Motorola Handheld Radio Performance

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losangelescop
Posts: 153
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:28 am

Motorola Handheld Radio Performance

Post by losangelescop »

Hey all,

Heres the story: I am noticing changes in communication range with my radios. About a year ago I got my first Motorola radio - a GP328 (HT750). It was on CB and seemed to be great for communicating with others in the area. a short while later, i got my second radio, an MTX838 (like an MTS2000). when talking to my friend between the 328 and the 838 we got comms range right across town, even with many houses etc in the way. I later decided to sell the jedi, as it was bigger and heavier and weighing me down. It was later replaced with more Waris series - GP328's and MTX960's (HT1250's). Since dropping the Jedi and using just Waris with Waris, I have noticed that the Waris range capabilities are quite a lot less, and we would only get half the range we were getting before. All of the radios are UHF simplex (analogue), programmed for full 4 watts and even have the long high gain whip antennas! The batteries are all new and there is nothing technically/electronically wrong with the radios - according to the dealer when I took them in for a checkup earlier. What troubles me more is the fact that the MTX838 had a stubby antenna and could go twice as far as the Waris radios with whip antennas.

Sorry to be long-winded, but basically my question is: Does there appear to be a difference in communication range between the Waris and Jedi series, and how much is it affected? Should I spend more money replacing all the Waris with Jedi again (my friends, family and coworkers are reluctant to drop the Waris line as they havent given us any trouble at all, unlike what others experience with them, plus they are smaller and lighter). And FINALLY just one more question: I am thinking about getting some UHF Sabers/Systems Sabers - Is the range any good on these and how do they compare to the range of the Jedi and Waris line?

thanks ppl! :D
Motorola, Federal Signal and the MX7000 RULE!
MT2000 man
Posts: 1307
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: XTS5000R, Astro Saber III, I

Post by MT2000 man »

In my experience operating ANY 4 Watt UHF radio on non-repeater (simplex) your range will be VERY limited. I will be lucky if I hear 1/2 mile down the road with my MT2000 communicating with my 4 watt SP50. If there is a lot of open land around you then you will hear MUCH further then if you were in a city-like enviromnment.
RKG
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Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by RKG »

And, for what it is worth, one of the weak points of any portable radio is the antenna. That antenna, and its associated connector inside the radio, tends to age with time and physical abuse. This could radically reduce ERP.
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losangelescop
Posts: 153
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:28 am

Post by losangelescop »

yea, I was really suprised when the stubby antenna on the Jedi got me comms range of about 2-3 miles!

So....whats the difference (if any) with the tx/rx range and quality - when comparing Waris, Saber and Jedi?

thanks!
Motorola, Federal Signal and the MX7000 RULE!
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losangelescop
Posts: 153
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:28 am

Post by losangelescop »

bump...anyone? :o
Motorola, Federal Signal and the MX7000 RULE!
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