Batboard

Ok so here is my story, I am a tech class HAM i do search and rescue and i am a active Sheriffs Deputy.
I have a Yaesu vx6r but it is illegal to operate on police frequencies. I am looking at the ht100 and the MT and MTS2000. is the JT1000 fcc approved for operation on the police frequencies? i know field programmable radios are pretty well a red flag but if this one is kosher maybe the jt1000 is for me and its a pretty rare radio to find.

The JT 1000 radios are type accepted for the public safety and business bands. And of course can be used on amateur radio frequencies as well. I have two of them, a VHF and a UHF. I use them for amateur radio, business and public safety stuff. They are great radios, good audio, the whole Jedi series of radios is a good radio. You being an amateur radio operator, having the keypad programming ability is great. Only thing i dislike about the JT 1000 radios is that you cannot do alpha tags on the display, it just displays the frequency and PL code, or a generic "Channel 1, Channel 2" etc. But for search and rescue, your work as a deputy and amateur radio stuff, they would be great radios. There are other radios that offer keypad programming, both Motorola and other brands; but the JT 1000s are the basic radio that will fit the needs of most people, and easy to program without having to have all the cables, RSS, RIB, etc.

Sounds great I think ill get one only problem is they are so rare can't find one. What other direct program radios are out there without spending more than 300.00 also why are those style radios called Jedi?

Are JT1Ks narrow compliant?

Kenwood TK290 with the full keypad can be FPP. That's what I've been using for years and there are quite a few of them on e-bay.

May not be a Motorola, but certainly a good radio.

jhooten wrote:Are JT1Ks narrow compliant?

yes

They're definitely NB compliant but many of the older ones won't do the so-called "splinter" freqs. They have come down in price quite a lot recently and I don't think they're all that rare, maybe just not as common.

boco_sd11 wrote:also why are those style radios called Jedi?

That series of radio [MT2000, MTS2000, JT1000, HT1000] etc are all called the Jedi. Other series of radios have different names. There was a thread a while back about this. MTS 2000's are much more common, & because of this much cheaper than the JT1000. While the JT1000 can only have 16 freq's, the MTS2000 can have a minimum of 48 freq's, & up to 250 freq's, depending on the model. [B4, B5, or B7. I have quite a few MTS 2000's, & they are great radios. GARY N4KVE

The only downside to Jedis is that they are getting old. They first shipped around 1990. Parts and accessories will become more difficult to obtain as time goes on.

Look at the Kenwood TK2180 or it's P25 variant TK5220. You can buy a 2180 package under $600, and you get a warranty and a current production radio...

boco_sd11 wrote:Sounds great I think ill get one only problem is they are so rare can't find one. What other direct program radios are out there without spending more than 300.00 also why are those style radios called Jedi?

They came down a lot. Take a look at FS/FT there were some there. If you need field frequency agility Jt's are nice. If 160 ch. will cover all your
needs the MT2000 A-7 has a nice alpha display to help you organize all those channels. Pricewise MT's about 120-150 and Jt's 150-200 If you didn't want to pop for the programming equipment (+ a DOS capable computer) a JT might fit the bill.

ok so i guess i need to be looking for field programmable radios the 16 channels i dont like 48 would be better i love the top mount screen on the mts100 so the tk290 is kind of appealing to me as well. I really am a motorola fan its what dad carried and what i saw as a kid growing up. for the jedi hts what is all the phone number buttons do vs a top screen no button mts1000? will i need them if i go with a standard radio i really like the top mount mts1000

If you want to stay with Motorola, I would recommend an MT2000. Simply because they do both Alpha tags, and MDC1200 right out of the box. The JT1000 is an excellent radio, but can do neither MDC signaling, OR alpha tags (plus, as others have said, it is limited to only 16 channels).

So, yes, MT2000 all day long IMO.

Looking at the channel spacing this may be pointless the local repeater here for ham is 147.685

MT2000 man wrote:If you want to stay with Motorola, I would recommend an MT2000. Simply because they do both Alpha tags, and MDC1200 right out of the box. The JT1000 is an excellent radio, but can do neither MDC signaling, OR alpha tags (plus, as others have said, it is limited to only 16 channels).

So, yes, MT2000 all day long IMO.

While all of the above is true, the MT2000 requires an old DOS computer for programming with RSS, while a MTS2000 is programmed by CPS which works on a modern Windows XP computer. The top display radio can have 48 ch, while the front display radios can have up to 250 ch. Also the MTS radios can upgrade the firmware which can add features, while the MT2000 is what is, & can't be upgraded. Something to think about. GARY N4KVE

Very true about the MTS2000. It's been so long since I've programmed an MT2000, that I forgot you have to use DOS to program it

Well really what it's boiling down to for me is the jt1000 program freq on the fly or a nice top display mts2000 I'm at the mercy of the radio shop for 20.00 every time I need a channel added.
Like they say here in Missouri what would y'all do?

Another option is the HT1550-XLS with the 'programming battery'. The problem of course, is price, and availability. Not sure what the deal is for either one, but they are great FPP radios with all the bells & whistles.

WAVETAR LOVE YOUR SIGNATURE!

:UPDATE: just sold my old beater car for 700.00 so i now have 300-350 to spend on a radio maybe looking at a better one the rest needs to go to police academy for firearms instructor training

snarlingrabiddog anyone heard of this guy hes got some youtubes videos and some stuff to buy looking at a package mts2000 deal from him any advise?

