I'm searching for radios, on 31-35MHz

[DylanMadigan]

Wow you know I'm really having a hard time finding radios capable of 30MHz lol. I found a couple Motorola Maxtrac radios on Ebay but something tells me they need software I'm not even going to be able to find to program them.

I got my dad's old frequency, and another one just above it as a repeater input. I'll worry about getting a repeater soon, but as far as normal radios, does anyone have any suggestion what model radios I might even be looking for? I have been a bit unsuccessful searching "31mhz radios". I tried searching 30mhz hoping I'd find radios in that band, but I keep just finding these 1-30MHz ones with that term.

Right now I have a couple Ritron Patriots (currently simplex but hopefully can do repeater), as well as a couple of these old GE things that are the size of briefcases. I think my father said they came out of some old military trucks or something. Those ones I REALLY doubt are repeater capable. In fact they use crystals. Point is I tried looking around for these model Patriots for a while but I just can't find anyone selling them.

 

[ladn]

Wow you know I'm really having a hard time finding radios capable of 30MHz lol. I found a couple Motorola Maxtrac radios on Ebay but something tells me they need software I'm not even going to be able to find to program them.

So the first question is, do you have a license for whatever frequencies you are looking for?

Kenwood still makes new VHF low equipment.

If you're looking at used equipment, make sure it complies with applicable bandwidth and emission standards.

I got my dad's old frequency, and another one just above it as a repeater input.

You need to provide adequate separation between a repeater input and output frequency. Space the frequencies too close and you will have a complex and expensive problem filtering them at the repeater end to prevent desense.

 

[petnrdx]

I would say its easier to find MAXTRAC's and the software and programming things for them than for the Ritron's.
MAXTRAC's were VERY common, and the software and either a RIB or RIBLESS programming setup would also be
more common.
The most difficult part is getting an old REAL MS-DOS computer that will both RUN the program and PROGRAM the radios.

 

[petnrdx]

I will add to what Ladn said above in his post, for a low band repeater, it is REALLY difficult to make a repeater work without a really good duplexer.
And at 30 mhz, a duplexer is huge and expensive.
Hopefully you knew some of this before.

 

[mmckenna]

Motorola CDM-750 was available in a 29.7 - 36MHz version. Thats modern enough that the CPS will run on most older Windows machines.

Kenwood TK-6110 was available in a 29.7 to 37MHz version, will also run newer software.
Kenwood TK-690 was also available in a 29.7 to 37MHz version.

Remember that any used radio you buy should be aligned before putting it to use. Old radios drift, and that'll impact performance.

Make sure you get your FCC licensing sorted out first, before buying radios. If you are going to use your dad's old license, you'll need to make sure it is still valid, and get it put under your name.

 

[chrismol1]

Vertex VX-5500 with above, radios that will run in windows

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

You cannot beat the Syntor X9000 29.7 to 50 MHz 100 watts. All in one band.

Also from time to time MARATRAC radios show up. Those had two band splits.

Repeater operation in low band is pretty hard to do unless you have a lot of time and money. The noise floor is so variable that from time to time the repeater will be deaf and simplex will outperform.

 

[DeeEx]

You cannot beat the Syntor X9000 29.7 to 50 MHz 100 watts. All in one band.

That was going to be my number one recommendation.

Also the GE series of that era with the S990 control heads were field-programmable. That would eliminate the need for software. Off the top of my head, Delta SX, Rangr, and Mastr II.

I had Delta SXs on both 10 and 6 meters, with Pyramid UHF mobile extenders…I never should have sold them.

 

[DylanMadigan]

So the first question is, do you have a license for whatever frequencies you are looking for?

Yes

Kenwood still makes new VHF low equipment.

I'll take a look, but I am fine with used. So long as it works.

You need to provide adequate separation between a repeater input and output frequency. Space the frequencies too close and you will have a complex and expensive problem filtering them at the repeater end to prevent desense.

