[Brand Name radios Pros/Cons thread. (Used/New)]

I love my iCOM's I got a Commercial grade radios F221-s, F621TR to name a few

 

Pros: Build like a tank, cheap, software is free, cable readily available or you can make your own

 

Cons:Some are front panel programmable but mostly are not.

[Motorola Online Account.]

As mentioned you can use VirtualBox to make a virtual machine and run Windows in it. You can get an old version of windows here. Using Windows XP usually isn't required so running Windows 2000 should work fine.

 

https://winworldpc.com/product/windows-nt-2000/final

I downloaded a few like win 2000 and 98 they work just fine and they're installer image use image burn to write to your install disk.

[Just starting, equipment question]

Its not above anyone's skill level: Get a 2nd hand XPR7550e... buy once, cry once. The cable can be found for dirt cheap on eBay, I own two cables, one OEM and one that was made by a ham guy who sells them on eBay... both appear to work just fine. Legacy CPS can be found on eBay as well. Make sure the radio has 2.09 or lower firmware, anything higher than 2.09 will require a 3 year MOL subscription to get the latest CPS.

 

Setup all the GMRS freqs, the UHF itinerants, moto UHF radio channels, throw a few 70cm ham repeaters in case of emergency... load several of your area EMS, hospitals, public safety, etc, etc frequencies and you'll be a very happy camper. Try looking for one that has the RX Audio leveling feature, either free (enabled model) or has it already purchased. RX Audio Leveling is the best feature I've ever encountered on a radio.

 

Radio is waterproof, MIL-SPEC to boot, has screen is probably the nicest screen I've seen on a talkie, and the receiver is certainly the best in its class. The 3.65" stubby antenna is great, looks awesome and beasts all other radios I own with it, even if the other radios have a longer UHF antenna.

 

The 5550e is another awesome radio, can be connected to your desktop so it can run as a control station (like mine) and can be remote controlled via desktop (so the 7550e btw). The codeplugs you use for the 7550e will mostly work on the 5550e. Will need some cut and paste, but it will transfer just fine. 5550e has the best effective sensitivity of any radio I've tested to date.

 

G.

I can vouch for the Ebay Cable guy it's BlueMax49ers I bough all my programming cables (iCOM, Kenwood, Motorola) from him (Mark KJ6ZWL)  all his cable are FTDi Chip fast shipping too. My latest purchased from him was the programming cable for XPR8300 and as what gman1971 say all cable works just fine.

[Motorola Online Account.]

VritualBox is free and works just fine.

Easy to install too but didn't work for me and I want a dedicated computer for just programming. And if you go Virtualbox route get your Old windows here:www.winworldpc.com no XP but they have 95,98, and 2000 and some latest/last release DOS.

[Just starting, equipment question]

Mototrbo XPR's are nice radios you get what you paid for but if you're on the budget try Kenwood and iCOM ebay has plenty to offer.

[Motorola Online Account.]

Sorry I have two Motorola Radius series radios not maxtrac. I would like to get them programmed up and working, however Im not sure which RSS it needs. Last RSS I did try it mentioned I needed some extra code (not the code plug but an add on software for the radio itself) Not sure where to go with that.

You need an old computer to program I bought a $39 Tower with Win-XP RSS is available online if you know where to look.

[Motorola Online Account.]

How exactly does one sign up for MOL? Whenever I look it up on google it seems to only give me the main website

Go to businessonline.motorolasolutions.com

[Motorola Online Account.]

Thank you very much for the quick reply what I'm after is to have access to discontinued CPS not ready to spend those $$$$. Still waiting for the second part of account activation.

 

Again Thank you very much!

 

73!

 

Jack

[N00b Question]

You have to connect you wire and secure it with a screw at the back of the power supply Red to Red, Black to Black put a dub of solder at the end of your wire.

[Motorola Online Account.]

Hello Gents I have a quick question is anyone here have a Motorola Online Membership? just want to ask if how much they charge for Annual Membership?

 

Many thanks!

 

de

 

Jack

[Etiquette for accessing unknown repeaters]

I usually do this if I didn't catch the CWID on the RPT "This is *Callsign* testing access and standing by" and if driving "This is *Callsign/Mobile* testing access and standing by"

[Ft. Worth Ham Radio Shops]

HRO-Plano is your only shop in your area they ship fast too.

[Fuses - just one or both?]

How many amps is your power supply? do you have enough amperage for your 45watts TK8360.

[Coax Cable Suggestion]

Bough all my radio and cable needs from them...DX Engineering and HRO-Ham Radio Outlet.

[Is less always more when it comes to antenna cables]

Better just run it around than cutting it don't waste a good antenna mount you might need those extra length in the future.

[SWR Problems]

No need to worry your SWR is still in good range, if that is over 3 then something is not right.

[Yagi for repeater]

I remember before I saw a 4 stack yagi for TX and a Diamond GP on top of it as a RX antenna it was Bus company's repeater back in the Philippines so it's doable but has limitation and extra $$$$.

[What radio do you have for your car / truck?]

I have an iCOM F621TR for Base and Mobile I also have iCOM F221s as a spare Base planning to add Motorola and Kenwood on the mix. 73!

[Real Time Radio Checks]

I'm here in NW H-Town (Cypress Area) the only repeater I can access is NOVASOTA 725 that's 13 miles or so from my QTH if you can access that one I'll listen for you while I wait for my daughter's swimming practice. They're other repeater around here but you have to be a member of TEXASGMRS.net hope to hear you soon

[MOBILE GMRS ANTENNA]

I have 2 MIDLAND MXTA26 as base antenna and mobile I also have 2 MIDLAND Ghost antenna managed 9 miles simplex with MTXA26 within city limits and 6 miles on the Ghost antenna.

[Radio programming - zones]

I like those Transmit ID it gives a distinct roger beep.

[New to GMRS - need advice]

I will throw in a "second" for bluemax49ers cables on Ebay.  https://www.ebay.com/str/bluemax49ers

Been buying all my FTDI chip cables from Bluemax49ers (Mark KJ6ZWL) Quality Cable, Fast shipping and it Works!

[Power Supply and Antenna Suggestion]

Thanks. Yeah, I don't want to spent a lot of money on an Apt antenna. I rather spend more on a base antenna once we get a house(it's a sellers market). 

 

@jec6613 Thanks I will look at his website.

 

Is TekPower a good brand? I found this one on Amazon and has a really good rating https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2M2Y5O/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_NYjGFbN93PFB9

 

I got two TEKPower Power supply a 30amp that I use for my FTDX3000 and 23 amp which I used for GMRS mobile base so far so good planning to add the TEKPower 50amp in the mix.

[Woot woot... Random Wire is up. F you HOA.]

I have a 40M OCF Dipole on the roof its was featured on DX Engineering, the longer side of the antenna is going in front of the house and the short side is at the backyard along the fence its been on the roof since 2017 I also have an 20M End-Fed on the side so far no notification from HOA.

[Welcome!]

Hello Everyone new to the Group got my GMRS last 9/9/2020 been a HAM as well for a while now but I just want to have a another mode of communication for the family, I hope hear from you all soon especially to those living here in Cypress,TX...73 everyone!