users per SiteUp to 1,000Up to 3,000
Trunking TypeDMR Tier II (proprietary)DMR Tier III (open standard)
Control ChannelShared with voice trafficDedicated control channel
Roaming SpeedSlower (best-effort)Fast roaming (2–3 seconds)
RedundancyBasicMulti-layer: servers, gateways, repeaters
ManagementPer-siteCentralized, enterprise-wide
Best ForSingle campus or small multi-siteEnterprise, statewide, citywide, industrial

The bottom line: If you're running a single campus or a small handful of sites with a few hundred users, Capacity Plus is often the right fit. If you're managing enterprise-wide communications across multiple facilities, regions, or a public network — Capacity Max is built for you.

Not sure which system is right for your operation? Our system design team can evaluate your requirements and recommend the best path. Contact us for a free consultation.

Who Uses MOTOTRBO Capacity Max?

Capacity Max is purpose-built for organizations that can't afford communication gaps — where a missed call, a dead zone, or a system outage has real operational or safety consequences.

Utilities & Energy

Power, water, and gas utilities rely on Capacity Max for wide-area coverage across transmission infrastructure, substations, and field crews. SCADA integration lets operational data flow alongside voice, giving dispatchers and supervisors a real-time operational picture.

Mining Operations

Mining operations demand communication systems as dynamic as the sites themselves — coverage needs and RF propagation shift constantly as pits expand. Capacity Max's flexible architecture, fast roaming, and support for mobile RF infrastructure make it the natural choice for keeping operations running safely 365 days a year.

Airports & Transportation

Airport authorities and transit agencies use Capacity Max to coordinate across terminals, ramps, maintenance, and security — often with thousands of users on a single system. Fast roaming ensures workers stay connected as they move through facilities.

Large Enterprise Campuses

Manufacturing plants, refineries, ports, and large industrial campuses deploy Capacity Max when they've outgrown Capacity Plus. Centralized management means IT teams can administer the entire system — users, talkgroups, permissions — from a single console.

Public Safety Adjacent

Organizations working alongside public safety — utilities with emergency response roles, large event venues, private security operations — benefit from Capacity Max's advanced security features and its ability to interoperate across radio ecosystems.

📋 Real-World Deployment

Antelope Mine, Gillette, WY — Connect Plus to Capacity Max Migration

Navajo Transitional Energy Company's Antelope Mine had operated a Connect Plus system for over 10 years when Motorola ended support for the platform in September 2021. With safety-critical communications on the line and RF propagation needs constantly shifting as pit operations expanded, they needed a partner with deep migration experience — not just product knowledge.

Day Wireless recommended and deployed a full MOTOTRBO Capacity Max solution, including:

  • Five-site Capacity Max multi-site trunking system with primary and redundant servers
  • 500+ Capacity Max-capable radio subscribers with Radio Management (RM) and Wi-Fi programming
  • Retrofitting of 4 existing tower sites (battery backup, down-tilt antennas) plus 1 new RF site
  • Optimized BDA system to push signal into hard-to-reach areas of the mine
  • 150' mobile tower allowing coverage to move as the mine pit expands
  • Blasting warning siren infrastructure upgrade and dispatch console modernization
  • FCC license audit and modifications, RF consulting, and baseline network testing

Result
The migration was completed entirely in-house by DWS, with Motorola sending a Capacity Max system specialist for final tuning. Antelope Mine's new system is capable of supporting additional area operations as the mine expands — and Day Wireless is providing 5 years of ongoing system monitoring and on-site maintenance. The new system is designed to perform reliably for 10+ more years.

Migrating from Connect Plus to Capacity Max

⚠ Running Connect Plus? Here's What You Need to Know.

Motorola officially ended support for the Connect Plus platform in September 2021. If your organization is still running Connect Plus, you're operating on unsupported infrastructure — without access to security updates, manufacturer support, or a long-term upgrade path. Day Wireless has completed multiple Connect Plus to Capacity Max migrations, including our own internal system. We know the process inside and out.

The good news: Capacity Max is the direct migration target, and a well-planned transition can be completed with minimal disruption to your operations. A full Day Wireless migration engagement typically includes:

  • Current use assessment and system documentation
  • Solution design and site survey
  • Phased migration planning to minimize operational downtime
  • On-site installation by DWS technician teams (typically 4–5 techs per week)
  • Motorola Capacity Max system specialist involvement for final system tuning
  • Staff training on the new system
  • FCC license audit and modifications as needed
  • Ongoing system monitoring and preventative maintenance options

Discuss Your Migration

Capacity Max Key Features and Capabilities

Dedicated Control Channel

Capacity Max reserves a dedicated channel just for system control traffic. This keeps call setup fast and reliable even during periods of high voice and data activity — a major advantage over systems that share control with voice traffic.

