looking into radios: ht1000, ht1250, ht750

abrasowski · Post by **abrasowski** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:28 pm

Right now I am in the process of replacing my kenwood tk-3101 potables with something a little more advanced/durable.

I was looking at the ht750, 1000, and 1250 and thought i had decided to go with the ht-1000...but

everytime I think about it I always end up going back to look at the ht1250. I've been looking on ebay and on the for sale thread and have found some nice prices for the ht1250 and am honestly leaning towards is.

Only problem is, I am not used to all of the features that the ht1250 has. I'm used to more simple, 16 channel radio with a monitor button, thats it. Being that I am seriously considering looking at the ht-1250, can anyone give me a little insight on all the functions of these radios and what they can do and what i should stay away from. Is it best for me to just buy a manual for cheap first, and chack out all of its functions?

Also, if anyone is selling any ht1250s, (uhf 450-512) i would be interested in the very near future.

Thanks a lot guys, i'm really enjoying reading these forums and getting plenty of information

Rayjk110 · Post by **Rayjk110** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:02 pm

Well, if you want to go with an HT1000, I would try and look for a DN revision model (last 2 digits of model number) as it was the last revision of HT1000's before they were dis-continued, and had most bugs, or known errors basically fixed thus far. As far as HT1250's, I would try and stay away from the HT1250-LS Models, as I believe they only do a limited number of conventional channels,(usually 2) rather than a non-LS model that will do the full-fledged 128, and LS modles only support MDC-signalling on trunked modes as well, if memory serves.

HLA · Post by **HLA** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 2:01 am

i think the ht1000 is a more durable radio than the 750's or 1250's and it's recieve is more sensitive but they aren't made any more so you will probablly have to get used ones. i guess it all depends on how many channels you need, do you need more than 16? or what options do you need on the radio? if you do go with ht1000's do make shure they are "D" versions that will do narrow band.

Post by **wavetar** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:18 am

Rayjk110 wrote: As far as HT1250's, I would try and stay away from the HT1250-LS Models, as I believe they only do a limited number of conventional channels,(usually 2) rather than a non-LS model that will do the full-fledged 128, and LS modles only support MDC-signalling on trunked modes as well, if memory serves.

Mostly correct..."LS" models can do 16 conventional channels (18 if no trunked systems other than the default have been added), and only have MDC on LTR trunked modes.

The later "LS+" models come in two versions...the low-tier which is identical to the older "LS" units, and a high-tier which allows up to 34 conventional channels, and full conventional MDC signalling as well.

More info here:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=55436

Get a later manufactured unit with fairly current firmware, and it'll work just fine for you.

Todd

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 11:09 am

HT1000 and HT750 have similar features, I agree with HLA the HT1000 is the hands down winner in that comparison. If you need additional channels and an alpha display the HT1250/1550 is on the HT750 platform
and is OK but the MT2000, MTS2000 is on the same platform as the HT1000 and would be a better choice as I noticed durability is one of your criteria.

abrasowski · Post by **abrasowski** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:47 pm

does anybody have any manuals or info on the ht1250 that I can start off with?

Being that I have never worked with such a complex radio like the ht1250, I'm not sure of what possibilities or options are on this radio, it may be too much for my needs. I basically need 16 channels that can do talkaround and repeater and I'm really looking for a public safety grade radio, although I won't be running into a fire with it.

what do you think?

thanks guys

Rayjk110 · Post by **Rayjk110** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:18 pm

abrasowski wrote:does anybody have any manuals or info on the ht1250 that I can start off with?

Being that I have never worked with such a complex radio like the ht1250, I'm not sure of what possibilities or options are on this radio, it may be too much for my needs. I basically need 16 channels that can do talkaround and repeater and I'm really looking for a public safety grade radio, although I won't be running into a fire with it.

what do you think?

thanks guys

Definately the HT1000, so long as you want 16f capabilities. As I own a few of them myself, they are fantastic, better than most Waris stuff could ever hope to be. It will do Repeater/TA as well from a side button. Also supports MDC/QCII/Ge-Star formats.

Here is a Spec-Sheet from Motorola:
http://www.motorola.com/governmentanden ... et_rev.pdf

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:36 pm

To each his own....

