Recommendations

[GlobalNorth]

This isn't a technical, engineering, or repair question, but I need help in buying some portable radios.

I've got a license for some itinerant UHF frequencies and will be using them in vehicle to vehicle use across several states. No base station or repeaters needed. The commercial radios I've examined just don't look like they'll last over a 7 to 10 year period. An out of state dealer has several portables [XPR7550e] at a good price, but a local dealer didn't seem too interested in my small purchase.

The radios have to be Motorola exclusively. My mother worked for them for 30+ years and other family members did as well.

 

[mmckenna]

What's your budget?

If all you need is some UHF radios, there are a ton of HT-1000's on e-Bay. They'll last 7-10 years easily.

If you want new, well, that depends on your budget.

 

[GlobalNorth]

I can spend $800 to ~ $1k or so dollars each. If I could find some aligned and properly cared for HT-1000s, I'd bite.

 

[mmckenna]

I can spend $800 to ~ $1k or so dollars each. If I could find some aligned and properly cared for HT-1000s, I'd bite.

$1000 EACH?
Well, that's a pretty healthy budget.

What you use will depend on what your license allows. I know you said you have an itinerant license, but what emissions are you actually licensed for?

Unless you really want to spend money, as in it's burning a hole in your pocket, a couple of basic UHF portables would be a good option. But do be aware, inside a car, don't expect wonderful performance. The steel of the vehicle body is going to block a lot of your signal. External antennas are key to good performance. You would see better performance with a 1/4 wave mag mount antenna outside the vehicle.

HT-1000's can be had pretty cheap, as in $30 range if you shop around. You can find sellers that will program them for you, and some that will even put them on a service monitor and give them an alignment. Add a brand new battery and antenna, and you'll have a decent analog radio that will last you a long time. I'm still using HT-1000's and JT-1000's, they just won't die.

Yeah, you could easily spend a bunch of money on some XPR radios, but why? Unless you are going to use them a lot, there's really no point investing a few hundred dollars per radio for a road trip. Some used XTS-2500's would be a good option, run P25 if your license permits that emission.

I personally would not buy brand new radios for that sort of application. A used radio in good shape that has received a recent alignment will serve you well, and allow you to save a lot of money.

 

[alcahuete]

Assuming DMR is on your license (since you're looking at the XPR), even CP200d radios can be picked up on the used market for ~$100. At least those are modern radios.

 

[N4KVE]

I just picked up an absolutely mint XPR6550 that came from the Depot in 2019 for $100. But if all you need is an analog radio, you can’t beat a Jedi. My wife, & I transport cars, & we use a pair of 6550’s for car to car comms. Good for almost a mile between cars. But she doesn’t want a heavy radio in her purse.

 

[K2NEC]

mmckenna mentions the HT1000 and while those are bricks and will never let you down, programming them is going to be a big PITA with DOS. If you like the style of those I would rather get an MTS2000, which has a display and uses Windows programming.

Personally I LOVE the Waris series. They have never let me down. You can find them for pretty cheap online and they make some pretty good aftermarket accessories. You can get different colored cases, good OEM and aftermarket batteries, lots of accessories are still readily available. Windows programming, simple, easy, and reliable to use. If you don't need a display, HT750 is the way to go. Don't need a display but want one? HT1250

 

[Firebuff880]

I've got a license for some itinerant UHF frequencies and will be using them in vehicle to vehicle use across several states.

If you intend to use them in this way, then portables may be against the law in many states while the vehicle is underway..

You should probably be looking at XPR-4550's or XPR-5550's the latter is the newer / current model. An yes used well under 1K and new you could probably get them as well.

New Try -- North Georgia Communications

If you want to go used, I may have a source for 4550's coming off a project / lease. How many you looking for ?

 

[gman1971]

Take a look at the Motorola DTR700... those are 900mhz FHSS radios, with pretty impressive range.

G.

 

[TampaTyron]

If you do not need waterproof, then I would use XPR3500e radios. If you need waterproof, I would use 7550e radios. My personal preference is for the 7550e radios, but let your frequencies/authorized emissions/mission drive the end product. TT

 

[PACNWDude]

A budget of $1000 each.....I know corporations that run multi-million dollar contracts yet still use HT750's for their security and fire protection teams. You could go many directions as shown in the posts above. This may come down to what you and other end users want, Motorola for sure, display and frequency could vary. Itinerant freqs can be in different bands....the higher frequencies will get you better range in built up areas. Car to car, DTR series frequency hoppers may work better. Used radios website has many different models of Motorola that could fill your needs. Then there is the programming, the easier will be something newer that uses Windows XP or newer, with a RIBless programming cable. Beware of Amazon programming cables for Motorola anything as they often do not have all of the pins, or correct pinout, drivers that work, and quality control.
For my own family use, I use DTR410's that have been discontinued for a while. they are 900MHz unlicensed frequency hopping radios. They get roughly a mile of range and I do not hear all the kids asking "hello" as FRS/GMRS proliferates my local area. They are also cheaper than many Trbo or Astro series radios, and yet newer than HT750/1250 that need an older XP computer to program. The CPS software is also free from Motorola, a contradiction to their normal sales pitch.

 

[gman1971]

Another option is the Motorola SL7550, that one looks like a cellphone and its a very nice radio overall (just no FM analogue, only DMR)

G.