VHF MTS2000 - Are they really rare?

[P25Digital]

Ok, maybe rare isn't the right word, but UHF M1 MTS2000's seem to be all over the auction site for around $100. VHF MTS2000's in any flavor seem to be alot more scarce, escpecially at a decent price (read less expensive for a volunteer Rescue squad).

Were there fewer VHF models built? Are they just still in use?

I'm looking at HT1000's, but I'd really like to have the display in each radio.

[Batwings21]

In my experience, VHF radios are usually more expensive and rarer than UHF because of people wanting to use them for there volunteer fire dept, etc... Just more people want them.

[FireCpt809]

If you want display you can use an MT2000 M1 they can be fuound at a decent price. An MTS2000 is a little more pricy because it has more options and is flashable and can have trunking and encryption. If your just using it for a rescue squad I doubt you are using encryption or trunking.

[RadioSouth]

The ironic part UHF usually run about $50 more when new over UHF but yes VHF used generally brings more coin than UHF as they're usually harder to find. My opinion is business/fleet operations (non-governmental) that are running repeaters are locked into UHF (I've never seen a non-governmental entity issued a VHF repeater pair) so there's many more UHF out there.
Far as MT2000 vs. MTS2000 even though the MTS2000 is a higher line radio MT2000's sell for more consistently on EBay, think this is due to hobbyists that want to mod them or swap parts around and are trying to avoid the 'toolproof' feature of the MTS. MTS's model 2 in UHF were used extensively by the Gov't. and can be found in the low $100's about any day on EBay, great deal by any measure.

[MT2000 man]

If you notice, not only are the VHF MTS2000's more then UHF ones, but the 800MHZ are even more then the VHF models. I have seen 800MHZ Model I's go for $475, and Model III's go for over $600. However, the UHF ones, (to my surprise as well) are not going for much at all. Maybe because some have bare flashcodes (IE: no MDC, Etc.) or is beat up, tags missing, user doesn't know much about it, etc. Nethier way, I have owned many MT and MTS2000's and, if you DO get a fully flashed model III MTS compared (one then can decode MDC ID's, etc.) to a regular MT, you will find the MTS FAR more useful. They are both great radios, and the MT2000 can do A LOT out of the box, but a "luxury flashed" MTS can do more.

[MTS2000des]

If you notice, not only are the VHF MTS2000's more then UHF ones, but the 800MHZ are even more then the VHF models. I have seen 800MHZ Model I's go for $475, and Model III's go for over $600. However, the UHF ones, (to my surprise as well) are not going for much at all. Maybe because some have bare flashcodes (IE: no MDC, Etc.) or is beat up, tags missing, user doesn't know much about it, etc. Nethier way, I have owned many MT and MTS2000's and, if you DO get a fully flashed model III MTS compared (one then can decode MDC ID's, etc.) to a regular MT, you will find the MTS FAR more useful. They are both great radios, and the MT2000 can do A LOT out of the box, but a "luxury flashed" MTS can do more.

which is crazy because analog 800 trunking (Motorola at least) is quickly becoming ancient history as they are pushing Astro 25 on all their existing 800 analog customer with threats of non-support, etc.

I think the main reason UHF MTS2000's are so cheap is the huge influx of ex-Fed radios as the Feds move to digital. I've bought several top display late model (basic Smartnet flash though) UHF range 1 MTS2000's off brokenstolenradios.com for less than 40 bucks a piece. They are worth more in parts than whole. Replacement housings for Jedi's have skyrocketed since the product line has been axed.

[MT2000 man]

quote]

which is crazy because analog 800 trunking (Motorola at least) is quickly becoming ancient history as they are pushing Astro 25 on all their existing 800 analog customer with threats of non-support, etc.

I think the main reason UHF MTS2000's are so cheap is the huge influx of ex-Fed radios as the Feds move to digital. I've bought several top display late model (basic Smartnet flash though) UHF range 1 MTS2000's off brokenstolenradios.com for less than 40 bucks a piece. They are worth more in parts than whole. Replacement housings for Jedi's have skyrocketed since the product line has been axed.[/quote]

Correct. Remember when the cost of a new MTS2000 (even a bare flashed one) would go for $1500 ?? Just incredible how much they go for now. Not only that, but the MTS/MT/HT1000's were NOT crappy radios, that 's why I'm suprised at the price. I remember a few years back on E-bay a regular MTS2000 model I UHF would go for $300 easily becuase they were quite rare back then. Then, once the MTs's became gov. surplus, down goes the price.

For what they were made for (public safty/heavy abuse) they are going for increadly cheap. I would take even an 8 year old used (working lol) MTS2000 over a brand new HT1250 ANY day of the week (but let's not get into that debate lol). The bottom line is, that if you do want an EXCELLENT used radio (even though the Flashcode might not be the greatest), then the MTS2000 currently is the BEST way to go (for UHF at least, and providing that that radio is not a hacked/missing tag/MTX unit). Just IMO.

[P25Digital]

I'd much rather have the MTS2000 in VHF than any of the HT750/1250 etc. I've seen MTS2000's used and abused for 12 or 14 years now and they just keep on ticking.

Most of our 800 radios are MTS2000's and I'm trying to get our organization standardized on the JEDI platform, or the XTS platform. I can keep shoulder mics that are more universal (yes, some fit one but not the other...), and I only need to stock 3 styles of batteries JEDI/XTS 2500/XTS 3000-5000 and buying in bulk I get a little better price.

[mr.syntrx]

UHF range 1 MTS2000's off brokenstolenradios.com for less than 40 bucks a piece.

Who?

[Grog]

UHF range 1 MTS2000's off brokenstolenradios.com for less than 40 bucks a piece.

Who?

He means EGay

[mikegilbert]

... I have seen 800MHZ Model I's go for $475, and Model III's go for over $600...which is crazy because analog 800 trunking (Motorola at least) is quickly becoming ancient history as they are pushing Astro 25 on all their existing 800 analog customer with threats of non-support, etc...

Tell me about it. I was selling 800mhz MTS2000's for premium prices a year ago. One buyer confessed about why he was paying such crazy prices. For every MTS he turned in, he'd receive a shiny new XTS2500 RB. Other sources informed me that /\/\ was on to that scheme and he'd be receiving rebanded MTS2000's...

[P25Digital]

My understanding is that the XTS1500 may be the rebanding replacement, if the MTS2000 can't be flashed. Except for the digital capability, I'd much rather have the MTS2000. While not a brick like the old HT220's, the MTS2000 still feels better than the XTS radios to me, just a personal preference.

[Pj]

I have access to two mint MTS2000's model 3 in VHF if your looking...

[rangerfourever]

I have an MTS2000 Model II with a one year old case, ( dropped once since, small mark on top) adjusted, tuned etc by my Motorola shop. I lost my full time gig and need $. Make an offer, this is an extra radio. Came from Batlabber about two years ago. Great radio, but I want to keep my ASIII VHF, so this one goes.

David White