Batboard

Hello all i am in need of a small radio packed with a punch. I need a radio that is durable and the audio transmit is great and Speaker Audio is loud and clear on recieve.. Please help me.. Thank you...

gp300

Is there anyone who has any knowledge between these models to help me out to pick the best one??

Kenwood TK-2140

tk2170

Back to the original question.

For ease of use and popular features, I think the EX is the way to go. Their scan function compares better, the LCD is more readable, and you get three years of warranty out of the box. They work great.

I like the F50 too though. It's compact, tough, it TX/RX's quite well and it is WATERPROOF. Two years warranty standard.

Buing new? This may or may not influence your decision.

EX600 w/rapid charger will set you back over $1000 MSRP, before any discount that you might receive.

A comparably equipped F50 retails at just under $600.

There's a good case for choosing one over the other.

does the f50 do mdc encode and decode?

jmr3865 wrote:does the f50 do mdc encode and decode?

According to the Icom brochure, the radio does MDC1200. I'd make sure and check before buying, though. The reason I say this is because the F43 will do MDC1200, but only if the firmware is 2.0 - anything less and it won't.

It may be that the F50 requires a newer firmware version as well - make sure it gets the update if that is the case.

http://www.icomamerica.com/brochures/IC-F50_F60.pdf

Does anyone else have any exsperence with these radios? If so please let me know what you think...

Some of our search and rescue volunteers have been buying the F50 direct from ICOM under the GSA price schedule. They were just over $300.00. I programmed one last week and the software is extremely easy to use. And cheap too. Very intuitive. The radio itself seems like a real nice little unit for SAR use. Small and lightweight. Oh and it's waterproof, which is a real plus here in western Washington. So if price is an issue and you or your department qualifies for the GSA pricing go ICOM.

what is GSA, my squad will be purchasing in 2008.

General Services Administration. A branch of the federal government that buys such things as vehicles, etc for the US government.
Some manufacturers sell items at a considerable discount from retail due to the large quantities. If I bought thousands of cars and trucks I would certainly want a price break.
It looks like a fire department would qualify from reading their web page. Send them an email and ask for the current GSA pricing.

http://www.icomamerica.com/governmentsales/

I wonder if Motorola has GSA pricing? Peter

https://www.gsaadvantage.gov/advgsa/adv ... rt_page.do

Enter Motorola in the search box and you will find quite a few items, but no EX600's.