What can I do with these? (XPR6580)

[westcoaster]

These landed in my lap.
What can I do with them? Digital 8-900Mhz

Black one AAH55UCH9LB1AN
Blue one AAH55UCH9LB3BN

Hack them and use them as amateur radio?
Is there license free in either of the two bands? (Canada)
use them to hold down paper on the corner of the desk?
Apparently I can toss them in a lake and talk to the fish.... (submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes)

Thanks,

 

[jaspence]

There are no amateur frequencies in the 800 mhz band, and not much activity in the 900 band. Some radios can be used for 900 mhz, but from my reading, motorolas are more difficult to get working on amateur frequencies. There are license free 800 frequencies, but neither of those radios meet the FCC requirements.

 

[N4KVE]

There are several 900 DMR repeaters here, & plenty of 900 analog repeaters here, & I have used both those radios on the 902/927 ham band. They work well. Or you can use them to listen to local law enforcement on the 800 band. The blue radio requires a special $160 battery, while the other radio uses the common battery. As I understand there are 900 ham repeaters going up in Quebec. I'm not sure where you are in Canada. 900 is great, because not every TOM, Dick, or Harry is there with their new Dollar Store radio. Of course, if there are no 902/927 ham repeaters near you, then they are just a couple of radios to use in the mall with the wife.

 

[westcoaster]

Located around Vancouver BC

$160 for a battery..... At least that battery holds a charge (for now) black one dosen't hold a charge. If I wedge it in there just right, the black one powers up with the blue battery.

I'm not sure what there is for 900 stuff around here either. Something I'll google....

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[K2NEC]

These landed in my lap.
What can I do with them? Digital 8-900Mhz

Black one AAH55UCH9LB1AN
Blue one AAH55UCH9LB3BN

Hack them and use them as amateur radio?
Is there license free in either of the two bands? (Canada)
use them to hold down paper on the corner of the desk?
Apparently I can toss them in a lake and talk to the fish.... (submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes)

Thanks,

You could always sell them

 

[westcoaster]

You could always sell them

I could....

Looking like that's what's going to have to happen.


Got to establish an ebay seller reputation some time, may as well be with these....

 

[IAmSixNine]

I like that blue housing.

 

[N4KVE]

I like that blue housing.

So do I, but those radios were specifically made to be sold, & used only in Canada in the oil fields, & are intrinsically safe. They require a special "Canada only" battery which can be purchased in the USA, but even with a generous discount, would cost $160. They work well, but because of the battery, I sold mine. I did get the "normal" one.