Harris Unity issues.
I have had the same issue with Motorola Phase II as well. Also MDC1200, or lack thereof. Programming is a learning curve if you are used to Motorola CPS.
(I have used Harris PRC-152's and Thales PRC-148's as well. They both have learning curves.)
Then there is the general durability of the outside case of the radio itself. I have gouged and scratched mine up more than any other vendor of radio I own.
Mine was purchased at a large one time discount, but had I paid full price, I would not have liked the no AM capability.
The Front Panel Programming is really just front panel editing of existing channels and frequencies. You must have the channels already in place, even as place holders. This really annoys me, as a true front panel programming capability can be had on a cheap amateur radio that costs 1/20th the price.
What I do like about this Unity radio:
True multi-band capability. I can program VHF/UHF/800MHz channels into one "Mission Plan" and it works. No picking two bands and ordering the radio with only those two installed. (APX7000).
I never had to get an "Entitlement ID" number to program this for wide-band operation.
Registration of my programming computer was very easy and worked the first time. No customer support calls or logging into a MOL account a dozen times to verify who I am.
Loud audio output.
Color display is very nice to have and makes it easier to see the menu. It would be nice to change these to a color other than blue though.
I have no intention of doing it, but these seem to really be water proof to a few feet. The seal on the battery is tight and feels secure.
Metal belt clip is much better than the plastic ones on everyone else's radio.
Looks very "high speed" to the 3 and 4 letter agencies when you are wearing the same radio as them.
Luckily, everywhere I go in my work, there is Telex or Raytheon interface gear to allow for interoperability between dissimilar radios. The closest radios I have seen to a full spectrum all band, AM/FM/Satcom radio were the military PRC-152 and PRC-148 MBITR/JEM. My wish would be to have a civilian version of one or both of these that actually worked at a price that local law enforcement/fire departments could afford.
