Motorola Authorized Sales/Service

[GlobalNorth]

Do Moto authorized shops support legacy radios for something as simple as programming?

I bought a couple of HT-1550s [VHF], but they have only 4 channels and the side buttons have no functionality. I've called a local dealer and they've not returned my calls. MOL wants a lot of info for permission to buy the software and it will probably cost far more than the portables did, not to mention the cable. I also don't own/use WIndows computers.

The radios are FPP enabled, but I'd like to add Natl. Weather Service frequencies for monitoring statewide.

 

[mmckenna]

It depends on the shop.

Some seem to 'dump' certain product lines after they are end-of-life'd. Some have so much staff churn, that the techs that knew how to work on certain models are long gone.
Some shops don't want to keep the old software/cables around.
Some just don't want to put the effort into small customers.

The other big one is that many shops don't want to deal with hobbyists/hams. There's challenges in that. Programming radios for someone else on a small scale, trying to confirm licenses/access permissions, it all takes effort and time. The amount of work that goes into setting up a radio can be pretty large, and going through all that for a couple of radios may not be worth their time.

You may have to hunt around for other shops. Chances are you'll find someone who is willing to work with you. There are sellers on e-Bay that sell programming services. Send your radio in + $ and they'll do what you want.

Or, just track down the software/cable, get over the PC thing, and do it yourself.

 

[toolman60]

You may be able to find a local ham club with a member that can program them.

 

[mmckenna]

You may be able to find a local ham club with a member that can program them.

Yeah, I agree. There are a lot of people using the Pro line of radios for amateur radio, GMRS, etc. If you ask around, you may find people that can do the programming for you. I know I have the software/cables, but shipping would be a challenge.

But, making sure you found someone who would do it correctly and that you can trust would be necessary. Not everyone that has access to the software/cables knows what they are doing.

 

[mmckenna]

There's also the challenge with making sure the CPS version is the same or newer than the last one used to program the radio.

Welcome to the world of commercial radios, especially the headaches that come with owning Motorola gear.

 

[HWG]

Welcome to the world of commercial radios, especially the headaches that come with owning Motorola gear.

I have had the experience of using batwings and I think I am to the point of all the equipment I have being moved to HAD as well as the programming cables due to the headaches mentioned above. If you can find someone that has the experience needed to do it for you I would go that route. I don't think I would invest in the Motorola ecosystem however. This is by no means a reflection on the equipment itself, it is great stuff, just a reflection on the "costs" of owning batwings.

 

[mmckenna]

I don't think I would invest in the Motorola ecosystem however. This is by no means a reflection on the equipment itself, it is great stuff, just a reflection on the "costs" of owning batwings.

Yep, I migrated my employer to Kenwood starting in 2011, have not regretted it.

Back on topic...
Shouldn't be an issue finding someone to program a HT-1550 for you. They were popular radios.

 

[n3obl]

I bet you look at this page you can find resources to get a cable and other goodies.

Waris - W9CR

wiki.w9cr.net

 

[GlobalNorth]

I bet you look at this page you can find resources to get a cable and other goodies.

Waris - W9CR

wiki.w9cr.net

A friend, who is also an Amateur, has already pointed out that site to me. The reasons I am looking for a shop to do the work is the following: I lack a MS based computer with a serial port to connect to the radio; the ribless cable is priced as much as the radios cost me; and perhaps the primary reason is I'd prefer a professional to do the work properly the first time and not have to spend many hours trying to "interpret" Moto's programming software in a very steep learning curve.

A big thanks to everyone here who has offered assistance and their considered options as to how to deal with this.