Ancient Motorola "Handie Talkie" HT100s

radio230 · Post by **radio230** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:16 pm

Ok, I am continuing to clean out the Explorers junk and have come across 5 Motorola VHF "Handie Talkie" HT100(yes 100 not 1000). One is in a single unit charger and has a telescoping antenna (WOW!). The other 4 have rubberized antennas and are in a 4 unit gang charger that is larger than the radios put together. All 5 are 2ch radios (controled by a toggle switch). I do not have the part numbers with me at the moment but I know they were manufactured in the mid 60's.

I know these radios are old, but I am trying to find out as much as possible about them. I am also wondering if it is even possible to find working batteries for them (or suitable substitute) as I would be curious to see if they even work any more. The chargers all appear to work, but can't truly tell without a battery to test them on.

Also if I will get the model #s and post them towmorrow. Also I can post pictures if anyone is interested.
Thanks in advance.

Dan Collins
Cahokia Police Explorer Post #606

Tom in D.C. · Post by **Tom in D.C.** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:08 pm

Many of use here are pretty familiar with this model radio. If you do a
search on this site you'll come up with several background
references and sources of information.

The radio is a chopped off HT220 with the amplifier section
removed. The battery pack on the back can be revived
by installing a set of Varta NiMH batteries that are available
at good battery shops. These are exact replacements for
the original NiCD elongated button cells.

It's a very low-power radio, valued as a collector's item,
but without much practical value. If they're in excellent
condition they'll be quite saleable. You might want to
post as much info as possible, including whether they're
UHF or VHF, etc.

radio230 · Post by **radio230** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:44 pm

Ok, I made a mistake, they are NOT HT100s. I had to run to the office and check to see what exactly I had. They are Motorola "Handie-Talkie FM Radio" HT200. I have uploaded photos to http://new.photos.yahoo.com/spaz_200/albums. The model info is:

Type: CC3513A
Model# H23DEN-1130AW
Freq: around 155Mhz (not sure on exact Freq range)
2ch w/ toggle switch

I was able to make out date stamps in the battery compartments of 3 of them being:

05-19-66 09-07-66 02-20-65 also a PN#(?) NHN6069B

I am assuming these are manufacture dates making them over 40 years old. As you can see in the photos they are in fair condition. Also I have no batteries remaining, apparently I threw the last one away since it was leaking. I would still be interested in trying to get at least one working battery (or substitute) to see if they even work.

Sorry for the earlier mix up guys.

Tom in D.C. · Post by **Tom in D.C.** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:12 am

Pretty much the same comments apply as I made for
the HT100 radios. Old, crystal controlled, etc. etc.
Batteries MAY be available from Multiplier, W&W, and
similar sources. The HT200 predated the HT220 and
is a BIG unit by anyone's standards, then or now.

Except in rare cases there's not much of a market for
these radios today. At one point I had about 400
HT220s in my garage and ended up giving them away
after trying and trying to sell them for ten or fifteen
bucks each in working condition. Interest was almost
non-existent.

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:41 pm

They make good 'clubs', that is why they were known as "Bricks".

I repaired my share of them (police departments).

Dan562 · Post by **Dan562** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 4:34 am

The Railroad's personnel used the HT-200s as wheel chocks (besides 2-way radios) to prevent railcars from rolling while in the train yards. Hmmmm, I can bet those early /\/\ Portable Development Engineers never thought of that application!

Oh those railroad personnel were really pissed in the late 1970s when their communication equipment purchasing agents bought those Wilson / Regency Handheld Portables instead of /\/\ HT-220s. They looked like small /\/\ HT-220 Slimlines but that's where the comparison stopped. When the railroad workers tried to use the Wilson / Regency Portables as wheel chocks, the railcars just rolled over those portables and turned them into "Super Slimline Junk!"

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:24 am

Not to mention they had to chase the rail car!

Other uses for the "brick":

Great paper weight that you can talk on..

Stays where you put it..

Holds doors open..

Bat2way · Post by **Bat2way** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 4:00 pm

Just throw them in the trash and forget about it.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 1:51 pm

Bat2way wrote:Just throw them in the trash and forget about it.

WHAT!!! NO WAY.
These are suvineers. The HT200 radios must be older than Bat2way.....

AEC · Post by **AEC** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 12:50 am

I too, started with the HT200/220 series bricks.

Today, they are book ends, low resale value, but lots of hamsexy built in.

But alas, the days of the brick is over, save for the true diehards that still tote the MT500s as well.

They are all LEAVERITE..........LEAVERITE where you found it!

Happy holidays!

DJP126 · Post by **DJP126** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 6:29 pm

And IF you decide to play around with them and do some experimenting....
be advised that they are POSITIVE GROUND.

RadioMaster08 · Post by **RadioMaster08** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 8:17 am

I personaly do not buy items of ebay for radio use. Maybe a programming cable but very rare for me to do.

Any way back to the radios.

You may be able to find a battery for your Motorola HT-100 on ebay.

A week ago i got a programming cable for my MT-2000 radio off ebay.

I saw older modle batterys while looking for my cable. They looked like Motorola HT-100 batterys not shore if they were but they look very simular.

Will · Post by **Will** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 9:15 pm

Grace has HT200 batteries. Also easy enough to re-cell the battery.

NiCad lady.com

Ancient Motorola "Handie Talkie" HT100s

Ancient Motorola "Handie Talkie" HT100s

HT100

HT200s