Batboard

Hi, all. I am in the market for a good solid GMRS radio that is able to be programmed for both high and low power using one of the front panel pushbuttons (I would like to have a high/low power choice so I am not running "full throttle" all the time). Here recently, I ordered a Motorola M1225 which is able to do 40 watts on high and 25 on low, and hopefully it will make a fairly good GMRS rig. So, what other Motorola radios have the capability to have one of their pushbuttons programmed for high low power? The only requirements I have is that the model of the radio be known for reliability (and is not a particular model known for having higher than usual failure rates, ya know). Also, I would like for it to be a reasonably "newer" model, mid to late nineties (or newer) and a minimum of 16, but preferably 24 channels. Power is not a major issue, but would prefer at least 25 watts maximum output power or more. Oh, and I would not like to spend more than $150-200 total...so a used radio is obviously what I am looking for.

I know the M1225 is able to have a programmable high/low power button. How about the SM120? Any other suggestions? Sorry for so many questions, guys. I don't know much at all about Motorola radios. I just wish wish they would make an amateur radio version so I don't have to buy the expensive software. Up until a few months ago, we actually had a Motorola dealer in this little town, but he died. Thanks for the help.

Well you won't want to be running 25w on a M1225, for continuous use on GMRS anyways. Even at low power, they get pretty damn hot.

You might try the CM300 or CDM1250. They both have selectable power levels in the CPS, so you could set it as low as 2 or 3 watts if you really wanted too. The CDM has an RF pre-amp in it, so if you listen to weak signals often it'll help. They have pretty smashing receive. The CM is around the same size as an M1225 but is more feature rich. Both run anywhere around $200-300 used, and a new CDM is around $475 I think (ask member "escomm")

Virtually all /\/\ commercial and public safety radios have high/low power capabilities. I don't have my old laptop to look at the M1225 RSS but I can look when I get home later.

I know this is a Motorola board, but given what you're looking for, consider the Kenwood TK-880. You'll like it.

Thanks for the help. I've considered Kenwoods actually. Good radios. Right now, I see a Maxtrac that seems to fit the bill, but does anyone know if there is a button that can switch from high/low? Ugh, there are so many models of radios, haha.

Maxtracs do not have a hi/lo power option button available.

If all else fails you could always program up two identical channels, one high power the other low power. That is if you have the channel capacity to spare.

Mike

UHF analog Spectras can be had in abundance in the $150-$200 range, and they can be programmed for front-panel high/low power toggling. Just make sure you get one with a black model/serial tag, so you (hopefully) won't have to replace capacitors right off the bat. I used one for GMRS/scanning for years before going Astro.

The M1225 is a pretty solid radio, and also has the added benefit of being narrowband capable for "interop" with the toy radios on FRS 1-7. I've had several in both the 25 and 40W versions get bounced around in my little GMRS crew, and they just don't give up.

And even though they're not my cup of tea, there's a local GMRS group here that swears by Kenwood products.

XTS2500 will do High/Low power but it is not selectable by the user. It is programmed on a personality basis.

GEMOTO wrote:XTS2500 will do High/Low power but it is not selectable by the user. It is programmed on a personality basis.

I think the OP is looking for a mobile radio, not a portable.

And I'm not so sure what you said about the 2500 is true. I've owned 3K and
5K portables and they certainly are switchable via the front panel between high
and low power.

GEMOTO wrote:XTS2500 will do High/Low power but it is not selectable by the user. It is programmed on a personality basis.

Correct. Unless, they plan on adding this in a newer firmware revision....

motorola_otaku wrote:snip> UHF analog Spectras can be programmed for front-panel high/low power toggling.

No, not on the front panel, even on an Astro Spectra. All Spectras above Ver 5.1x have the high or low power transmit selectable in the RSS on a mode basis.

Tom in D.C. wrote:

GEMOTO wrote:XTS2500 will do High/Low power but it is not selectable by the user. It is programmed on a personality basis.

And I'm not so sure what you said about the 2500 is true. I've owned 3K and
5K portables and they certainly are switchable via the front panel between high
and low power.

The 2500 Can Not be toggled between high and low power like the 3K or 5K can through the menu.. The typical "PWR" is not a menu item choice, and has to be adjusted per personality in the CPS...

-Marc

I stand corrected, though I really wasn't sure about the 2500. Another
reason to choose the larger 3K or 5K units, IMHO.

Will wrote:

motorola_otaku wrote:snip> UHF analog Spectras can be programmed for front-panel high/low power toggling.

No, not on the front panel, even on an Astro Spectra.

Uh...





Both are running HOST 11.xx firmware and have 145E flashes, but I know it works on non-whored radios too.

And although I can't screencap it because Spectra RSS won't run in the XP command prompt, I can assure you that the analog UHF Spectra I previously mentioned (an A5 with 6.16 MLM f/w) could have one of the top-row control head buttons assigned to high/low power selection.

Thanks for all the help, guys. The other day, I purchased a Motorola M1225 from JonboyOK, a fellow member of this board, and I am happy with the deal. I would feel comfortable purchasing another radio from him if I needed to. Anyway, I have told two of my friends about the GMRS band, and they (like myself) have gotten their license. We all used to talk on the CB radio, but there was just too much "malicious" interference, so, now we chat on the quiet GMRS band. I was hoping that they would take their amateur radio examinations, but one I talked to wasn't interested, and the other was given a Technician study guide (by me), but failed to ever look at it. I figure GMRS is a happy medium.

The radio I run in the house is an ICOM IC-F221 which I really like, and I will probably put the Motorola M1225 in my pickup, on top of my 2 meter ICOM V-8000 rig, if I can figure out how to stack two radios and their mounting brackets on top of one another, haha.

motorola_otaku wrote: And although I can't screencap it because Spectra RSS won't run in the XP command prompt, I can assure you that the analog UHF Spectra I previously mentioned (an A5 with 6.16 MLM f/w) could have one of the top-row control head buttons assigned to high/low power selection.

Run it in DOSbox, works like a charm...then you can screencap it.