Mobile radio help......"The Choice"

MT2000 man · Post by **MT2000 man** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 2:02 pm

Hi all, I'm new to the mobile radio world, and I just got a new truck (ford F-350 ), and I was just wondering what your opinion would be for both my vehicle, and my personal use. I took into consideration the M1225, and spectra, but, like I said, I would like other opinions on this issue as well.) (Setting it all up to work is another story lol

Thank you, and Happy Holidays to all!

Mike

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 2:41 pm

Hi:

When making a choice, your pocket
book is a good guide.

If you can afford it, the Spectra is
a ideal choice and is several times
better than a M1225.

One good piece of advice....When buying
Used Equipment, remeber 1/2 of what you
may get is who you get if from.

Monty

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 4:01 pm

I'm sure you can go back into the archives and dig out opinions either way. A lot of it depends on what features you're looking for. If you don't need a lot of channels, and you desire QCII decode, the M1225 might be the better choice. While the analog Spectra won't do QCII decode, it will do 128 channels, and if you get the A9 model, it will ii characters in the vacuum fluorescent display. I have heard people complain about the Spectra's display in the sunlight, but I haven't personally encountered that problem. If you want the possibility of remote mounting, the Spectra might be the better bet. I have seen many pickup installs where a 100 watt Spectra was mounted on the rear of the cab, behind the seat, and the head mounted up front. The only other real complaint I have heard about the spectra is that when scanning, it will stop on a channel with an improper PL code. Again, I have not personally experianced this. If you were to ask my personal opinion, I'd take an A7 or A9 Spectra over an M1225 anyday.

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 4:27 pm

It all depends what you plan on using the radio for. If you are going to just use it for light duty public safety or business, the M1225 will be just fine. It also costs 4 times less than a Spectra. The M1225 fits nicely into the existing slot in the dash that's to the right of the steering column. Just feed the wires through a small hole in the rear of the slot and slip the radio in with a piece of double-sided tape. Yes, it does stay in just fine. I've mounted many of these radios and CDM series like this for fire department squads and tow trucks and have never had one problem with them moving. If you use that radio alot, you may consider installing a small muffin fan in the bottom of this slot or tray. The Spectra is a great radio, but you're gonna pay for it! It takes up much more room, but it does have more channels, features and RF output power. The CDM series may be another radio to consider. Let us know what you plan on using the truck AND the radio for.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 4:43 pm

I don't know what you're going to use it for, but I use a GM300 UHF for GMRS and I use a Syntor X9000 for VHF. Love them both, but I really want the syntor for UHF as well. Too bad I can't find one in the right split. Everything I see seems to be 403-420. Annoying!

Jack

MT2000 man · Post by **MT2000 man** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 5:57 pm

Hi, I plan on using it for both GMRS, and scanning the local public safety frequencies. (Bascally an expencive scanner

However, I would also like to have a good receiving range (this is where the antenna comes into play) All the help has been great.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: MT2000 man on 2001-12-25 20:59 ]</font>

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 7:28 pm

On 2001-12-25 20:57, MT2000 man wrote:
Hi, I plan on using it for both GMRS, and scanning the local public safety frequencies. (Bascally an expencive scanner However, I would also like to have a good receiving range (this is where the antenna comes into play) All the help has been great.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: MT2000 man on 2001-12-25 20:59 ]</font>

If this is the case, then the GM300, M1225, or maxtrac is what you are looking for. Although not exactly the same, I use a UHF GP300 for GMRS as well as public safety and business (only 6 of the 8 repeater paired frequencies are available to me as I live so close to Canada). But either way, 16 channels is enough for me

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 7:55 pm

On 2001-12-25 17:02, MT2000 man wrote:
Hi all, I'm new to the mobile radio world, and I just got a new truck (ford F-350 ), and I was just wondering what your opinion would be for both my vehicle, and my personal use. I took into consideration the M1225, and spectra, but, like I said, I would like other opinions on this issue as well.) (Setting it all up to work is another story lol

Thank you, and Happy Holidays to all!

Mike

isnt the m1225 limited to 16 channels? and spectra up to 128 channels?

cant go wrong with either but I prefer a spectra over the m1225 anyday...

Post by Pj » Tue Dec 25, 2001 11:03 pm

About the Spectra stopping on scan channels with the improper pl.... It will only do that on channels that are set for 1st or 2nd priority. Non priorty channels will ignore it. The Syntor x9000 line does the same thing. I have been told that this was a sort of a safety feature, so that if it is always locking up on a channel, you can press the mon button and hear whats happening...or something like that.

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed Dec 26, 2001 1:15 pm

Ok, now that we know the type of usage. For that application, I'd say go with the M1225. It will do just fine for GMRS. Spectras are nice, but a little (a lot) overkill for that type of use.

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Dec 26, 2001 2:21 pm

The M1225 will do fine for most use within its band, ie; UHF or VHF and can do narrow band 12.5 khz chanel spacing, AND 25 khz or normal chanel spacing, receive very well. The M1225 can also be "remote' mounted using a simple cable as can the GM and Maxtrac/Radius mobiles.