Already tired of my BaoF..looking for a new Handheld

[Josh380]

As the title suggests, I've had my BaoF for a little over a month, and I'm already finding little annoying quirks about the radio and wanting a better radio. I found a seller in Hong Kong selling refurb. Motorola GP68's for basically $60.

I've used Motorola equipment before at previous jobs, and I like the quality and feel of their radios. I'm a little put off from my experience in dealing with overseas vendors, but I can't ignore the pricing. And I like having a frequency readout, instead of having just a channel number or no display and a channel selector. I know the BF has that..but again..quality and affordability is what I'm looking for.

Input?

Note: I want to use this for GMRS, hence the reason I posted in this section..if it belongs in the Motorola section...oops. My apologies.

 

[mmckenna]

If you want to be a stickler for the FCC rules, the GP68 doesn't have the necessary FCC Part 95 certifications, but then again, I don't think the BaoFeng's do either. Enabling the FPP on the GP68 would also technically void the Part 90 certification it does have (just like the BF's). Again, this is if you are a stickler for the rules.
On the FCC side again, coming from Hong Kong, you very likely might be getting a non-US market radio. It won't have any FCC certification at all. These were popular radios overseas, more so than in the US....
And I wouldn't trust a refurbisher from HK on the FCC certification side. Too easy to print up new labels.

I used a US market GP68 once, and I wasn't impressed. Seemed like a low end radio compared to similar vintage Motorola's. We were going to use them at work, but decided against it. From what I've heard from others, I'm glad we did.

If you are just looking for a solid radio on the cheap, you could do better (and probably cheaper)
HT-1000's are rock solid and available cheap. No display, though. Programming requires older computer.
MTS-2000, various sized displays, same chassis as the HT-1000, available cheap. Doesn't require programming computer quite as old.

Personally, if I was looking for a reliable UHF portable with a display and "maybe" FPP, I'd get a Kenwood TK-390. Solid radios, used by a lot of fire agencies. Small display. PC programmable, can be set up for FPP. I've got a TK-290, the VHF version of the 390, and it's a good radio.

If you can get around the hassles with programming these older radios, there are some really good deals out there. They'll run circles around the Chinese radios and probably last a lot longer.

 

[Josh380]

I've been looking at the HT1000's too. We had them when I worked security at our local mall. Good solid radios. I suppose I could deal with not having a display or FPP. I've also been looking at the Radius GP300.

It's actually kinda funny that these are all programmed with a DOS based GUI. The first computer I ever built was a 386 so it's right up my alley. Old laptops are a dime a dozen at the goodwill store.

Here's what's killing me...I actually had a GP300, an HT-10, and an HT1000 when I was in High School. I had no idea what those were worth, or what they might've been worth to me later. I have no clue what happened to them...damn shame.

 

[mmckenna]

I'D recommend the HT-1000 as they'll do narrow band. The GP300's and HT-10's won't (as far as I know).

I've seen HT1k's going for less than $50 each in good shape. GP300's and HT-10's probably going for a few bucks. You might find you will pay a bit more for the narrow band compliant radios.

If you only need a few channels, the HT-1000's are a great choice. If you need more, and the benefit of the display, the MTS-2K or the Kenwood TK-390 might be a better choice.

If you go with the MTS-2000, just be aware of the long standing display issues with those. The pixels start failing and the display becomes useless.

 

[Josh380]

So basically you're saying that if narrow-banding becomes required on GMRS, it would be a nice feature to have in the back pocket? I think I'm sold.

I have about 7-8 channels programmed into my BF that I would want on a constant basis..the others I can do without.

Would a system running say windows 95 or 98 work for programming, or does it have to strictly be DOS based?

One last question. When I look on ebay I see some are VHF and some are UHF. I'm assuming these radios aren't dual-band?

 

[jaspence]

The Motorola 68 has been around for a long time. My experience is that it is ok but lacks capacity and eats batteries. Look for a newer model or maybe a HT 1250.

 

[dave6890]

As the title suggests, I've had my BaoF for a little over a month, and I'm already finding little annoying quirks about the radio and wanting a better radio. I found a seller in Hong Kong selling refurb. Motorola GP68's for basically $60.

I've used Motorola equipment before at previous jobs, and I like the quality and feel of their radios. I'm a little put off from my experience in dealing with overseas vendors, but I can't ignore the pricing. And I like having a frequency readout, instead of having just a channel number or no display and a channel selector. I know the BF has that..but again..quality and affordability is what I'm looking for.

Input?

Note: I want to use this for GMRS, hence the reason I posted in this section..if it belongs in the Motorola section...oops. My apologies.

Question #1: Do you have a GMRS license?
Question #2: What kind of jobs did you use to work that required radio communication but didn't provide you with a radio?

Before you buy anything, view this General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) | FCC.gov
If anything, just buy a pair of Motorola Mr350r's and you should be fine.

 

[Josh380]

Question #1: Do you have a GMRS license?

Have you seen my Signature?

Question #2: What kind of jobs did you use to work that required radio communication but didn't provide you with a radio?

Every job that required a radio, one was provided. I never said a radio was never provided.

Before you buy anything, view this General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) | FCC.gov
If anything, just buy a pair of Motorola Mr350r's and you should be fine.

Thank you, and I've been there done that. I think I'm gonna get the HT1000. And MR350r's? Really? I want a radio, not a toy. But thank you for the suggestion.

 

[mmckenna]

So basically you're saying that if narrow-banding becomes required on GMRS, it would be a nice feature to have in the back pocket? I think I'm sold.

