Hello. I have the oppotinity to purchase a Motorola VHF HT1250 and I want to use it for 2-meter HAM Radio. Has anyone used this radio for this purpose? Is there any modification(s) that need to be done to allow this operation? Thank you.
Hello. I have the oppotinity to purchase a Motorola VHF HT1250 and I want to use it for 2-meter HAM Radio. Has anyone used this radio for this purpose? Is there any modification(s) that need to be done to allow this operation? Thank you.
using the Pro series radios for HAM is mostly not worth the trouble, due to the necessity of CPS for programming ANY changes (unless you get a front programmable 1550 w/ red battery) to the radio. It's a PITA to have to whip out a computer just to modify a channel.
Yeah, they came out at a transitional time for radio/computer interfacing. IIRC (and this is only what I know) they were the first radio line that was released by Moto that was completely Windows software (CPS) dependent, and they were initially COM port dependent as the USB programming cable wasn't release until several years after the product line was out. (If the info about the USB programming cable is wrong, and someone can chime in ... please do) Then the issue became that while all of us had our RIBs & cables that we still live and die by, manufacturer hardware support changed their minds on the antiquated RS232 stuff and the started going away. So all in all the software walked a very difficult line in computer times, and we all had to decide which way we wanted to go.As per programming, I do remember seeing a hex edit somewhere that will allow wideband even with the latest CPS. I personally use USB cables(and never had any problems with them), but like any other programming, serial is almost always more dependable.
I keep a 1250 around since it is a decent small unit. I mean back in the day I had bought extra stuff, housings, and so on being a in the event of type person so it's been around and made useful on non digital applications to this day. I have nothing negative to say about it.
Not necessary to have the red battery. There’s a ”fix” to allow any battery on a 1550, & still allow FPP on the radio. I have a bunch of MTX9250’s I use on 902/927 ham freq’s. A similar radio that uses different CPS, but works great. These 1250’s are a favorite of small FD’s where the volunteers have to buy their own radios.using the Pro series radios for HAM is mostly not worth the trouble, due to the necessity of CPS for programming ANY changes (unless you get a front programmable 1550 w/ red battery) to the radio. It's a PITA to have to whip out a computer just to modify a channel.
After i ditched mine a decade ago, I never looked back. Good to know, thanks!Not necessary to have the red battery. There’s a ”fix” to allow any battery on a 1550, & still allow FPP on the radio.
If I knew back then China would mass produce the housings I'd have laid off a bit back then buying oem priced from Mother M.Yeah, they are popular radios, so a lot of parts and accessories still out there.
The FIRST thing to check is the band split. Ensure that the one you are buying falls within the ham band.
The next thing is having it programmed. Ensure that you have access to someone that can program it for you.
There are limitations as some of the guys have pointed out.
Good luck and enjoy.
Or sometimes sellers will copy other people's listings because the radios look similar. You can't ever trust it. I ALWAYS ask for the model number if it's not in a picture. That way I 100% know what I am getting.OP is talking about 2 meter band. There's only one VHF high split.
However, if you are buying used, make sure that the seller isn't guessing. You can check model numbers here, as well as get a lot of good info on these radios: HT750/1250/1550/PRO5150/7150/9150/GP320/340/360/380/ GP318/338/GP640/680/1280/CDM750/CDM1250/CDM1550,etc.