Looking for smallest Part 90 cert vhf with MDC 1200

[mjz55]

I hope this is the correct board, if not please move.

I want to mount the smallest radio that is part 90 certified with mdc 1200 vhf in an undercover car. I'm open for all suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[brndnstffrd]

I would suggest a remote mount radio with an HHCH (Hand-held control head) Then when you need to hide it you can just stuff it between the seats or put it under the seat and no one will see anything since the base of the radio is hidden in the trunk or some other inconspicuous location.

I would suggest looking into an APX 6500 or 7500 with the O3 control head as a starting point. There is also an HHCH for the XPR line, although I have no experience with it personally, although it does look very nice.

 

[mjz55]

I didn't think about that. Thank you. I will look into it.

 

[cmjonesinc]

Depending on what exactly your needs are an Astro spectra with a w3 control head may be a cheaper alternative.

 

[mjz55]

Doesn't have to be motorola either, but seems motorola is the only company that makes one

 

[Thunderknight]

Doesn't have to be motorola either, but seems motorola is the only company that makes one

Harris has a hand held control head available for (at least) the Unity. Used market ones are available for the M7100, but I'm not sure that does MDC...

 

[brndnstffrd]

Depending on what exactly your needs are an Astro spectra with a w3 control head may be a cheaper alternative.

The Astro spectra is cheaper, however it is out of production and unsupported by Motorola. While they are great radios, they do have issues with leaky capacitors. For ham use it would be fine, but for public safety use i would go with something more current. If you must go cheaper, you could look into the XTL line, as those are newer than the Astro spectra line, although these are also out of production, however they are still supported by the depot for parts and service until 2018.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Simoco SRM9000 series mobiles (they only make remote head with 3 different HHCH options)...hell, a SDM600 series would work as P25 is not needed.


GME Australia has a micro-mobile in the works. Though it is P25 capable, it's tiny and available in either a basic HHCH (reference the Simoco SDM610 and SRM9010) or a dash mount.

I've got a Astro Spectra (100W) with a W3 in my pickup. The antenna is a Panorama Shakree with a triband (145-174/430-480/764-895 MHz) whip but pictured is the nitol VHF 1/4 wave whip because I've never gotten around to putting a picture of the trident on photobucket. Oh, the W3 is mounted on a Panavise InDash mount...

Kenwood makes a HHCH for the NX line. Hytera has a HHCH if I remember correctly. Tait may have one...

 

[riveter]

Harris HHC-731

Looks like a satphone handset. Usable with the Unity and 7300/5300 series mobiles.

 

[mmckenna]

Kenwood TK-5710 is a P25 mobile, available in 50 or 110 watt RF decks. It'll do MDC1200. Our PD uses them.
KCH-16 is the hand held control head option.

All currently in production and fully supported. If you ever decide, you can add on a second RF deck to make a dual band radio with hand held control head. You can also add additional control heads as needed. Encryption, too.

 

[motomeso]

A CM200 can be had for fairly cheap and will do what you need.

 

[riveter]

A CM200 can be had for fairly cheap and will do what you need.

To be fair, if you're looking for a front-mount option, that's about as good as it gets. I think the VX-2100 will also do MDC if ordered (also quite a small radio), and anything Vertex is typically cheaper than anything full Moto.

 

[mikegilbert]

The XTL5000 with 03 HHCH gets my vote as well. I have one in my daily driver and it works very well for an inconspicuous mobile install. Whenever I park, I simply toss the HHCH under the seat.

As luck would have it, I've got some available in VHF if you're interested.