Looking for Dual Band Public Service Radio - What is there?

[ZachSmith]

I am having a difficult time finding a dual band public service radio. I want to buy one for my POV for the agencies I work for, and they will have it programmed for me. I found a Vertex a while back that someone was selling saying it had a card in it for UHF (i think) so that it would function with both bands.

Whats my best bet? I'm not loaded, so I am trying to stay on the used lower end of things. Thanks for any advice you can give. Also, if anyone has anything for sale that fits this category, I would be very interested.

 

[radioman2001]

Kenwood has a dual band option for their mobiles, installed one some time ago, don't remember the model.

 

[KMA367]

I am having a difficult time finding a dual band public service radio

Which two bands? And I assume you mean a mobile rather than a handheld, since it's for your POV?

 

[N_Jay]

I think you will be dealing with two radios and a single control head, not a true dual band radio.

 

[ZachSmith]

UHF/VHF. Already have my 800mhz covered. And I'm looking for a mobile. In all honesty, I would like to buy both a mobile and handheld. Any info for either is appreciated.

 

[bezking]

In a handheld, as far as I know, you are limited to a choice of 2: Thales Liberty, and the Harris Unity.

 

[DiGiTaLD]

I think you will be dealing with two radios and a single control head, not a true dual band radio.

Yup. Vertex offers the VX-5500 with just such an option. Two RF decks wired to a single control head. See: Welcome to VertexStandard.com

 

[N_Jay]

In a handheld, as far as I know, you are limited to a choice of 3: Motorola APX7000, Thales Liberty, and the Harris Unity.

APX is not U/V (yet)

 

[KB1JHU]

I am having a difficult time finding a dual band public service radio. I want to buy one for my POV for the agencies I work for, and they will have it programmed for me. I found a Vertex a while back that someone was selling saying it had a card in it for UHF (i think) so that it would function with both bands.

Whats my best bet? I'm not loaded, so I am trying to stay on the used lower end of things. Thanks for any advice you can give. Also, if anyone has anything for sale that fits this category, I would be very interested.

I think the Vertex card you speak of was a receive-only option. You would have, for example, your VHF radio for normal ops and then you could have UHF frequencies programmed for receive-only.

From the Vertex Standard site, option available for VX-4100/4200:

Dual-Band Receive For Interoperability
Using the Sub-Receiver option, get dual-band receive for greater flexibility and interoperability for full situational awareness. Single VHF or UHF transmit with dual-band receive helps to make communications more productive.

 

[scannersnstuff]

http://www.radiogearpro.com/picture/kg-uvd1-420-520.jpg check this out. disclaimer - i am hesitant to recommend radio's that i don't own. this get's really good review's on e-ham. inexpensive too.
it is supposed to be fcc part 90 compliant.

 

[ZachSmith]

Sounds interesting, but I'd like to hear some feedback from anyone here if they've used one of these models.

 

[ZachSmith]

I looked up the VX-5500 and it doesn't look like too bad of an option. What were Kenwood models that would do this trick? Anything under $500?

 

[Duster]

I looked up the VX-5500 and it doesn't look like too bad of an option. What were Kenwood models that would do this trick? Anything under $500?

Check out the Kenwood X90 series...TK-790 for VHF, TK-890 for UHF. Use both of them, very robust, in the process of making them dual-band...waiting on some additional time, components, and figuring out space in my vehicle. I'm totally sold on the Kenwood 90's.

Watch E-Ba* for deals on these radios...I got my 890 for $140.

 

[stevelton]

I can understand the wanting of a dual band HT. But whats the big deal about a dual band mobile?

In all honesty, I would much rather have separate VHF and UHF, so I can listen to 2 different agencies at once, talk on one and listen to the other,ect.

If you are worried about antennas, you can get a duplexer to combine the 2 different radios into 1 antenna. If you are worried about space in a console, 2 Icoms stacked together is only about 3".
Since you already have a 800meg, not much difference between 2 radios and 3.

Steven

 

[ZachSmith]

I might buy these from a dealer (used).
Kenwood TK-705D
Kenwood TK-805D

Would this serve my purpose?

Otherwise I'll look at the mentioned Kenwoods Duster discussed.

 

[Duster]

I might buy these from a dealer (used).
Kenwood TK-705D
Kenwood TK-805D

Would this serve my purpose?

Otherwise I'll look at the mentioned Kenwoods Duster discussed.

Depends upon whether those radios can be combined in a dual-band configuration. I can't find any documentation on them from Kenwood's site, so I don't know.

 

[ZachSmith]

I don't mean dual band, but simply using both as two separate radios to cover both bands for public service. I couldn't find much information on these two models (Kenwood TK-705D & Kenwood TK-805D) so I'm not sure if they would work for my purposes. Thanks!

 

[gewecke]

The tk705/805 are 16 ch. 25 watt radios allowing both pl/dpl and scan. What else did you need to know? There is lots of info on google on these also.
n9zas

 

[ZachSmith]

I'm just unsure if they will work out of the ham bands for public service channels. I need a radio that I can take to have it programmed for fire/EMS/PD. Thanks!

 

[mancow]

The V/U APXs are now available.