AFAIK it's usually 5MHz but FIT suggested I only go 4MHz different here because they'd be in different bands, and would have trouble finding radios that could do that.

I would say its easier to find MAXTRAC's and the software and programming things for them than for the Ritron's.
MAXTRAC's were VERY common, and the software and either a RIB or RIBLESS programming setup would also be
more common.
The most difficult part is getting an old REAL MS-DOS computer that will both RUN the program and PROGRAM the radios.

Computers is my main business, I got some old systems I save just for when I need to do something ancient. I actually did just find the Ritron software in one spot, some guy selling it on a floppy along with the programming cable. I can find a buch of Maxtracs though so I'll see if I can find the software and cable.

I will add to what Ladn said above in his post, for a low band repeater, it is REALLY difficult to make a repeater work without a really good duplexer.
And at 30 mhz, a duplexer is huge and expensive.
Hopefully you knew some of this before.

I did look into it a little, and I have a working 400mhz repeater. I did see that allot of this 30mhz stuff is expensive, but I figure I can slowly get things over time as I find deals and make friends who know where to find things. Main thing right now is I just want to get a few radios working on simplex and see how it works compared to UHF here.

Motorola CDM-750 was available in a 29.7 - 36MHz version. Thats modern enough that the CPS will run on most older Windows machines.

Kenwood TK-6110 was available in a 29.7 to 37MHz version, will also run newer software.
Kenwood TK-690 was also available in a 29.7 to 37MHz version.

Remember that any used radio you buy should be aligned before putting it to use. Old radios drift, and that'll impact performance.

Make sure you get your FCC licensing sorted out first, before buying radios. If you are going to use your dad's old license, you'll need to make sure it is still valid, and get it put under your name.

I didn't realize the CDMs went that low. I got some 1550s on UHF. I think I saw a post from you actually (years ago) that said something about them that made me decide to buy a few I found on Ebay. At the time I knew my fire house used 1250s, but I didn't know all too much about anything other then Baofeng at that time.

I did get the frequency licensed to my business when I did the UHF stuff, as it had already expired for my father's. After that I plugged in one of these old things and it was cool, kinda weird. Made a power on tone I heard every day until I was like 8 or something.

Vertex VX-5500 with above, radios that will run in windows

I actually use Vertex for my UHF repeater and some portables, I'll definitely look around for that one.

You cannot beat the Syntor X9000 29.7 to 50 MHz 100 watts. All in one band.

Oooo That's a beautiful looking radio, and price. Would you happen to know if it is repeater capable?

I'm still not entirely sure if I will go the repeater route but I'd definitely like to if possible.

Also the GE series of that era with the S990 control heads were field-programmable. That would eliminate the need for software. Off the top of my head, Delta SX, Rangr, and Mastr II.

I'll definitely look at that, field programmable is always a nice option. Not seeing them on a quick search, but it be that way with many of these old things it seems.


Thank you for all the responses, definitely appreciated.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

"You cannot beat the Syntor X9000 29.7 to 50 MHz 100 watts. All in one band. " Oooo That's a beautiful looking radio, and price. Would you happen to know if it is repeater capable?

Yes indeed. In fact there is a direct mode button available so you can have repeater and simplex in the same channel slot. TX/RX repeater split is user programmable, no hard limits or offset polarity.

 

[DylanMadigan]

Yes indeed. In fact there is a direct mode button available so you can have repeater and simplex in the same channel slot. TX/RX repeater split is user programmable, no hard limits or offset polarity.

Ah I see that now.


As far as portables, all I found where some HT750s. Their probably what I'd want, their a little pricey for something we're just playing with but we might save up for one or two at some point. There's a couple I have somewhere from my dad but their batteries are fare gone and probably too expensive lol, I'm pretty sure that's why he never replaced them.

 

[mmckenna]

Ah I see that now.


As far as portables, all I found where some HT750s. Their probably what I'd want, their a little pricey for something we're just playing with but we might save up for one or two at some point. There's a couple I have somewhere from my dad but their batteries are fare gone and probably too expensive lol, I'm pretty sure that's why he never replaced them.

