Missing/Stolen Radios

[STicKman]

I am a little hesitate about buying a used Motorola portable because how do you really determine if the radio has been stolen or reported missing? If I complete a transaction and find out indeed it is a hot product, should I return to the rightful owner and take the loss? Should I ask for the S/N before the purchase?

I am aware of the Genesis Stolen Radio Database, but is this indeed what members here are using to post their lost radios? Is there a place on the batboard where one could report the details of missing radios to possibly track the radio or aid other members with their purchases? Plenty of questions, but to me, I find it a bit surprising how new equipment w/ AES encryption (ie XTS5000, KVL3000, etc) is readily available here and ebay. This equipment is generally purchased at the government/public safety level, but how does it end up in our hands if it hasn't been taken from theirs?

STK

[escomm]

Anyone who is weary about stolen radios ought to register an account at Trace.com http://www.trace.com/

There you can query the serial through NCIC... if it's clean in NCIC then it should be good to go.

[tvsjr]

Be aware that, with Trace.com, if the item comes back stolen the department WILL be notified. If the item is being selectively tracked, direct notification may be made immediately (rather than just being in a daily summary email) and you may get a phone call. If you enter something there, be prepared to provide LEO with information to aid his/her investigation.

Certainly nothing wrong with that - I think trace.com is a great idea. Just something to be aware of.

[Einstein]

Be aware also, as some of us have found out, that even running the radio through NCIC, you could get a knock at the door 6 months or later down the road stating that the radio you purchased is in fact stolen.

[Bill_G]

Years ago Moto would tell you who purchased a specific s/n if you suspected a radio belonged to someone other than the person who dropped it off for repair. But, privacy issues have forced them to not provide that info any longer.

[Ben]

I traded for a radio at a ham fest once and then sold it online. About 6 months later some how the guy that bought it did something wrong with it and the police called Motorola and then they called the company they sold the radio to. The company didn't know the radio was missing and then made a report on it and I get a call when they find out who he got it from. So if I had ran the radio thru NCIC it would have been clean when I got it and sold it. Like I told them if the radio has all the tags I don't worry too much, which this one did.

[chrismoll12]

Very VERY hard to tell these days, lots of equipment being sold off at auctions. It's something that will always by risky.

[MT2000 man]

Agreed. A LOT of radios mostly come from Government Auctions. I'm willing to bet anything that the number of XTS(5000/2500) radios on E-*** will double within the next year or two (along with a big price drop). I generally always buy a radio that has all it's tags, the owner is legit (Ie- a long trusted member here, etc.) and not just "some guy" who "found" an Astro Saber on the ground, knows NOTHING about the radio they are selling, etc.
Just be careful when buying used (higher tier) radio equipment. Especially when it comes to the "Bay".

[chrismoll12]

So many times I've seen ads on craigs or the bay listing Astro radios, some waris, XTS with professional engraving on the front listed as "Found when jogging....." "Don't know anything about it, got it from a friend"

[giguchan]

wow!!!
I had no idea that such a data base existed.. I had 2 SS's stolen about10 years ago... i would love to know where they are now.. they are so old skool it's not even funny.. funny thing my CDM's are nearing old skool too..

[dapaq2]

Anyone who is weary about stolen radios ought to register an account at Trace.com http://www.trace.com/ There you can query the serial through NCIC... if it's clean in NCIC then it should be good to go.

Just an FYI guys. They changed the domain name of their website from http://www.trace.com to https://www.tracechecker.com