CDM Radios - Dual Band, Single Head

kfd29 · Post by **kfd29** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:52 am

Has anyone heard/seen of a way to make a CDM series radio a dual band/single head? I haven't seen any options from MOT yet. We'd like to run a single head, VHF&UHF CDM1550 in our new dept's vehicle. The Kenwood series has been used in the past, but we are now using MDC1200 encode/decode features.

Jay G. · Post by **Jay G.** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 11:00 am

been discussed here before. http://www.valleyindustrial.com/quickmount/default.htm
called the quickbox.

MassFD · Post by **MassFD** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 11:03 am

I think he wants to go the other way, 2 radios to 1 head. I have not seen that done yet, do not know if it's possiable.

Jay G. · Post by **Jay G.** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 11:05 am

oops - I guess I have to actually READ before i reply!

I wish they could do something like that! I have 3 full radios in my POV!
Low band, VHF, UHF.

dittrimd · Post by **dittrimd** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 5:42 am

Motorola does not offer single head dual RF deck capability. We went through this a few years back when we replaced all of our departments radios. Only Kenwood and Vertex off this option we went with the 90 series Kenwoods and have been very happy.

FYI either Cimmaron or Midian make adder board that will do MDC1200 on you 90 series radios. About $100 a piece. You may have to send the radios back to the factory as this is only a factory installed option but our shop has offered us a temp radio while we send ours back.

Mark

jackhackett · Post by **jackhackett** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:18 am

dittrimd wrote: FYI either Cimmaron or Midian make adder board that will do MDC1200 on you 90 series radios. About $100 a piece. You may have to send the radios back to the factory as this is only a factory installed option but our shop has offered us a temp radio while we send ours back.

I've put Cimmaron boards in 90 series radios, only for encode, haven't tried decode. It's a royal PITA though, probably worth paying to have it done at the factory.

On the subject of control heads, I wish Moto would get away from the idea of 'stylized' heads, a rectangular head that's easily console mounted would be much better than these odd shaped ones they've been coming out with. I think all radio designers should have to spend a year or two working as an installer/tech first.

radioinstl · Post by **radioinstl** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:18 am

dittrimd wrote:Motorola does not offer single head dual RF deck capability. We went through this a few years back when we replaced all of our departments radios. Only Kenwood and Vertex off this option we went with the 90 series Kenwoods and have been very happy.

FYI either Cimmaron or Midian make adder board that will do MDC1200 on you 90 series radios. About $100 a piece. You may have to send the radios back to the factory as this is only a factory installed option but our shop has offered us a temp radio while we send ours back.

Mark

Yes they do, its called an XTL-5000 with W3 head and dual RF decks

dittrimd · Post by **dittrimd** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:20 am

I knew someone was going to say that. I should have specified in the CDM series which is what the thread was originally about. Plus the XTL does not match up with the Vertex and Kenwood offering as the XTL is only available in 700/800, UHF1, UHF2 and VHF hi. The others make a Lowband which is very desireable to fire departments who are still on Lowband. So we are really not talking apples to apples.

Mark