Currently on HT1000, looking for new radio, ideas?

turbosupra · Post by **turbosupra** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 7:28 am

Hello,

I currently have a bunch of HT1000s, we use them for work at the hotel (I'm in the security department) .. I'm looking to get myself a new personal radio (I don't use the ones at work, I have different frequencies on mine...don't need the same ones as the regular officers.) I'm on an HT1000 "D" revision, 450-512 bandsplit (withs ome 440 out of band programming in there.) I was looking at getting a JT1000 UHF for the field programming...that would be very nice. I see other similar models, the MT2000/MTS2000 or whichever. I read some scary stuff about Toolproofing, I don't want to zap my radio. I've got access to the HT/JT/Visar RSS since we have so many radios at work, we've got that RSS from the big M to program all our own stuff. (since, I'm the elected communications officer...it ends up always being my job.) I think we also have the SP50 stuff, since some of the housekeeping department uses them. I'm not interested in getting an SP50 or P1225... I'm looking to move up from the HT1000. It's a great radio, durable, sounds clear, puts up with a lot of abuse. Looking for something similar... I like the Jedi series design. The HT1250 and 1550? (not sur eon model numbers) look nice, unsure of what kind price I'd pay for one.

I don't care if I have to hunt eBay for it, or if it's used, it just has to work.

THanks for any suggestions.

turbosupra · Post by **turbosupra** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 7:29 am

I'd also like to add, DTMF would be a HUGE PLUS. We have a couple phone patches at work, as well as HAM.

mts2000des2 · Post by **mts2000des2** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 7:50 am

An MT2000 is a good step up, you don't have toolproofing issues with it, and even a top display would add 48 channels, multiple scan lists, alpha tagging, and if it is late enough it will do MDC ID decode. A full keypad MT2000 would give you DTMF, up to 160 or 255 modes depending on options, and later firmware ones with the option can do MDC ID decoding, and of course 14 character display is nice. All your HT1000 accessories would work fine with an MT2000. An MTS2000 adds trunking and securenet capability, but unless you plan on using those features, an MT2000 would be the radio for you.

The new Waris radios, are in my opinion, junk. They also cannot be programmed out of band (at least yet) so if you get a 450-520MHz HT1250/1550, it won't do the ham band like your Jedi's will. The Waris radios are more critical about using correct CPS versions for programming than Jedi's are. I don't think the Waris radios are the caliber of the older Motorola gear, even the Jedi's. Would almost consider a Vertex VX-900 over a Waris if I had to choose between the two.

turbosupra · Post by **turbosupra** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 8:58 am

I suppose I'll avoid the Waris like the plague.

One reason, I can't program it for free. I know a guy at the local shop who could probably do an MT for me, they sell a lot of those...but they don't have access to anything as new as the Waris series.

We have like two of the Waris radios at work, for the big wigs...they like them because they are "pretty" .. and an outside communications vendor is the only ones who touch 'em.

I've been toying with the MT idea for a while, and not needing new accessories is a GOOD thing!

I do need 440Mhz HAM... once I get the HAM license, it'll be useful.

I don't have any use for trunking or securenet, but I would like more than 48 channels... I'd like to stuff all the frequencies for ALL the Marriott hotels, so I don't need a different radio to talk to our satellite properties, AND have them alpha tagged...

How much should I pay for a used MT2000? And if I get a 403-470 radio, how much past 470 can I program out of band? And what revision should I seek? I know it's the 3rd to last character of the model number...

Post by **alex** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 9:03 am

Sounds like a 450-512mhz MT2000 UHF A5 or A7 would be your very best choice then.

Expect to pay about $500 for one of the A7 models. They will drop perfectly into the 440-450 ham band. Some can be hacked to support 255 modes. See the Model Specific Info regarding that hack. They will do ~160 channels out of the box, which is another advantage.

I would stay away from the JT1000's. They are good radios - please don't get me wrong, but they only do 16 channels, and lack 1/2 the features standard on a Jedi radio (like MDC1200).

