EX-600 and Big M???

Adamwest · Post by **Adamwest** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 5:46 pm

Hi

Well I got my EX-600 and so far I am pretty happy with radio. Big M though is one interesting company. Big M for Big Bucks!!!!! There is no travel charger for the EX-600 but it will fix in the HT-750 travel charger. The problem is it just seats there turning itself on/off "not good". There is no battery clip for the battery. It comes with a clip/holder just like the visar. After a week the radio will start falling out of its holder. Motorola has one great research lab seems like they just miss the mark alot. But in all wouldn't own anything else but a Motorola. Just wish they were more interested in service to the people who buy there radios. If you get a chance to try out the EX-500/600 do it. It's a great!!!!!

Adam

mts2000des2 · Post by **mts2000des2** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 11:12 pm

Yeah, well...I'll keep my MT2000. I have seen the EX "Expert" series and am not impressed. Feels like a cheap knockoff...it just seems Motorola isn't turning out the quality radios that they used to. But then, they have let go most of the people who made some of the most cutting edge radios (Jedi's, Saber, Spectra, HT600/MT1000 to name a few) a reality.

They have become somewhat anti-end user in recent days. I still don't understand why "Customer Programming Software" is not available to ANY customer who is WILLING to PAY for it.

I do not like the new radios one bit...they just don't make them like they used to.

I went to a Vertex/Standard dealer the other day and inquired about the VX-500 portable. Quite a radio...up to 512 modes, alpha display, LI-ON battery, 700mW AF, mil-spec, 3 YEAR WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOR...and the dealer GAVE ME A COPY of the software! A FACTORY programming cable cost no more than a 100 bucks. The radio felt sturdy, had excellent audio on xmit and rx...and the full keypad version could be mine end user price for less than 500 bucks.

The competition is getting stronger. At least Vertex was ready, willing and able to deal with an end user. I have never been a fan of Japanese radios...but when compared to some of the new Motorola portables and the new Motorola attitude, they might be a good alternative. A 3 year factory warranty...how long has it been since Ma M did that without paying extra?

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 2:55 am

Big M restricts who can have RSS to "protect" their dealers. They are trying to force you to take your business, and your money, to one of their dealers. If there's no dealer anywhere near you, you're much more likely to get your RSS.

Good luck,

RADIOMAN2002 · Post by **RADIOMAN2002** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 8:06 am

I agree with MTS200des, go to Vertex, even NYPD has gone to Vertex, they got tired with the games Motorola was playing with them. My department after a MAJOR problem with the CDM-1550 series radios has just ordered 30 Vertex portables, they are even cheaper than a Motorla pager. Maybe some of the old school Motorola employee's can either talk some sense into management, or buy the company and run it right. This isn't the days of old MA Bell style of running a bussiness.

APCOMAN · Post by **APCOMAN** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 5:18 pm

I can offer a few different things regarding small radio's such as the Visar line, and the new EX series.
There seems to be a bit of a issue with Visar antenna mounts coming loose from regular use, just like some of the older model MT2000's.
Another issue that is true of all small full wattage HT's is this: Where do you put that waste heat? In all the Jedi's and a few other's too, they stick it into the whole back chassis of the rig. In the case of a smaller radio like the EX-500 or 600, you have 4 watts worth of heat going into a relatively small bit of aluminum. It does get warm. Fast. I personally like a larger radio that i can hold fully in my hand. My XTS 3500 fills that role perfecty.
So if you don't mind using the radio as a hand warmer during QSO, then go right ahead. I don't feel like burning my hand on the back of my rig.
Some people like those small things I, however, don't. I don't like feeling like i might misplace the thing in shirt pocket. Not if those things are gonna cost me $800. Sorry, but no.
As far as RSS, Motorola has alway's been stingy with that stuff. I try to stay away from that nest of terror.
JS

mts2000des2 · Post by **mts2000des2** » Thu Sep 05, 2002 6:46 pm

APCOMAN wrote:I can offer a few different things regarding small radio's such as the Visar line, and the new EX series.
There seems to be a bit of a issue with Visar antenna mounts coming loose from regular use, just like some of the older model MT2000's.
Another issue that is true of all small full wattage HT's is this: Where do you put that waste heat? In all the Jedi's and a few other's too, they stick it into the whole back chassis of the rig. In the case of a smaller radio like the EX-500 or 600, you have 4 watts worth of heat going into a relatively small bit of aluminum. It does get warm. Fast. I personally like a larger radio that i can hold fully in my hand. My XTS 3500 fills that role perfecty.
So if you don't mind using the radio as a hand warmer during QSO, then go right ahead. I don't feel like burning my hand on the back of my rig.
Some people like those small things I, however, don't. I don't like feeling like i might misplace the thing in shirt pocket. Not if those things are gonna cost me $800. Sorry, but no.
As far as RSS, Motorola has alway's been stingy with that stuff. I try to stay away from that nest of terror.
JS

Well do keep in mind that Motorola portables are not designed for long conversations (or "QSO" in ham lingo), so the heat problem isn't really a factor. Hams are the only ones who gab on their portables, most public safety/business radio is usually less than 20 seconds a transmission...so the heat sinking is adequate.

The antenna connector problem can easily be solved by not carrying/handling the radio by the antenna, as many users do for some reason, especially those who use carry holsters.

I am with you on the larger radios, but mainly for the reasons of serviceability. The smaller it is, the harder it is to get inside tight places, the smaller traces on boards are, etc. Large radios seem to hold up better in general.

As far as the RSS, I don't mind paying for it, because you get excellent support and if you use approved hardware (RIB, Cables, etc) and have problems, they will usually help you out. But with the advent of CPS, they are very anal about licenses, even to people who have had licenses in the past. I just cannot grasp the concept of calling something "Customer" programming Software but customers (end users) aren't the intended user! They took out the ALIGNMENT/SERVICE features of CPS so it was more ergonomic for self-maintained users, but then they wanna restrict it to dealers? Why develop a CPS package if it is only meant for dealers? Makes no sense. They are the only radio vendor that does this. It is an anti-customer mentality that plagues the company and one would think with their net losses recently, they would do anything to win back customers...guess I am wrong on this one.