How can I get a motorola radio?

[poltergeisty]

I have some questions about the use of a Motorola radio for receiving only.

First- will the radio take advantage of error correction that I heard that these digital system have?

Second- I was reading about how some people might want to program the rid of a dispatch consol. I have read on the internet from a government agency that they gave the media radios I don’t know all the business and politics of that but what if you could instead program the rid in your radio as one of the media if they have problems boo who who I would not find that as big a problem as a cloned dispatch consol.

Third- I am interested in buying a Motorola radio because of its ruggedness and its high sensitivity and possible error correction capabilities. However I live in Co. we use the apco-25 9600 baud control channel. Most public safety any ways. How hard is it to be able to program your own Motorola radio? I know I need to buy the cables and software where ever I may find that but I heard that you can’t get a rid for a 9600 system very easily also trunker wont decode a 9600 control channel so I don’t know how I would get a rid any ways. Any help? Is there a web site/s? And I read that you could take it to a Motorola radio dealer to have it programmed for receive only wouldn’t that be illegal for them to do that? but scanners are not illegal for the receiving of a digital trunked radio system. I would think it would be better for them to program the radio for receive only then you doing it.

Fourth- Where can I find out about the types of radios and which one’s work for a 9600 baud apco-25 radio system? If I can get one that will hold more then ten talk groups that would be great.

I have heard so much about these and how some people have programmed there own I would just like to join the crowd of users of superb radio equipment. Until uniden or radio shack can make the same plastic casing and hardware specs. I would rather use one of these.

Thanks.

 

[Thayne]

You should really forget about doing what you said, even if you are both crazy and rich--here are a few reasons.

1. A Moto XTS5000 like the state uses would cost at least $3000.00
2. It generally won't receive unless it affiliates, WHICH IS AGAINST THE LAW unless you are authorized.
3. As a scanner, it wouldn't do as good as a Pro-96, because you cannot have the whole systems talkgroups in at the same time. A Pro-96 sounds about the same except you can't turn the volume as loud without distortion.
4. Nobody that could would program it for you, and it would be very hard for you to do it yourself.
5. It could be turned into a brick if it did affiliate, because the system is being monitored by software ALL THE TIME.
6. Lots of people would be glad to swipe it from you, especially if you show it off.
7. Ashcroft might think you are a terrorist, since you were crazy enough to spend that much to listen to routine bull talk

 

[ECPD279]

Get a BC-796d. You can put 100 TG's in a system and it will do a 9600 baud system. The audio is great with an external speaker. The only thing you don't get is error correction, but is that feature really worth the time, money, and hassles to get a Motorola radio that could potentially get you into trouble, and may not work anyway?

I often wonder why people want to use a real two-way as a scanner. There are so many scanners out today that fit the needs of a monitoring enthusiast without the added trouble and expense of having a radio capable of transmitting. Plus, they SCAN better than the real thing and there is no temptation to transmit. I have had all three of my trunking scanners right next to my mobile radio in my patrol car, and all three recieve as well, or very nearly as well, as the "real" radio. If you have a proper antenna, I see no advantage to having a two-way. In my OPINION (yes I emphasized that on purpose) a scanner is the way to go. Spend the extra money on goodies like an amplified speaker, a mounting system, and a good antenna. Or for that matter, a few more scanners.

 

[NINN27]

hmmm... what will $3000 get you...?

- 6 pro 96's (all of which will do 9600)

- ok, maybe 5 96's if you wanted to buy a decent antenna to put on them

- talkgroups out the WAAZOO, and systems (banks) out the WAAZOO

- damn, no encryption... oh well

- no visit to washington DC to tell the DOD your not a terrorist (or just plainly cause your violated a federal law)

OR

for $3000, you can get one radio, with one system, with (just guessing a number since i dont live in your area) 100 - 150 talkgroups, with one public safety service, with encryption so you hear **** that federal law prohibits you to hear, and a trip to DC to explain yourself cause you violated the federal law

not to be a dick (sorry, im in a mood) but your best choice of pending $3000 is on the first choice. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[mdulrich]

hmmm... what will $3000 get you...?

with encryption so you hear **** that federal law prohibits you to hear, and a trip to DC to explain yourself cause you violated the federal law

Even if you get the radio programmed to receive the system, you aren't going to get the key to receive the encrypted stuff.

