Greetings to all. I have recently been accepted to a local ambulance service so I can get back into EMS after a little break due to moving and what not. Now I want to have a radio to use more as a durable scanner for EMS work, as well as a radio for customers systems when I do the tech thing as my current full time job.
Now with the amount of channels that I have to have for customers as well as EMS work I need to have something over the 160 channel mark. Also add in the fact that the county radio system that this Ambulance service is in has Astro Saber II's and astro spectra's (but are not using digital) and maybe going VHF digital soon (unknown if trunked or conv.) prompts me to look at the A Sabes or XTS.
Here is what I would need in a radio which is making me look at these two models for port options: over 160 channels (more like 200 or 225), QC II decode (encode someday), MDC1200, zones, digital voice (IMBE), and some durablility. I do not throw my radios around but I do need them to be a little tuffer then say the EX series.
Now some people on the Co. SO that know about radios has stated that they are looking at upgrading to quantars very very soon and starting the move to digital with that. They also will be looking at XTS so thatis where the IMBE comes into a need.
So which one would people recommend and why??? I have used both the Sabers and XTS's so I am familiar with both on operation just need a good suggestion as far as the use for digital. Any comments opinions anything would be great.
Astro Saber vs XTS ?????? Need advice
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Astro Saber vs XTS ?????? Need advice
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I went to the doctor and all he did was just suck blood. Never go to Dr Acula - M. Hedberg
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ASTROMODAT
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- Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:32 am
You shoiuld search the Batboard, as this subject has been thoroughly covered, and more than once.
To save you time, I can give you the bottomline summary of 100's of posts:
The XTS3000 is a current production, high tier Motorola portable that 98% of the respondents strongly felt is vastly superior to the old, discontinued, gigantic ASTRO Saber, in all respects.
Larry
To save you time, I can give you the bottomline summary of 100's of posts:
The XTS3000 is a current production, high tier Motorola portable that 98% of the respondents strongly felt is vastly superior to the old, discontinued, gigantic ASTRO Saber, in all respects.
Larry
Well, for one, your not going to find an astro radio that will decode QCII or encode it for that matter.
IF your looking for a 160 channel portable, and don't need digital yet - buy a HT1550. I had one for a while, but later upgraded to a XTS. While I haven't shoved 255ish modes into one of the portables, the astro saber and xts should take 254.
There are a LOT of threads here comparing the two radios. If you need MORE channels, look at getting yourself a XTS5000 - I believe those will do 512. Do some searching to find out more information.
-Alex
IF your looking for a 160 channel portable, and don't need digital yet - buy a HT1550. I had one for a while, but later upgraded to a XTS. While I haven't shoved 255ish modes into one of the portables, the astro saber and xts should take 254.
There are a LOT of threads here comparing the two radios. If you need MORE channels, look at getting yourself a XTS5000 - I believe those will do 512. Do some searching to find out more information.
-Alex