best portable

dawson75 · Post by **dawson75** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 2:33 pm

out of the many portables Moto made Which one is the best (VHF Band)

I see alot of people going after HT1000's is this a good radio????

anyway let me know what you think

thanks

Dan

MT2000 man · Post by **MT2000 man** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 4:12 pm

Your going to get MANY mixed answers with this qustion, but let me just say this:
The Jedi series radios are great radios, just look on E-bay, you can find MANY MANY HT1000's going off, as well as MT, MTS's, etc.
I personally think the Saber's are the better radio. The sabers are ment to take a liken' and keep on tiken'. I've had most M portables, and although big, the saber tend to be my favorite radio. The MT2000 comes in second.
As Elroy would say "Would you rather have a "snap-together" radio, or a "slide in" battery that won't break as easily"

The choice is up to you . . . . . .
PS- Sabers are going well price wise on E-bay as well.

70351 · Post by **70351** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 8:41 pm

I agree that this is a very broad question, and it probably depends on what your needs in a radio are. While I'd agree the Saber is choice, it may exceed your budget restraints. A lot of folks use older MT or HT1000's, which, for the price, are exceptional radio's. If you have no need for the features a Saber would offer then an MT or HT1000 could be for you. And lately the prices on these models have fallen to some unbelievable amounts.

I guess it really depends on what you need the radio to do, or be capable of. As choice as the Saber line is, it's a bit over-kill if you only need it for basic commercial or amateur operation.

Randy

k4wtf · Post by **k4wtf** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 10:23 pm

I personally prefer the Systems Saber III. I like it so much, I bought one for VHF and one for UHF. Like others have said, the Saber series may be out of your price-range and or be a larger radio than you want to carry around. They are built like tanks though and are some of the best sounding radios on the air. When properly aligned, they have about the best RX of any HT as well.

eBay warning: While I have bought and sold Sabers on eBay, 34% of the radios I've purchased have been either DOA or had some problem. The DOA radio was my fault. I got it for a steal but, then again, it had problems. I was able to salvage some parts from it that do work well and in the end, I got more than my moneys worth. The radio that had problems is being returned for a full refund.

Now, for some advice... If you want a Saber, talk to Monty. That is who I bought my UHF Saber from. I've purchased several items from Monty and am more than happy with his service. The man knows what he's doing and in my opinion, you can't go wrong with dealing with him!

--
John

Renamon · Post by **Renamon** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 11:12 pm

Personally, I like Both the Mt2000 or the Astro Saber 3. I had a Mt for a while, and it worked great! But the time came for me to move on to greener pastures and i got rid of the Mt2000 and now own a Astro Saber 3.

The saber line was ment to be tough, as was well said. The Jedi radios will usualy have more features over Saber radios (except astros) The MT2000 can do more than the Saber 3, but the Saber 3 can go through much more. So it comes down to just waht you like more really.

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 2:55 am

It depends on your needs. If you are looking for something very economical, you really can't go wrong with the HT1000 or even MT1000. I have a bunch of the MTs, and yes, they're getting older, but they're basically indestructible. Sure, if you yank on the antenna, eventually they'll need to be fixed, but other than that . . .

Again, depends on your needs and how fat your wallet is. If you just need basic communications, a 16ch MT1000 can be found in the $150 range. How can you beat that? And if you really needed to, you could use it to beat someone else!

Heterodyne · Post by **Heterodyne** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 4:26 am

Best radio ever made: HT600/MT1000/P200 - type radios.

Post by **alex** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 6:30 am

You might want to search around on the board - There have been numerous topics covering your exact question.

-Alex

Susan157 · Post by **Susan157** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 7:15 am

The Last Great Radio To Work On
And Keep Ticking Was The HT90.

They Could Be Repaired By The Blind.
The New Radios Are Going To Make You
Blind.

I miss the Real Radios.Not To-days
Throw-Aways.

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 7:51 am

My FOUR year old son just reminded me that perhaps the absolute all time very best radio EVER made could be the MT500.

He's a smart one that boy ;)

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:16 am

In my opinion, any radio that can double as a 5lb sledge hammer and stil work after is a good one.

Cowthief · Post by **Cowthief** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:23 am

Hello.

The HT220 was a good radio, but the HT200 was the radio that said it all.
Big, tough, and very easy to work on, no silly ICs you can only get from one vendor, there are no ICs.
The PT series, built from whatever series of talkie, is the next best thing, nothing like a lunchbox to drag around.

dawson75 · Post by **dawson75** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:56 am

some great info guys ...and yes i should have been more specific i use the radios for ametuer use most of the time and also monitoring public safety freqs ... im a little new to using mother m stuff, the radios i have at the moment are a GP300 vhf, GTX 800, GM300 vhf and uhf and im getting a low band syntor in a few days to turn into a 6 meter radio i was just curious what would be a better chioce when i get the money to get a later model radio

thanks for all the post guys very very informative

thanks

Dan

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 3:35 pm

Like McGlaughlin (Saturday morning PBS "McLaughlin Group") would say:

The answer is: XTS-3000.

