Newbie questions/HT750

/\/\otoguy · Post by **/\/\otoguy** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 1:36 pm

Hi,
I am new to this board and fairly new and uneducated with the professional radio world; though I have done some reading on various topics I am interested in. I have decided on and ordered a pair of Motorola HT750 UHF radios. I have a good amount of questions about these radios and the operating procedures of these radios. If you could answer one or even all of these questions =) I would really appreciate it.

1) What license do I need to operate these radios in the radio to radio fashion?
2) What license do I need to use these as ham radios?
3) I have read about range issues, especially regarding the antenna, whether or not this is true, I would like to know the best antenna (not necessarily Motorola brand) for these radios.
4) What is the antenna connector called on these radios? This way I can search for antennas that will work with my radio.
5) What range should I expect to get (radio to radio) with these radios in a residential area?

Thanks again!

//otoguy

Post by **alex** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 2:10 pm

I'll take this one chunk @ a time.

1) What license do I need to operate these radios in the radio to radio fashion?

You need to be licensed through the FCC to use these radios on a UHF frequency. You can not legally use them on FRS (Family Radio Service) channels, as they are not type accepted for that use. I would dig around the FCC's website to get info about getting your own frequency for them. However, read on about HAM...

2) What license do I need to use these as ham radios?

All you need is an amateur radio license. Your allowed to use the radios on the 440-450mhz band. If your interested in getting more info on how to get your license, I would go read up on http://www.arrl.org, or visit your local radio shack and purhcase a copy of "Now Your Talking" This will answer a lot of your questions about what kind of Amateur license you need (probably technician, unless you have desires to work on HF bands (30mhz and below).

3) I have read about range issues, especially regarding the antenna, whether or not this is true, I would like to know the best antenna (not necessarily Motorola brand)for these radios.

I have no idea, as I do not own one of the newer pro series radios. From what I understand the older antenna's for another (I don't want to say simply because I don't want you to buy a new antenna and fry your new radios) series of radio.

4) What is the antenna connector called on these radios? This way I can search for antennas that will work with my radio.

See my comment on #3

5) What range should I expect to get (radio to radio) with these radios in a residential area?

This depends on a number of factors. Probably 1-5 miles. I can't tell you exactly how far because I don't know the specifics of your area. There are times where i'm sitting at my desk and can't talk to someone else who is just 400 feet from me with 5 watts. There are other times where I'm impressed with how far i'm able to talk on a portable. Again, the Radio Shack Now Your Talking book is a good place to start.

Not knowing your true intended use for these, I would suggest getting your ham license. You'll also need one for the person operating the other radio. The book will go into a lot more detail, and will give you a good understanding of what you need to do.

I hope this helps you out somewhat, and hopefully someone will point you in the right direction of what kind of antennas to use.

As a side note, your going to have to take these radios to get programmed. I would have most of the above issues ironed out before you get them programmed. That way you can take them once, use them for a bit, then take them back for a revision or two.

-Alex

/\/\otoguy · Post by **/\/\otoguy** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 2:43 pm

Alex,
Thank you very much for the detailed replies. I will look into getting information about licensing and getting started with the radios. Does anybody else have any comments they would like to share? Any information, especially about the antenna subject, would be very helpful and appreciated. Thank again!

//otoguy

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 3:27 pm

Which UHF split did you order?
403-470
or
450-527

This would help your info. request.

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 3:51 pm

As far as antenna's go NAE6483AR is the way to go it is a thin antenna about 6" long as opposed to the helical shorty, see which one comes with your radio. The 6483 is used on many motorola portables Ht600/P200/MT1000/SP50..............
Someone has a bunch of them new on EBay otherwise last I checked they were 11.75/ea. from Motorola.
BTW- if the radio bug bites you I'm sure two isn't gonna be the end, many of us here have these in ludicrous quantities.

emmy412 · Post by **emmy412** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 4:13 pm

I have a couple of HT1250's I use with HAM freq's. These radios work great, however, they are not "field programable". I agree with the other people commenting on your questions...
You can either use the radios for HAM radio, get an FCC license or use the FRS frequency's.

Let me know how you like the 750's.

Gman · Post by **Gman** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 4:49 pm

Just as a side note: I was going to purchase a few of these ht750's for my squad and found that the ht1250 is not much more money. You get a display and a lot more channels for a little more money. Also I have been told that the newer radios do not have as good of a range as the older radios due to the new FCC 12.5 Khz (restrictions). Just my $00.2 cents. Good luck

/\/\otoguy · Post by **/\/\otoguy** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 5:51 pm

Thanks everyone! I ordered the 403-470MHz radios. I hope this helps.

//otoguy

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 7:29 pm

403-407 you've got a few choices 440 ham band,GMRS,Business itinerant freq's. To get
started I'd recommend taking a look at the FCC website and if you're going to use these for non-commercial purposes GMRS might be a good way to go, no testing or frequency coordination, just fill out the app. and pay your fee, if you're going to use them pointto point the GMRS Interstitial frequencies are a good way to go. Good Luck.