Buying used XPR 3500e, are there questions I should ask?

[xohs]

Hi folks, I could use some advice.

I'm intending to purchase 2 XPR3500e radios (UHF) via eBay. Before I do, I have a few questions that one of you might be able to help with. Note that I already have a Motorola Solutions account, have the entitlement for CPS, and have the programming software. I also bought a programming cable and I intend to use this on the FRS frequencies in the US (to which I also have a GMRS license from the FCC if it is needed).

• Are there any questions I should ask the seller ahead of time? I saw vague references in the forums to password locks on radios where they can't be reprogrammed.
• I'd like to use the encryption options, specifically the RC4/enhanced privacy. Will I need to buy an entitlement? It's unclear in the Motorola docs. If yes, are there any restrictions in buying an entitlement for a used radio (that might have had a prior entitlement for a different customer)?
• I also saw some threads on wideband entitlements. I don't expect that I will need this for my use case as described above, but just want to confirm.
• Any other advice you have would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[K2NEC]

Passwords are important, but some sellers genuinely might not know so it will be a risk unless they are absolutely certain.

You can buy an entitlement for any radio, just keep in mind that encryption is prohibited on FRS/GMRS

Wideband is a CPS entitlement and it's $5 from Motorola

Edit:
Any radio that has firmware before 2.10 won't work with CPS2 and will require a firmware update with older CPS which can be a hassle. Make sure the firmware is up to date for use with CPS2

 

[N4KVE]

No entitlement required for RC4.

 

[MTS2000des]

It's Ebay. Unless it's coming from a legitimate radio seller like Rick Thompson, it's truly a gamble. All of the reasons given (codeplug passwords, software/entitlements, etc) are valid. At the end of the day, you do have a 100 percent money back guarantee if the item is not as described. ASK QUESTIONS thru Ebay messaging BEFORE bidding/buying, this way, if an issue arises, it's documented via Ebay and eventually, they will rule in your favor and you'll get your money back after jumping through a few hoops.

Want to avoid this? Buy the SELLER not the ITEM.

 

[FFPM571]

Hi folks, I could use some advice.

I'm intending to purchase 2 XPR3500e radios (UHF) via eBay. Before I do, I have a few questions that one of you might be able to help with. Note that I already have a Motorola Solutions account, have the entitlement for CPS, and have the programming software. I also bought a programming cable and I intend to use this on the FRS frequencies in the US (to which I also have a GMRS license from the FCC if it is needed).

• Are there any questions I should ask the seller ahead of time? I saw vague references in the forums to password locks on radios where they can't be reprogrammed.
• I'd like to use the encryption options, specifically the RC4/enhanced privacy. Will I need to buy an entitlement? It's unclear in the Motorola docs. If yes, are there any restrictions in buying an entitlement for a used radio (that might have had a prior entitlement for a different customer)?
• I also saw some threads on wideband entitlements. I don't expect that I will need this for my use case as described above, but just want to confirm.
• Any other advice you have would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

GMRS is wideband

 

[mmckenna]

I intend to use this on the FRS frequencies in the US (to which I also have a GMRS license from the FCC if it is needed).

FRS is limited to 2 watts, no access to the repeater input frequencies, and a non-removable antenna.

So, you won't be using this for FRS, you'll be using it under your GMRS license.

If you wanted to dot the I's and cross the T's, you'd also have a radio that had FCC Part 95E approval, which I don't think this does.
And, as stated, encryption, of any kind, is not permitted on FRS or GMRS.

If you are looking for a good/legal GMRS radio, there are better options out there.

 

[xohs]

First of all thank you for the replies!

That is quite interesting re: encryption, it never occurred to me that there would be a restriction on it when using an allowed frequency. In that case, assume I'm not using encryption now but will eventually use it with these radios once the appropriate FCC license is obtained. I'm very much about playing by the rules and am down the rabbithole of figuring that out.

Also thanks re: CPS, I think the Motorola Solutions entitlement allows download of older versions. And I have the ability to run an outdated Windows OS if needed.

RE: eBay, that's the point of this thread to make sure I understand what questions to ask. I'll ask about codeplug passwords before bidding, and if they don't know then I will negotiate a potential to return the item if it turns out to be password protected.

This is as much about learning Moto Trbo/DMR as it is about just having good radios. I do have other GMRS radios already, just not digital.

 

[K9KLC]

I do have other GMRS radios already, just not digital

Can't use digital on GMRS either. If the purpose is GMRS, while this will obviously work there (albeit not legally it's not part 95 approved) you need to just plan on using plain old FM on those frequencies.

Other than that, the 3500's program similar to all other MOTOTRBO radios using either CPS 16 or CPS 2.0 depending on the firmware on the particular radio you get. As long as it doesn't arrive password protected, you're likely good to go for programming.

