Batboard

Need a VHF, at least 5 channel, or 4 channel WITH a TA option. Our county fire set up is

Fire 1 Repeater
Fire 2 T/A
Fire 3,4,5 Firegrounds.

Prefferibly 25+Watts, and either remote head, or no deeper than a M1225.

It also has to be narrowband capable.
And prefferably a front firing speaker, but its not a deal breaker.

I am looking at a 1225, but I want some more suggestion. Dont need P25 or anything fancy, just a radio I can leave on our fire frequencies, and use my other radio to play on ham.

PM400

APX7500

An APX7500, as suggested above, would cost you a ton of money and would represent such overkill that you would get
about two percent of its capability in the situation you describe as your operating activity. I would still vote for a 1225, since
it does everything you outlined as being required. I use a 1225 as a fixed station UHF backup radio and find it to be a reliable
unit with excellent audio both in and out.

K8TEK wrote:APX7500

He asked for a speaker in the control head, though it wasn't very clear. Though your suggestion is inappropriate for the application on innumerable levels, it doesn't even meet the basic requirements posted.

Kenwood TK7180 (or 7160, 7150, etc. depending on what you want to spend). Get the H model for 50 watts out. Less money than a PM400, great audio, front firing speaker, compact, etc...

Nothing wrong with a M1225. Priced fairly and a great radio.

escomm wrote:

K8TEK wrote:APX7500

He asked for a speaker in the control head, though it wasn't very clear. Though your suggestion is inappropriate for the application on innumerable levels, it doesn't even meet the basic requirements posted.

That is why I would recommend the O2 control head.

Tim, believe me, I'd LOVE to put an APX in the car, but on a college student's budget I cant.

Personally, I am probably gonna go with the 1225, Basically, I am just wanting a small radio due to size restrictions of the console I have in the car, that I can throw on our dispatch, use just for dispatch, and firegrounds, and leave my other radio for ham.

The 7180 is a little too deep for what I need. May spring for a recapped astro spectra, but I dont want to spend that much money on a radio thats just gonna be used on 5 channels.

Thanks everyone.

I hate to tell you this, but a TK7180 is smaller in every dimension compared to an Astro Spectra. Are you thinking of a TK790?

Trbo with a remote kit.

tvsjr wrote:I hate to tell you this, but a TK7180 is smaller in every dimension compared to an Astro Spectra. Are you thinking of a TK790?

Forgot to mention, one with a remote head.