With a 160 channel radio, you probably won't run out quickly.

Good Luck,

Alex

turbosupra · Post by **turbosupra** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 12:50 pm

Someone briefly educate me on A5 A7 models and what not? What should I look for and stay away from, I am not familiar with the MT series at all...only what I've seen in pictures.

And I agree about the JT1000, it's just the field program mode would prove to be very helpful for me when testing our different repeaters and stuff, but if I have 160 channels...I can just program everything I need...lol

Dave

Post by **alex** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 12:58 pm

A3/B3 is going to be a plain front, just like the ht1000. 16 channels, or 48 using the ABC switch for Zones.

A4/B4 is a top display (6 character) - 2 position toggle under channel knob. 16 or 48 channels (a/b/c for zone switching)

A5/B5 is front display with 6-key front 2 position toggle. it has a 12 Character screen. 160 Channels

A7/B7 is front display with full keypad (DTMF, and an additional 3 buttons for navigating menus.) 12 char. display. 160 Channels.

A# means conventional, and B# usually means trunking, but most of the trunking radios support conventional.

-Alex

turbosupra · Post by **turbosupra** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 1:05 pm

So say the model number is:

H01SDH9AA7AN
^^ = the "A7" part?

I was actually asking about the revision also:

H01SDH9AA7AN
^ = meaning the 1st revision

I know with the HT1000s, the later models are favorable (C or D revision) due to certain out of band programming options that works on the later firmwares. Are all the MT's As? and any A7 would be fine... I think the A7 is more what I'm looking for, DTMF would be real handy at work.

Post by **alex** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 1:31 pm

Yes, the A7 in the model number denotes the front face of the radio.

These radios have versions and not revisions. To get the version it has to be a display radio. Turn the radio off, then on. Press the button above the PTT 5 times until you see SERVICE.

This is where you'll get the Model number, serial, and version from.

Make sure any radio you buy that that information matches the back perfectly. (a pretty good guarentee it's not hacked to pieces).

The higher the version, the more features it supports. I think the highest MT2000 version is 2.11. Not 100% sure. I have never seen what revisions contain what fixes though.

On a non-display radio, crack it open and check the label on the controler - i think it should have a revision on it.

-Alex

turbosupra · Post by **turbosupra** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 7:54 pm

Thank you for all your help, I've already begun hunting eBay, and called my friend at the local shop that gets his hands on used radios from time to time to find me an MT2000.

The 160 channels is going to be really nice... hehehe

Dave

ExKa|iBuR · Post by **ExKa|iBuR** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 9:03 pm

Actually, any Jedi Series (minus the HT1000 and JT1000), can do 255 channels, you just have to convince the radio it wants to.

Also, if you get an A3 (no display at all), you can buy a case from a radio with a top display, and it'll work.

Same thing, as the A5 and A7 - same controller, just different case.

Mike

turbosupra · Post by **turbosupra** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 10:03 pm

I would prefer the DTMF with the 12char screen on the front, I would like to alpha tag the channels.

Going to be hard to remember what channel 100 is... lol

Dave

Will · Post by **Will** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 11:51 pm

"Going to be hard to remember what channel 100 is... lol "

Heck, most of us don't remember the 16 channels in our radios now!!!!!

turbosupra · Post by **turbosupra** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 11:58 pm

I've only got 7 programmed in my HT1000 and I forget which one is which! I end up calling people at the wrong hotel of ours...hehehe

Susan157 · Post by **Susan157** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 12:41 pm

For field work we use all
motorola radios.

For personal use ,(COST) many of us use Kenwood
radios. TK250/350 160 ch. programmed on pc.
32 ch. when programmed on the keypad.
TK208/308 40 ch. self programmable.
TK705D/805D etc. The list is many.
Lots of radios out there that
do not cost an arm and leg and not"M" but work well.
" THe title was personal USE"These are commercial
radios . THey are not "HAM HACKED"In Canada it is
not legal to use a "HAM RADIO" on commercial Bands.

