MT500 Channel Elements VHF

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bedforddawg
Posts: 88
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:21 pm

MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by bedforddawg »

I have an oldie but a goodie MT500 in VHF, and I'm looking for channel elements for it. Is there any sources out there to obtain? I hate to retire such a great radio, but my department changed frequencies a while back.

Thanks!!!
impalass427
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:42 am

Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by impalass427 »

I have a small drawer full of these, what freq do you need? International Crystal Inc and Bomar will or used to re-crystal your channel elements but it will cost more than the radio is worth plus it will not do narrow band. But, you're right; these are great portables, the batteries last for more than 24 hrs. Don
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bedforddawg
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Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by bedforddawg »

I'm looking for RX 155.0100 and TX 155.0100 PL on tx of 127.3
RX 155.6550 and tx 154.7550 with pl 167.9
Couple others if you may have.
Thanks!
impalass427 wrote:I have a small drawer full of these, what freq do you need? International Crystal Inc and Bomar will or used to re-crystal your channel elements but it will cost more than the radio is worth plus it will not do narrow band. But, you're right; these are great portables, the batteries last for more than 24 hrs. Don
impalass427
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Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:42 am

Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by impalass427 »

Close!! I found one on 155.565. All the others are 154.xxx. The MT500 will only do 1 PL unless you have the optional extended case with the multiple PL board, I've only seen a couple of these. Sorry I cant help this time.
RadioSouth
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Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by RadioSouth »

If they recently changed freq's. theres a good chance that they also narrowbanded at the same time which would make the MT500 incompatible. I'm fond of the MT500 as well, carried one daily for the better part of a decade but realistically after 1/1/2013 it will be a paper weight on anything but Ham (and I think GMRS ?). Good part is something like a HT1000 are super cheap at this point and will survive the 2013 mandate.
chrismoll12
Posts: 182
Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:22 am

Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by chrismoll12 »

impalass427 wrote:Close!! I found one on 155.565. All the others are 154.xxx. The MT500 will only do 1 PL unless you have the optional extended case with the multiple PL board, I've only seen a couple of these. Sorry I cant help this time.
Heres a little visual is anyone is wondering - I pulled out my multiple PL MT500
Image
Retradioman
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Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by Retradioman »

The MT500 also had an optional scan board which was an enlarged back cover that added about an inch in thickness. I worked on many of these for railroads and utility construction, with most of the problems user-caused. I also had one that a farmer left on the corn head and which was ejected through the rock trap - replaced the IF crystals and the housing and it went back into service.
chrismoll12
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Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:22 am

Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by chrismoll12 »

I'd probably say that the MT500 is right up there at the top if not the most rugged and SOLID portable that I've ever had and I've had just about every portable from the beginning stating with the HT200 to the XTS. Just about all of the electronics with exception of a few channel elements are contained within the metal shell.
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TomSlick
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Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by TomSlick »

Back when I was a paramedic we had low band MT500s with scanning. Between the thickness of the radio and the long antenna, they were a real treat to carry.
wb6fly
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2002 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: MTR2000, CDM1550, HT1250

Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by wb6fly »

There are several MT500 manuals posted for download on the Repeater-Builder site, including the VHF Service Manual. I am converting a low-band MT500 to the 6m Amateur band right now, and it is a fun task. The low-band MT500 uses ordinary wire-lead crystals, while the VHF and UHF radios use channel elements.

73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
Will
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Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2001 4:00 pm

Re: MT500 Channel Elements VHF

Post by Will »

Eric,
I have a bunch of MT500 channel elements if anyone needs some.

Will
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