Centralized System Management

The Capacity Max System Server (CMSS) centralizes all trunking control, voice routing, and management. Administrators manage every site, user, and talkgroup from one console via the Radio Management (RM) application, including over-the-air programming updates via Wi-Fi.

Mobile & Adaptive Coverage

For operations where coverage needs change — open-pit mining, large construction projects, emergency deployments — Capacity Max supports mobile RF infrastructure, including portable towers, that can be repositioned as your footprint evolves.

Multi-Layer Redundancy

High availability is built in, not bolted on. Capacity Max supports redundant system servers, redundant IP switches, on-site control channel repeaters, and up to three alternate control channels per site. No single point of failure can bring the system down.

Advanced Security

Capacity Max encrypts voice, data, and control traffic end-to-end. Subscriber authentication and access control prevent unauthorized access — appropriate for sensitive enterprise and government-adjacent applications.

Rich Data & Location Services

Beyond voice, Capacity Max supports GPS tracking, text messaging, SCADA data integration, alarm notifications, and over-the-air radio programming — all on the same system, without adding new frequencies.

Why Deploy Capacity Max with Day Wireless?

Capacity Max isn't a plug-and-play system. Designing a high-performance, high-availability trunking network requires deep RF expertise, careful site planning, and real-world deployment experience. That's where Day Wireless comes in.

Certified Expertise

Motorola Solutions Service Elite Specialist — the highest tier of channel partner certification.

Engineering Capability

System design team experienced in RF propagation, coverage mapping, and network architecture across diverse terrains and industries.

Migration Experience

We've completed Connect Plus to Capacity Max migrations for multiple customers, including our own system — we know what works and what to watch for.

Full Deployment Teams

We often deploy teams of 4–5 on-site technicians, supported by Motorola Capacity Max system specialists for commissioning and fine-tuning.

End-to-End Support

Full-lifecycle partnership: design, installation, commissioning, staff training, system monitoring, and planned preventative maintenance.

Local Presence

30 locations across the Western U.S. — responsive field service wherever your sites are, in the US and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate from Connect Plus to Capacity Max?
Yes — and if you're still running Connect Plus, now is the time to plan. Motorola ended support in September 2021. Day Wireless has completed multiple Connect Plus to Capacity Max migrations and can assess your current system, design the transition, and execute it with minimal disruption. Contact us to start the conversation.
Can I upgrade from Capacity Plus to Capacity Max?
Yes. Capacity Max is designed to integrate with existing MOTOTRBO infrastructure, and in many cases the transition can be accomplished with a software upgrade rather than a complete hardware replacement. Our team will assess your current system and recommend the most cost-effective path.
Does Capacity Max work with my existing MOTOTRBO radios?
Capacity Max is compatible with the broad MOTOTRBO radio portfolio, including the R7, XPR 7000e series, and SL3500e MAX. Not all radios support all features, and some older firmware may require updates. We can audit your existing fleet as part of a system design engagement.
How many users can Capacity Max support?
A single Capacity Max system supports up to 750 sites with up to 3,000 users per site. For most enterprise and large commercial deployments, this represents effectively unlimited scalability — you'll grow your organization long before you outgrow the system.
What is the difference between Advantage Mode and Open Radio Mode?
Advantage Mode enables the full suite of enhanced MOTOTRBO features — advanced location services, voice interrupt, priority call, and more — but is limited to Motorola-branded radios. Open Radio Mode runs standard DMR Tier III, allowing radios from other manufacturers, but at the cost of some advanced functionality. Most organizations with existing MOTOTRBO fleets run Advantage Mode. Contact us to discuss which is right for your situation.
Does Capacity Max support SCADA and data applications?
Yes. Capacity Max dedicates up to six data-revert repeaters per site specifically for data traffic. GPS location tracking, SCADA telemetry, alarm notifications, and text messaging run simultaneously with voice — without degrading either. Critical for utilities, mining, and industrial operations.
What does a Capacity Max deployment with Day Wireless look like?
Every deployment is customized to your site, user count, and operational requirements. Day Wireless handles the full lifecycle: current use assessment, RF coverage design, site survey, installation by on-site technician teams, commissioning with Motorola specialist involvement, staff training, FCC licensing support, and ongoing maintenance and monitoring.
How does Capacity Max pricing work?
Capacity Max is a system solution priced based on site count, user count, server configuration and redundancy, and ongoing support requirements. Because every deployment is different, we provide custom quotes. Contact our team — we'll ask the right questions and give you a realistic picture of investment for your scale of operation.