Barrett 950 HF Radio

[Redback]

I'm looking at getting a HF radio, is the Barrett 950 HF any good.

Also the Barrett 250 HF, any feedback on this as well.

Baz.

[87County]

Barrett 950 should be fine - can you see it working?

not the latest but not the oldest either

value could be quite variable depending on cosmetic condition & inclusions (aerial/type, cables, eprom included, mounting hardware etc, & remote heads can solve some mounting problems if space is an issue)

If it's an auto tune antenna it could be worth checking to see if it's rebuildable (the early codan ones aren't easily rebuilt)

I don't know about the 250 - may not be able to make tel calls - others no doubt will know & advise

be aware that you need to add a properly fused 30amp circuit for it - they can draw some current when transmitting

lots of info on the net if you search "hf radio"

[Redback]

Barrett 950 should be fine - can you see it working?

not the latest but not the oldest either

value could be quite variable depending on cosmetic condition & inclusions (aerial/type, cables, eprom included, mounting hardware etc, & remote heads can solve some mounting problems if space is an issue)

If it's an auto tune antenna it could be worth checking to see if it's rebuildable (the early codan ones aren't easily rebuilt)

I don't know about the 250 - may not be able to make tel calls - others no doubt will know & advise

be aware that you need to add a properly fused 30amp circuit for it - they can draw some current when transmitting

lots of info on the net if you search "hf radio"

Thanks,

This is what comes with the radio

Remote head 950, programmed with up to date 4WD land pack of channels. - HF Oz/RFDS/VKS737/ABC & 27 mhz CB frequencies.
Autotune (Barrett 910) mobile antenna with a stainless steel whip on spring, all cables, and reference manuals.
Mounting hardware (cradles for radio unit and remote head) /New 5M coax lead/All interconnection leads and a length of earthing braid for grounding vehicle panels together.
User manual (printed bound), and technical manual on usb drive.
Your Selcall # can be programmed in before being shipped if you wish. This radio can support 2 selcall #s
The radio can have the amateur bands programmed in as well, you will need to supply a copy of your amateur radio licence.
The radio has a couple of light marks on main unit and slight marks on screen (from dust) but is in good condition, the pictures are of the radio set you are bidding on.

[87County]

sounds like the full setup

it would be good to know if there was some way you could have someone check if the radio and the aerial were functioning correctly (they should be quite repairable) or get some kind of warranty

[Redback]

Anyone else know about these

[RangieBit]

Hey there Redback,

Had one of these (Barrett 950) installed in my D2 some time back (still looking for a way to get the 910 auto tune mounted on my L322 Range Rover). It operated flawlessly throughout central australia and readily communicated across the continent clearly.

This unit is very good and relatively simple to use. I say relatively because it does require some understanding of radio operation in order to get the most from it.

The unit can be programmed with two separate idents. One is used as a unique Selcall ident for the various services such as VKS747 or HfOz. The other is a unique ident that is used to allow direct interconnect for Telcall operation via the radio telephone suppliers e.g RadTel.

It can be programmed to operate using ALE (most of the later serial numbers this is built in, some earlier serials this had to be optioned). Not sure of the serials but you could check with Barrett or one of their dealers to see if it was included. ALE allows the radio to choose the appropriate frequency to operate on based on several parameters. Otherwise its a simple case of beacon operation to do this manually. Not a big deal but a nice to have and use.

The unit can send and receive GPS co-ordinates but you will need a GPS feed to the radio. Unlike the 2050 where this can be incorporated in the 2019 Auto tune antenna unit, the 950 supports GPS via DB9 connector on the back of the radio. As long as you have a GPS that can send NMEA data to this link you'll be fine. Having said that, not all services support sending GPS as this is data transmission and most frequencies are licensed for voice operation only.

As stated in the text this radio can be programmed by a dealer (or authorised centre) to operate on any appropriate frequency allowed by the relevant licensing. If you have an AOCP then it can operate on 80m/40m/10m. It can be made to operate on the CB bands but this is not legal. It can be legally programmed to receive on the HF CB channels though.

