Which mobile dual band radios can also do commercial?
- Thread starter treborx
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profiledescent
Member
Powerwerx DB-750. It's the only one have any user experience with on which to comment. One in my GoKit along with others.
Nice enough radio and Part 90 accepted, but not what I would call "Commercial Grade".
Nice enough radio and Part 90 accepted, but not what I would call "Commercial Grade".
Dikes and a soldering iron
Most of the ham radios can be modified to transmit anywhere in the range they receive.
Generally you need a good skill for unsoldering surface mount jumpers or diodes or other components.
If you've never done that, I suggest not trying, since surface mount component removal and replacement needs specialized tools.
A google search such as "Acme Model One radio mods" will give you a result of pages that tell you how to do it for your specific radio.
Most of the ham radios can be modified to transmit anywhere in the range they receive.
Generally you need a good skill for unsoldering surface mount jumpers or diodes or other components.
If you've never done that, I suggest not trying, since surface mount component removal and replacement needs specialized tools.
A google search such as "Acme Model One radio mods" will give you a result of pages that tell you how to do it for your specific radio.
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It is a valid assumption that a licensed operator wants to operate legally. How about this train of thought: If you're going to condone illegal operation, don't post unless you are willing to financially back the OP?
My reply addresses the OP's question of a radio that will cover both ham and commercial LEGALLY. Sorry if you find that distasteful.
(For the record, this reply was addressing Wyandotte's post encouraging use of ham radios in commercial bands)
My reply addresses the OP's question of a radio that will cover both ham and commercial LEGALLY. Sorry if you find that distasteful.
(For the record, this reply was addressing Wyandotte's post encouraging use of ham radios in commercial bands)
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Sort of depends on what you are looking for.
Since you are asking about Amateur radio, I'll assume you are looking for 2 meter VHF and 70cm UHF and the accompanying Part 90 spectrum.
True dual band commercial grade radios (not the Chinese stuff) are few and far between. Harris and Motorola have some, but they are not cheap in any sense of the term. Looking at several thousand even for a used one.
More often what you'll find is two separate RF decks that can be connected with a single control head.
Take a look at the Kenwood TK-790/TK-890 radios. There are usually a few on e-bay. You can purchase those in may different configurations, including low band, VHF and UHF, 50 watt or 100 watt models of each. They'll do analog, both wide and narrow band.
If you are looking for something new, take a look at the Kenwood NX-5000 line. You can combine up to 3 RF decks to one (or two) control heads. VHF, UHF and 700/800MHz are an option, plus they'll do analog, NXDN and P25. Front panel programming is an extra cost option, but really opens up the possibilities.
If you are just looking for occasional use and it isn't life safety, then the Chinese radios might be a good choice. I've never gone that route, so I can't comment, but I know there are a lot of people on this board that have fallen in love with them.
If you are doing anything at all that might be consider life safety, like fire, ems or law enforcement, don't put yours or someone else's life in the hands of a low end radio like that.
Since you are asking about Amateur radio, I'll assume you are looking for 2 meter VHF and 70cm UHF and the accompanying Part 90 spectrum.
True dual band commercial grade radios (not the Chinese stuff) are few and far between. Harris and Motorola have some, but they are not cheap in any sense of the term. Looking at several thousand even for a used one.
More often what you'll find is two separate RF decks that can be connected with a single control head.
Take a look at the Kenwood TK-790/TK-890 radios. There are usually a few on e-bay. You can purchase those in may different configurations, including low band, VHF and UHF, 50 watt or 100 watt models of each. They'll do analog, both wide and narrow band.
If you are looking for something new, take a look at the Kenwood NX-5000 line. You can combine up to 3 RF decks to one (or two) control heads. VHF, UHF and 700/800MHz are an option, plus they'll do analog, NXDN and P25. Front panel programming is an extra cost option, but really opens up the possibilities.