And you can't argue with an ex-Jesuit!

Larry

dawson75 · Post by **dawson75** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 7:41 pm

whats the lowest price a xts-3000 would go for ????

MT2000 man · Post by **MT2000 man** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 7:47 pm

They're not cheap. Some are going off E-bay for like $900 give or take some $$$$. At that point, I'd just say get an astro saber. (Just remember that they, the astro sabers were discontinued as of Dec. last year) but are excellent radios.
In a way, I'd also say go with the XTS -

Better display
NOT discontinued
Channel markers on top light up (cool feature

)
and not as big
Also has an "R" version
Different color housings (yellow, etc.)

So I contradicted myself

Crimestopper · Post by **Crimestopper** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 12:20 am

I love the GP300 it is a work horse. However, if you are using it for Ham and some other freqs. I would look into the HT/PRO Series. The audio is great. I'm sure others on the board will start a flame. However, if you look at an XTS not only are you spending big $$$, but also part and accesories are pretty expensive too. You can go into the big guns of the HT/PRO series and get the HT1550. With the right battery, you can adjust your own freqs and program via the front keypad. New prices for the HT1550 can run around $685.00 and the latin american counter part which is the exact same radio but has a different model called the PRO9150. The PRO9150 sell new for $495.00. Please note the 9150 is not type accepted but since you are using it for ham, you have no worries (I think). Just my two cents...

Be Well
Steve
Crimestopper

ServerTech · Post by **ServerTech** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 3:25 am

Not to veer too much from the topic, but where can somebody purchase an HT1550 for ~ $685.00? That sounds like the dealer cost, but I could be wrong. The reason why I'm asking is because this past Friday I placed an order for a brand new HT1550 (403-470 MHz) from a dealer in Tacoma, WA and the price they quoted me was $825.00 + tax. Question: Am I paying too much for this??? I thought I did my due diligence by calling local dealers and asking for quotes... I haven't been able to find it any cheaper than what I was quoted above. Since I don't have any connections with any dealers, I suppose I'm probably paying retail???

It's not too late for me to cank the order I made on Friday. I would love to take my business to an authorized /\/\ dealer who would be willing to give me a better deal than what I have now...

Russ

Renamon · Post by **Renamon** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 10:37 pm

Well, what band are you going to do Ham on with this new radio that you want to get? The XTs radios do not do well (so i have herd) out of band. Liek if you get a UHF hi cut XTS and 'try' to hack it down to 430 or so, the VFO will lock up when you go to a channel below 446 or so. but like i said, that isjust what i have herd. I have an Astro Saber 3 that was built in 99, and it works good out of band, but if you dont want to put out "serious Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching", i suggest the Ht1550 like others have said.

ExKa|iBuR · Post by **ExKa|iBuR** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 3:05 am

It depends what your application is.

If you want a radio that is VERY idiot-proof, both in operation and programming, that would be the SP50, GP300, P1225 series. If it's durability you want, but still want it to be very simple, then the HT600/MT1000/P200. But when any of these, you are limited to anywhere from 2 to 16 channels (except a 99 channel MT1000).

The HT1000 is a nice simple radio, with a heap load more options like signalling, etc... than the above radios.

On the "top end", the MTX838 and MT2000 are really nice radios - both are capable of 255 channels, lots of features, but can be a real PITA to program.

The cream of the crop would be the XTS series, although I have been less than pleased with the performance of these.

I can't speak for the Saber series, as my only experience with them is a Saber Model I, which I was quite pleased with.

Personally, give me an MT2000 and I'm a happy camper - lots of features, 255 channels, loads of accesories, and parts are a dime a dozen.

-M

Mercenary · Post by **Mercenary** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 1:45 am

I myself would not use anything else but an HT1000 or a XTS3000. But as stated, It depends on your needs, if you just want something to talk on every now and then and listen to public safety a HT1000 should do fine.

Bugs Bunny · Post by **Bugs Bunny** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 8:50 am

My vote is for a MT-500. Battery lasts and lasts. Sure you need channel elements, it is hard to find ones with the scan and dtmf pad, but it can take a heap of abuse.

Bugs

Jonathan KC8RYW · Post by **Jonathan KC8RYW** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 10:47 am

Something to consider... in a decade or so, like it or not, 25 KHz will be done for by the FCC, and all 2-way will be 12.5 KHz [except probably ham.]

