VHF Maratrac

smokeeater861 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 12:05 AM

Can anyone tell me whether this Maratrac can program down to 144 or if it actually is programmable in the 144-174 area.
Thanks in advance!

Model # T73XTA7TA7BK

eBay url:

MOTOROLA MARATRAC VHF RADIO 144-174 MHz W/A7 & HARNESS - eBay (item 290358429867 end time Nov-09-09 12:40:02 PST)

DPapay · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:02 PM

Your question sort of confuses me, but, If the radio is 100 percent guaranteed, like the seller proposes, than it will work from 144 mhz and all the way up to 174. In my opinion, a very well made mobile. I was sorry to see it discontinued. Good Luck.

b7spectra · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 06:33 PM

If when you are typing in 146.445 (or whatever hamatuer freq), if it doesn't take it, try holding down the shift key when typing in the freq - !$^>$$% is what it would look like - and programming it in.

zz0468 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b7spectra

If when you are typing in 146.445 (or whatever hamatuer freq), if it doesn't take it, try holding down the shift key when typing in the freq - !$^>$$% is what it would look like - and programming it in.

No standard Maratrac software I've ever seen allows the shift key trick. That's a Radius and Maxtrac trick only, so far as I'm aware. Lab software will just take out of band changes, but for the high band radio, it's a non-issue... both ranges cover the 2 meter band. It shouldn't be a problem unless the OP is also looking into UHF or low band radios to convert.

smokeeater861 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 10:41 PM

so ZZ, what your saying is this Maratrac will do 2 meter no problem?

Skypilot007 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:25 PM

The microphone looks yummy!

zz0468 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeeater861

so ZZ, what your saying is this Maratrac will do 2 meter no problem?

Yeah, I wouldn't expect there to be problems. There are two frequency ranges, 136-156, and 144-174. Both ranges cover the 2 meter band. I had a Maratrac in the "company" car a few years ago, and it had some 2 meter channels in it. It just worked. I didn't have to do anything special.

smokeeater861 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:42 PM

Skypilot, if it works that is all that matters lol.

ZZ, thanks much! I didn't know what the splits were on these, that is why I was asking. Now I'll buy one (:

smokeeater861 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPapay

Your question sort of confuses me, but, If the radio is 100 percent guaranteed, like the seller proposes, than it will work from 144 mhz and all the way up to 174. In my opinion, a very well made mobile. I was sorry to see it discontinued. Good Luck.

Yes, the Maratrac were a very good mobile, that is why I am looking to have all Maratrac Mobiles in my vehicle (Lowband; 42-50, VHF High; 144-174, and UHF; 440-470), or similar design such as the Spectra.

FFPM571 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:57 PM

We had 2 maratracs in our engines. They had a real problem with a sloppy front end. One of our stations is across the street from a Hosptial. When leaving quarters or driving by it would get the hospital paging that would overload the reciever on just those two radios. We have spectras also and never had an issue. We had the motrorola shop come out and fine tune the Maratrac but it never seemed to get better.

FFPM571 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:58 PM

That mic will clean up fine with a toothbrush and some fantastic....

smokeeater861 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 12:03 AM

I'm out in the boonies, so I shouldn't have to worry about interference that you speak of lol. I'm either going to clean it up or get a new, smaller one as this is going into a '00 Jeep Cherokee and there is limited room in them lol.

FFPM571 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 12:28 AM

I have a 2000 cherokee I have a Spectra a4 head remote and a Saber SVA in mine on the passenger side hump and the Spectra along side the passenger seat.

Here are the pics in this thread

My collection of radios and mobile

zz0468 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeeater861

Yes, the Maratrac were a very good mobile, that is why I am looking to have all Maratrac Mobiles in my vehicle (Lowband; 42-50, VHF High; 144-174, and UHF; 440-470), or similar design such as the Spectra.

The low band and UHF versions are another story... you'll have to hack the software and probably mod the radios to get them into the ham band, if you haven[t done that already.

zz0468 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFPM571

We had 2 maratracs in our engines. They had a real problem with a sloppy front end. One of our stations is across the street from a Hosptial. When leaving quarters or driving by it would get the hospital paging that would overload the reciever on just those two radios. We have spectras also and never had an issue. We had the motrorola shop come out and fine tune the Maratrac but it never seemed to get better.

When I was running a VHF Maratrac, it was in a vehicle that went to some pretty busy mountain tops. Never heard a peep out of the thing that wasn;'t supposed to be there. I wonder if there was a preamp option...

smokeeater861 · #16 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 05:02 PM

The Lowband and UHF is mainly for Public Safety frequencies, so no hacking needed, yet!

Who knows, by then, I may have the money to buy a multiband Ham rig.

smokeeater861 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFPM571

I have a 2000 cherokee I have a Spectra a4 head remote and a Saber SVA in mine on the passenger side hump and the Spectra along side the passenger seat.

Here are the pics in this thread

My collection of radios and mobile

Thanks FF!

smokeeater861 · #18 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 05:18 PM

FF, I will post a new thread under the Installs when I get everything installed.

My old Jeep was this:
Simple Mobile Setup ('96 Jeep Cherokee)

smokeeater861 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 10:06 PM

Received my Maratrac today and tested it tonight, it is a legit 144-174 radio with no changes. Will be installing this Friday, if everything comes in the mail, and will post in the Pictures of Your Shack.

k0kjl · #20 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 02:35 PM

Be sure to check the output power in the 2 meter band, especially below 146.000. The one I have had some erratic behavior below 146.000. The output power would skyrocket to 100 watts or better, no matter where I had the output set at, but other frequencies above 146.000 it acted as it should.

Kyle