XPR5550 to HHCH

[KG5HHS]

Hello all,
I am currently looking into a XPR5550 403-470MHZ (Model Number: AAM28QPN9KA1AN) as it will cover the Amateur Radio, GMRS and NIFOG Interop frequencies. This radio will be the second radio that will be going into my 2018 F150. The only issue I have is that I need this radio's control head to be a handheld control head. I have found a Motorola PMLN7032A HHCH kit. My first question is, Will this be just a matter of popping off the original control head and replacing it with this kit? My second question is, is there anything required in the programming to be changed?

 

[n3obl]

Yes you pop off the front cover and put the remote front on then hook up the cable to the head. There is no difference in configuration however sometimes when switching to a hhch it will flash red so you might need to run the firmware update for what's currently in the radio to match all together.

 

[KG5HHS]

Ok, perfect! I thought I had read somewhere about firmware updating/recovery. I have MOTOTRBO CPS 12 and have never done that so I may need some assistance with that. Also, I see where there is also a USB-B programming jack on the hhch replacement. Can this be used to program the radio with just a standard usb-a male to usb-b male cable like what is found on a printer?

 

[n3obl]

yes you can. I recommend updating to CPS 16 and use 2.9 firmware.

 

[Forts]

I believe I saw somewhere there is a minimum FW requirement for remote head/HHCH use. If you are looking at a 5550 anything even remotely recent will need CPS newer than 12. The HHCH is pretty slick, but painfully expensive!

 

[KG5HHS]

I am currently looking into updating to CPS 16 and getting the 25khz/Wideband entitlement. I'm not familiar with updating the firmware with these radio's. Is this something that will need to be purchased from Motorola?

 

[Forts]

For the legacy/1st gen radios like the 6550, firmware is included in your CPS subscription. With the newer platform of radios mother Moto is trying to push everyone to a subscription based service model in order to do firmware updates etc.

 

[W2PDX]

Also, I see where there is also a USB-B programming jack on the hhch replacement. Can this be used to program the radio with just a standard usb-a male to usb-b male cable like what is found on a printer?

Yes, a standard USB-A to USB-B is all you need. I used an old beat up printer cable that was surplus from work and it worked fine. If you are getting a 5550E and your laptop has Bluetooth, it's easy enough to setup Bluetooth programming in CPS. Now I don't worry about the cable or reaching my hand under the driver's seat where I have my 5550 mounted. Basically open CPS, hit the Bluetooth button, make sure the laptop's BT is turned on and wait for it to connect.