I like the HT1250, or the HT1000s closer counterpart in the HT line, the "HT750" better than the HT1000 because among other things, more programmable features and smaller size.

One thing I absolutely loathed about the HT1000 was it's lack of options in the RSS..... I mean, the A-B-C selector could only do a hand-full of options and couldn't be customized like the MT2000, MTS2000, XTS, etc.. can and the orange button on top can be either emergency or unprogrammed, nothing else at all.

The HT750/1250- whatever, while not having a A-B-C selector, the orange button as well as the other three side buttons (750) can be programmed for several things, about 8 or so simultaneously through "long" and "short" press configurations. I like my orange button to toggle scan and nuisance delete, which I can do on the HT750, but no the 1000... but with the ABC switch, I prefer 'A' to be scan, 'B' to be scan program and 'C' to be blank, but that's just not configurable with the HT1000.

Of course, Some people like it because of lack of programmable variation and overall durability I guess... I've done a lot of things with my work-issued HT750 that I wouldn't do with my own property (weather related usually) and it's absolutely immunte to my punishments.

Of course never let "too many options" deter you from choosing a newer model, a Waris-skilled programmer can make it do exactly what you want without a fuss.

-Josh

Vercomm · Post by **Vercomm** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:36 pm

You really need to watch what freq's you are using in the HT750/1250, they have quite a list of self quieting frequencies. A client of mine had previously switched out 70 HT1000's for HT750/1250's and found they couldn't talk to other radios within a mile. We finally had to involve motorola directly and that's when they informed us about the list of self quieting freq's on the waris series. We have since then swapped out every waris radio for HT1000's.

However this experience was using VHF, and you are in high split UHF. This is a point you may want to investigate.

I am quite partial to the Jedi series, they are the best performers and most durable of any radio I worked on.

An extremely close second to the HT1000 is the HT1550XLS. I have found the receiver to be as good or better than the HT1000. They are about the same price as HT1000's were new. I would recommend the HT1550XLS over a HT1250 any day.

If you do decide that the HT1000 is the way to go but you want something new I would recommedn its replacement the PR1500.

Below is a list of self quieting freq's for the radios I have mentioned above. Since I'm located in canada I do not believe this list includes any of the 450-520MHz models. But it will be a good start for you.

HT750/HT1250/MTX450/MTX4500/MTX150/MTX1500:
Low Band: 31.54 34.00 36.34 42.68 46.84 48.84 -
VHF: 136.500 136.950 138.600 140.700 142.800 143.250 144.900
145.350 147.000 147.450 149.100 151.200 152.500 153.300
153.750 155.400 155.850 156.700 157.500 158.800 159.600
161.700 163.800 165.900 167.200 168.000 169.300 170.100
172.200 174.300 - - - - -
UHF: 403.195 403.200 403.205 419.195 420.000 420.005 436.759
436.800 436.805 453.595 453.600 453.605 - -

HT1000/MTX838:
151.200 168.000 - - - - -
403.200 420.000 453.600 470.400 - - -

PR1500:
UHF: 386.400 396.000 401.000 403.200 414.000 420.000 426.000
432.000 436.800 438.000 440.000 444.000 450.000 453.600
456.000 468.000 462.000 - - -

Hopefully this helps

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:52 pm

Wow it's crazy that out of all the frequencies I've got in my HT1250 none of them are those "self quieting" ones I have some that are as close as 15Khz.

I'm sure there's a crystal frequency shift deal that can be enabled and alleviate that. I know that the old Spectras would do that automatically, not the case with the Astro though.

-Josh

abrasowski · Post by **abrasowski** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:58 pm

self-queiting frequencies...?? I've never heard of that on any radio

What is the purpose of this. I dont know, I dont understand why motorola would actually have pre-set frequencies that do not produce as much range. Really wierd to me. Anybody know why?

thanks for all the information

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:08 am

They're also called birdies. Every receiver has a few somewhere. The radio's oscillators heterodyne in different spots. It's the downside of Major Armstrong's discovery.

I'll vote for the HT1000. They are nearly indestructible. There's a reason the NJ Dept of Corrections chose them a decade ago and they're still in service. They're the radio the correction officers haven't found a way to destroy wholesale yet. The last radio as successful was the HT200.