Probably not going to happen anytime soon. Wide band radio would be OK if all you ever do is GMRS. Of course there are the 7 interstitial channels. As a GMRS license holder you can use wide band on those, but the FRS radios, and all FRS/GMRS radios I've ever seen (of the consumer variety) all did narrow band FM.

Would a system running say windows 95 or 98 work for programming, or does it have to strictly be DOS based?

For the Motorola HT-1000 software you need DOS. It requires DOS, and it won't usually work with a DOS window opened inside Windoze. I used to use an old 486 that only did DOS as my "old Motorola" programmer.

One last question. When I look on ebay I see some are VHF and some are UHF. I'm assuming these radios aren't dual-band?

Single band. It gets a bit deeper, too:
The HT1000 was available in a 403 to 470 MHz version and a 450 to 520 MHz version. The 403-470 version are pretty popular as they'll not only do GMRS (although they don't have Part 95 certs), they'd also do 70CM amateur. The 450-520 models would cover the GMRS frequencies just fine, but they aren't quite a popular, so they might be cheaper.
There's 2 channel and 16 channel models.
There's some useful info here: http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/jedi/pdfs/ht1000-specs.pdf

You might see some mention of the "DN" models. The last two digits of the model number are the revision level: AN, BN etc....
The DN models will do "splinter" channels. Not a necessity for GMRS or even Ham, but can be useful for some of the newer re-farmed narrow band channels. They tend to go for a slight premium. Not necessary for GMRS, though.

Definitely not a toy radio. I've used them for years and beat them pretty hard. Way more durable than the GP68.

 

[stmills]

I am currently using a machine that came loaded with windows98 that I have set up in dual boot with a dos sector and a win 98 sector. I have programmed an HT1000 in the dos window on a windows system but it was not as reliable as the straight dos boot.

 

[Josh380]

Ok...good to know. Working on getting a recording studio set up, so it's gonna be a few weeks before I can afford this. Still gotta get my hands on an old computer, and a copy of DOS, hopefully I can do it without breaking the bank. Unless I can get rid of this BC130 I have......maybe I'll sign up for the classifieds and see if I can get something for it.

Anyway, thanks for the help!

EDIT: I saw it somewhere but can't recall...what's the best version of DOS for RSS?

 

[Josh380]

New edit! Rethinking my studio plans so...

I pulled the trigger. Got an HT 1000 H01RDC9AA3BN. Programmed and shipped for $50. Comes with battery, charger, antenna. Perfect. It's a little beat up but working according to the seller.

Noticed something odd (after the fact, of course). The above model number was the one listed in the ad title. In the description body, the model number H01KDD9DB4AN was given. Having a little trouble figuring out the difference. He's listing the freq. coverage as 438-482Mhz too. Guess I'll find out exactly what the deal is when I get it.

 

[mmckenna]

H01RDC9AA3BN is a UHF radio, no display.
H01KDD9DB4AN is a VHF radio with a display, which the HT1000 doesn't have.

Could be a simple error. Could be a recased radio.

 

[Josh380]

Yeah, I noticed the VHF tag associated with that model number. Seller says it'll be programmed as I requested, so I guess it was just an error. We'll see what happens.

 

[mmckenna]

The "R" shows as 438 to 482MHz on the Jedi model number decoder sheet. The marketing info from Motorola shows it as a 403 to 470MHz.

Either way, if it's a UHF model, you'll be fine.

Not uncommon for people to re-case older radios if the internals are fine.

 

[Josh380]

Well this seller is pretty quick with his responses. Turned out it was an error, and I'll be getting the BN model. Sweet. So why do they call it the Jedi model? Do I get a lightsaber with it? ;-)

 

[mmckenna]

Might be recased. It's not unheard of.

And Motorola had some odd names for some of their radio lines:
Jedi
Waris
Genesis

 

[hotdjdave]

And Motorola had some odd names for some of their radio lines:
Jedi
Waris
Genesis

ASTRO
Maratrac
Maxar
Micor
Mostar
Motrac
Motrar
Motrek
Moxy
Saber
Spectra
Syntor
Syntrx
T-power
Traxar

 

[rapidcharger]

As the title suggests, I've had my BaoF for a little over a month, and I'm already finding little annoying quirks about the radio and wanting a better radio. I found a seller in Hong Kong selling refurb. Motorola GP68's for basically $60.

I've used Motorola equipment before at previous jobs, and I like the quality and feel of their radios. I'm a little put off from my experience in dealing with overseas vendors, but I can't ignore the pricing. And I like having a frequency readout, instead of having just a channel number or no display and a channel selector. I know the BF has that..but again..quality and affordability is what I'm looking for.

Input?

Note: I want to use this for GMRS, hence the reason I posted in this section..if it belongs in the Motorola section...oops. My apologies.

Avoid the hong kong sellers like the plague.
Lot of counterfeits out there. Ask me how I know.
There are some unbelievable UHF icom radios selling dirt cheap on ebay lately. They perform great, many are in like new condition for less than a knock off radio from china. I know that's Icom and not motorola but if all you want is the motorola logo you can order a sticker and place it on the radio and you'll have a radio that has a lot more features, cheap legal software, and it'll have the batwings logo on it just like the "95% new" ripoff radios.

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, I'd agree. I used Icom UHF radios for many years on GMRS and 70CM. Great value.
Icom F-4's are dirt cheap and actually have a Part 95 certification.
Icom F-420, F-420s, F221 and F-2020 were all in my possession at one time. Sort of gave them all up once I was able to get others in the family to step up and get their Ham tickets.
I had a couple of Icom F-320 (VHF) sitting in a dispatch center being used for adjacent agency monitors. Those radios were on for 12 years straight without any issues.

Yep, if you can get over the name brands, there are a lot of good radios out there.