P25 radio help

[yank24]

I work for two different agencies. Both are using VHF (public safety) frequencies. One is making the transition to Star21 (P25 700/800). I currently have a 1 VHF radio I can use for both jobs, but would like to have a radio that is capable of the near future switch to Star21. Is there a radio that is capable of RX/TX on both VHF and P25, or am I going to have to purchase a P25 radio and switch back and forth?

[Grog]

P25 is a form of digital modulation that is not bound to one band. It is used in VHF, UHF as well as 700/800mhz.


There are a few radios that will be out soon that can do P25 on VHF as well as 700/800. Motorola, Thales and another company will be building them. The cheapest might be the motorola and that will still likely run at least $5000 each.




Is there a reason they do not issue you a radio? They cannot expect someone to buy their own P25 radio unless you make $200k a year.

[yank24]

I am granted an annual equipment allowance. The radio is optional for my full time job. They mainly use Nextel for communications as we do not have a dispatcher. I work closely with other agencies and prefer a radio over dialing a phone in hit or miss coverage areas. My secondary employment does issue a radio while "on duty". I always have my radio on me when I leave the house for those "just in case" moments. Thank you very much for the info.