... Anyways, I am glad to hear that you can use the HQII with the Brother 1500 because when I called there, the clerk said she thought you needed a 12" throat. Let us know how the HQII works for you. Pauline...
I use the Brother 1500 on my HQII frame. I can understand why it is suggested to use a 12" throat machine, but you can use the 9" too.
You have 9" from the needle to the back of the machine, your frame is going to use some of that space, so now your 9" is maybe 7 1/2" useable. And with every turn of the take up roller you loose useable space.
Did you get the VHS tape (might be DVD now) for setting up the HQII Frame? Mine included how to load your quilt using the leaders and... how to roll forward and back to allow larger motifs. The information used to be available on the web site and you might find it on YouTube.
Have fun with your new set up.. let me know if you have any questions. I'll try to help in anyway I can. Mona