How to know if a Clean Cab is narrowband capable

[stevelton]

A friend of mine runs a nearby tourist railroad. They are currently using a standard mobile in their locomotive. He, knowing that I am a "radio guy", would like me to look in to getting him a Clean Cab. They are a small operation with an even smaller budget.

Another friend in the ham radio club has one he would sell for $80, but the FCC ID tag is damaged and cant be read. Any other way to find out with its narrowband?

Id say not without taking it to a dealer and having them look, but thats even more money we dont have...

Does anyone have one for sale for a price like above, that is narrowband and ready to locomotive service? I have a handset mic, so just need a unit.

Thanks
Steven

 

[SteveC0625]

Another friend in the ham radio club has one he would sell for $80, but the FCC ID tag is damaged and cant be read. Any other way to find out with its narrowband?

If the friend in the ham club has the radio, perhaps he/she has (or has access to) the software to program it. If that's is the case, then simply read the radio. The model number should be somewhere in the codeplug.

BTW, you said the FCC ID tag is damaged and can't be read. Is the model number also illegible? The model number, not the FCC ID, usually contains enough info to determine if the radio is wideband or narrow band.

Perhaps you could share what model radio the person is offering to sell? Some one here might be able to determine WB/NB just knowing what radio it is.;

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I'm under the current impression that the only narrow Clean Cable radio Motorola made was the Astro variant. If someone has other information to deny or confirm, please share.

Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk

 

[stevelton]

This is all thats left of the tag. I doubt that the clean cabs that could be narrowband through programming would go as cheap as $70-100, but worth the time to ask.
My friend does not have the ability to program it. He picked it up on the internet for about the price he would sell it to me. He also bought the 12v ready made power cable for it. Obviously I wouldnt need that since its going right back in a locomotive.

Theres an astro one on ebay right now for $500, but way our of our range.

Thanks for the replies.

Steven

 

[radioman2001]

Just look on the front of the radio if it doesn't say Astro in that blue teal color then it's the analog Spectra and is not NB compatable. Based on what is left of the tag I would say the radio is an analog Spectra CC.

 

[Mattkuhar]

does that tag say input voltage is 12VDC/72VDC?

 

[kg6nlw]

does that tag say input voltage is 12VDC/72VDC?

Yes. Railroad electronics run on 72vDC while the radio can be run either 12vDC or 72vDC. I have a clean cab setup at my base.

Regards,

-Frank C.