Motorola R765 Vs. Motorola DTR550

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:54 pm

I am considering getting some radios for legal, license free simplex communications and I am looking at BOTH the Motorola R765 and Motorola DTR550 units right now. Does anybody have any thought on which might be preferable over the other? Probably the most important aspect would be range. I suspect that either of these would be a mile or less and I am fine with that. It is just that I am having a hard time deciding between them. I seem to recall that the DTR units will NOT communicate with the iDen Nextel Direct Talk/MOTO Talk. Can anybody here verify that the Direct Talk on the R765 WILL work with other consumer grade Nextel Direct Talk units?

My other random thoughts are that the DTR550 might be slightly less noticeable than the R765s, but that is really not a huge concern. I suspect that the R765s might be MUCH more rugged than the DTR550s, but since I haven't seen them up close, that is jsut an assumption on my part. Anyway, if anybody here has used either, or preferably BOTH, I would love to hear (or read) your comments on these.

As far as price goes, it looks like many new DTR550s are around $250. I am seeing Ebay prices higher than that for the R765.

http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/ ... r765_US-EN

http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/ ... R550_US-EN

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 1:20 pm

I have used both. DTR all the way. used readily available "falcon" IDEN batts, chargers, etc (RSS cable is different tho)

While the R765 used waris audio accessories, and charger puck, the battery is its own beast sure to be unobtainum much quicker. Yes the 765 direct talk works fine with other units.

Wait till nextel shuts down. They may come down and be all over. The real rotary vol and mode knob was cool. Shame it wasnt released years sooner.

Add in DTR's wireless clone & status/text messaging and its a win

Go with the DTR650 if you can.

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:17 pm

Thank you very much for the reply. I was focusing on the DTR550, but what does the DTR650 have that DTR550 doesn't that I would need?

Post by **mobios** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 7:15 pm

The DTR650 supports more public (50 vs 20) and private (20 vs 10) groups, has a longer-duration battery and supports remote monitor, remote kill and time synchronization.

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 7:18 am

They have a decent price here https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/DTR650 ... 1p2443.htm I would probably want to get a 1/2 wave whip antenna https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/8505241U04-p2260.htm Does anybody happen to know if they always come with the stubby antenna out of the box?