Motorola sm50 2 channel uhf question.

[KB1UAM]

I have the above radio and have 3 questions

1. Is this radio narrowband capable?
2. Is this radio MDC capable? (Radio transmit I'd)
3. Is there online user manual?

Any help much appreciated. Also does this cover 462.000 or below?

[quarterwave]

1. No
2. Not that I can remember, these are not considered "high signalling"
3. Probably....not much to that radio, anything in particular you wanted to know?

Depends on the bandsplit. Most of them are 450-470 that are our there. Checkhttp://www.batlabs.com/sm50.html to break down your model # (M34xxx...)

[KB1UAM]

I saw on a website somewhere that is was narrow capable is this false? I would just like to read through the manual.

[W2NJS]

According to the Motorola website some SP50s are narrowband capable and some are not.

http://www.motorola.com/web/Business...ce%20Guide.pdf

[quarterwave]

Ok, I'll go the extra yard here...

You could order an SM50 (as you could GM300's) as 12.5 or 20/25. If the model # of the SM50 has a 0 in the 7th digit, it is narrow. Otherwise it is wide. It is not a software option.

[SteveC0625]

Originally Posted by KB1UAM

I saw on a website somewhere that is was narrow capable is this false? I would just like to read through the manual.

If the radio is 12.5 KHz capable, that will be encoded in the model number.

Check batlabs.com and repeater-builder.com for more detailed information. http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/sm50/sm50.html

[KB1UAM]

I'm buying this radio from a friend. He says it covers 430-470. If that helps??? I'm purchasing this radio because I'm joining a local fire buff group that operates in the 462 range. They operate on narrowband and require us to use radio ids as well. Also will I get in trouble for operating in wideband if repeater is narrowband only?

[SteveC0625]

Originally Posted by KB1UAM

I'm buying this radio from a friend. He says it covers 430-470. If that helps??? I'm purchasing this radio because I'm joining a local fire buff group that operates in the 462 range. They operate on narrowband and require us to use radio ids as well. Also will I get in trouble for operating in wideband if repeater is narrowband only?

Get the model number from your friend and check for nb and frequency range yourself. It's the only way to be sure. There is a model number chart at the link that I gave you in my last post.

If you get caught by the FCC operating wideband, I expect the fine will substantial and just not worth the risk.

If this SM50 isn't nb, there are tons of used radios on the market now.

[quarterwave]

"If you get caught by the FCC operating wideband, I expect the fine will substantial and just not worth the risk. "

Unless it's GMRS...but if his group is requiring narrowband...then he would be "in trouble" with them.

(Didn't "in trouble" used to mean "pregnant" back in the day?)

[W2NJS]

The Batlabs site for the SP50 has no useful information about that radio, except for data on how to hack the software.

[quarterwave]

Originally Posted by W2NJS

The Batlabs site for the SP50 has no useful information about that radio, except for data on how to hack the software.

The OP said SM50...SP50 is the portable. But, yeah, they have a couple of things, and MDF checksum junk about the code plug is most of it. Not really a big deal on a 2 channel radio.....now if it were a Spectra...ok.

[cabletech]

kb1uam the bottom line is that the SM 50 WILL NOT DO NARROW BAND unless the 7th digit in the modle number has '0'.

That radio also does not do any mdc signaling. That series of radio was made in the 80's before ANY of this frequency changes were really thought about.

If you are looking for some thing to use that will be compatable with both narrow and wide band and is small and easy to use, look for the M1225 or any radio made after 1994 and for a radio that will due the .xx02/.xx75 (called splitter) then look for a radio that was made after 1998.

[KB1UAM]

Thanks again for all your help, very informative. Does anybody know of any websites that deal with just used radios? (NOT EBAY!!!)

[SteveC0625]

Originally Posted by KB1UAM

Thanks again for all your help, very informative. Does anybody know of any websites that deal with just used radios? (NOT EBAY!!!)

elightbars.org has some listed

[KB1UAM]

Just wondering how this radio is? Do any of you guys use this portable?

[SteveC0625]

Originally Posted by KB1UAM

Just wondering how this radio is? Do any of you guys use this portable?

Use the search function. There have already been several extensive discussions on this radio.

[ramal121]

I would like to clear up the confusion here on UHF narrow band radios. We all know about the narrow band mandate and it has been in the works for some time now. UHF radios made from mid '90s on have the ability to select narrow through programming and they will tune the 12.5KHz half steps to select the new channels made available by narrow banding. This was first available on the M1225 model and at any transit power level.

Prior to the M1225 model (SM50, Maxtrac, GM300 etc.) radios came in either wide or narrow. They could not switch modes by programming, they needed to be ordered as needed, and yes they all could be programmed withe the 12.5KHz steps whether wide or narrow. The reason for this is the FCC allowed licenses in between the normal 25KHz wide channels. Back in those days they where called "interstitial" channels. The requirement though, was they needed to be narrow band and run no more than 2 watts transmit power to prevent interference.

So will you find older equipment on UHF that is narrow band (like the SM50)? The answer is yes, however most likely it will be LPI (low power industrial) and be set at two watts. You can crank up the transmit all the way to maybe ten watts. The give away is the model number. If the second place is a zero ( like M04.....), it's a low power radio.Buyer beware. Nice thing though, they make great repeaters. I have a portable repeater that runs on solar/batteries. Two SM-50s screwed together and set for seven watts. Talks all day without a blink.

Oh and by the way, a SM50 will encode MDC1200, but it will need the correct option board to do it.

[ecps92]

It's not just the Repeater that is Narrowband, but the FCC Rules and Regulations require you to follow the Rules [just like Amateur]

Originally Posted by KB1UAM

Also will I get in trouble for operating in wideband if repeater is narrowband only?

[jwb8734]

Since you blew all your money on a XPR 6550 why not just by a new matching mobile radio so you are covered all around.

[stmills]

Www.twowayshopper.com