Need a radio suggestion

[CommJunkie]

My FD is looking for something along the lines of 2-channel UHF radios to issue to the members. They will need to operate on 460 MHz and ideally will be programmable by us at the station. After looking around, I've noticed the CP200, which has 4 channels. I haven't really read much into them, but I'm wondering if anyone knows of a decent, 2-channel (no more than 4) radio that works well for them.

Thanks.

 

[RodStrong]

Do you guys have any signalling or tone out needs for the UHF radios? Also, must it be Motorola?

 

[jim202]

Just a heads up in your search for radios for the FD. Remember that anything you purchase now,
will have to be narrow band compatible on January 2013. Don't be suckered into buying an older
radio that will have to be replaced in just a little over 3 years from now. Funds are hard enough
to come by without realizing some radio sales person suckered you into buying a radio that won't
do narrow band.

Don't forget to change the radio license before 2013 rolls around.

Jim

My FD is looking for something along the lines of 2-channel UHF radios to issue to the members. They will need to operate on 460 MHz and ideally will be programmable by us at the station. After looking around, I've noticed the CP200, which has 4 channels. I haven't really read much into them, but I'm wondering if anyone knows of a decent, 2-channel (no more than 4) radio that works well for them.

Thanks.

 

[CommJunkie]

Do you guys have any signalling or tone out needs for the UHF radios? Also, must it be Motorola?

Signalling is not a must, but it's a nice feature that ID's the radio operator quickly. No tone out needed.

Doesn't *have* to be Moto, but we have a Moto programming license at the FD, so it's easier to have Moto so we don't have to buy a new program with a new radio type, and the rest of the fleet are Motos.

 

[CommJunkie]

Just a heads up in your search for radios for the FD. Remember that anything you purchase now,
will have to be narrow band compatible on January 2013. Don't be suckered into buying an older
radio that will have to be replaced in just a little over 3 years from now. Funds are hard enough
to come by without realizing some radio sales person suckered you into buying a radio that won't
do narrow band.

Don't forget to change the radio license before 2013 rolls around.

Jim

We've had the system in place since the early 90s, but as the radios are dying slow deaths we are looking to replace them with newer ones. Our entire fleet is prepared for the narrowbanding switch.

 

[62Truck]

Take a look at the HT750's they come in either 4chs or 16 chs and they do quick call and MDC, and will do narrow banding

 

[zz0468]

Doesn't *have* to be Moto, but we have a Moto programming license at the FD, so it's easier to have Moto so we don't have to buy a new program with a new radio type, and the rest of the fleet are Motos.

Better plan on getting new software, too. Just about every type of Motorola radio has it's own software. There are some exceptions, where several similar models are covered.

 

[CommJunkie]

Yea, we aleady have 4 different programming softwares. One for MT2000, one for CDM/HT series, one for Astro series and one for the Min V pagers. I like the HT750 idea though, since I won't have to get yet another program. I never even thought of those, probably cause it was too obvious.

 

[DELCOLHFC]

Jay,
I would think the 750 idea would be your best choice, it would allow you guys to have both the Lima channels and County fire freqs with the correct band split (450-520) of course. And you already have the software. Might wanna block the TX on the fire channels for the newer /younger folks though......
Tom

 

[CommJunkie]

Jay,
I would think the 750 idea would be your best choice, it would allow you guys to have both the Lima channels and County fire freqs with the correct band split (450-520) of course. And you already have the software. Might wanna block the TX on the fire channels for the newer /younger folks though......
Tom

We're looking at the 2-channel models so they will have Lima 1 & 2 and that would be it. IF (big if) there were channels like Fire 3 in them, they would be R/O. We have quite a few radios out there that are already that way. Know of anyone selling used ones?

Jay

 

[DELCOLHFC]

We're looking at the 2-channel models so they will have Lima 1 & 2 and that would be it. IF (big if) there were channels like Fire 3 in them, they would be R/O. We have quite a few radios out there that are already that way. Know of anyone selling used ones?

Jay

Sorry Jay but no, just what pops up here, on ebay and over at firerescuenews.