F33 vs F3021

[mjthomas59]

Hello all,

I am was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience using the F33 and the F3021. I currently have a F33gs and am very displeased with its reception. I have tried upgrading the antenna with some improvement but still nothing like what I use to have. This is being used on a VHF conventional radio network.

My dept. switched from HT1000's which were rugged and received well even with the stock antenna, to the F33gs which is nearly worthless in my area with the stock antenna, and in my opinion, below average with the tall antenna.

The local radio shop said that the old F33 models weren't all that great but the new F3021's are suppose to be far superior. I'm working on getting a demo model from them to try out but I was curious what anyones thoughts were while I wait for a demo to come available.

Thanks,
1224

 

[lucas2121]

Hello all,

I am was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience using the F33 and the F3021. I currently have a F33gs and am very displeased with its reception. I have tried upgrading the antenna with some improvement but still nothing like what I use to have. This is being used on a VHF conventional radio network.

My dept. switched from HT1000's which were rugged and received well even with the stock antenna, to the F33gs which is nearly worthless in my area with the stock antenna, and in my opinion, below average with the tall antenna.

The local radio shop said that the old F33 models weren't all that great but the new F3021's are suppose to be far superior. I'm working on getting a demo model from them to try out but I was curious what anyones thoughts were while I wait for a demo to come available.

Thanks,
1224

Really?
I've used Motorolas and I've used Icoms, my Icom F33gt has worked the best outta all of them.

 

[mjthomas59]

My entire agency switched from HT1000's over to the Icom's primarily because of budget concerns. We were struggling to get the HT1000's fixed so it was time to switch to something new (the ht1000's had been in service for over a decade and had taken a beating). The Icom's are 1/3 cheaper, if not more, than about any motorola radio out there. The unfortunate part of it all is that no one tested them side by side with the HT1000's prior to purchasing them, or even tested them out in our county to see how well they worked.

A few things were learned after they were bought and issued out to everyone. They wouldn't transmit as far or receive as well as the HT1000's when put side by side, even after putting a "frequency specific" antenna on them. Its kind of crazy but we have 10.5 inch antennas on top of those little F33's just to get us by. Also, the ambulance and fire dept's had gotten a bunch of demo models of the F33's to try out to replace their aging HT1000's. They flat out refused to use them because of the poor performance they had when compared to the motorolas.

I've done my own non-scientific testing and found that the ht1000's and ht1250's both were noticeably better than the f33 on tx and rx. And by noticable I mean the f33 would get all fuzz and the moto's would be clear audio. I expect this for the price of a moto, but what I didn't expect was such poor performance from the icom.

My local radio shop swears by Icom which is why I hate to write the whole company off just because the 100 employees that I work with think the f33 series are junk. Thanks for the input.

 

[lucas2121]

My entire agency switched from HT1000's over to the Icom's primarily because of budget concerns. We were struggling to get the HT1000's fixed so it was time to switch to something new (the ht1000's had been in service for over a decade and had taken a beating). The Icom's are 1/3 cheaper, if not more, than about any motorola radio out there. The unfortunate part of it all is that no one tested them side by side with the HT1000's prior to purchasing them, or even tested them out in our county to see how well they worked.

A few things were learned after they were bought and issued out to everyone. They wouldn't transmit as far or receive as well as the HT1000's when put side by side, even after putting a "frequency specific" antenna on them. Its kind of crazy but we have 10.5 inch antennas on top of those little F33's just to get us by. Also, the ambulance and fire dept's had gotten a bunch of demo models of the F33's to try out to replace their aging HT1000's. They flat out refused to use them because of the poor performance they had when compared to the motorolas.

I've done my own non-scientific testing and found that the ht1000's and ht1250's both were noticeably better than the f33 on tx and rx. And by noticable I mean the f33 would get all fuzz and the moto's would be clear audio. I expect this for the price of a moto, but what I didn't expect was such poor performance from the icom.

My local radio shop swears by Icom which is why I hate to write the whole company off just because the 100 employees that I work with think the f33 series are junk. Thanks for the input.

Well I hope you get it figured out.
I prefer my icom over any of my other radios.
I know side by side my icom has out preformed the Moto ct250, CP 200, and ht1250.
In fact the only thing I don't really like is the size of the knobs and the audio.(I prefer that deep audio the motos have around loud noises and what not)
Hopefully some other people will chime in here.
I wonder why yours don't seem to work.

 

[radionerd13669]

Several of them in my area 50-150 and never had a complaint. I use one everyday and it works just fine I would not trade for a moto.

It takes time to get those die hard moto fans to use it but once they do its history...

 

[iamhere300]

Try the 3021. You will like it.

 

[mjthomas59]

Well apparently I'm missing something then if these radios seem to work for other agencies. I wonder if there is a programming issue with the squelch settings or something.... I think i'll take the advice and start looking for a f3021t or a f3161t. The full keypad models only seem to be adding another $10-$20 to the price, which I think would prolly pay itself back down the road if/when I trade it off for something new.


A quick search of the net found a few prices on brand new units with 2yr warranty from authorized distributors. All come with a rapid charger.

F3021t $259
F3161t $419
F50V $275

Any thoughts? Prices seem competitive for your area? Again thanks to all who have replied!

 

[mjthomas59]

Double post

 

[radionerd13669]

There are several setting you want to get right. The squelch ,Scan

If you look at Icom I would go with the 3161. THe 3161 is also a very good radio . You will be pleased

 

[lucas2121]

Well apparently I'm missing something then if these radios seem to work for other agencies. I wonder if there is a programming issue with the squelch settings or something.... I think i'll take the advice and start looking for a f3021t or a f3161t. The full keypad models only seem to be adding another $10-$20 to the price, which I think would prolly pay itself back down the road if/when I trade it off for something new.


A quick search of the net found a few prices on brand new units with 2yr warranty from authorized distributors. All come with a rapid charger.

F3021t $259
F3161t $419
F50V $275

Any thoughts? Prices seem competitive for your area? Again thanks to all who have replied!

The Squelch could be a major issue mine didn't work all that well till I got it straightened out.
I have it now set up for fpp squelch.
If you don't have pl tones on all your channels computers and other devices will make it annoying.(at lest mine is very sensitive)


What's your squelch set at now?
Just curious

 

[lucas2121]

I wish I would have gotten the F-3161 when I got my F-33.
I like the size and the larger screen.
I didn't like the price though=/

 

[iamhere300]

Well apparently I'm missing something then if these radios seem to work for other agencies. I wonder if there is a programming issue with the squelch settings or something.... I think i'll take the advice and start looking for a f3021t or a f3161t. The full keypad models only seem to be adding another $10-$20 to the price, which I think would prolly pay itself back down the road if/when I trade it off for something new.


A quick search of the net found a few prices on brand new units with 2yr warranty from authorized distributors. All come with a rapid charger.

F3021t $259
F3161t $419
F50V $275

Any thoughts? Prices seem competitive for your area? Again thanks to all who have replied!

If you can get a brand new with rapid charger F50V for $275, buy it. Better yet, tell me where - I will buy from them instead of the factory. Make sure it is not a repack, or that it has everything.

The other prices are reasonable.

 

[jeatock]

Some end-users have a string in their DNA that makes all non-Mother radios junk. Get used to it.

The F33 was THE radio when it was introduced. That's why the DOD bought 35 thousand of them over ALL other vendors. But time has marched on and the F3161 is a FAR superior platform to the F33, and has so much expansion built into it that it will be around for a long time. .