Mike

 

[Stephen]

I also hear that, some of the updates to these types of systems from Motorola are going to have security software to help prevent the use of illegaly programmed radios or radios that have no business on there.

 

[scanfan03]

Make that $4000 or more :shock: . You gotta add in the RSS which is about $500 to $600 or more, you also gotta add the RIB (Do they have to have one?) about $50, A cable from the radio to the RIB about $25 to $50, and the cable from the RIB to a comp. about $25 to $50. I've also heard that you have to have a slow comp. or it won't program the radio. So if you don't have a slow comp. you will have to get one for about $250 to $400. :!:

 

[dc2wheel]

I have some questions about the use of a Motorola radio for receiving only...

I looked into it at great lengths - the place for info is batlabs.com - but honestly - it just doesn't seem worth the expense or hassle. The bottom line is that Radio Shack or Uniden just need to make a digital trunked scanner that's milspec durable like Motorolas or even sub-$200 Icoms ham radios are. You, me and many others I bet would be willing to pay a little extra for it.
-dc2wheel

 

[mciupa]

I would just like to join the crowd of users of superb radio equipment. Until uniden or radio shack can make the same plastic casing and hardware specs. I would rather use one of these.

Thanks.

Well, now you've put the word out.
I'm sure that when there's money to be made, some enterprenurial types will pay attention and private message you with details.
That is if you are still interested after all of the above comments.

 

[grem467]

Make that $4000 or more :shock: . You gotta add in the RSS which is about $500 to $600 or more, you also gotta add the RIB (Do they have to have one?) about $50, A cable from the radio to the RIB about $25 to $50, and the cable from the RIB to a comp. about $25 to $50. I've also heard that you have to have a slow comp. or it won't program the radio. So if you don't have a slow comp. you will have to get one for about $250 to $400. :!:

that isnt correct for an XTS5k, they do not require the traditional rib, they use their own serial or USB cable, and will program just fine on a pentium 4 class machine. the caviot? the cable from big M is in the 300.00 range, even the knockoff serial one on ebay is 125.00. then you have the 5k CPS...

also a 5k WILL affiliate on power up/changing talkgroups.. when in scan mode, it will reaffiliate EVERY time it stops on an active talkgroup. Once the radio gets bricked, either the agency that bricked it, or motorola themselves will be required to uninhibit the radio. Good luck on explaining to big M that you were an unauthorized user and getting them to uninhibit the radio.

bottom line, get an APCO compliant scanner.

 

[mmartinfan]

I have some questions about the use of a Motorola radio for receiving only.

First- will the radio take advantage of error correction that I heard that these digital system have?

Second- I was reading about how some people might want to program the rid of a dispatch consol. I have read on the internet from a government agency that they gave the media radios I don’t know all the business and politics of that but what if you could instead program the rid in your radio as one of the media if they have problems boo who who I would not find that as big a problem as a cloned dispatch consol.

Third- I am interested in buying a Motorola radio because of its ruggedness and its high sensitivity and possible error correction capabilities. However I live in Co. we use the apco-25 9600 baud control channel. Most public safety any ways. How hard is it to be able to program your own Motorola radio? I know I need to buy the cables and software where ever I may find that but I heard that you can’t get a rid for a 9600 system very easily also trunker wont decode a 9600 control channel so I don’t know how I would get a rid any ways. Any help? Is there a web site/s? And I read that you could take it to a Motorola radio dealer to have it programmed for receive only wouldn’t that be illegal for them to do that? but scanners are not illegal for the receiving of a digital trunked radio system. I would think it would be better for them to program the radio for receive only then you doing it.

Fourth- Where can I find out about the types of radios and which one’s work for a 9600 baud apco-25 radio system? If I can get one that will hold more then ten talk groups that would be great.

I have heard so much about these and how some people have programmed there own I would just like to join the crowd of users of superb radio equipment. Until uniden or radio shack can make the same plastic casing and hardware specs. I would rather use one of these.

Thanks.

