What should I look for when buying used Harris RF-7850m-hh?

[chanrobi]

Found a couple of these used/surplus and would like to buy one, asking about $3.2k usd

I mainly planning on using it for sota/pota, hitting repeaters/ham radio use, will these work well for this purpose? The seller claims the cps software is readily available (is this true?). Expensive?

I use 152/117g at work and just wanted something nice to play with during my off time and I figured I might as well get a green one to go with my collection. I already have a TCA prc152 so i'd like to get a genuine article. Do these have issues with HUBs that I need to look out for?

 

[TDR-94]

The RF-7850M-HH/RF-7850V-HH and RF-7825M-HH don't use a HUB or require TYPE-1 Initialization, like the AN/PRC-152(C)/AN/PRC-152A or the RF-310M-HH require to be fully functional.

The RF-7850M-HH has a very diffetent UI than the AN/PRC-152 and RF-310M-HH. There are many software versions of the RF-7850M-HH and certain SW versions and options may require certain versions of the CPA. The RF-7850M-HH doesn't support 12.5Khz NFM in VULOS and you can only use NFM in P25, if you can find an RF-7850M-HH with the P25 option enabled.Many don't have it and it can only be purchased from L3HARRIS with an approved Premiere account and it isn't cheap! Also keep in mind that many of these being sold as surplus come from the former ANA and were seized by the Taliban takeover, so who knows what purchasing one of these is helping to fund.

 

[TDR-94]

Programming cables/adapters will be difficult if not nearly impossible to find, so you would have to either purchase one from L3HARRIS (several hundred $$$) or make your own. If you need a particular SW version or option, that will also cost you extra.Unlike many public safety radios, SW (firmware) versions are not free and are serialized to each radio and SW versions are several hundred dollars to purchase and that's only if you have an approved Premiere account. Being that the RF-7850M-HH only holds 25 presets, you can easily just program them by hand, once you get the hang of the UI.

 

[chanrobi]

Thanks TDR-94. Don't have to worry about HUBS.

On the spec sheet I am confused it says "narrowband" from 30-512mhz and then "wideband" from 225-512mhz.

My understanding is that most amateur repeaters use "wideband" (although it is not defined exactly what this means?)?

Sounds like a Harris premiere account isn't easy to get a for a regular joe?

 

[TDR-94]

Narrowband selection also depends on the mode, not just the frequency range. 12.5Khz NBFM is selectable in P25 mode from 30-512 Mhz. It's not selectable in VULOS mode from 30-512Mhz. . Premiere accounts aren't intended for "regular Joe's" and you have to apply for approval and have a valid .mil email address or an approved business email address. L3HARRRIS reviews each individual account request. It's not an automated process. If approved, there is usually a several thousand $$ required yearly account fee and a minimum order requirement of $500 per order.

 

[chanrobi]

Narrowband selection also depends on the mode, not just the frequency range. 12.5Khz NBFM is selectable in P25 mode from 30-512 Mhz. It's not selectable in VULOS mode from 30-512Mhz. . Premiere accounts aren't intended for "regular Joe's" and you have to apply for approval and have a valid .mil email address or an approved business email address. L3HARRRIS reviews each individual account request. It's not an automated process. If approved, there is usually a several thousand $$ required yearly account fee and a minimum order requirement of $500 per order.O

Oof ok thanks this info. I'm sure work has an account but I doubt they'd entertain a personal account lol

Had a quick look for programming cables and it seems supplynet has one for $195 USD, unsure of software sigh.
The one thing I do like about this radio is that it does not beep when transmitting in PT mode ... unlike the other ones i've used with type 1 crypto

 

[TDR-94]

With the RF-7850M-HH you can enable the PT override beep or disable it. The SupplyNet cable is an aftermarket cable.The OEM L3HARRIS cable was around $400 the last I saw. The SupplyNet cable might require you to wire it up for USB programming and add the USB connector. It looks like it's a pre-wired cable, which means it might just have the bare wires on one end. You may want to contact SupplyNet to confirm if it's a pre-wired cable or if it's a finished USB programming cable.