Using an Inexpensive P7200 as a monitor receiver (scanner) - Firmware changes required

[rescue161]

Got the ones I bought up and running. They work great! For $25, you can't beat the deal. As far as Phase 2, I bought it for two of my other radios and it was well worth the cost ($250). So if you could order it through a dealer, then $275 for a Phase 2 radio sure beats buying a $600 scanner that won't perform nearly as good.

 

[TDR-94]

Harris won't upgrade the P7200 to Phase 2..They no longer support the firmware for those.

 

[rescue161]

I very recently upgraded a couple of 7300s and have heard that as long as the hardware revision is above a certain revision that they will sell it via a dealer.

 

[TDR-94]

The P7200 is a different story. They don't offer the Phase 2 upgrade because they no longer support the firmware.

Phase 2 is no longer listed as a feature you can purchase for the P7200 on the Harris price sheet.

 

[rescue161]

That is strange as it uses the same firmware as the 7300. I have a request in with the Harris rep, so I'll report back either way.

 

[TDR-94]

This is the reply directly from Harris.

The P7200 portable is discontinued and the firmware is no longer supported. We will not be able to provide or support P25 Phase II TDMA for P7200 portables.

 

[2wayfreq]

Well, at least they are Phase 1. I was going to set one up to monitor a 700MHz Phase 1 system. Then, I see in the list Option 44, "700/800 Mhz Dual band". These don't have that feature. Please don't tell me that I would need to add that to receive 700Mhz? That would suck!

 

[jets1961]

You know you mention in this post that you took it from another site and thank the author when you copy and past a post like this.

There are number of very good condition P7200 radios with Project-25 trunking enabled on eBay selling for $25 each, WITHOUT accessories. A few radios with accessories selling for higher prices. In the roll of a P-25 Trunked system scanner, capable of receiving Simulcast systems, it is a fantastic bargain at $25 (compared to a Unication G5 receiver ~$600).

These radios WILL NOT "talk" to RPM R10b07 software without a firmware downgrade, as the radios were set-up to use a much later revision of RPM.

If you decide to purchase one of these radios, you will need to have the following firmware config in the radios for optimal performance with RPM R10b07, with this underappreciated radio:

• The BURNApp must be downgraded to R11a04
• The BOOTApp can remain at R12a00 (R12.00.00)
• The XGP firmware must be downgraded to XGP R02a26

The above changes take approximately 30 minutes for each radio.

All the required accessories (battery, charger, antenna, etc.) for radio can be found on eBay too.


[ PLEASE NOTE: I am not the seller, or have monetary interest in these radios. I just figured-out what it takes to get one working the RPM R10 for a ham buddy, and thought I would share the info with the group. ]

 

[rescue161]

?

 

[jets1961]

rescue161 your a member there go have a look in the Harris section, copy and paste. I thought proper net educate you mention you copy and paste it from somewhere else.

CS

 

[rescue161]

What site? I'm pretty sure that he's probably the author as he was an engineer at Harris when these radios were new.

 

[rescue161]

If you are referring to the CS website, then he is the same author. He wrote it, so he doesn't need to cite the other website.

 

[jets1961]

OK then I apologize to the author who is the original then. I though I had seen the CS author here that is why I said it, again apologizes.

 

[rescue161]

Just got my new feature string to add option 47, Phase 2, from my Harris dealer, so we'll see how it does when I get home and program the new FES.

 

[rescue161]

Works like a champ. I may upgrade the other ones that I bought as my source tells me that all 7200 radios, regardless of hardware, will do Phase 2 with Option 47 and 39 enabled.

 

[2wayfreq]

On the downgrade procedure:
I try to load Burnapp, the display says:
READY
PBAPP R13.03
"Attempting to connect with the device on COM3..."
After about 15 seconds--STATUS-COM3..FAIL!
Am I missing a step??
Hopefully I don't need Hyper terminal.
Current Rev--R06D13

Thanks!!

 

[rescue161]

Press the Opt1 button to change to ECP and then select to load. Press the menu button and then the Opt1 button to change it from N to Y, then press the menu button. This will get you back into ECP mode. Then try to program the BURNAPP again.

 

[TDR-94]

Just got my new feature string to add option 47, Phase 2, from my Harris dealer, so we'll see how it does when I get home and program the new FES.

Your dealer must be special because I've gone through 3 different ones and they all get the same no go response from Harris. Are you going through a System Admin to get the feature?

 

[rescue161]

No, I am not going through a System Admin. I emailed the request to the dealer and included the old string, the serial number and the requested feature. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[radioman2001]

Would you care to name the dealer I have 3 M7200 I would like to upgrade