XPR 6550

[Firefightingdude21]

Hello all!
I just purchased a XPR 6550 and it should be arriving anytime today or tom. I purchased it to use on the local VFD, most are running HT1250's. This radio was recommended by a fellow firefighter that came from another county, where they were used county wide.
What's RR's membership's opinion on this radio? Reviews look good. This radio will be used on the VHF band.

 

[KC8ESL]

I see you're in Ohio. Where exactly?

Only problem I see is that it isn't as rugged as the XTS series radios. I feel that with my XTS3K I could swing at a baseball and not do damage to the radio. Our XPR's at work seem far more fragile especially with the speaker mic connector the way it is, though I'm told it's the same type of mount for an APX radio.

 

[n2hbx]

The 6550 is a good radio, although maybe a bit of overkill for local VFD use. For that application, I think I would have gone with a used 1250 or 750, especially if you're carrying it on duty.

Larry

 

[Firefightingdude21]

I see you're in Ohio. Where exactly?

Only problem I see is that it isn't as rugged as the XTS series radios. I feel that with my XTS3K I could swing at a baseball and not do damage to the radio. Our XPR's at work seem far more fragile especially with the speaker mic connector the way it is, though I'm told it's the same type of mount for an APX radio.

Im in Guernsey county. All Analog at the moment. Trying to prepare maybe for an upgrade, if that ever was to happen! LOL

 

[Firefightingdude21]

The 6550 is a good radio, although maybe a bit of overkill for local VFD use. For that application, I think I would have gone with a used 1250 or 750, especially if you're carrying it on duty.

Larry

I had a 1250 and we have had nothing but problems. Rather it be on dispatches end or ours I'm not really sure, no including our communication equipment is far outdated.

 

[KC8ESL]

And what exactly makes you think you'll move to a TRBO system? Most of Ohio, if not analog, has moved to MARCS-IP which is p25.

 

[Nasby]

Hello all!
I just purchased a XPR 6550 and it should be arriving anytime today or tom. I purchased it to use on the local VFD, most are running HT1250's. This radio was recommended by a fellow firefighter that came from another county, where they were used county wide.
What's RR's membership's opinion on this radio? Reviews look good. This radio will be used on the VHF band.

Not really an upgrade in my opinion.

Just a lateral move from one unit to another.

However, the HT1250 has been discontinued and the XPR is still supported so its not a bad move.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Not really an upgrade in my opinion.

Just a lateral move from one unit to another.

Yup. There are much better radios to go to than the XPR-6550.

 

[KC8ESL]

Probably would have just been worth the service fee for a radio tech to look over your radio.

Realistically, those things should be gone through every year so they are verified working at peak game. Otherwise, I'm doubting it was your HT that was the problem. Just a hunch.

 

[Firefightingdude21]

Well after having the radio for a few weeks, I must say I'm disappointed. I can not talk to dispatch half the time. Nor can I hear them on this thing. Sitting scanning I can pick up other ambulance companies loud and clear. Last night while out on foot at a call, our dispatch marked me. Nothing come across this radio, while other members with HT1250's was so clear its like they were sitting beside them. We have messed around with tac channels and even our repeaters and while on station it will work or come across our base. Once out on a call this thing is a paper weight. Any ideas? It's under warranty but what could possibly be wrong?

 

[KC8ESL]

Are you sitting in your car or truck when talking? No external antenna will curtain lyrics hamper your transmission efforts.

Use a mobile when mobile, use an HT when walking.

 

[Firefightingdude21]

Are you sitting in your car or truck when talking? No external antenna will curtain lyrics hamper your transmission efforts.



Use a mobile when mobile, use an HT when walking.

I am not inside any vehicle. I'm out in the open. And just using the antenna that came with the radio.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KC8ESL]

Sounds to me like the town's repeater just blows the big one.

Not knowing what kind of coverage other guys get in comparison to your radio doesn't help us much.

You might splurge for a better handheld antenna vs the broadband antenna it came with. For the record, I use an ht1250 for ham radio and I get excellent results so just to say that the radio is outdated doesn't say much when you're using it on an analog repeater or simplex.

 

[Firefightingdude21]

We have 1250's we use now as well. They are really out performing the 6550. Our towns repeater is way outdated to say the least. And they have no intentions on upgrading. What other antenna do you recommend that may help the situation?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[USRobotics]

XPR 6550's sensitivity is not as good as the Gen 2 models on DMR mode. I am not sure if it is also less sensitive on analog mode or not (I own one but I don't use it much on analog). If you don't need DMR you don't need the XPR 6550, although it will work on both modes. But generally speaking both transmit power and receive sensitivity are not such a wide swing among name brand, commercial grade models / brands. It might be settings, configurations, or the unit has some hardware problem.

You should have both the configuration double checked by a tech, and if nothing else, then have the unit checked by a Motorola service centre to make sure it's to spec.

 

[Firefightingdude21]

XPR 6550's sensitivity is not as good as the Gen 2 models on DMR mode. I am not sure if it is also less sensitive on analog mode or not (I own one but I don't use it much on analog). If you don't need DMR you don't need the XPR 6550, although it will work on both modes. But generally speaking both transmit power and receive sensitivity are not such a wide swing among name brand, commercial grade models / brands. It might be settings, configurations, or the unit has some hardware problem.

You should have both the configuration double checked by a tech, and if nothing else, then have the unit checked by a Motorola service centre to make sure it's to spec.

This was a radio recommended by the techs we have. Thinking they would have known of this radio would have been good for the system. The radio is going to be sent back to Motorola for them to check (per service tech) hoping this is what's wrong.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk