Trying to find a radio to fit my needs on the cheap

[sourapple613]

I searched and couldn't find the answer to my question.

I'm looking for a mobile radio to use as a base radio inside my house.

Biggest requirement is to have Quick Call decode so I can leave it on a page channel and be awoken from it.

I'd like to have at least capabilities of 30 (rough estimate) plus channels. I could get by with less but Id also probably use it as a scanner when not sleeping.
and I'd like to have an alphanumeric display so I don't have to look at a cheat sheet to remember what I programmed where.... Too many radios to remember which channel is which on what to say the least and I usually don't use them enough to remember without looking..

What radios can do what I want?
I know the CDM1250 and 1550 can but they are somewhat pricey...

Will a standard spectra do this?
I belive the Maratrac can as I think this is the radio inside our fire station (either that or a maxtrac.. cant rememeber)

Can anyone give me some other ideas to look into. I am open to non-moto but would prefer a motorola as our fire department uses those so access to programming will be free.

Thanks in advance.

My next question will be what antenna to use. I have only done mobile installs before and don't know the proper way to place an antenna on a house. I'm currently thinking a fiberglass antenna?

[linkinpark9812]

I searched and couldn't find the answer to my question.

I'm looking for a mobile radio to use as a base radio inside my house.

Biggest requirement is to have Quick Call decode so I can leave it on a page channel and be awoken from it.

I'd like to have at least capabilities of 30 (rough estimate) plus channels. I could get by with less but Id also probably use it as a scanner when not sleeping.
and I'd like to have an alphanumeric display so I don't have to look at a cheat sheet to remember what I programmed where.... Too many radios to remember which channel is which on what to say the least and I usually don't use them enough to remember without looking..

What radios can do what I want?
I know the CDM1250 and 1550 can but they are somewhat pricey...

Will a standard spectra do this?
I belive the Maratrac can as I think this is the radio inside our fire station (either that or a maxtrac.. cant rememeber)

Can anyone give me some other ideas to look into. I am open to non-moto but would prefer a motorola as our fire department uses those so access to programming will be free.

Thanks in advance.

My next question will be what antenna to use. I have only done mobile installs before and don't know the proper way to place an antenna on a house. I'm currently thinking a fiberglass antenna?

A standard Spectra would be nice since they are cheap, BUT they are really old (do not meet the new 2013 narrow band requirements coming up) and they do NOT do QC II decode. They do have 128 channels with a display and zone capabilities. And that probably wouldn't work out anyways, unless ur department has the Spectra RSS, as it is no longer available from Motorola.

The Maxtrac is good for QC decode, but It doesn't have an alpha display. I also don't think it meets the narrow band requirements.

However, two radios that come to mind that would suit ALL of this, and then some, would be an MT2000 or MTS2000, but unfortunately those are portables and not mobile/bases.

An Astro Spectra would be the same as a regular spectra with narrow band capabilities and other features, but I don't think it will do QC II decode.

Also, since you are relying on your department to do it, ask what radios that they can have programmed by the dealer they choose. Some dealers don't have the software anymore to program the radios that are NLA from Moto.

Hope this helps!

[Bill_G]

Mornin' sourapples - A couple questions you need to answer before anyone can make a recommendation:

What is the freq of the tapout channel you want to be alerted on? Gotta have that first so you know which band of mobile to purchase.

What is your budget? You should be able to get your basic concept for $200 - used mobile with QCII decode, power supply, length of RG58 with mobile antenna on roof gutter. Scan and alphanumeric display add value and cost which might be better served by a real scanner, not a mobile with a programmed list that you cannot modify easily yourself. A fiberglass antenna with high quality cable might unnecessary if you are well within the system footprint - a mag mount with a quarter wave, a simple coaxial antenna, a coat hanger, or a pop can might work just fine and cost you next to nothing. OTOH, if you are in rough terrain and signal strength is a problem, the antenna system may be your biggest expense. If your pager works by your bed and all over your property, then you probably have good signal. If you have to set the pager in just the right spot in the house to receive a tapout, then you have signal problems.

[sourapple613]

Mornin' sourapples - A couple questions you need to answer before anyone can make a recommendation:

What is the freq of the tapout channel you want to be alerted on? Gotta have that first so you know which band of mobile to purchase.

What is your budget? You should be able to get your basic concept for $200 - used mobile with QCII decode, power supply, length of RG58 with mobile antenna on roof gutter. Scan and alphanumeric display add value and cost which might be better served by a real scanner, not a mobile with a programmed list that you cannot modify easily yourself. A fiberglass antenna with high quality cable might unnecessary if you are well within the system footprint - a mag mount with a quarter wave, a simple coaxial antenna, a coat hanger, or a pop can might work just fine and cost you next to nothing. OTOH, if you are in rough terrain and signal strength is a problem, the antenna system may be your biggest expense. If your pager works by your bed and all over your property, then you probably have good signal. If you have to set the pager in just the right spot in the house to receive a tapout, then you have signal problems.

