Batboard

I am looking for some info for work. MODS: If this is in the wrong forum I apologize.

Our department uses a Smartnet trunking system & 2 Conventional Astro channels.
1 Talkgroup for MOSCAD station alerting
1 Talkgroup for Dispatching (VOICE)
1 Talkgroup for Fire Prevention AND
1 Talkgroup for Training
PLUS
2 Astro Conventional Channels for Tactical Operations

Currently, our fire prevention officers are using the same radios as the firefighters, VHF XTS3000 Model 1's, with IMBE and Smartnet trunking.

However, most of the time, they remain in the IMPRES bank charger and don't go anywhere. The reason most of the Fire Prevention Officers don't use the radios is because they say they are too big and heavy for them to put on their belts. So they are asking if there is a smaller radio available they can use.

So I have been asked by my Deputy to do a little research on some new, smaller portables.

I'm thinking XTS1500 or 2500, or MTX150's. The MTX150's are currently in use by the rest of the city services, such as parks & rec, bylaw, and so on..

The only thing about the MTX150's, that I'm thinking about, is that they aren't really the best for Public Safety. But seeing as the FPO's basically are just doing inspections, assisting in investigations, and doing public relations, they may be okay for them to use.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

PS: They don't have to be P25 capable, but it wouldn't hurt!

Thanks all.

I'd go for the XTS 1500, because it has future P25 capability in case these guys ever need it as a result of changing policy etc. If you were to buy MTX150s, you'd need to replace them to get that capability. The XTS 1500 isn't all that expensive anyway.

[ duplicate post ]

I tend to buy XTS2500 ruggerdized for all our fire service with the intrinsic battery.
Either way model 1.5 seems to be the best.
Look at it this way can your FPO's be called into fight fires as needed. If so they need the proper stuff.

Good input so far guys, thanks!

Bruce1807 wrote:I tend to buy XTS2500 ruggerdized for all our fire service with the intrinsic battery.
Either way model 1.5 seems to be the best.
Look at it this way can your FPO's be called into fight fires as needed. If so they need the proper stuff.

Our FPO's don't get called in to fight fires, so we don't need to worry about that. But I do like the idea of having P25 capable radios.

I'm thinking the XTS's would be a good idea as well. Although, it would more than likely be the model 1's.

I have had some XTS 5000s and 2500s under evaluation for the past 9 months and tend to the following conclusions:

1. Both are equally rugged. Both are sufficiently rugged to serve in a public safety application.

2. The 2500 battery isn't as long lived as the 5000 battery, but I have no trouble making it through an 8-hour day (and we have a battery-change-at-the-scene OP should an incident come in near the end of a daily battery cycle).

3. The audio quality of both radios is the same and both are not nearly as pleasing as that of HT1000/MTS2000/Saber portables; this I believe to be inherent in the ditigal voice internal audio processing (we are running analog over the air).

4. A minor design issue, but unlike the MTS portables, the front buttons on the XTS radios can be hit inadvertently when putting the radio on or taking it off the belt. So far this has been only a minor annoyance, since a single errant press of a front button doesn't change the channel or scan state.