portable radio suggestions?

[jester_1269]

In the market for a portable radio, but not really sure what I'm lookin for (as I'm completely ignorant about radios, but the stations old crappy ones just aren't doing the job). I'm looking for somthing 10+ channels, w/ scanning, semi-small size, and decent range: any suggestions? I keep reading about UHF and VHF, are there any critical differences? I'm not sure what our countys repeaters are, but I dont want to buy somthing that wont work...Any help would be appreciated! B)

 

[bstone]

I think the Yaesu FT-51R is a great radio. Has UHF and VHF. You can monitor two frequs at the same time on dual or different bands. Repeator capable, just program in your split and you can set alpha numeric tags for saved freqs.

Not sold retail any longer. I got mine on ebay.

 

[KEVD18]

there is a huge diff between uhf and vhf and they are not compatible.

you need a commercial radio, not a ham radio. meaning anything made by yaesu that has not been modded wont work.

stick to the basics of public safety communications. motorola make great gear, sure you pay for it but the ht1000 is damn near bulletproof.

i would reccomend either an ht1000 if your willing to give up the scan(or an mt2000 if your not) or anything in the jedi series. you could also look at the later versions(ht750,1250)

BEFORE YOU BUY A RADIO:

find out if you are allowed a personally owned radio. some depts dont allow it. then find out what system you are using( vhf, uhf 800/900T etc). and go from there

 

[Jon]

Stay away from using converted ham gear... it can get you (and perhaps your org) in trouble. There is, perhaps, a use for converted ham gear... espicially if you are a ham... but day-to-day use IS NOT a good idea.

I'm curious - Do other people in your squad own their own radios? This seems really whacker-ish to me.

IF you really feel it is worth the money... buy quality... as Kev said - Mother M makes heavy-duty radios.

You need to know:
-If your squad will LET you use your own radio
-What frequencies your squad uses
-If there is a repeater, and what the PL or DPL codes are (and youmight need to buy a radio capable of Digital PL tones.
-If it is a trunking network... you would need a radio capable of THE RIGHT KIND of trunking

in short... radios can be VERY confusing.

 

[jester_1269]

Yeah, a lot of the other techs/drivers use their own radios, as a lot of us are affiliated with different services, and many of us volunteer. a HAM is out of the question, so a commercial 2-way is really what I'm looking for. The county boys use the 800's, so I doubt I can use those.

 

[MMiz]

You really need to find out what frequency you need. UHF/VHF/800/900?

If I had $500 to spend on a good radio, I'd go with Motorola. I like the HT1550, HT1250LS, and HT1000. You can find great deals on eBay.

My second choice would be Kenwood. We were able to get a Kenwood TK-3600 for $330. That included the radio, charger, and Lithium Ion battery. It does 16 channels, scans, does tone signaling, and has a man-down/panic button. Unfortunately it doesn't have an LCD screen, but similarly priced Kenwood models do. The local service around here uses Kenwood. The best part is that the programming software and cable are cheap!

I hope that helps!

 

[KB1MZR]

10+ Channels - Long Range - UHF - Display

I'm thinking VX-180....

They're cheap and they work really well. If not I would go Motorola. Either an HT750 or HT1250. The nice thing about the VX-180 is u can get one for less than $400 brand new.

 

[sandboxmedic]

motorola is a reliable bet if your willing to seriously consider getting one.I have abused the hell out of several XTS5000. If you do any water/swift rescue/or wilderness stuff look for something water resistant.

 

[CFRBryan347768]

ht1000 is damn near bulletproof.

I just got done with a 12 gauge buck shot, i have nothing left of my radion thanksss:excl::excl::excl: LOL

 

[KEVD18]

I just got done with a 12 gauge buck shot, i have nothing left of my radion thanksss:excl::excl::excl: LOL

not for nothing but bringing a thread thats been dead for a year to add nothing but a low level joke is wicked annoying.