Which APX Mobile Would People Here Recommend?

Covering the following Subscriber devices: APX1000/1500, APX3000, APX4000/4500, APX6000, APX6000XE, APX6500, APX7000, APX7000XE, APX7000L, APX7500, and APX8000.

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Jim1348
Posts: 542
Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2004 7:52 am

Which APX Mobile Would People Here Recommend?

Post by Jim1348 »

I am an end user on an 800 MHz statewide digital, trunked radio system. I am going to make a recommendation that we get a mobile, desk microphone, power supply, desktop tray with speaker, and antenna for use as an office radio. The list of approved equipment included the following Motorola radios:


APPROVED EQUIPMENT
Approved Equipment List

Mobile Motorola APX 1500 9/24/2015
Mobile Motorola APX 4500 5/22/2014
Mobile Motorola APX 6500 1/1/1900
Mobile Motorola APX 7500 5/27/2010
Mobile Motorola XTL 1500 1/1/1900
Mobile Motorola XTL 2500 1/1/1900
Mobile Motorola XTL 2500 1/24/2008
Mobile Motorola XTL 2500 1/1/1900
Mobile Motorola XTL 5000 1/24/2008

So far, I am inclined to disregard the XTL radios. I don't think they are available new anyway. That pretty much means how do I choose between an APX 1500, APX 4500, APX 6500, and APX 7500? We do currently have some APX 6500 mobiles. Just shooting from the hip, I might be inclined to suggest that just because we are already familiar with those mobiles.

What are the most significant differences? For example, can they all scan the same number of talkgroups? I don't anticipate needing a second band. It looks like the XTL 1500 can go as low at 3 watts. From an RF safety standpoint, this will likely be used with a mobile antenna just a few feet from the operator. How big of a risk is 10 watts at 800 MHz vs. 3 watts at 800 MHz? I do know from experience that 3 watts will be plenty to access our system.

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JeffFireRadio
Posts: 345
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:39 am

Re: Which APX Mobile Would People Here Recommend?

Post by JeffFireRadio »

There will be numerous opinions coming. Mine, quickly...if you have APX6500s now, stay with it. It does everything you want and you give up nothing from the other models (total channels is about it). Your users will thank you from a standardized-radio perspective. Don't make them learn another radio's idiosyncrasies at this point. Keeps programming simple, too.

- J
intel861
New User
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:22 am

Re: Which APX Mobile Would People Here Recommend?

Post by intel861 »

I second the staying with the APX6500. If you are familiar with it, then just keep using it.

I personally wouldn't have the antenna inside. I would get it out of the building.
N4KVE
Posts: 1647
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2003 10:35 am
What radios do you own?: APX XTS XTL TRBO 900MHZ

Re: Which APX Mobile Would People Here Recommend?

Post by N4KVE »

Aren't all the APX single band models electrically the same in the same way all the XTL's models are the same except for the heads? I mean in 10 minutes a XTL1500 becomes a XTL5000, with all the features, & a head change. Isn't this the same deal with APX mobiles, in that the radios are electrically the same, except for the head, & flash? If so, just buy the one with the features you need, since the radio would be the same. GARY
ME801
New User
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2017 5:54 pm
What radios do you own?: APX8KXE, XTS5K, XTL5K

Re: Which APX Mobile Would People Here Recommend?

Post by ME801 »

I recommend sticking with what the users know. And yes, it's just the heads and installed options that are different.
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N4DES
was KS4VT
Posts: 1233
Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2003 7:59 am
What radios do you own?: APX,XTS2500,XTL2500,XTL1500

Re: Which APX Mobile Would People Here Recommend?

Post by N4DES »

I would tend to agree staying with what the users are familiar with and if the system you are on is requiring TDMA the XTL series will not do that either.
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