Best VHF Radio for Vehicle?

[JB1991]

Hey everyone, new here, looking for a VHF radio I can mount inside my POV, needs to be in the 15x.000 range. Just wanted to see if anyone had any personal preferences? Will be used to communicate back and forth with Fire Dispatch.

Thanks.

 

[N5TWB]

Personally, I like ICOM for the price point and ease of programming. The Big /\/\ makes the whole thing a major PITA, IMO...YMMV.

 

[Thayne]

Be sure you get one new enough to do narrowband, icom or kenwood are both good. I just got a new kenwood nextedge 512 conv channels, LTR trunking + digital (if I ever need it) fits right where the old kenwood did.

 

[W2NJS]

A Motorola M1225 in the VHF version would be a very good bet for your setup. The radio does narrowband, has about 40 channels, 25 or 40 watts, etc. etc., but above all it's about the size of a fat
paperback book. It also has alpha display and you can find good ones on eBay for anywhere from $75
to $200. Once you get it programmed, by your FD shop or by a dealer, you'll be all set.

 

[pickles37]

My favorite is the Motorola CDM1250 (or CDM1550). Super-long alpha tags (I think 14 characters), priority scan which actually works well, robust, and they go for about $300 on eBay

 

[northzone]

Relm (Bendix King) RMV800. For 300 bucks new you get 512 channels, groups, scan, pl/dpl, narrowband, etc. Programming cable and software can be purchased together for under 50 bucks.

 

[n3obl]

I use a vertex 4200 series. cant go wrong with 512 channels.

Frank

 

[b7spectra]

Or you could get a portable and be able to take it with you!

 

[joetnymedic]

My favorite is the Motorola CDM1250 (or CDM1550). Super-long alpha tags (I think 14 characters), priority scan which actually works well, robust, and they go for about $300 on eBay

there's aguy on ebay here in wallingford, ct selling them in the 300 dollar range and he even sells the cables to program, etc. one of my buddys actually bought one and is very happy with it.

 

[mrweather]

I'm partial to the Kenwood TK-790. A dashmount (45 watt) model with a basic head can sometimes be had for a couple hundred dollars. They're a current-production radio so parts and accessories are plentiful. And you don't have to sign away your first born when you buy the software and programming cable.

 

[KM4WLV]

I think the most important thing when it comes to deciding what radio YOU want to use it comes down to two things : 1 - What do you need? and 2 - Personal preference.

Just about everyone is going to tell you something different as I'm sure you can see here, or by looking in the picture forums. Different strokes for different folks, lol.

I personally prefer Motorola or Kenwood. Of course thats what I've always serviced & installed. I prefer Motorola Astro Spectra's specifically, but thats just me.

Just do your research and I think you'll find soemthing !!!

 

[davidgcet]

the best VHF radio is _______________. there is no way to answer this question based on the information given.

i could honestly say that in MY opinion the APX is the best VHF radio, but why would you spend 7-10k on a radio if you all you need is a 300.00 Icom/Vertex/etc..?

before you start looking, decide on how/where this unit will be mounted. can it be a dash mount or will the vehicle's limited space require it be a remote mount? what features do you require, need paging to it? if you do then that actually rules out an APX but favors many sub-500.00 radios! is this POV a clean vehicle, or is it one that frequently has water/mud exposure on the inside? if you do get a lot of water/mud, then you need to make sure the radio will hold up to that(this seems an oddball thing but i can't tell you how many water damaged units i have seen from vehicles that never been underwater). what is your budget range, we all want to save money where we can so i doubt seriously you want to spend several K on high end stuff but you also do not want to spend 100.00 on some cheap chinese knockoff that will possibly fail when you NEED it.

 

[Av8tor56]

Personally, I would go with a Kenwood. They're much higher quality than an Icom, more user friendly than a Motorola, and some models such as a TK-7180 have a remote mount option. Unless you need 110 watts there is no need for a TK-790. If you only need to use one channel I recommend a TK-7302.