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Motorola older Radios Vs Newer Radios

Chevyman22360

Member
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
127
Just curious, mostly using the older Motorola PR400 and Motorola CP200 VHF portable radios. Using with a local volunteer fire department. We are kind of at the edge as far as hitting the repeater depending on where we are. Wondering if the newer radios would get any better transmit or would be the same as just another 5 watt radio. Thanks for any info.
 

AM909

Radio/computer geek
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 10, 2015
Messages
1,311
Location
SoCal
If all the radios perform mostly the same, either the system is broken or degraded by outside factors (intermod, general VHF noise floor elevation, etc.) or more likely just not meant to cover where you are. New radios would not likely solve the problem, though more detail about the problem would help, like is the problem on receive or transmit or both, does time of day matter, etc.
 

Chevyman22360

Member
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
127
It is a county wide system, there are many hills and valleys which i am sure make a difference. Just thought maybe new circuitry might help. Closest tower is probably 15 miles. Doesn't matter time of day.
 

kayn1n32008

ØÆSØ Say it, say 'ENCRYPTION'
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
6,922
Location
Sector 001
Just curious, mostly using the older Motorola PR400 and Motorola CP200 VHF portable radios. Using with a local volunteer fire department. We are kind of at the edge as far as hitting the repeater depending on where we are. Wondering if the newer radios would get any better transmit or would be the same as just another 5 watt radio. Thanks for any info.
Assuming the portables and repeater have been maintained, portables have the proper antennas, it's likely te repeater coverage just isn't good enough for the portables. Especially if they are in a radio pouch on your bunker gear.

In this case, buying new radios won't solve the coverage issue.

To solve the coverage issue, you need to add a site(s) to fill the coverage holes.

That could mean moving the current repeater to a site that will cover where you need portable coverage or adding one or more repeaters to fill those gaps.
 

MTS2000des

5B2_BEE00 Czar
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
5,684
Location
Cobb County, GA Stadium Crime Zone
Yep. No subscriber radio will magically make up for infrastructure problems. Just like buying a new cellphone won't magically make a suck provider (VERIZON) all of a sudden create coverage where there isn't any, efforts should be directed at correcting the infrastructure deficiency. All of which are beyond the scope of a hobbyist forum. This is where a good local LMR shop/SME is best brought in to analyze and recommend.
 
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