Ic-f3021

[cmelville42]

Hello,

I'm looking to replace a few or our aging Motorola MT2000 units and am considering the ICOM F3021. The requirements are they need to tx/rx on public safety frequencies (they are for SAR use), be water-resistant, rugged, and not too heavy.

Most importantly I have to figure out how to program several dozen channels, so they need to be PC programmable by a user without lots of radio savvy. My understanding is that I would also need to buy the CS-F3021 software and OPC-478 cable.

Does anyone have advice? Is there a better option? How hard is the ICOM software to use?

Thanks

[fireandems13669]

Pm Sent

[rescuecomm]

I would use the F3061 or the F3161. The F3021 don' t have a dedicated channel and volume control. You can have one or the other, but have to use up/dn buttons for then function not selected for the top rotating switch. For public safety use, if you change channels to a Tac on scene, the F3061 and F3061 is a better but somewhat costlier radio.

Bob

[N2DLX]

Beware that the F3061 does not support MDC-1200. The F3161 (an upgraded F3061) does support MDC-1200 and is a far superior radio in my opinion. The F3061 is the retarded cousin, but can be had for pretty cheap now that it's been discontinued. If it fits your needs, go for it. Otherwise, I'd look at the F3161.

[rescuecomm]

The MT2000 is a high end radio, so prepare for the moaning about what depths you have sunk to if you buy radios for about 1/3 of what the /\/\'s cost. The new Motorola CP185 is out, but only 16 channels. Again, it is a comsumer grade radio rather than the ones you now have. The F3161 is much closer to what you were using and the analog version of the F70 is closer still. Much more money.

Bob

[cmelville42]

Thank you all for your comments. We have decided to move forward with the 3161's.