Susan157 eMail [email protected]

Post by **alex** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 12:55 pm

NorthYork20 wrote:Actually, any Jedi Series (minus the HT1000 and JT1000), can do 255 channels, you just have to convince the radio it wants to.

Also, if you get an A3 (no display at all), you can buy a case from a radio with a top display, and it'll work.

Same thing, as the A5 and A7 - same controller, just different case.

Yes you can, but remember - he said his dealer is programming the radio, so his dealer performing any hack will be out of the question.

-Alex

Tom in D.C. · Post by **Tom in D.C.** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 3:24 pm

I think it odd that through all of this thread no one suggested a Saber 3 in UHF. Not field programmable, but it:

Does have alpha display and 120 channels
Does do 440-470 mHz with 5 watts output
Is pretty near indestructible
Has fantastic RX & TX
Reasonably priced, though out of production for the most part

Tom, W2NJS
...in D.C.

ricciticcitembo · Post by **ricciticcitembo** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 4:09 pm

I second that Saber. better than any Jedi.

And another thing: Interesting how they like to name their radios
after Star Wars. Except for the Genisis series which is Star Trek.

larrymedic · Post by **larrymedic** » Tue Oct 15, 2002 7:06 am

I had a jedi setup, and let me post a few caveats:
1) NO MT2000 supports DuikCall II. This could be a problem - it was for me
2) You can get the version from the model number - a, b ,b , etc. A is the original version, and has almost no features. go for at least B if at all possible.
3) I sold all my Jedi and bought Waris (HT1250s) - I love them. My local shop (where I bought them - I have since moved) has sold over 250 of them, and only two had problems requiring repair/replacement. One was dropped from a window - only problem was craced board; the other was (literally) run over by a fire truck. Case unharmed, guts pancaked. He keeps it to show people asking about case durability!
4) I found many issues when programming the Jedi - too many ways to set multiple controls to same feature, and that renders the radio inoperative until corrected. Would be nice if the software would warn you of such a critical problem!

Good luck - the Jedis are good, reliable radios, but I'll take my HT1250s anyday.

Larry

JAYMZ · Post by **JAYMZ** » Tue Oct 15, 2002 9:06 am

Besides the cool name on the Jedi Series I think they are the all around decent radio. The HT1000 was the first portable I had bought for myself and I loved it. They were reasonably durable....unless you specifically set out to destroy it. They had nice features and were fairly easy to use. While I am a Saber fan currently I wouldn't complain about a Jedi series at all. And with the idiosyncracies of every RSS package Motorola has they we fairly easy to program. I personally if given the choice would take an HT1000 or MT2000 over the HT1250/1550 anyday. So for their price, reliability, durabilty and ease of use.....that's my pick.

ExKa|iBuR · Post by **ExKa|iBuR** » Tue Oct 15, 2002 10:51 am

I've kinda grown to like the Jedi's.

I've owned Genesis (HT-600, etc..), and the SP50, and played around with the newer Waris series. I'd have to say the Jedi are probably the best.

The Genesis are durable as heck, but kinda ugly. The SP50 are super-easy to program, but also super-easy to break and what not. The make great ham radios though.

The Waris are good, but look too much like a toy.

Sabers are also really nice, but I just don't like the "feel" of them one bit.

The nice thing about the Jedi series is that almost all of them use the same controller, so you can make almost any one of them do anything else (ie, you could take a 48 mode MTX8000 and make it do 255 modes, with MDC, and the whole 9 yards).

