Cheapest way to align an XTS/APX radio?

[OmahaBasil]

What's the cheapest way to align an XTS/APX radio for non-mission critical use? When I see some alignment equipment going for about the same or more than some radios go brand new, I question what other options I have. I understand I mostly get what I pay for but am hoping to meet in the middle.

I also know that visiting a radio shop is also possible but want to leave that as a last resort as I have multiple radios I want to align and the shop is charging $100+ per radio.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Find a shop that has the full autotest/autotune system. They should charge less for the job as it requires less bench time.

Alignment should not be "halfway". Do it right if you want the radio to work properly. Don't skimp.

 

[N4KVE]

Just last week I brought 2 XTS2500's to a shop. While both radios worked perfectly, I wanted to make sure they were in tune. The 3920 auto tuned both radios perfectly. On each radio, 1 setting was out of spec. Each radio took only 5 minutes to tune, & a print out of each radio was created. It didn't cost me anything, as I got the shop owner a great deal on his last firearm purchase.

 

[cmdrwill]

Alignment should not be "halfway". Do it right if you want the radio to work properly. Don't skimp.

Exactly... That is why I do the full calibration and alignment by hand.

 

[OmahaBasil]

Thank you all. I guess I have no choice then but to do it the full way.

 

[MTS2000des]

Thank you all. I guess I have no choice then but to do it the full way.

and an auto tune should cost NO MORE than an hour labor max for both of your radios. Any shop that starts quoting you 3 figures, walk out. On our R8000-B it takes about 8-10 minutes per radio to go through the full auto-tune, so figure another 2 minutes each for connecting/disconnecting cables.

Remember, a lazy man works twice as hard. Get it done right and do it only once.