Batboard

I am looking for a small, lightweight VHF radio. It needs to operate between 143 and 149. Brand doesn't matter. Any ideas are welcome.

Tango

Is this for 2m ham use? If so, I like the Yaesu VX-5R.

It is for use in the Civil Air Patrol.

It looks like you'll need a type accepted radio.

https://ntc.cap.af.mil/comm/faq.cfm

For that freq range you'll want to look for a Canadian VHF HT. For small and lightweight you may want to check out a Visar. For something that will take more of a beating you'll want something like a P200/HT600 or MT1000. Make sure the one you are buying is in the right split ("government" split.)

Small and lightweight, I prefer the Motorola Visar. Easily found on E-bay. Have had mine for 5 years and only problem I have had is battery needed to be replaced. I am a Paramedic so the radio does get beat upon occasion and is not as fragile as some have said. Has been dropped at least a dozen times. Broke the speaker mic clip on the speaker mic itself but that was about it.

Thank you for the info. The HT600 and MT1000 will be non-compliant in about two years, since they aren't narrow-band compatible. Thank you for the help.

I'd stay away from the Visar. While some people have been lucky with these radios, they were never designed to go outdoors, are quite fragile, and are quite difficult to repair.

I'd recommend an HT1000. If the fourth character in the model number is "K" (e.g., "H01KDC . . ."), the radio is spec'd for 136-178 mHz, and if the next to last character is "B", "C" or "D" (D much preferred), the radio will do 12.5 splits (but not 6.25 splits). The HT1000 is quite robust, easy to repair or have repaired, and has a full line of accessories.

Next week, I will talk to the squadron commander, who is our Comm Officer, about his Visar.

Does anyone know if the GP344 is wide band, narrow band, or P25 compliant?

Icom Is A Dependable radio and prices are fair..............

GP344 doesn't sound like a US model, probably an export variant.

Yes, it is an export.

I love Motorola, but as a option try the GE-Ericsson-MA/COM "MRK line.
Slim, narrowband capable, and usually available at a good price... also pretty durable.

Hi Y'all,

Unfortunately, the M-RK isn't narrowband compliant.

Hartley

The later versions of the MRK are compliant and narrowband capable (12.5)
Radio Specifications

Manufacturer Ericsson / GE
Model M-RK Switchable
Radio Type Portable
Wideband Compliant Yes
Narrowband Compliant Yes

You can also find acceptance under CAPs' list, the DOI list and a few others...

Hi Adam-12,

You are correct - the "switchable" model is indeed wide and narrowband compliant - unfortunately, that isn't the model most often found on eBay! Caveat Emptor and all that..

Hartley