If you are just looking for occasional use and it isn't life safety, then the Chinese radios might be a good choice. I've never gone that route, so I can't comment, but I know there are a lot of people on this board that have fallen in love with them.
If you are doing anything at all that might be consider life safety, like fire, ems or law enforcement, don't put yours or someone else's life in the hands of a low end radio like that.
+1!!!!
I remember a time when people referred to my Icom U-16, and Icom in general as a "low end" radio. Just because it's cheap (and the Powerwerx isn't exactly at the bottom of the price gamut) doesn't mean it's low end.
nd5y
Member
Alinco DR-638T is supposed to be part 90 certified.
like a few people have said, you want to go opposite of what you're thinking.
Used commercial gear or one of the few part 90 accepted dual band radios that are designed for commercial, but can transmit on amatuer with little to no modification.
This allows you to be legal on the commercial side, not have to modify the radio out of band, and generally the equipment is cheaper and more robust at the same time.
I know a few SAR guys who are also hams who do exactly this on VHF commercial radios.
They can program them on both the state licensed SAR channels and the ham repeaters commonly used, and have the ability to only have the single radio in the vehicle.
Used commercial gear or one of the few part 90 accepted dual band radios that are designed for commercial, but can transmit on amatuer with little to no modification.
This allows you to be legal on the commercial side, not have to modify the radio out of band, and generally the equipment is cheaper and more robust at the same time.
I know a few SAR guys who are also hams who do exactly this on VHF commercial radios.
They can program them on both the state licensed SAR channels and the ham repeaters commonly used, and have the ability to only have the single radio in the vehicle.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Also, forgot to add in my original post:
Dual band radios might be a good choice if your installation dictates only have one control head, either due to space, looks, or spouses.
I've discovered, though, that having two separate radios can be a lot more versatile. Since most of the dual band commercial radios (including the dual RF deck/single control heads) only allow listening to one channel at a time. Being able to listen to both bands at the same time can be beneficial, especially in life safety/mutual aid type situations. Missing an important call because your radio was off listening somewhere else can be a career shortener.
Dual band radios might be a good choice if your installation dictates only have one control head, either due to space, looks, or spouses.
I've discovered, though, that having two separate radios can be a lot more versatile. Since most of the dual band commercial radios (including the dual RF deck/single control heads) only allow listening to one channel at a time. Being able to listen to both bands at the same time can be beneficial, especially in life safety/mutual aid type situations. Missing an important call because your radio was off listening somewhere else can be a career shortener.
profiledescent
Member
That^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
N4KVE
Member
A Kenwood TK880 for UHF, & TK780 for VHF will cost about $150 for both of them, do narrow, & wideband, & are far superior to any new Chinese dual band radio. I do hear good things about the Alinco 638, but it would cost more than the Kenwoods.
D
DaveNF2G
Guest
Modifying Part 90 radios to cover the ham bands if they are not capable of doing so out of the box voids their Part 90 certification.
N4KVE
Member
The Kenwoods do ham right out of the box.
But the vast majority of commercial radios cover the ham bands (2M, 1.25M and 70cm depending on the radio) out of the box. You just need to program them, no modification necessary.
probably should have worded my post "little to no effort needed" But yes.
Modifying ham radios
Here's a link to a site with many ham radio mods, if one is interested:
Ham Radio Modification
Here's a link to a site with many ham radio mods, if one is interested:
Ham Radio Modification
rapidcharger
Member
The op asked specifically for a Japanese radio and absolutely none come to mind.
If you want a made in Japan radio and don't need a vfo, I'd lrecommend the icom x061 mobiles with a remote mounted head and the accessory cables for cross and repeat if so desired. I'm a big fan of those butthey aren't ham radios and you asked specially for a ham radio also
If you want a made in Japan radio and don't need a vfo, I'd lrecommend the icom x061 mobiles with a remote mounted head and the accessory cables for cross and repeat if so desired. I'm a big fan of those butthey aren't ham radios and you asked specially for a ham radio also
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