Tell you what send me the 3000+$$$ via paypal, PM Ill give you my info I will send you my 796D Free shipping and Handling (its the least I can do) I can then call the FCC and advise them you tried to gain access to an encrypted system. Will then sit back by a new 796D and take the rest roughly $2500+ and buy all new Digital camera equipment. Sounds like a good deal, you can have an awesome radio and I can have awesome camera gear.

 

[rdale]

Nowhere does his post refer to "encryption" so I don't know what "reporting" him is going to do?

 

[mancow]

Your main problem is the 9600 bps digital system like others said. If it were a regular analog 3600 system you would be much better off. It's not really that difficult to program up an MTS2000 or similar unit on one of those systems. However, the mandatory affiliation with the new systems pretty much puts you out of busness unless you are issued a legitimate ID on the system.

As for using a "real radio". I generally prefer it when it's practical. The audio is much better and so is the sensitivity. Like you said, they are much more durable and have far better battery life. The down side is the inflexibility. You will only scan 10 to 15 talk groups at any given time.
I have some "real radios" I use to receive systems that are way out on the fringe of my receptioin range. The difference is night and day. The real radio will dig a signal out of the noise where a scanner never will.

There are benefits to both sides but as a hobbiest generally go with the scanner. If I couldn't have both, I'd go with the scanner every time. In the end you'll spend far less and have much more.


mancow

 

[poltergeisty]

Ok enough with the bs. I know there are people out there with one for god sakes. There is also a link for buying moto. Equipment
here, what’s that all about? And mmartinfan did I even mention that I wanted to hear an encrypted system. Noooo. All I asked was how I can have a great radio for the money, that simple. It’s not that I don’t have any digital receivers I just said that I wanted a quality radio. 10 talk groups that’s all I need. And I have no intention on trying to key on a stupid trunked system. Did you not read my post? Anybody want to said a private message on this fell free thanks. mciupa yes I am still intreisted despite all the bs.

 

[MetalManMI]

I think you'll have much better luck getting the answers you seek here:
http://batboard.batlabs.com/

Those guys do this all the time (obtain Motorola two-way radios and program them for personal use).

I think what is being said here is that you are heading down a dark path by doing this. However, you'll be fine as long as you resist the temptation to hit the PTT button AND you make sure it doesn't get hit by accident. WHEN it does, you could have some serious legal "splainin' to do".

I agree with you 100%, I wish someone (if not Motorola themselves) would make a scanner that is as durable and good as a Motorola two-way. I LOVE my Pro-96, but it doesn't even BEGIN to hold a candle to a "real" Motorola radio as far as signal reception, sound quality and build quality is concerned.

8)

 

[mciupa]

Another avenue to explore is this group.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/radio-programming/

I am not a member, (just did some digging on the 'net.)

Ask your questions there, and see what responses you get.

As far as what you are calling BS,it sounds like the membership here is only concerned that you not get into any sort of trouble!

 

[poltergeisty]

Ok, Thanks I will try this sites and hope I can get some info. Hopefully I can take these boots off. :wink:

 

[zackhenderson]

Just a story:

About five months or so ago, some guy here in Madison got his hands on a radio and programmed it to the Madison PD freqencies. He then transmitted pornography and other awful things over the frequency and he was found and caught.

Sad, isn't it?

 

[scanfan03]

Just a story:

About five months or so ago, some guy here in Madison got his hands on a radio and programmed it to the Madison PD freqencies. He then transmitted pornography and other awful things over the frequency and he was found and caught.

Sad, isn't it?

That is just sick, I can't believe someone would do that. That gives us scannists a bad reputation.

 

[nmfire10]

And I have no intention on trying to key on a stupid trunked system. Did you not read my post? Anybody want to said a private message on this fell free thanks. mciupa yes I am still intreisted despite all the bs.

It doesn't work like that. The radio will transmit regardless of what you do. The radio has to affiliate with the system in order for it to receive anything. As soon as you turn it on, the radio starts talking to the system... basicly, "logging in". If the radio's ID is no authorized, it will just be zapped and turned into a brick. If it is, that means you are messing with a legitimate user's ID and that is risking that user' life.

GET A SCANNER.