Be aware that hand held low band radios really don't work well. The short antenna and minimal counterpoise offered by the radio chassis usually results in poor performance. Absolutely give one a try, but don't expect miracles. Remember, it really is all about the antenna.

 

[jeepsandradios]

AFAIK it's usually 5MHz but FIT suggested I only go 4MHz different here because they'd be in different bands, and would have trouble finding radios that could do that.

That's not how all repeaters work. Your license should have the repeater split on it already. Low band had no defined split. If your not licensed I doubt you'll get an input for the repeater now. Most likely if you do its going to be a very narrow split and not be cheap to find a duplexer.

 

[Firebuff66]

You cannot beat the Syntor X9000 29.7 to 50 MHz 100 watts. All in one band.

Also from time to time MARATRAC radios show up. Those had two band splits.

Repeater operation in low band is pretty hard to do unless you have a lot of time and money. The noise floor is so variable that from time to time the repeater will be deaf and simplex will outperform.

When our FD & EMS was low band I had a X9000 with the VRS, you could change 4 channels with the portable and I had 33, 45 & 46mhz in it, only 33mhz was tx the others RX fine with the 33mhz antenna, and like a MaraTrac you could get well over 100w out of it
Great radio!

 

[petnrdx]

The MAXTRAC and the MARATRAC came in three splits. 29-36, 36-42, and 42-50.
And the radios usually would go well into the "next" split.
I LOVED the X9000's I have had, but its a large radio and not as common so not a cheap as the MAXTRACs.
Plenty of good suggestions in this thread.
I like the MAXTRAC's as they are cheap and plentiful.
As others have said, the KENWOOD's are great also.
You might keep your eye out of Motorola P200LB low band portables.
They also often are pretty cheap.
Same as the MAXTRAC though, you have to make sure its the correct split.
I might even have a couple of low split.
I will look.

 

[mmckenna]

AFAIK it's usually 5MHz but FIT suggested I only go 4MHz different here because they'd be in different bands, and would have trouble finding radios that could do that.

5MHz 'standard' offset is only used on UHF. There is no standard offset on VHF or VHF Low in the USA.

As said above, unless your license specifically allows an FB2 type station class and includes a frequency for that, you can't run a repeater. There are still licensed users on these frequencies, as well as federal and military users.

Make sure you get your FCC licensing sorted out before spending money.

 

[lenk911]

I cut my teeth on low band. 10,000 watt 42 Mhz Motorola transmitters.

There is an old axiom, "On a good day a well engineered low band system works beyond your wildest dreams. Most days its doesn't work at all." There is a reason why low band is nearly a desert. Spend your money wisely. Go for consistency and stability not fond memories of the past.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Ah I see that now.


As far as portables, all I found where some HT750s. Their probably what I'd want, their a little pricey for something we're just playing with but we might save up for one or two at some point. There's a couple I have somewhere from my dad but their batteries are fare gone and probably too expensive lol, I'm pretty sure that's why he never replaced them.

I cut my teeth on low band. 10,000 watt 42 Mhz Motorola transmitters.

There is an old axiom, "On a good day a well engineered low band system works beyond your wildest dreams. Most days its doesn't work at all." There is a reason why low band is nearly a desert. Spend your money wisely. Go for consistency and stability not fond memories of the past.

I designed a VHF Low band system that is operational. The client wanted to build out repeaters for an existing simplex 100 watt mobile fleet. He hoped that a repeater here or there would get county by county coverage. It instead, required an extensive multi zone multicast system , primarily due to the variability and severity of the noise floor at the repeaters.

You would be much better served with a UHF system for portable radios. If you consider ambient noise floor, portable antenna deficeincies, decibel for decibel, comparing VHF-LO, VHF-HI and UHF, UHF will outperform every time. If you are dead set in a 31 MHz low band system, consider a UHF vehicular repeater.