APX7500 QA01648 "Hardware Key"

[a1emt]

Hi group,

I am purchasing my department's first APX7500 800/V mobile. On the price quote from the local MSS, there is an option line listed as "QA01648 Hardware Key $4.00". My question is-- what does this firmware option do? The saleman said it was "required" for programming of trunked systems. This radio will be programmed with 5 seperate Smartzone and P25 trunked systems on both 800 and VHF. Some use ASK, and some do not. My guess is that this option limits programming to ASK use only, which was found to be problematic on the APX portable line already... anyone dealt with this before?

Jim

[techtonics]

There is an option to order a radio with just using the software key, but I do not recall the option number.

[tvsjr]

All APX radios can use the advanced system key. There is an option QA01749 to enable legacy software key operation in addition to ASK.
QA01648 adds "enhanced" ASK operation, but I'm not sure what the "enhancements" are.

[CTAMontrose]

The enhancement allows you to check a box to turn the ASK requirement off or on. The radios are programmed with a "home system ID" and only that key with the write protect enable parameter can check the box. Clone only keys cannot.

[a1emt]

Thanks for the explanation on this, makes sense.

Jim