Basic specs. 125W PEP, 1.8-30MHz, 500 channels, Selcall/Telcall, USB/LSB/AM/FSK/CW, Local or Remote Head operation. Production ceased around 2003

The Barrett 250 is a lot less functional. (mainly used as marine HF)
100W PEP, 1.8-18MHz, USB only, 250 channels. Various versions that support Selcall only, can be fitted with Selcall/Telcall, fitted SC/TC as standard. You need to check. Only the later versions support remote head operation. Production ceased around 1997.

There is also the 550 which is very similar to the 950 but needed to be selectively optioned to get all the Selcall/Telcall/GPS/RS232 features. Same basic specs otherwise. Tend not to see too many of these out there though.

I won't go so far as to say these things are bullet proof. They are built very definitely to last and tolerate abuse. That's why they're in use by the military and NGO's worldwide. If the unit has been properly treated then you should have little trouble with it.

If there is some specific thing you'd like to know about the unit please let me know.

Cheers,
Iain

[Redback]

Hey there Redback,

Had one of these (Barrett 950) installed in my D2 some time back (still looking for a way to get the 910 auto tune mounted on my L322 Range Rover). It operated flawlessly throughout central australia and readily communicated across the continent clearly.

This unit is very good and relatively simple to use. I say relatively because it does require some understanding of radio operation in order to get the most from it.

The unit can be programmed with two separate idents. One is used as a unique Selcall ident for the various services such as VKS747 or HfOz. The other is a unique ident that is used to allow direct interconnect for Telcall operation via the radio telephone suppliers e.g RadTel.

It can be programmed to operate using ALE (most of the later serial numbers this is built in, some earlier serials this had to be optioned). Not sure of the serials but you could check with Barrett or one of their dealers to see if it was included. ALE allows the radio to choose the appropriate frequency to operate on based on several parameters. Otherwise its a simple case of beacon operation to do this manually. Not a big deal but a nice to have and use.

The unit can send and receive GPS co-ordinates but you will need a GPS feed to the radio. Unlike the 2050 where this can be incorporated in the 2019 Auto tune antenna unit, the 950 supports GPS via DB9 connector on the back of the radio. As long as you have a GPS that can send NMEA data to this link you'll be fine. Having said that, not all services support sending GPS as this is data transmission and most frequencies are licensed for voice operation only.

As stated in the text this radio can be programmed by a dealer (or authorised centre) to operate on any appropriate frequency allowed by the relevant licensing. If you have an AOCP then it can operate on 80m/40m/10m. It can be made to operate on the CB bands but this is not legal. It can be legally programmed to receive on the HF CB channels though.

Basic specs. 125W PEP, 1.8-30MHz, 500 channels, Selcall/Telcall, USB/LSB/AM/FSK/CW, Local or Remote Head operation. Production ceased around 2003

The Barrett 250 is a lot less functional. (mainly used as marine HF)
100W PEP, 1.8-18MHz, USB only, 250 channels. Various versions that support Selcall only, can be fitted with Selcall/Telcall, fitted SC/TC as standard. You need to check. Only the later versions support remote head operation. Production ceased around 1997.

There is also the 550 which is very similar to the 950 but needed to be selectively optioned to get all the Selcall/Telcall/GPS/RS232 features. Same basic specs otherwise. Tend not to see too many of these out there though.

I won't go so far as to say these things are bullet proof. They are built very definitely to last and tolerate abuse. That's why they're in use by the military and NGO's worldwide. If the unit has been properly treated then you should have little trouble with it.

If there is some specific thing you'd like to know about the unit please let me know.

Cheers,
Iain

Excact info I wanted, thank you for this, gives me a better idea when looking, there are 2 550s and 3 250s on Ebay, the 2 550s have auto tune antennas both have cracks around the mounting bolts at the base, but look in good nick.

This is the info for the 250 Barrett and why I was looking at this model, price is $750.

