New Radios

[Meestor_X]

Looking at buying a set of commercial radios. Been happy with the CP200's over the years, but they're pretty long in the tooth, so I'm wondering what's out there that might be a little more compact, and provide audible channel announce, as well as digital and analog functionality. I know the 200d is digital, but I don't think it has channel announce and it's still a pretty old device...
Maybe it's still the best choice, but maybe there's something else that's a little smaller, and maybe cheaper? Motorola or Kenwood would be my preferred brands. I've looked at their websites and it's just not easy to compare all the 100's of models they make, so looking for a little help if possible.

Thank you!

 

[Meestor_X]

Oh, higher frequency would be a plus too, if there's an analog radio in the 800-900mhz range... (I'm in North America, so not sure about the licensing of the higher frequencies)

 

[mmckenna]

What you need depends on what you are licensed for. What does your license allow? Knowing that would help us make some decent recommendations.

 

[Meestor_X]

I will get a license when I buy the radios. I've been renting up until now.

 

[mmckenna]

I will get a license when I buy the radios. I've been renting up until now.

That's not the right order to do that.
To get most commercial LMR licenses you will be required to work through a frequency coordinator. The frequency coordinator will gather your requirements and then look at what is available in your area. That could be VHF, UHF or 800MHz. Once the frequency coordinator signs off on the frequencies, you would apply for the license and need to include the info from the coordination company. Once you've done that, the FCC will -probably- grant you the license.

Buying a radio on a specific band first runs a bit risky. If you buy a VHF radio but the coordinator only finds UHF frequencies, you now have a useless radio.

However, if you are going to apply for itinerant frequencies, then you do not need to coordinate. You'd need to figure out what your own needs are and license accordingly.

There are no 800 or 900MHz Itinerant frequencies. VHF-Low, VHF-High and UHF are your options. Depending on what your needs are, pick a few itinerant frequencies and put in an application for those. Once you have the license then purchase radios.

 

[TampaTyron]

For most portable radio operations, I have found UHF to have the best range vs. penetration of steel/concrete structures and the least amount of noise/interference. It is also very easy to license itinerant frequencies in most cases. Your use case may dictate something different. TT

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Also bear in mind, not all digital is compatible with one another. Kenwood likes NXDN but their starting to grow their DMR market quite well. Motorola does DMR but likes to have some proprietary formats mixed in. For example, if you were to call up Bearcom and ask for a rental for 300+ users they would set you up with a Capacity Plus system. Yes it is DMR...but it is a trunking format proprietary to Motorola.

 

[Meestor_X]

Thank you for your replies.

I'm not really concerned with compatibility as I will be buying a set of radios to be used together, no need to be compatible with anything else.
More interested in talking about which radios to buy rather than the licensing side of things, even though I appreciate the insight given regarding that.

Let's try this:

What new UHF business radios would be a good replacement for CP200D but also have channel announce capabilities, are smaller (if possible) and possibly cheaper, but with decent quality?

 

[Tank67]

Let's try this:

What new UHF business radios would be a good replacement for CP200D but also have channel announce capabilities, are smaller (if possible) and possibly cheaper, but with decent quality?

You might like the XPR 7550. I am pretty sure it has channel announce capabilities, however I’m not sure if it’s smaller and I do not think cheaper. You could probably find them on eBay for around $200-$500


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[n1das]

Thank you for your replies.

I'm not really concerned with compatibility as I will be buying a set of radios to be used together, no need to be compatible with anything else.
More interested in talking about which radios to buy rather than the licensing side of things, even though I appreciate the insight given regarding that.

Let's try this:

What new UHF business radios would be a good replacement for CP200D but also have channel announce capabilities, are smaller (if possible) and possibly cheaper, but with decent quality?

For DMR, my two favorite manufacturers in no particular order are Hytera and Motorola. I know the Hyteras have channel announce capability. I don't have any experience with a Motorola XPR7550.

I've owned Icon and Kenwood commercial radios over the years including Kenwood NEXEDGE and used Icom iDAS radios (6.25k NXDN) with them. Between Icom and Kenwood portables, I've leaned toward Kenwood. But lately for DMR use, I've narrowed the field down to Hytera and Motorola.


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[Meestor_X]

Way too many choices it seems. DMR doesn't matter, just that the radio has analog and "some sort" of digital capability. Bonus points for the radio with the lowest latency in digital mode...

 

[RadioGuy7268]

The CP200d does have voice announcement capability.

If you want smaller, lighter, and less expensive, I'd say the EVX-261. Especially if you don't care about it working on a trunking system, or playing nicely with other brands/models of radios. They're not super rugged, but they're decent & have a 3 year warranty.

The EVX-261 has channel announce, Analog & Digital DMR, plus it's smaller & lighter than the CP200d. Cost should be about 25% less than what you've been paying for new CP200's. Oh, and DMR digital has much less latency/call setup than your 900 Mhz DTR's.

 

[Meestor_X]

The CP200d does have voice announcement capability.

If you want smaller, lighter, and less expensive, I'd say the EVX-261. Especially if you don't care about it working on a trunking system, or playing nicely with other brands/models of radios. They're not super rugged, but they're decent & have a 3 year warranty.

The EVX-261 has channel announce, Analog & Digital DMR, plus it's smaller & lighter than the CP200d. Cost should be about 25% less than what you've been paying for new CP200's. Oh, and DMR digital has much less latency/call setup than your 900 Mhz DTR's.

That's great info. Exactly what I was hoping for. Very much appreciate your reply!

 

[Meestor_X]

Which CPS is used for the EVX-261? (Model # if you have it?)

Also, I don't see anything in the manual that mentions a channel announce function?

 

[jaspence]

Additional costs for CPS are much lower for Hytera. I have both a PD782 in VHF and UHF and both are excellent in sound quality and construction. Firmware is also easy to obtain, and the VHF radio was on version 1.0.xxxxx when I bought it. Both are now on A8.05.06.005 and are easily upgraded by the user.

 

[RadioGuy7268]

Which CPS is used for the EVX-261? (Model # if you have it?)

Also, I don't see anything in the manual that mentions a channel announce function?

The software is the Vertex CE156 - which should be a free download if you have a MOL account.

I don't have a chance to go verify it - but you could be correct that there's no voice announce feature on the EVX-261. I am sure some others will chime in.

 

[Meestor_X]

The software is the Vertex CE156 - which should be a free download if you have a MOL account.

I don't have a chance to go verify it - but you could be correct that there's no voice announce feature on the EVX-261. I am sure some others will chime in.

Thank you.

I notice you’ve said “voice announce” instead of “channel announce”, so just for clarification, the feature I’m interested in is the one where as you change the channel selector, you hear “one” “two” “three” etc through the speaker. I’m not sure what Moto calls that feature.

I’ve not seen that feature listed for the EVX, but the Motorola web site is pretty scant with details.


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[Meestor_X]

Additional costs for CPS are much lower for Hytera. I have both a PD782 in VHF and UHF and both are excellent in sound quality and construction. Firmware is also easy to obtain, and the VHF radio was on version 1.0.xxxxx when I bought it. Both are now on A8.05.06.005 and are easily upgraded by the user.

Thank you. Which model would you suggest to replace the 200d as cheaper, smaller, better?


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[Meestor_X]

Is the Hytera digital only? I'm looking for analog radios. If they also do digital, that's a bonus, but not the primary requirement.

Still trying to see which devices have channel announce. I'm not sure the EVX do...

 

[Hit_Factor]

Hytera has a variety of radios in it's product line. Take a peek at their website.

I have a pair of PD782G and they are UHF DMR and analog.