New to Sabers/Need advice

craig · Post by **craig** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 11:11 am

I am hoping to buy a SaberIII VHF. I see there is one on ebay and I was wondering if I can use a Systems Saber III for conventional use. Are there any benefits/disadvantages to doing so? Is a Systems Saber worth any more or less than a regular Saber III? Also, can anyone tell me where I can find a way to decode a System Saber Model number, the breakdown chart here on Batlabs for Sabers does not seem to match this model number of H99QX+099H. Sorry about all the questions, I just don't know &#*% when it comes to Sabers.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: craig on 2002-04-04 20:31 ]</font>

1 Adam 12 · Post by **1 Adam 12** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 5:28 am

The number you listed is not the model number but the factory ID number. The model # will be H44, H43, H34,H33, etc followed by a series of numbers and letters. Yes it can do conventional and all , plus more than most regular Saber IIIs. Make sure you determine which band split its in, because there a lot of Low 400 and Low VHF radios out there from the Government.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 1 Adam 12 on 2002-04-05 08:34 ]</font>

1 Adam 12 · Post by **1 Adam 12** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 5:34 am

The number you listed is not the model number but the factory ID number. The model # will be H44, H43, H34,H33, etc followed by a eries of nmbers and letters. Yes it can do conventional and all , plus more than most regular Saber IIIs. Make sure you determine which band split its in, because there a lot of Low 400 and Low VHF radios out there from the Government.

Tom in D.C. · Post by **Tom in D.C.** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 6:53 am

Craig: The sure sign of a Saber seller who doesn't know the first thing about Sabers is if the seller calls the radio by its H99 code instead of the H33/34/43/44 code. Also, the bandsplit will not appear in the coding anywhere and can only really be determined by "reading" the program which is stored in the radio. Don't buy one from anybody unless they'll let you return it for a refund if the bandsplit is incorrect. The alternative proof would be if the seller could show you a printout of the program in which the present programmed channels would be in the range you need. As nice as Sabers are to have, there are a lot of them out there which are strange bandsplits, secure models, etc. which you probably don't need to get involved with and which might prove to be less than desirable for your needs.

Also, if you haven't already done so, read everything on Batlabs about Sabers, down to the last obscure item you can find. It's all worth your time.

Tom, W2NJS
...in D.C.

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 7:44 am

Tom offers good advise. I've been looking to pick up a few VHF Saber's but it looks like most of the stuff on EBay lately is military and gov't. (Must have been a bunch of auctions lately). The military stuff looks like 136-150.8 and is probably de-mil'd
meaning it was rendered in-op. Might be a good parts source but that's it. A lot of Government VHF is 162+ so suitability of those radios is limited but they don't seem to have been rendered in-op. Just wanted to warn you a LOT of this stuff is out there right now and might not be what you're looking for.

craig · Post by **craig** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 10:42 am

Thanks guys for the great advice. I believe you guys avoided alot of headaches for me. Is there such thing as a bandsplit of 144-174mhz in a System Saber, as advertised here?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1344030233

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 11:26 am

I bought a VHF Systems Saber 3 from this guy about a year ago. I'm very happy with it. And mine does 144-174.

craig · Post by **craig** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 8:35 pm

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply. I currently have a MT2000 VHF A4, in your opinion, is this Systems Saber a step up?

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 7:39 am

Hi Craig,
My only other experience with Motorola HT's is with the MT-1000 (have 3 of them), so I can't compare it to the MT 2K. I have the radio set up for zones, and the alpha-numeric display is great. I find that the Saber is as durable (more?) as the MT-1K's. Been dropped (the radio, that is) more than once from 3 feet or so onto pavement...still works like a champ.