A fully refurbished remote head, 250 channel Barrett SB250RC 100 watt HF transceiver fitted with standard Codan protocol Selcall & Telcall. - Latest V5.0 Firmware fitted!
New-New-New!!!---You can now watch the Barrett 250 in operation at [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTRDOuxDdlI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTRDOuxDdlI[/ame] Comes with: *Mic and external speaker to suit. *New Head Interface cable (5 Metre). *New power connector and lead (About 30cm long). *Mounting cradles for head and Main Transceiver Box . *Phone support for helpful installation tips. *30 day "back to base" warranty. ~This is all programmed up with the latest version of a 4WD pack of channels - Frequencies include HF Radio Club/VKS737 4WD networks and Flying Doctor . Also included are some short wave ABC and weather receive only channels. You also have the option of an up to date "marine channel profile" which gives you General Marine/Distress Marine/weather Rx/ABC receive/HF-Tel. Also gives you the 2182 emerg. function. ~Selcall (4 digit calling system between radios on any HF Network) and Telcall (Ability to make outgoing telephone calls within Oz) enabled.
~ This ex-government radio has been completely reconditioned back to original SB250 specifications . It is fitted with a brand new display keypad / new Lithium backup battery and new head interface cable --The radio has been fully tested by a qualified radio tech and is "ready to fit into your 4WD or Boat"....
~Cosmetically this is in good/clean condition with only a few normal marks/scratches etc..
~Note: NO aerial supplied--contact me if you require an aerial or other accesssory.

Baz.

[peter5111]

Excact info I wanted, thank you for this, gives me a better idea when looking, there are 2 550s and 3 250s on Ebay, the 2 550s have auto tune antennas both have cracks around the mounting bolts at the base, but look in good nick.
Baz.

G'day Baz,
As long as the ATU's are electrically functional, replacing the housings is an easy job (assuming you can solder).

You can't get housings for the 510 ATU any more, but the 910 housings are acceptable if you shave ~3mm off the bottom of the ATU PCB. Barrett will sell them direct if you contact their support email address.

Re: 250. I am pretty sure their channels need to be flashed into an EEPROM, whereas the 550 is programmed using PC software.

There has been mention of overhauling 510 / 910 tuners. Not sure what gets 'overhauled' since they both use relays to switch in tuning coils to achieve best match to the whip. Therefore there are no moving parts to be serviced. Codan 9350 ATU's are a different story.

The 550 can be setup for GPS position reporting although there aren't many base stations that are setup to receive the Barrett format position data. Doing the GPS thing on a 550 requires opening up the transceiver to replace a security chip. ~150 in parts including the GPS antenna. They are finicky to get working with the GPS (I am currently trying to get one working, so if there is anybody out there who has done it, please get in touch )

I would strongly suggest getting nothing older than a 550.

Regards,
Pete

[mfc]

hi
ive been using a barrett 250 for 3 years now{just upgraded} one thing to be aware of is that there is not a barrett or codan autotune that function well with it, that dose not mean that autotunes arnt available for it.I cant see that the flashable versus software programable being an issue as the software is not easy to come by at all .
i would suggest david collins site HF Radio - New he is very good to deal with{the barrett sb250 in the vid is from him}
regards mark

[peter5111]

hi
ive been using a barrett 250 for 3 years now{just upgraded} one thing to be aware of is that there is not a barrett or codan autotune that function well with it, that dose not mean that autotunes arnt available for it.I cant see that the flashable versus software programable being an issue as the software is not easy to come by at all .
i would suggest david collins site HF Radio - New he is very good to deal with{the barrett sb250 in the vid is from him}
regards mark

+1 on recommending Dave, my dealings with him have been universally excellent.

I hadn't looked closely at the 250 with respect to driving an ATU. Very important to keep that in mind.

Programming software for the 550 is 'out there' if you do need it. The right questions in the right places can usually track down somebody with the software and cables

On the flip side, once the channels are programmed to your satisfaction there shouldn't be much call to modify the frequency table.

I had a quick look at the SB550 rig on ebay currently and personally I would steer clear of it unless you do have an interest in going through the process of getting it working again. Thankfully the seller is open an honest about the ATU being non functional, cracked housing, water ingress problem and associated PCB damage. The ATU _could_ be a white elephant. I don't know what Barrett charge to repair a 510/910, I do know my local radio place will only spend an hour or two before they simply crate up the ATU and send it to Barrett. There is some serious white-mans magic going on inside the Barrett ATUs.