Which Model Radio?

spareparts · Post by **spareparts** » Sun Jun 13, 2004 10:10 am

Question for the experts:
We have a family friend who will be retiring soon. For a group present, the lead idea seems to be a radio. He is a member of the USCG Auxiliary and does Marine SAR and volunteers on the land side as well. Here's the question - Which Motorola mobile radio can cover 143.280 out / 148.275 (NBFM) for the local repeater, and the 156.800 marine Band (WBFM)?

BTW, When "under orders" he is a government (DHS) user so the FCC rules on type acceptance don't apply, although reducing the power to 25W on the marine band channels is likely what we would do anyway.

Martin

mr.syntrx · Post by **mr.syntrx** » Sun Jun 13, 2004 3:55 pm

I'd personally go for either a 136-174 MHz MCS2000, or a 136-162 MHz Spectra. If you're looking at the second hand market, the latter is older, and more "economical" than the former.

HTH

motisking · Post by **motisking** » Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:08 pm

The MCS2000 is my personel pick. Be aware the HIGH power unit is 50 to 110 watt. I have not adjusted the TX power lower than that. The only other option for the VHF MCS2000 is 1 to 25 watt.

The CDM1250 could be a nice fit.

I am running:
VHF MCS Model 3 HIGH power (144-173.375) out of band
UHF MCS Model 1 LOW power (444-510.3375) out of band
UHF CDM1550 LS+ 25-40 watt with external 7.5 watt speaker.

The audio on the CDM with external speaker is very good. However the 13 watt external speakers on the MCSs can not be beat!