 

[xohs]

I'm now in the background reading about itinerant frequencies which would seem to be ideal for my use case. Very low power, infrequent usage, and supports both digital and encryption.

 

[mmckenna]

I would recommend reading FCC Part 95 rules, specifically subpart A and E.
Subpart A is the general rules for the personal radio services, of which GMRS is one of them.
Subpart E is the rules that are specific to GMRS

Federal Register :: Request Access

www.ecfr.gov

 

[tweiss3]

No entitlement required for RC4.

Incorrect, depending on the age, it might not have enhanced privacy or audio leveling, and you would have to buy that from a Motorola dealer.

You cannot add activate anything through CPS16 anymore, they discontinued that server. You can activate entitlements with CPS2, and still program in CPS16 as long as you don't push any programming in CPS2.

The weak point in the 3500 radios is the antenna port. I've had to solder all of them back on the board.

 

[K9KLC]

I'm now in the background reading about itinerant frequencies which would seem to be ideal for my use case. Very low power, infrequent usage, and supports both digital and encryption.

Which you still need a license for. I'm not sure about the infrequent usage part, that varies from area to area. Around here some of them are pretty dead others depends on who's working in the area at that that time.

 

[nokones]

GMRS is wideband

Not all GMRS repeaters are wideband. There are several active GMRS repeaters that operate narrowband.

 

[nokones]

I would check and see what features are loaded in the subject XPR3500e radio listed on eBay. They are not all the same and in some cases we're not ordered fully loaded.

Personally, I think you would be better off with the XPR7550e rather than the XPR3500e radio.

I was fortunate to purchase a brand new looking fully loaded XPR7550e with firmware version R02.23 for $475 with a Motorola Impress battery in good condition and an Impress Charger. There are good buys on eBay to be had.

 

[K9KLC]

I would check and see what features are loaded in the subject XPR3500e radio listed on eBay. They are not all the same and in some cases we're not ordered fully loaded.

Personally, I think you would be better off with the XPR7550e rather than the XPR3500e radio.

I was fortunate to purchase a brand new looking fully loaded XPR7550e with firmware version R02.23 for $475 with a Motorola Impress battery in good condition and an Impress Charger. There are good buys on eBay to be had.

I have to be honest I agree. Even some 6580's would likely be cheaper.

From what I've read here, it sounds like he'd actually be better off with some of the DTR radios from Motorola. No license required, digital spread spectrum, and given he's looking at HT's anyway they'll likely work almost as far in distance as any of the UHF stuff he's talking about.

Truthfully if we knew what he was actually trying to accomplish (the use case) it might be easier for us to help him. I'm unclear why he's settled on the XPR 3500e, I've got one or two laying around I never use. (or very very very rarely).

 

[N4KVE]

Incorrect, depending on the age, it might not have enhanced privacy or audio leveling, and you would have to buy that from a Motorola dealer.

You cannot add activate anything through CPS16 anymore, they discontinued that server. You can activate entitlements with CPS2, and still program in CPS16 as long as you don't push any programming in CPS2.

The weak point in the 3500 radios is the antenna port. I've had to solder all of them back on the board.

I have some old 6550’s, & 6350’s, & they all came with RC4. Auto leveling is a different story which could require a paid upgrade, but my R7 came with it.

 

[K2NEC]

I think on 6350's and 6550's I've always seen everything except Connect Plus enabled by default.

I've worked with plenty of 3500's and 3500e's that have had Enhanced Privacy as "Available for Purchase"

TLDR; RC4 purchase may be required

 

[ladn]

Ask for clear photos of the radios ID labels. This will help you to determine how the radios are configured. You can also "run" the serial number thru Motorola to see if the radios are reported stolen.

Depending on the wording of the eBay ad, I'd also ask about the batteries and what accessories (like chargers, and antennas) are included.

And lastly, "user friendly" is not a term that's applied to Motorola CPS. Take some time and RTFM!

 

[FFPM571]

Not all GMRS repeaters are wideband. There are several active GMRS repeaters that operate narrowband.

the amount of Wideband is much more than the few that are Narrowband

 

[FFPM571]

Ask for clear photos of the radios ID labels. This will help you to determine how the radios are configured. You can also "run" the serial number thru Motorola to see if the radios are reported stolen.

Depending on the wording of the eBay ad, I'd also ask about the batteries and what accessories (like chargers, and antennas) are included.

And lastly, "user friendly" is not a term that's applied to Motorola CPS. Take some time and RTFM!

Running serial numbers through motorola DOES NOT tell you if they are stolen.... It does not even tell you who the original owner is