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500M

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FDRadioguy777

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I just recently acquired quite a few 500M 800MHz radios. I know they are considered "old" now. I just would like to hear some opinions about them. So if you have worked with them did you have any specific likes or dislikes about them? Thanks.
 

DisasterGuy

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Nice.compact radios that work well. As they age the most common failure is of the display. They can be rebanded but will not do P25 trunking. With EDACS systems 2 years from EOL their utility will be reduced to conventional use.
 

FDRadioguy777

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Does anyone know where I can find about 5 power cables for the 500M radios, beside New London an RF Guys? Thanks!
 

FDRadioguy777

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Also, does anyone know if there is a mounting bracket for these to be put in a console for an emergency vehicle? Thanks.
 

FDRadioguy777

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It looks like all console brackets are two piece brackets. Thank you for the link.

Also, on another note does anyone know why the majority of the Orions on ebay are not narrowband compliant? I assume this means they are only capable of receive only in the 800 band?
 
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DisasterGuy

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800 was never narrowbanded, it is still 25kHz. The majority of VHF/UHF Orions weren't ever designed for narrow. Only a small number were switchable.
 

FDRadioguy777

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Okay, thanks. That make sense. I just wanted to check because the 800MHz 500M's I have show narrowband but the Orions don't.
 

Thunderknight

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800 was never narrowbanded, it is still 25kHz. The majority of VHF/UHF Orions weren't ever designed for narrow. Only a small number were switchable.

I must have gotten lucky, as virtually every V/U Orion I have come across in the used market has been switchable.
 

harrisradios

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Yeah I have a few Orions that are narrowband compliant too. I also have an M7100 800MHz that has feature 23 (narrowband) even though I have never used 12.5KHz for 800MHz.
 
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