I agree with the other users. If you are not going to be changing frequencies often, require more than 16 channels at-a-time, and are going to be using a set channel list for the radio, then the MTS2000 is a great choice. You can pick them up rather inexpensive too. We picked up 6 of them for a project a year or so ago, excellent shape, top display, for about $60 each. And, agreed, they are MUCH easier to program than the MT2000, and yes, you can flashport upgrade them for additional features, etc........but that is usually prohibitive to most end users as the flash upgrades are not easily obtainable. If you plan to obtain the RSS or CPS and RIB and cables necessary to program radios, then sure, go with one of the MTS2000 radios. If you require frequency agility on-the-fly, you are going to be frequently changing your frequencies, and you can deal with 16 channels at-a-time, then the JT1000 is perfect. I just picked up an extra UHF from a member here on the board, and I am very pleased with it.

To clarify your question about the channel spacing, the channel spacing and wideband v/s narrowband are similar ideas. The JT1000s will do narrowband. In-fact, the JT1000s that is part of the "channel" program when you go into the menu is "band" and you select wide (25khz), mid (20khz) or narrow (12.5khz) on a per-channel basis. It is my understanding that only the newer JT1000s will do "splinter frequencies", and none of the 3 that I have will do them. I have never seen one that will, but they may be out there.

And I think we overlooked your question about the buttons on the radios. On the JT1000 they are used for input for the frequency and PL/DPL information, of course. They can also be used to send DTMF tones to interconnect with or control equipment, repeaters, phone patches, etc. On the non FPP radios they are just used to send DTMF tones, or to direct access channel numbers or select from menu items in the menu, such as with the MTS2000s with the full display and keypad.

As-far-as displays. The JT1000 does not have alpha tags, but not a big deal for most users. That is the only downside to me for this particular radio. The MTS2000s have either a top mounted 6 character display or a front mounted 14 character (I believe, if I remember correctly) display. Just my 2 cent, unless you just really want/need the top display, I'd go with a front display / keypad radio, because of the increased alpha characters for listing as-well-as the increased ability to select and control functions from the menu / keypad on the radio (things like monitor, repeater /direct, rf power output, MDC control, multiple select PL tones, tones, lights, etc, etc). Plus the front display radios will give you 160 or 256 channels / vs the 48 you are limited to with the top display radio. Keep in-mind also that many of these radios had display issues from the factory, so ask about the display if it is functioning and all the segments working before you decide on buying a used one.

So i went and did it found a place that had them in stock got a JT1000 and a public safety speaker mic with the VHF antenna top and charger for 200.00 shipped i cant wait! do the antennas on the mics really improve reception? i kind of wonder how that works and affects SWR...

The public safety mics actually are not meant to be used with VHF radios... They'll do funny things, or just simply not work well at all. The PS mic doesn't provide a sufficient groundplane/counterpoise for the antenna to work against. Public safety mics with the antenna work best on UHF and up. Sorry to poke (not really burst) your bubble!

Sounds like you got a good deal for the package then! I use a VHF wideband helical antenna on mine, and a regular speaker mic. We have very good coverage with voting receivers, etc tho on our system, so it does not matter much w/ the radio on my belt. I have heard mixed results w/ the VHF antenna on public safety mic. I have seen people use the Visar VHF antenna on them with good results. Just a lot of antenna, and I just don't like the public safety mics much anyway. I would imagine getting the antenna up off your belt will increase your range tho.

Good choice on the JT1000. You simply cannot beat the quality of a good Jedi portable IMO.

Someone said you can take the antenna off of the mic is that true or will that jack the SWR?

I've used a PS mic on VHF with HT1K, MT2K, MTS2K and XTS2500 with no problems what so ever over the course of 15+ years. Get yourself a good stubby antenna and you'll be golden.

You can take the antenna off the mic, yes, it is removable. However, DO NOT TRANSMIT on the radio without the antenna on the mic if you have the mic connected. The public safety mics relocate the RF from the connector on top of the radio to the antenna on top of the mic. If you transmit with no antenna, you can burn up the finals in the radio, cause high SWR, RF backfeed into the radio, etc, etc, etc.

Agree w/ the other user. Get a good OEM or high quality aftermarket stubby VHF antenna and you'll be good.

-Justin

JustinMoon205 wrote:You can take the antenna off the mic, yes, it is removable. However, DO NOT TRANSMIT on the radio without the antenna on the mic if you have the mic connected. The public safety mics relocate the RF from the connector on top of the radio to the antenna on top of the mic. If you transmit with no antenna, you can burn up the finals in the radio, cause high SWR, RF backfeed into the radio, etc, etc, etc.

Agree w/ the other user. Get a good OEM or high quality aftermarket stubby VHF antenna and you'll be good.

-Justin

THATS EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN BEEN THERE DONE THAT GOT THE T-SHIRT AND THE KEY CHAIN.
accidentally for got to plug in my antenna on one of my first cb radios smoked finals in that one
Darn good thing i asked didnt know if the radio knew and changed location of rf output or transmitted on both antennas at the same time.

PS please admin please authorize my account

ok so now the next question is do they make a field programmable vhf mobile radio?

I canceled the order for the antenna mic the antenna is too small. Now that i understand the antenna is replaced and not working together with the one on the radio its just too small i have a county job need the best reception i can get.
went with a nmn6193c

Motorola doesn't make any FPP mobile but a few other manufacturers do. I'm not familiar with them though.

Didn't need it anyway I'm about to bite my nails off can't wait to get my new radio!!

The 6193 is a much better choice for a speaker mic anyway. I've had both the 6191 (the noise canceling version), and the 6193, and I much prefer the old fashioned NON-noise cancelling 6193 instead. Fits my MTS2000, HT1000, XTS5000, etc. Great mic all around.

You will love your new radio package !

Yes I can't wait looking at the pictures even though my vx-6r does so much it looks like a toy compared to the Jedi