It will be a VHF High mobile - all freqs are 150-160 range.
Well within the system footprint.. Just not so much in a basement.

I was actually thinking of doing something with a mobile antenna. How would one go about placing an antenna on my roof gutter? Any lightning considerations?

Budget - 100-150 for the radio alone.

[Bill_G]

If you have metal gutters, you can either make or buy a L bracket to hold a standard 3/4" NMO mount with two or three small screws. Not fancy at all. Then apply the appropriate amount of cable stretcher to get the standard length of 12ft to reach your intended location (extra cable and female-female barrel for a splice). Or carefully remove the OEM 12ft cable and solder on a complete length of RG58.

As for your mobile, and power supply, check out the FS section here until you find what you are looking for. Or post a WTB with your criteria making sure to emphasize QCII decode. There is bound to be someone who can help you eventually.

[sourapple613]

If you have metal gutters, you can either make or buy a L bracket to hold a standard 3/4" NMO mount with two or three small screws. Not fancy at all. Then apply the appropriate amount of cable stretcher to get the standard length of 12ft to reach your intended location (extra cable and female-female barrel for a splice). Or carefully remove the OEM 12ft cable and solder on a complete length of RG58.

As for your mobile, and power supply, check out the FS section here until you find what you are looking for. Or post a WTB with your criteria making sure to emphasize QCII decode. There is bound to be someone who can help you eventually.

Can anyone give me a list of mobiles that fit my criteria (Quick Call Decode)?
And tell me what features such as alphanumeric display, channel capabiliies they hold?

[sourapple613]

I searched and couldn't find the answer to my question.

I'm looking for a mobile radio to use as a base radio inside my house.

Biggest requirement is to have Quick Call decode so I can leave it on a page channel and be awoken from it.

I'd like to have at least capabilities of 30 (rough estimate) plus channels. I could get by with less but Id also probably use it as a scanner when not sleeping.
and I'd like to have an alphanumeric display so I don't have to look at a cheat sheet to remember what I programmed where.... Too many radios to remember which channel is which on what to say the least and I usually don't use them enough to remember without looking..

What radios can do what I want?
I know the CDM1250 and 1550 can but they are somewhat pricey...

Will a standard spectra do this?
I belive the Maratrac can as I think this is the radio inside our fire station (either that or a maxtrac.. cant rememeber)

Can anyone give me some other ideas to look into. I am open to non-moto but would prefer a motorola as our fire department uses those so access to programming will be free.

Thanks in advance.

My next question will be what antenna to use. I have only done mobile installs before and don't know the proper way to place an antenna on a house. I'm currently thinking a fiberglass antenna?

A standard Spectra would be nice since they are cheap, BUT they are really old (do not meet the new 2013 narrow band requirements coming up) and they do NOT do QC II decode. They do have 128 channels with a display and zone capabilities. And that probably wouldn't work out anyways, unless ur department has the Spectra RSS, as it is no longer available from Motorola.

The Maxtrac is good for QC decode, but It doesn't have an alpha display. I also don't think it meets the narrow band requirements.

However, two radios that come to mind that would suit ALL of this, and then some, would be an MT2000 or MTS2000, but unfortunately those are portables and not mobile/bases.

An Astro Spectra would be the same as a regular spectra with narrow band capabilities and other features, but I don't think it will do QC II decode.

Also, since you are relying on your department to do it, ask what radios that they can have programmed by the dealer they choose. Some dealers don't have the software anymore to program the radios that are NLA from Moto.

Hope this helps!

Spectra programming is no issue has we have some of those inservice which is why I was thinking about getting one of those.
By the time narrowband is required we will have hopefully switched to 800.
Will old channels be grandfathered under the new FCC switch? I can see problems for us as my predicition is they will keep the VHF paging channel since it wouldn't be practical for all volunteers to carry an 800 radio to be paged off of.
If they don't grandfather alot of pagers will be needing replacement (Min IIs for sure... I'm not sure if IV's do narrowband or if any do?)

I also just realized you said spectras do not do quick call decode??? Is that correct?

[thebigphish]

CDM 1250 LS would fit your bill nicely. As long as its NOT a + model (crap), you will get what you want, in a functionable package. Alpha display, QCII encode/decode, MDC, scanlists, buncha channels. They even have all in one powersupplies which enclose the radio. You can probably scalp a used model for $150 ish....ymmv.

[Tim]

Hi Sourapple,

Looks like the M1225 will also do QCII decode. I just brought up my RSS, & it's
available. Perhaps on a model by model basis.

Has Alphanumeric display, & probably could get relatively cheaply.

Just a thought.

Tim

[sourapple613]

Hi Sourapple,

Looks like the M1225 will also do QCII decode. I just brought up my RSS, & it's
available. Perhaps on a model by model basis.

Has Alphanumeric display, & probably could get relatively cheaply.

Just a thought.

Tim

Thanks Tim,

Will look into it.