That means that the HT220 / MT500/ HT600 / P200/ MT1000 / Saber will be done for. I suppose you might be able to swap out filters on them, if you really wanted to use the radios when everything goes 12.5 KHz.

My suggestion: make sure your radios can do 12.5 KHz.

Some System Sabers were offered in 12.5 KHz.

The GP300/P110/GP350 was offered in 12.5 KHz, but most are 25 KHz.

The SP50 is still available today, and can be ordered in 12.5 KHz. Most are 25 KHz, though.

The P1225 and Jedi's would be golden. These are programmable spacing, so you can program them to 25 KHz today, and when the FCC drops 25 KHz, you can program them by mode to 12.5 KHz.

Not that it all matters much if you don't plan on keeping it more then a decade.

Robert HT220 · Post by **Robert HT220** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 11:42 am

HT220's/MT500's are one hell of a workhorse. I have dropped my HT220 of the roof before, hit concrete, and still works fine. My MT500 was dropped and submerged in water, all that was needed was a teardown and drying off. Of course as others stated, the elements are hard to come by and recrystalling can only be done if you have the money. Three elements recrystalled would cost you $100+. The MT1000 is a great choice if you have at least 16 channels, or the 99 channel is great for all your Police, Sheriff, Fire, HAM, MURS frequencies all in one radio. I have seen some go on eBay for about $150 dollars or LESS that work.

Robert

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 7:52 pm

Radio Shack FRS rules!!!!!!!!

MT2000 man · Post by **MT2000 man** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 7:56 pm

Another view -
The only downside I can think of with M portables is that they do not make a dual band model as of yet. (not UHF-VHF anyways)
People ask me, "why do you have one portable per band, ie. one for UHF, VHF, etc.) when you can just get a scanner"

I say "because, its "M" quality"

Plus that would mean me selling all of my toy's I've collected through the years.

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 9:05 pm

Dude, wait till ya see the new RS digital scanner---you'll sell all that old M stuff pronto!

larryepage · Post by **larryepage** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 7:37 am

There are many Motorola portables which I have never used, so my answer is based on those that I have...

In the course of doing a frequency split conversion on a secure Saber III, I also rebuilt a H33 low-power secure Saber III with all correct modules, including the specified 2.5 watt PA. Lined it up and set the power as close to 2.5 watts as my test gear will allow.
In side-by-side tests, it provides a stronger signal than my Yaesu FT51R putting a measured 4.5-5 watts into a Comet gain antenna. Audio is better, both on transmit and receive, and I can actually turn it up loud enough to hear the folks who are trying to talk to me. Besides that, it is totally impervious to intermod (actually cross modulation), even in the worst locations, due to its voltage-steered filtering system. Finally, a NTN4595 battery will last all day and most of tomorrow at the reduced transmit power. Similar experiences on UHF, but I have a lot of data and experience for the VHF units.

So my vote remains for the Saber, especially the Saber III.

Regards,

Keygun · Post by **Keygun** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 12:04 pm

larryepage wrote: So my vote remains for the Saber, especially the Saber III.

Regards,

I agree

Keygun

Mercenary · Post by **Mercenary** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 1:12 pm

The saber III is also a very good radio to go with.

70351 · Post by **70351** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 8:11 pm

The question is a bit vague. Are you asking which VHF radio is best in general, or is there a specific application for this hypothetical radio? If your a security guard then you might consider an HT1000 or lesser model. If your an LEO or other similar profession then yes, the Saber III is choice. I doubt a security guard is gonna want to budget a Saber III. Even an HT1000 would be stretching it for most in that capacity. You've got to be realistic here!!

Randy

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 4:41 am

I personally like the Saber III, and GE M-RK, M-RK II, MPA, MPI Good rugged and simple radios.

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 3:59 pm

RS FRS rules!

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 4:16 pm

ASTROMODAT wrote:RS FRS rules!

This Dude seems to have a limited vocabulary and a one track mind.

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 10:02 pm

To The Batcave, Batdude----that's where the RS FRS is!

dawson75 · Post by **dawson75** » Wed Jul 30, 2003 4:40 am

thanks for all the info guys very very helpful!!!!!!

I have decided to go with a HT-1000 my buddy who knows his radios told me the HT-1000 would be good for me so HT-1000 it is

Thanks again guys and gals really very helpful

Yes i am a security guard and yes i could buy an XTS model say 20 years from now!!!!

thanks again

Dan Dawson
KC8ONR
Rent-a-cop

best portable

best portable

Saber/Systems Saber - ALL the way!

Come Boys And GALS

HT200