Motorola radio with 2 specific features?

[KC9VZV]

Hi,

Do you know of any Motorola radios that have these two specific features?
1. Field programmable. (Able to program using the DTMF keypad without hooking up to a computer.)
2. Some of the channels receive only. (Able to program some of the channels (But not all) to be receive only. Not able to transmit even while pushing PTT.)

Thanks!

 

[K8TEK]

All of them will do feature number two.

The JT1000, HT1550XLS, XTS2500, XTS5000 and GP68 are all Front Panel Programmable. The JT1000 with a special key, the XTS1550XLS with special battery, the XTS2500 and XTS5000 with special flashcode and the GP68 is FPP out of the box. It is not type-accepted for use on anything other then HAM frequencies, however. There is a rumor of a front panel programmable Railroad Astro Spectra, but only one person has seen it and he has mental issues.

 

[KC9VZV]

Thanks!

Okay, let me get this straight. You can only program some of the channels for receive only if the frequencies you program in are HAM frequencies. Is that correct? also, are all of these radios that you listed able to be programmed from the front keypad to have some of the channels receive only? (I'm not sure if that makes any sense. LOL)

Thanks!

 

[CommJunkie]

I have never used any of these radios except the HT1550. I can field program it with a special battery that came with my radio. It has a red label instead of a black one. When you program the RX freq and PL, you just don't program a TX freq and PL, leaving it 450.0000 CSQ. So this way, the radio will key up, but not on the channel you are listening to. (and generally not on a channel anyone else is using)

 

[KC9VZV]

Thanks, but I don't know what those things like RX, PL, TX and CSQ mean. This is my first time getting a motorola radio.

 

[CommJunkie]

Thanks, but I don't know what those things like RX, PL, TX and CSQ mean. This is my first time getting a motorola radio.

Then, quite honestly, you might have a tough time figuring out how to field program it at first.

RX = Receive
TX = Transmit
PL = Private Line Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System - The RadioReference Wiki
CSQ = Carrier Squelch (the absence of a PL)

 

[KC9VZV]

I'm confused.

All of them will do feature number two.

The JT1000, HT1550XLS, XTS2500, XTS5000 and GP68 are all Front Panel Programmable. The JT1000 with a special key, the XTS1550XLS with special battery, the XTS2500 and XTS5000 with special flashcode and the GP68 is FPP out of the box. It is not type-accepted for use on anything other then HAM frequencies, however. There is a rumor of a front panel programmable Railroad Astro Spectra, but only one person has seen it and he has mental issues.

Okay, K8TEK said that any motorola radio could be programmed to have some of the channels receive only, but in this review of the GP68 it said that is the one thing it is missing.

Who is right?
Review: About the only things I miss are a receive-only setting.
Product Reviews

Thanks again!!!

 

[CommJunkie]

the GP68 is a HAM RADIO. It is not for commercial use. Unless you have a license to operate Amateur Radio, you cannot use this radio if you are looking to use it for police/fire/EMS/private talk around.

In that same review, it states the radio was never meant to be sold in the US. Since you don't have listed where you are from, this may or may not affect you. It also states it was never type-accepted (for the type of use he is using it for, which is a volunteer rescue squad). This means the FCC never authorized it to be used for anything other than ham radio.

It would help if you let us know what you are going to be using it for, or what you are going to be monitoring with it.

 

[KC9VZV]

Okay, Drat! Is there any other radio that has the same features (Programming from the keypad and programming some of the channels as receive only) that isn't only for ham operators?

 

[CommJunkie]

I found your other thread http://www.radioreference.com/forums/motorola-forum/142943-motorola-gp68-receive-only.html and I see you are going to be using it like a scanner. I have to tell you that this is a waste of money in my opinion. While they usually get better reception, you are limited to the range in which the radio can handle. If you buy a radio that's only for 450-512 MHz, you won't be able to listen to something on, say, 154.415 MHz. But, if it's really the way you want to go, any of the other radios mentioned above will work for your purpose.

 

[RodStrong]

Also, the rarely seen or mentioned 20 channel Radius CP50 is field programmable.

 

[K8TEK]

Thanks, but I don't know what those things like RX, PL, TX and CSQ mean. This is my first time getting a motorola radio.

You probably shouldn't be buying a radio then.

 

[UPMan]

FCC Rules prohibit type acceptance for Business/Public Safety radios that can be front-panel programmed. Channel selection is OK, but actually programming in a frequency is not...

 

[zz0468]

Thanks, but I don't know what those things like RX, PL, TX and CSQ mean. This is my first time getting a motorola radio.

With virtually no experience with radios, why are you so insistent about getting a Motorola? The damned things are a pain in the butt to program unless you know what you're doing.

There are far better choices out there.

 

[scannersnstuff]

FCC Rules prohibit type acceptance for Business/Public Safety radios that can be front-panel programmed. Channel selection is OK, but actually programming in a frequency is not...

bendix king and several relm radio's and other's are front panel programable.they all are fcc type accepted.does the use of the key <forget the exact name> to put the king into the programing mode circumvent the requirment ?. not sure how they do it on the relm. i think it has to be enabled by the dealer.also,several kenwood's can be front end programed.

 

[UPMan]

I believe the more exact requirement is "not user programmable" so the use of a key or other method that prevents the unauthorized user from changing frequencies is acceptable.

 

[scannersnstuff]

actually with the king,all you have to do is stick any metal object between 2 of the metal prongs in the program port. i think you can also short the radio if you do it wrong.i would hate shorting out about $1,000 worth of radio.

 

[KC9VZV]

Okay, one more question. Does 136-174MHz mean that I couldn't get 470.937? I think I understand it, but not sure.


Thanks!!!

 

[K8TEK]

Okay, one more question. Does 136-174MHz mean that I couldn't get 470.937? I think I understand it, but not sure.


Thanks!!!

136-174 MHz means just that.

 

[KC9VZV]

Awesome! Thanks!