Question on EF Johnson!

[roots]

Hi All,

I'm currently looking at the possibility to use a EF Johnson 5100 ES to monitor my local fire departement. They are currently on P25 no encryption.

I'm looking for some info or what I should know before I decide. What will be the process to make sure my radio doesn't get zap?

thanks for you help,

[rcvmo]

Howdy.
Pay the money and just go out and get a digital scanner. It'll you and the fire dept. from having problems.
We know the professional radios have good receive audio, but this can be accomplished by connecting a good coomunications grade speaker such as the old motorola TSN6016 to your existing scanner.
rcvmo

[ChescoAudioFeed]

EF Johnson 5100ES Radios are Grate Radios . I use them all the time . Sounds and Works Just as good as the Motorola Radios . Well worth the Money .

[wayne_h]

Originally Posted by roots

They are currently on P25 no encryption.

You don't confirm if it's trunked or conventional. If it's trunked, follow rcvmo's advice.

Make sure you're aware of the the programming requirements and costs beforehand if you decide to purchase one.

[roots]

I'm all aware of the price and everything, I'm already using LPE to listen to EDACS trunk system and I love the voice quality & the build of the radio....I'm just asking info for now before I make my decision....

[emtroberts]

any one know how to decode the model # for ef johnson radio like 242-5183-888?

[RodStrong]

I've had a couple of 5100es models for a few weeks, and I also program them. They seem like good rigs. I haven't found anything I don't like about them yet. The speaker being at the bottom of the radio takes a bit to get used to, but not by any means a bad thing.

[125]

Your 242-5183-888 is a 800MHz 3W radio the 888 means this radio was a dealer demo you will have to get a copy of PCConfigure and the Programming cable to read the options the dealer set up for the customer The 888 has no other meaning than it is a demo unit. You will need the version number on power up to see what version of PCConfigure you will need but most versions can read but you can damage the radio if you try to program it with the wrong version.

[MOTOROLANUT]

Not meaning to Hijack a thread. But I have a question. Can you get the PC configure software from EF just like you can from motorola by setting up an account? If so what is the average subscription fee from EF?

[125]

You can just buy the PCConfigure strait up No account needed. (But you may wait a while as EFJ has the worlds slowest shipping you can wait over 6 weeks for somthing) The latest price I have is $375.00US for the software and $495US the software and cable (there is a guy on ebay that sells the cables only for $55US shipped) There is also a guy selling a dealer collection of the 5100 S/W 6-7 versions with manuals for $100US.

[tekshogun]

Wow, that is quite a bit of money.

Shouldn't one have to worry about rebanding when wanting one of these radios just to monitor.

Digital scanners are far more superior when you add up all the features and capabilities. But if you want and EFJ 5100, get one.

[wolverine]

Could anyone advise the features of this model I'm thinking of getting, Model 242-5122-410KA4.

Thanks.

[jim202]

I don't want to change the topic here, but have a question on the scan list function on the 5300 / 5100 ES
version of the radios. Do you have the ability to select the scan list on a per channel basis like on
trunking, or is it still the stupid way they made the older radios with a scan list that you have to select
with multiple presses of the scan button?

I have complained to EFJ for a long time that they need to make the scan list function like they do
in the trunking mode. You can't expect a public safety person to remember which scan list they
need to select with multiple presses of the scan button. Ever try to be driving and need to change
zones on the radio. Then let me see, if I am on zone 2, is that scan list 2 or scan list 3. If you
pick the wrong scan list, you won't ever hear what your expecting. BAD MOVE on EFJ software
engineering. Plus they didn't seem to care in the past.

Jim

Originally Posted by RodStrong

I've had a couple of 5100es models for a few weeks, and I also program them. They seem like good rigs. I haven't found anything I don't like about them yet. The speaker being at the bottom of the radio takes a bit to get used to, but not by any means a bad thing.

[silverbk]

Originally Posted by 125

You can just buy the PCConfigure strait up No account needed. (But you may wait a while as EFJ has the worlds slowest shipping you can wait over 6 weeks for somthing) The latest price I have is $375.00US for the software and $495US the software and cable (there is a guy on ebay that sells the cables only for $55US shipped) There is also a guy selling a dealer collection of the 5100 S/W 6-7 versions with manuals for $100US.

I am a parts only dealer with EF Johnson. I have found their shipping to be quick. If they have the item in stock. If stuff is back ordered all bets are off. They do have some quirks with their personnel and generally having their act together, but I have found it a much better experience than Big M.

They will sell to end users, but you may get a better price if you go through a dealer.

Before you invest in software, you need to call tech support with your firmware version. Certain firmware versions can only be programmed by certain software versions. They seem to update both very frequently.

[silverbk]

Originally Posted by wolverine

Could anyone advise the features of this model I'm thinking of getting, Model 242-5122-410KA4.

Thanks.

UHF Non DTMF 380-470
nimh batt
black housing