Budget p25 phase 2 - 700/800 mhz.

[Carterrowe62]

Hi-
Quick question. I’m a volunteer firefighter. I am in need of a portable radio of some sort. My county has went to p25 phase 2. I don’t know a whole lot about portables, but I know that we operate on p25 phase 2 on the 700/800 mhz band. The problem is that I don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on let’s say an APX 6000xe, as I’m still a “kid.” Any advice on any cheaper solutions? I only need 4 channels in it. Thank you in advance!
Carter.

 

[MTS2000des]

You should first contact the county radio support/admin to see what subscribers they will support/allow as they will be doing the programming/provisioning before spending a dime on anything. They will guide you as to what the specific feature set is required.

Unfortunately, any phase 2 radio is going to cost what it costs. I would also recommend any radio purchased used be fully vetted by a qualified service shop before being placed into public safety service.

 

[ME801]

Pretty sure your going to be on a trunked system, as MTS said, your going to need a lot of info from the system administrators if your going to be on a trunked system.

 

[chrismol]

See the person in charge of equipment to have you assigned a county radio which will be programmed and maintained by the county. you see to me its quite rediculous to spend that much money on a piece of equipment that should be provided to you for your safety and the safety of those around you, are they also making firefighters buy and maintain their own SCBAs? Before dropping a bunch of money on a radio, see if they will even attempt to give you one before dropping a thousand(s) on a radio that they wont even program to let "some kid" get on their system

 

[W7FDX]

I hate to be the one to rain on someone's parade but since you said your just a "kid" I highly doubt the system admin would allow you to have your own radio even if you could afford one.

 

[N0GTG]

Just to clarify, are you looking for a full two-way, or a scanner?

 

[buddrousa]

Budget P25 Phase 2
Motorola APX900 Ready to Talk around $3000
Kenwood NX5400 Ready to Talk around $3000
As stated by you (kid) are you a member of the Fire Department? If not will have to show the System Admin why you need on the system.
Your best advice is around $500 Unication G4 pager or a around $500 P25 Pase 2 Scanner.

 

[rescue161]

Or a P7200 with option 47 installed for ~$400. It also handles simulcast with ease and won't affiliate once you uncheck a couple of boxes.

 

[snoopyII]

Sorry but I gotta laugh here... "budget" and "P25 Phase 2" don't really belong in the same sentence... all of the above are valid suggestions, but this is going to cost some bucks no matter which way you go.

 

[wthclt]

I bought a Radio Shack Pro-18 on eBay for $150 and have the whistler upgrade and now have a p25 phase 2 with DMR capabilities for around $225. You may be able to find a similar deal...