PM400 vs ASTRO "Asto Specta"

[W4JLR]

I have a few questions:
1, Does anyone know if the PM400 VHF covers the intire "2 meter ham band" both transmit and recieve, or if it don't out of the box then madey their is a modification, (Simular to the M1225)

2, Which do you recommend for mobile VHF ham use (I am also a Firefighter/RACES person) Asto Specta or brand new PM400, Someone told me this " Specta older but easier to get fixed a better radio (Note: I dont care anything about APCO 25 or digital, My county i Hope is long way from Doing this disaster)

Any questions just fire away,

KG4DGN

 

[JnglMassiv]

You'll find more info if you search 'ASTRO' instead of ASTO.

Disclosure: I don't know much about the PR400.
The Astro Spectra is an excellent radio and should be better than or equal to the PR400 in basically every specification.

 

[N4DES]

The PM400 only does 146-174.http://www.motorola.com/governmentandenterprise/contentdir/en_US/NonXMLDocs/PM400%20Specification%20Sheet.pdf

I use the XTL1500 and it does cover the whole VHF ham band and then some but you cannot remote the head.

 

[W4JLR]

Attn KS4VT:

You cannot really always go by that I own a M1225 It says out of the box 150-174 but Their Is a mod in the RSS that you hold down the shift key + the number for the frequency to put into 144-148 mhz,

Example for the number two you put in a @ or SHIFT+2
" " " " Three you put in a # or SHIFT +3
146.910 would be "!$^.(!)"

So the PM400 May be the same way I need to find someone who actually owns one.

Thanks
KG4DGN

 

[john9912]

the shift & numbers do not work on pm400 radios.

There is however a very similar radio CM300. It has 32 channels instead of 64, and a few less options.
The CM300 is available in two different models.
146-174 MHz & a 136-162 MHz model.

 

[W4JLR]

Thanks for the info I guess I 'll start shopping around for a CM300

 

[N4DES]

Attn KS4VT:

You cannot really always go by that I own a M1225 It says out of the box 150-174 but Their Is a mod in the RSS that you hold down the shift key + the number for the frequency to put into 144-148 mhz,

Example for the number two you put in a @ or SHIFT+2
" " " " Three you put in a # or SHIFT +3
146.910 would be "!$^.(!)"

So the PM400 May be the same way I need to find someone who actually owns one.

Thanks
KG4DGN

I highly doubt that the "old" RSS SHIFT will work on any of the new radios that use a Window's based CPS and have so for the last 10 years. Other than loading in a modified S-Record there is no way to do this.

You can't compare the programming of 20 years ago and today.

 

[W4JLR]

Ok I have done my research and everyone is right their is no way to change this limit, Under the cirumstances what radio do you recommend, I really don't want to go backwards to older stuff.

This is my problem (thier should be an attachment come thru) as you see I am limited on room one of these m1225 is public safety 20 channels and other is Ham 20 channels, The problems is,

#1 as you see I have limited space so a CDM series is probably going to be to big,(remote mount radio would be a possible solution)

#2 limited # of channels with a m1225 (btw this radio will come out when I get a new one)

#3 I would only as a last resort would like to goto pre-2000 technology,

#4 I am also a strictly a MOTOROLA man, sorry but its in the blood.

even with a CM300 I only get a net gain of 12 channels, any advice?

Thanks in Advanced

 

[W4JLR]

!4325

 

[N4DES]

Spend the extra $ and get an XTL2500 mobile remote mount if you must stay with Moto. It is capable of over 500 channels, can be flashed up for digital should the need become apparent, and does the whole 136-174 VHF spectrum.

 

[W4JLR]

Attn "KS4TV"

What is a the ball park price range on that radio?

SOmeone else told me to look into the XPR4550, What do you think of it?
Jason

 

[N4DES]

Without APCO25 the XTL2500 should be around $2.2K and add $400 for the digital capabilities.

I don't know alot about the XPR4550 except that it is capable of MOTOTRBO which is a proprietary Motorola digital format.

 

[W4JLR]

Sorry but I cannot afford that anytime soon but thanks for your help

 

[motorola_otaku]

Why the requirement for newer-than-2000 radios? A remote-mounted Spectra that's had its capacitors replaced will meet all of your requirements without breaking the bank.

 

[W4JLR]

I think I am going to settle on the CDM1550XLS for now, untill I change my mind again.

 

[W4JLR]

Problem Solved: I got my CDM1550 Bench testing it now in the house, Soon to put it into the car will add photos later, only thing I don't like is you can only do the 16 channel scan, I like to scan as much as possible when traveling so I can hear unfarmiliar repeaters, Some would say why not get a scanner? I don't know the laws everywhere, some places it is Illegal (to run one mobile).

KG4DGN

 

[Skypilot007]

16 channel scan is a big PITA with the CDM series. Are the astro spectra and XTL 2500's the same way? I would seriously consider an XTL 2500 or astro spectra if it can do more than a 16 channel scan and scan mutilple lists simultainously. The other brands like Icom, Vertex and Relm all have these features.

 

[zz0468]

If one is handy with a hex editor, the Windows CPS *CAN* be modified for out of band modifications. Although there isn't necessarily a detailed step-by-step process on Batlabs, there IS sufficient information there to develop your own fix if you're up to the challenge. I've done it.

 

[W4JLR]

sorry Skypilot007

I have no ideal if those radios will scan more that 16 or scan more that 1 list. I am thinking of rigging up something that would change zones ever 15-30 seconds by pushing the button automatically , like when a dash fan sweeps from side to side It could push down on the zone button. That would kinda be scanning everything.

I can assign my priority channel to be the same in all scan list so I hope to never miss anything on it

 

[W4JLR]

Update

here is a updated photo, I took the M1225 out and put in a spectra, and CDM series mobile.