Based upon your experience (Equipment Recommendations)

[Tervicz]

I have been reading sales pitches and looking at colorful pictures all day of fancy two-way mobile radios and their 1,001 features (only two of which I actually need) and want to put it to you resident experts on your experience and recommendations.

I find myself in a position where not all my radio are FCC compliant so that obviously needs to change. They are truck mounted mobile radios operating at 151Mhz. I have been eye-balling the RCA radios (BRM1250) but from what I have read, they are basically re-branded HYT radios and are pretty stingy about end-user programming. I have to admit though that I am a cheapskate and their $250 pricetag is enticing.

So, what do ya'all recommend? What has worked out well for you?

 

[mikegilbert]

Take a look at the Kenwood TK-780 radios. They'll do narrowband and are easy to find.

 

[RodStrong]

If you don't need high channel capacity, I would take a hard look at the Vertex VX-2100. Based on my experience over the years with many brands and models, this radio at under $250 with an industry leading 3 year warranty is a no brainer. The Icom IC-F5011 is also a solid little radio, and can be had slightly cheaper with a 2 year warranty, although head to head (with the basics aside), I like the number display on the Vertex much better. Kenwoods are good too, although are generally a tad bit more expensive than Vertex or Icom. Based on what little info. you gave, I would pick the VX-2100, hands down.

VX-2100V VHF Mobile Radio

Icom IC-F5011 VHF Mobile Radio

Software and cables for either of these can be found easily and cheap. If you need more than 8 channels, than there are many other options.

Whatever you do, be careful about who you buy from. They should be an authorized dealer from the brand you pick. You can roll the dice and save 10+% on Ebay from a non-authorized knockoff dealer, but it's nearly always with lesser or no warranty coverage. Pay close attention to warranty statements. A lot of those guys don't buy radios through official channels (for example, through south america or overseas), and a US warranty won't be honored. Good luck.

 

[MTS2000des]

good advice, as I always say, buy the SELLER not the ITEM.
You may pay a little extra, but if you are not a self-maintained user with your own test equipment, tools, dealer account for the products you are buying- then buy from someone who is.

This will go a long way in the case of a problem. I would avoid eBay UNLESS you know who you are buying from. Lots of knock off's, hacked junk, stolen and broken stuff and outright scam artists. It may be fine for a hobbyist, but if you are running a business, do you really have time for the games?

New conventional radio prices are cheaper then ever. Vertex-Standard is about to break the price barrier on DMR with their new "eVerge" series of digital radios- many of these are priced comparable to what an analog only radio costs, and they have a 3 year parts/labor warranty. Worth checking into, but always find a GOOD dealer. The EVX series are said to be under $400 for full feature (keypad/display) and $300 for basic models, both portable and mobile. While you may not want digitial, it's there if you ever decice to upgrade your infrastructure (ASSuming you're using a repeater).

Land Mobile Radio | Vertex Standard | EVX-5300/5400

Those RCA radios are questionable because of the shady way the reseller refuses to sell software and cables, and while I do think they are just re-badged HYT/Hytera products, the software is NOT compatible.

I'd avoid used radios unless you have the expertise to properly service them, tune them and align them- or have a good shop that does. While used decade old radios may be fine for hams, putting them into commercial service may cost you more in the long run. Consider that things like capacitors start to leak, control heads start to fail, and who wants to hassle with de-installation and bench work when new radios cost so little these days?

 

[Mtnrider]

The Icom F5011 is a nice little unit. I know many town highway and local oil companies using them and there solid. Some have been buying from " the antenna farm dot com" with good results around 220 a piece software cables no problem

 

[RodStrong]

The Icom F5011 is a nice little unit. Some have been buying from " the antenna farm dot com" with good results around 220 a piece software cables no problem

Perfect example of a non-authorized Icom dealer. You can always buy a few percentage points cheaper, but good luck if you need warranty repair. Mysteriously, no mention of warranty at all......anywhere.

 

[Mtnrider]

If you look under "Shipping and Returns " it states there policy. Very Clearly

 

[W2NJS]

If you look under "Shipping and Returns " it states there policy. Very Clearly

But it does not say that the company is an authorized dealer for the radios they sell, does it?
Someone should ask the dealer the obvious question or, better yet, ask Icom, or Kenwood, etc.

 

[RodStrong]

If you look under "Shipping and Returns " it states there policy. Very Clearly

Maybe I missed something, but I didn't see any specific warranty info. on the item in question. Maybe they are an authorized Icom dealer, but I did not see it anywhere on the site.

Not particularly interested in dwelling on this seller or anyone for that matter, but I saw a 30 day defective return policy, and anything after that it looks like you have to go deal with the manufacturer.

Typically if you have a warranty issue, an authorized dealer will not tell you to pound sand, slam the door in your face, and punt you off to fend for yourself with the manufacturer. They will either repair the item at their facility (if they are an authorized repair center), or they will facilitate the warranty return themselves, as a good dealer who stands behind his/her warranty should. If I am a business owner, government buyer, or have a subtantial amount of money invested in a radio(s), I sure as heck don't want my dealer to tell me "good luck with Icom" if I have a warranty problem. I want them to take care of it. To me, that is worth 5-10% more, and that was my point.

I have bought radios and other items from the antenna farm in the past, and fortunately not had any problems. My comments are not about blasting them or any particular dealer. They are simply about protecting your investment. I would like to assume that Icom products are so good that the vast majority of buyers will do okay, even if they buy from non-authorized dealers or buy products that are not honored by Icom USA's warranty. But if you are one of those who roll the dice and wind up having a problem, you just might get hosed. A lot of folks don't understand this, hence my desire to try to help buyers with little experience in this area.

 

[Tervicz]

Thanks for the help Rod and MTS! I have been talking to the folks at Red Dog who have been helping us with our issue. Turns out what I thought was an issue with our equipment is actually a MotoTRBO control channel that has been set up on my shared frequency... which presents a whole mess of new issues but I wouldn't have known that without talking to an expert. So, thanks again! I am now on my way to the scanning section of this forum to figure out how to locate the clown that is blasting 24/7 on my frequency.

 

[RodStrong]

Thanks for the help Rod and MTS! I have been talking to the folks at Red Dog who have been helping us with our issue. Turns out what I thought was an issue with our equipment is actually a MotoTRBO control channel that has been set up on my shared frequency... which presents a whole mess of new issues but I wouldn't have known that without talking to an expert. So, thanks again! I am now on my way to the scanning section of this forum to figure out how to locate the clown that is blasting 24/7 on my frequency.

Wow, that's great. RDR is one of very few dealers I would actually go out of my way to recommend. They stand behind their products and you'll never get a door slammed in your face, that's for sure. Glad things are seemingly looking up for you. Good luck the rest of the way.