Mike

mts2000des2 · Post by **mts2000des2** » Tue Oct 15, 2002 1:58 pm

larrymedic wrote:I had a jedi setup, and let me post a few caveats:
1) NO MT2000 supports DuikCall II. This could be a problem - it was for me
2) You can get the version from the model number - a, b ,b , etc. A is the original version, and has almost no features. go for at least B if at all possible.
3) I sold all my Jedi and bought Waris (HT1250s) - I love them. My local shop (where I bought them - I have since moved) has sold over 250 of them, and only two had problems requiring repair/replacement. One was dropped from a window - only problem was craced board; the other was (literally) run over by a fire truck. Case unharmed, guts pancaked. He keeps it to show people asking about case durability!
4) I found many issues when programming the Jedi - too many ways to set multiple controls to same feature, and that renders the radio inoperative until corrected. Would be nice if the software would warn you of such a critical problem!

Good luck - the Jedis are good, reliable radios, but I'll take my HT1250s anyday.

Larry

Well al the caveats of Jedi's as far as programming are even more true with Waris radios...use the wrong CPS- radio is cooked. And you can't make a Waris do out of band- period. If you follow the instructions on Batlabs and in Motorola RSS manuals and use a REAL DOS computer, a REAL RIB and CABLE, chances of making a "brick" of any M radio are slim to none.

I think the point is that the man wanted a REPLACEMENT for his HT1000, with more channels, and going outside of the Jedi family would be foolish- as he already has stated he has several accessories and batteries and would like to be able to use them.

As far as Quick Call II on an MT2000, what firmware ver did your radio have? I have owned three MT2000's, with varying firmware from 1.XX to 2.01 and QC II worked just fine.

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Tue Oct 15, 2002 2:16 pm

larrymedic wrote: . . . the other was (literally) run over by a fire truck. Case unharmed, guts pancaked. He keeps it to show people asking about case durability! . . . Larry

Ok, I'm curious. How exactly did the case survive intact while what was inside the case got crunched?

I love my Genesis radios. Of course it might be that they do what I need, and I really can't afford, nor justify the cost anyway, of something newer. I confess though, the HT600 is FUGLY!!!! (Anyone have a P200 case?)

Good luck with the change in radios, but I'd agree with the post that said stay with the Jedi series. All new accessories will be an expensive proposition, one that seemingly can be avoided.

JOHN R · Post by **JOHN R** » Sun Oct 20, 2002 8:45 pm

While I will agree that the jedi is an excellent series - I also owned an ht1000, and it would be foolish not to stay within the series due to the fact you have so many accesories, I have to agree with larry as far as defending the waris series, I have read much about the controversy regarding the waris series being "junk" , anyone who says they would prefer a vertex or whatever over an ht1250- have at it, you would probably want a M radio back shortly thereafter. I have owned an ht1250 that could take a fair beating and more recently a ht1550, now although I tend to "baby" my personal radios as many of us probably do, my department uses ht1250`s that are FAR from babied, they are beat to crap and you know what? THEY HOLD UP. as far as the case holding up but guts destroyed after being run over? very possible- the case was probably pancaked then sprang back without cracking. Do you think a jedi radio would have faired any better? Look, these are all good radios but hand me ANY M radio up to and including an R-saber and I will hand you back unrepairable junk if the intention is to "try to destroy it" I have asked a few people on this board who have said negative things about the waris line to specify the problems, most have ignored the question- short of having antenna problems early on (not a radio problem) no one really seems to be able to say why they do not like them, I guess its human nature not to like change.

APCOMAN · Post by **APCOMAN** » Sun Oct 20, 2002 10:23 pm

If I were in your spot, then I would definitely try and stick with a Jedi series radio, preferably a MT2000 A7. Reason being that your your accessories and batteries that work on the HT, will work on the MT.

I would definitely stay away from any of the Pro series rig's. Don't trust a chinese assembled HT. They break. They are not as durable(and you really NEED that) as a Jedi. You will need new RSS.

Thats my opinion.
JS

Currently on HT1000, looking for new radio, ideas?

Currently on HT1000, looking for new radio, ideas?

UpGrading From HT1000/Personal USE

Changing radios...

Re: Changing radios...