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Motorola Saber Question

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oem4872

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Joined
Aug 1, 2010
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what would be the best model of saber to get for use on 144-147MkZ looking at saber 1 or saber 2 models really don't have a need for saber 3 unless i can find it at a good price


Thanks for the help !
 

W2NJS

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Mar 27, 2006
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If you can find it for the right price a Saber 3 is still your best bet. It will have 120 channels, and you can scan as much as you need, plus it'll have alpha legends on the front. Saber I and 1-E radios will drive you nuts trying to remember what channel is where (unless you put an ugly paper sticker on the radio),
and Saber 2 radios are only 48 channels, or 36 if you make it scan. Most of the available decent units these days are Saber 2s, however. The 1, 1-E, 2, and 3 all use the same software which is something of an advantage. Unfortunately there is a tremendous variety in the quality of used units being offered, so you really do have to know your seller and/or get an ironclad guarantee that if the radio doesn't work right you can return it for full credit, exchange, or money back, depending on what the seller will agree to. Nothing beats a short Saber 3 with a short battery on it and stubby VHF 2M antenna; it's truly a pocket radio that sounds great on both receive and transmit.
 

oem4872

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Aug 1, 2010
Messages
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Motorola Saber

The information i have gotten so far is great, could somebody give me a serial number that would be good to look out for when searching for this radio, i have seen a lot but trying to decode it and make sure it will work out ok has not been easy at all


Thanks all for your time helping me out !
 

N4KVE

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Mar 1, 2003
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PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
Unfortunately the model number of a Saber radio doesn't indicate the operating range or "bandsplit" of the radio, Many of the sellers on that famous website will just say that it's a VHF, or UHF radio, & not indicate the true operating range. While there are ways to make them work out of band, not everyone is blessed with the ability to do this. My advice is to purchase a Saber owned by a friend who already uses the radio on the Ham portion of the band, so you know it already works there. If you do find one, they are great radios. Just last year, I was able to find some cheap [$35] MINT new UHF Sabers at the Orlando Hamfest. But I was lucky in that I had in my pocket a Saber battery, antenna, & freq counter to make sure the radio was in the correct bandsplit before I laid out the cash. GARY N4KVE
 
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