Need input from the pros

[ecps92]

Great information here. I reach out to another radio shop outside where I live to get their input also.

1- Motorola xpr4550. Has a deal for me on some used ones for $370 a unit. Doesn’t include antenna but will program for free. Still will have to verify if my company has an FCC license but let’s assume not and I need that also.

Going to continue researching and see what’s going to be the best option for my teams unique operations. Thanks again to all who have given input. Very much appreciated.

Quick way of checking is what Frequencies are in the current radios, then search the FCC for possible licenses

https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Menu_Reports/engineering_search.cfm?accessible=NO

or by Names

https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Menu_Reports/license_search.cfm?accessible=NO&wild_select=on

 

[mmckenna]

Great information here. I reach out to another radio shop outside where I live to get their input also.

1- Motorola xpr4550. Has a deal for me on some used ones for $370 a unit. Doesn’t include antenna but will program for free. Still will have to verify if my company has an FCC license but let’s assume not and I need that also.

That radio will work, but even used, $370 is kind of expensive. You can get new analog only radios cheaper than that.

2- pttoc from rapid radios mobile unit. $299. First year service is included and then $50 a year after per unit.

There's a lot of options out there that will do this. Make sure you are looking at which carrier(s) they use and how easy it is to set up a talk group for your team. It's super easy to do this for yourself with apps that already exist for android/IOS. Add in a vehicle adapter/booster to the truck, and it'll not only benefit the push to talk over cellular, but all their phone calls/internet usage.

 

[davidrw]

You’ll want to sort out the FCC licensing first because running higher power UHF mobiles while traveling can step on someone else’s system pretty quickly. Also, 20 - 30 miles truck to truck on simplex is usually not realistic unless you’re in very flat, open terrain with good antennas. If you can share the exact frequencies from your portables and what kind of terrain you work in, folks here can steer you toward a sensible mobile setup.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I'm going to second mmckenna's comment about $370 being high. I paid $215 for my NOS XPR6550 in 2014 when they were still supported by Motorola (back when Motorola still had a sense of humor and released CPS 13.0 Build 666). Now that radio has been out of support for a decade.

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, since you are running analog only on UHF, there's not really any point in paying too much for a DMR radio. You can get a brand new Kenwood NX-1800HAU for about the same price. There's some value in the free programming, but you'll have to have the FCC license. A good Kenwood dealer would offer the same.

There's lots of good deals out there if you know where to look. Don't get stuck on brand names. Just because you have those Motorola handhelds (They are actually Vertex), that doesn't mean you have to have a Motorola mobile.

 

[Jadelta]

I’m not loyal to any brand. As long as it’s reliable. Our handhelds are in the 460mhz range according to the program sheet. Way too many numbers to type out. As far as region, we mainly operate along the Mississippi River throughout the delta region.

 

[mmckenna]

I’m not loyal to any brand. As long as it’s reliable. Our handhelds are in the 460mhz range according to the program sheet. Way too many numbers to type out. As far as region, we mainly operate along the Mississippi River throughout the delta region.

OK, so a basic UHF mobile radio.

Getting into used stuff can save you some money. Sunny Communications at www.used-radios.com would be an option if budget is tight. They are a reputable seller of used radio equipment, they'll also do free programming.

But, before you start buying radios, you need to know what your FCC license allows. Area of operation, power output, etc. they are all important factors.

 

[GlobalNorth]

A personal recommend on Sunny Communications. I bought 4 Motorola UHF analog portables for GMRS. The radios were programmed [up to 16 channels free] and all they needed was a battery charge to get on the air.

Quick delivery and easy ordering.