Motorola GP300

[armedmikeq]

Sorry if this is the wrong place but I am new. Please move if needed.

1. I have a couple of old GP300 UHF radios that work just between each other. The are my companies radios that we use. The radios are new to me from a fellow employee that didnt have a use for them since he is doing another position in the company and I got all his equipment. The issue that I am having is that they only RX and TX between each other like about a couple blocks away in the suburbs. I have ordered new batteries and new antennas just in case this is the issue. They charge in about 10 minutes and only last for about 15 minutes. The antennas are brittle and in terrible shape. I am sure this is some of the problem. If this doesnt fix the issue and have the RX and TX farther distance, then do you think I need to have them checked to make sure they are transmitting at 4 watts? Could they be set at 1 or 2 watts?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mr_Observer]

Its always wise to have a radio that has been in storage for a while checked out. They could theoretically be set to transmit only at partial power but in practice this is rarely done. If the battery is only lasting 15 minuets then there is a clear issue to fix. Replace the battery for sure. You might find that replacing the battery helps extend the range too as an under powered PA will not transmit at full power. That being said if the radios are only talking directly to one another you would be limited to not a whole lot more than a couple of city blocks anyway depending on how dense the urban area is. In addition a cracked antenna will probably work on as long as the metal part is not grounded but replacing it is just good preventative maintenance.

On another note if these radios are being used make sure you use them within the limitations of the FCC license that they are under. You don't want to be 'that guy' who takes his radios out of the area they were licensed for and interferes with someone else.

 

[armedmikeq]

Its always wise to have a radio that has been in storage for a while checked out. They could theoretically be set to transmit only at partial power but in practice this is rarely done. If the battery is only lasting 15 minuets then there is a clear issue to fix. Replace the battery for sure. You might find that replacing the battery helps extend the range too as an under powered PA will not transmit at full power. That being said if the radios are only talking directly to one another you would be limited to not a whole lot more than a couple of city blocks anyway depending on how dense the urban area is. In addition a cracked antenna will probably work on as long as the metal part is not grounded but replacing it is just good preventative maintenance.

On another note if these radios are being used make sure you use them within the limitations of the FCC license that they are under. You don't want to be 'that guy' who takes his radios out of the area they were licensed for and interferes with someone else.

Thanks for the reply. I have ordered a new battery and antenna for both radios. I believe that they are licensed for this area. My co worker is in my same area. I will check with my company on the scoop though.

 

[davidgcet]

don't spend a lot on them, they must be replaced in under 23 months anyway. your company needs to be talking to a radio shop now about the upcoming narrowband changeover.

back to the orignal topic, yes bad batteries will kill range. so just see how they do after you put the new batts on.

 

[armedmikeq]

Agree. I already sent emails to corp about new radios

 

[SCPD]

You have a couple of bad batteries. A good GP300 battery will take almost and hour to charge, and last at least 8 hours before the radio starts chirping. The weak batteries are the range issue. These are great radios, I'd rather carry a GP300 than the newer radios at work. It's bulletproof, you can hear it in a noisy area better than a HT750, or the new MotoTrbo XPR handhelds we are starting to get. With fresh batteries, you should get almost a mile in a residential neighborhood.

I'm going to check for sure tomorrow, but I think a GP300 can go 12.5. (narrowband).

 

[davidgcet]

no, the GP300 had a NB model out but it was 12.5k only. i know because we had to eat one when i mistakenly put the wrong model number down on an order.

 

[armedmikeq]

So I am real new to radios but is the wideband 25k and the 12.5k narrowband? Is the Jan 1 2013 date for everyone to 12.5K narrowband?

 

[davidgcet]

that is correct. the gubberment is cutting everybody's allocated space in half so they can sell more licenses. in other words, they figured out how to double the frequency tax!

 

[armedmikeq]

ok got it. So any radio that we purchase I will need to make sure it is capable of narrowband 12.5K

Also with these GP300 that I have they are the 25K model. I checked with the dealer with the model number. Is there a way to reprogram them to be 12.5K. I dont like to call it a "hack". I didnt want to ask him that quesion.

that is correct. the gubberment is cutting everybody's allocated space in half so they can sell more licenses. in other words, they figured out how to double the frequency tax!

 

[davidgcet]

no, it is a hardware change. there are a few folks that say you can hack them, but teh FCC took care of that by including words to the effect that in order to be compliant the radio manufacturer must certify it as such and list this with teh FCC. no manufacturer will do that on a modded radio, especially not M!

any Part 90 certified VHFor UHF radio you purchase new now must be NB compliant. it may be capable of both modes, but it must be seto to NB by the deadline.

 

[armedmikeq]

ok good deal. Thanks for all the help and info.

 

[C138NC]

Thought GP300 wont go into NarrowBanding so in 2013 or 14 its going to be illegal to use?

 

[SteveC0625]

Thought GP300 wont go into NarrowBanding so in 2013 or 14 its going to be illegal to use?

Correct. Any radio that is WB only will be illegal to use after 1/1/13. Most of us use radios in systems with other user agencies. If you think about the logistics of getting everyone switched over, realistically, we have to get the job done a lot sooner.

Just getting everyone's FCC licenses modified, identifying equipment to be replaced, finding money to pay for it all, and getting any needed new equipment on order, you need to start working on this a long, long time in advance. Then you have to get the stuff and then install it. Only then are you ready to actually switch to NB.

Sorry to go on, I know it is a bit off topic, but I think it is important to explain this stuff whenever it comes up. There isn't a lot of time left before the deadline, especially since the mandate has been in place for at least a decade.

 

[chrismol1]

deadlines been around quite a few years but with tight budgets and governments procrastinating I wonder how realistic the deadline actually is.

 

[SteveC0625]

deadlines been around quite a few years but with tight budgets and governments procrastinating I wonder how realistic the deadline actually is.

I have been wondering about that. All the info I can find says they are not going to flinch and 1/1/13 is really it.

My guess is that enforcement will be initially be complaint driven based on adjacent channel interference.

I am also thinking that unmodified licenses will trigger scrutiny as well.

 

[W2NJS]

I've posted this in other places recently, but just so y'all know. The narrowbanding requirements of the FCC do NOT apply to hams, marine channels, and weather channels. If you're not one of these then you are stuck with modifying you license and possibly replacing current equipment with radios that'll do narrowband.

 

[N4KVE]

Thought GP300 wont go into NarrowBanding so in 2013 or 14 its going to be illegal to use?

Use the radio till narrow banding hits, then get your ham ticket & use it there. Or just sell it to a ham. GARY N4KVE

 

[wcr20]

does narrow banding apply to gmrs?

 

[SteveC0625]

does narrow banding apply to gmrs?

Yes, it does.

The good news is that GMRS is already narrowband, and all GMRS specific radios that are sold in the US are already narrowband.