Programming Software and Basics for Harris 7100 Radios

[Mackintosh1337]

So I’m new to civilian radios, my only experience being with military radios (152’s and 150’s) and bought 2 Harris 7100’s for my family. What programming software and cables should I get to get started?

 

[merlin]

These are commercial radios for like public safety etc.
The portables use a different programming cable from the mobiles.
I get mine from RF Guys about $70 USD
The mobiles, I make my own, about $20 USD in parts.
Programmer software, I use 'Programmer Ver. 17, 18, or 20 for these.
This is not like the simple civilian radios like Baofeng, it take a lot of reading the Harris/GE/MaCom programming manuals(several pending the features you want) the radios must have the features you want also.
Most of these are 800 Mhz band and you can't get an FCC license privately.
Lucky, you can find these in UHF band and program them into FRS frequencies.(possibly illegal here)
Sorry, I won't supply hardware, software. or advice how to use these illegally.
73s

 

[Mackintosh1337]

So I’m not legally allowed to use it?

 

[Mackintosh1337]

These are commercial radios for like public safety etc.
The portables use a different programming cable from the mobiles.
I get mine from RF Guys about $70 USD
The mobiles, I make my own, about $20 USD in parts.
Programmer software, I use 'Programmer Ver. 17, 18, or 20 for these.
This is not like the simple civilian radios like Baofeng, it take a lot of reading the Harris/GE/MaCom programming manuals(several pending the features you want) the radios must have the features you want also.
Most of these are 800 Mhz band and you can't get an FCC license privately.
Lucky, you can find these in UHF band and program them into FRS frequencies.(possibly illegal here)
Sorry, I won't supply hardware, software. or advice how to use these illegally.
73s

What do you mean by “Programmer ver”? Is that on the Harris/ Ma-Com website?

 

[redbeard]

Like @merlin said, step one is what frequency are you licensed for? There is nowhere you can legally use that radio without a license and those radios are not legal on any of the license free radio services.

 

[Forts]

What do you mean by “Programmer ver”? Is that on the Harris/ Ma-Com website?

Commercial radios obviously have their own versions of programming software, usually many versions/releases of it. For example in the Motorola world the APX cps is now up to version 22 or 23... it's constantly being updated and changed. On the Harris side they do things a little differently. Their legacy software was simply called 'Programmer' and covered a whole bunch of different radios. Programmer 18 was used quite a bit by hobbyists because it could be found in the wild and easily used. When Programmer R20 was released it required a license key to operate. That software has since been replaced by RPM (Radio Personality Manager) and subsequently RPM2. None of these software platforms are free or readily available for download from the L3Harris site.

 

[merlin]

So I’m not legally allowed to use it?

For a novice with commercial radio, no. For a well versed radio tech, one could use transverters that convert these to other bands like armature. you still need a ham license and the radio must be modified to comply with FCC part 97 for legal use.
Being a retired RF radio engineer, I started with ham radio in 1962. Still a hobby and passtime for me.
I have a box full of P7100s. When I program them, transmit is into a dummy load, not antenna. you can receive all you want. Some hardware work, they can go to 33CM ham bands.(still need that license).
Harris has an odd heirarchy with their programming software as 'Forts' outlined above and this can cost lots of money.
Harris (Tyco) or authorized distributors the only source. Test boxes and programming cables often turn up on ebay or GSA auctions.
My work in progress cubbyhole:
73s

 

[Mackintosh1337]

so I have to buy a license to use these? Is that like a business license? Or something anyone can get? As I said, I’m brand new to civilian radio

 

[merlin]

so I have to buy a license to use these? Is that like a business license? Or something anyone can get? As I said, I’m brand new to civilian radio

Hi. what licence is the key to install and use the programming software. That you may be able to get from a Harris radio
distributor. My key for ver. 20 cost $250, and only half works.the key for maintenance fails and I am out of luck there.
As for FCC, that takes a business station license and nothing for that is being licensed in the 800 Mhz band.
My suggestion is spend some time on FCC dot gov and read up about this band.
A user guide for your 7100s you can get and very recommended. (that I can supply)
73s

 

[Mackintosh1337]

I would love that user guide. And once I get my ham radio license, I can use it on those bands?

 

[prcguy]

The only FCC type acceptance for amateur radios is Part 15 for low level emissions, the transceivers are not type accepted for Part 97. You don't need any FCC type acceptance on a transmitter used within the US amateur bands.

For a novice with commercial radio, no. For a well versed radio tech, one could use transverters that convert these to other bands like armature. you still need a ham license and the radio must be modified to comply with FCC part 97 for legal use.
Being a retired RF radio engineer, I started with ham radio in 1962. Still a hobby and passtime for me.
I have a box full of P7100s. When I program them, transmit is into a dummy load, not antenna. you can receive all you want. Some hardware work, they can go to 33CM ham bands.(still need that license).
Harris has an odd heirarchy with their programming software as 'Forts' outlined above and this can cost lots of money.
Harris (Tyco) or authorized distributors the only source. Test boxes and programming cables often turn up on ebay or GSA auctions.
My work in progress cubbyhole:
73s

 

[redbeard]

I would love that user guide. And once I get my ham radio license, I can use it on those bands?

If your radios are 800MHz radios, then no. There is no 800MHz ham band. If the radio is VHF or UHF then you may be able to. Post the model number or a photo of the sticker on the radio and someone can tell you what it is. Maybe this hasn't become obvious yet, but the same model radio can be found in differing, non-compatible frequency bands. I see this lack of understanding mostly from volunteer fireman, who see the same model radio they use for sale on ebay and buys one only to find out they bought UHF when they needed VHF or vice-versa.

 

[Mackintosh1337]

If your radios are 800MHz radios, then no. There is no 800MHz ham band. If the radio is VHF or UHF then you may be able to. Post the model number or a photo of the sticker on the radio and someone can tell you what it is. Maybe this hasn't become obvious yet, but the same model radio can be found in differing, non-compatible frequency bands. I see this lack of understanding mostly from volunteer fireman, who see the same model radio they use for sale on ebay and buys one only to find out they bought UHF when they needed VHF or vice-versa.

My model numbers are HT7170T601X

 

[Loopy1]

Press the (M)enu key on the radio, scroll to "Revision" and press (M)enu again. Scroll through those screens and it will show you the RF band of the radio.

 

[merlin]

I would love that user guide. And once I get my ham radio license, I can use it on those bands?

As mentioned, these radios 'cannot' be used as is. It takes some serious modifications to make them work on the 33 CM ham bands, and that is it.
The user guide is too large to upload here. we can try PM.
73s

 

[merlin]

My model numbers are HT7170T601X

So your radio looks like the one on the right, Correct ?

 

[Mackintosh1337]

So your radio looks like the one on the right, Correct ?

Yes, I have the one on the right.

 

[merlin]

M/A-COM P7100IP SERIES OPERATOR'S MANUAL Pdf Download

View and Download M/A-Com P7100IP Series operator's manual online. P7100IP Series portable radio pdf manual download.

www.manualslib.com

Click on download for your manual.

 

[radiotech33]

I would say if you are not a radio tech..or have a tech license...from the old school radio tech...my is for life time...lets get rid of programmers...