WTB New GMRS Mobile - Not a CCR

[marcspaz]

I am starting to do some research for a new radio.  I am tempted to use my MARS/CAP hardware.  However, I would rather have a Part 90 radio, since they seem to be widely accepted (at least anecdotally) by the FCC for use in GMRS, and MARS/CAP gear is not Part 90 or 95 approved.

 

Does anyone have a lead on new Part 90 mobile radio's I can use for GMRS... like, current production line from a manufacturer?  I am trying to stay away from legacy models and used radios.  I definitely don't want a CCR. 

 

As it stands right now, the Icom F6021 looks like a nice option.  I found a few older posts about them.  Does anyone have any recent experience with that model?  Are programing cables and software easy to find?  Some of the sites I have looked at seem to be showing a USB to RJ45, but Icom shows a serial bus connector (like DB9) on the radio.

 

Any other current production radio recommendations?

 

 

 

I have just about had it with my Midland MXT400's.  I sold 2 and have one left... I'm going to dump that one soon, too.

 

My one and only problem is, I hate having to constantly manually change my tone configuration as I drive around.  I have 3 major coverage repeaters near me that work amazing.  I can't add any saved channels, there are no programming or expansion options and I can't stand having to set the tone on the radio several times a day as I drive around.  If it wasn't for that, I would be happy.  So, a multi-channel programmable radio is a must.

[WRCZ387]

Good Morning;

 

Have you considered Alinco?

 

They offer a Part 90 200 channel UHF mobile with 45 watt - 25 watt - 10 watt transmit,

the DR-438 is UHF, the DR-138 is VHF

 

http://www.alinco.com/Products/ham/mbl/DR-138HT/

 

http://www.alinco.com/Products/ham/mbl/DR-138HT/DR-138_438brochure.pdf

 

Remtronix is the USA distributor for Alinco,

I did need set-up support for my first h-t and they were great,

both over the phone and via e-mail

 

https://remtronix.com/land-mobile-radio/analog-radios/dr-438t/

 

The list price is $249.99, but shop around on the pricing

 

Remtronix is selling it through Newegg:

 

https://www.newegg.com/alinco-dr-438t-two-way-radio/p/16Y-0031-00004?Description=dr-438&cm_re=dr-438-_-9SIA5RC1W26967-_-Product

 

Programming software and cable package:

https://www.rtsystemsinc.com/DR-138-programming-software-and-USB-cable-s/2266.htm

 

I almost purchased a new-in-package Midland mobile for $50.00 at a pawn shop last year (I don't remember which model)

 

I passed on it and after reading all the posts here, I'm glad that I did

 

I have not read any negatives about Alinco radios

 

I have two different Alinco Part 90 h-t's, I intend to get a 3rd model h-t,

and then I will probably buy the DR-438 and a ¼ wave NMO

 

GMRS activity here around Clearwater, FL is starting to get off the ground,

so I haven't gotten much use out of my radios yet,

but I did use one of the h-t's on vacation in East TN in June,

and I was told that it sounded really good, I'm going to stay with Alinco

 

Just my two cents

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[gman1971]

Alinco radios are CCRs, made by Anytone... so avoid those. My recommendation would be to get a Vertex Standard VX-5500, the 450-490 MHz model. That radio has a very tight receiver and its a phenomenal radio.

 

G.

[Jones]

The TK-8180H is still listed on Kenwood's website as being available new.  There are also used ones available.  I can highly recommend those. i own 2 of them.

https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/lmr/tk-7180h_8180h/

 

These have to be one of the last great Wide-Band analog capable units from Kenwood.

 

They program with easy-to-use Kenwood software, using the RG type mic plug, not the DB-25 on the back.  The DB-25 is the accessories plug that has all the ins and outs and signals required to use these in a repeater, or to interface to a digital linking system.

 

Best of all, the 8180H is type accepted for part 95.

[Jones]

Another note about programming Kenwood 8180 - - -

 

If you have ever played around with one of the Leixen V V 898 mini dual-banders, then you already have the correct programming cable for the Kenwoods.

[marcspaz]

...Have you considered Alinco?...

 

I have looked at the Alinco and AnyTone radios.  Their prices are okay, but I am trying to stay away from Chinese radios.  I am not 100% ruling them out.

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Thank you!  I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

Alinco radios are CCRs, made by Anytone... so avoid those. My recommendation would be to get a Vertex Standard VX-5500, the 450-490 MHz model. That radio has a very tight receiver and its a phenomenal radio.

 

G.

 

Vertex Standard, Motorola and Yaesu are all the same company.  I have 4 Yaesu radios and every one of them has broken on me in the past 4 months... the vendors refuse to exchange them and I had to send them all back to Yaesu for repair.  Every one of them had a receive filter failure.  One of them is still broken and VS doesn't know what to do to fix it.  The one before this one caught on fire while I was using it. 

 

I'm not too sure I want to go that route again.  I haven't ruled it out... but consideration is very weak right now.

 

 

The TK-8180H is still listed on Kenwood's website as being available new.  There are also used ones available.  I can highly recommend those. i own 2 of them.

https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/lmr/tk-7180h_8180h/

 

These have to be one of the last great Wide-Band analog capable units from Kenwood.

 

They program with easy-to-use Kenwood software, using the RG type mic plug, not the DB-25 on the back.  The DB-25 is the accessories plug that has all the ins and outs and signals required to use these in a repeater, or to interface to a digital linking system.

 

Best of all, the 8180H is type accepted for part 95.

The Kenwood looks pretty nice.  I did a quick search and all I am finding is used and refurbished.  I'll reach out to a local authorized vendor next week and see if I can get some pricing.

[berkinet]

... The Kenwood looks pretty nice.  I did a quick search and all I am finding is used and refurbished.  I'll reach out to a local authorized vendor next week and see if I can get some pricing.

Look around, they are available. But, the, the price is steep. The reconditioned or refurbished units seem to sell at fair prices. Still used, but probably safer than an eBay cheapie.

[marcspaz]

Look around, they are available. But, the, the price is steep. The reconditioned or refurbished units seem to sell at fair prices. Still used, but probably safer than an eBay cheapie.

Okay.. cool. I'll consider a referb if the price is right.

[berkinet]

I was away from the computer earlier. Now with a minute to check I found

https://abeep.com/collections/mobile-radios/tk-8180-series

Kenwood TK-8180HK, UHF 450-520 MHz, 45W, 512 Ch. sale $ 588.00 regularly $ 735.00

Kenwood TK-8180K, UHF 450-520 MHz, 30W, 512 Ch. sale $ 483.20 regularly $ 604.00

 

See what I mean. However, for a refurb I found

https://refitradio.com/products/kenwood-tk-8180-h-mobile-vehicle-radio

Kenwood TK-8180HK, UHF 450-520 MHz, 45W, 512 Ch. $219 with a 6 mo guarantee.

[gman1971]

Ouch, sorry to hear.

 

Kenwood sounds like a good option then. I would look into Motorola gear too and Icom could be another option. 

 

As for Vertex Standard, they used to be Yaesu before they were acquired by Moto, but Moto took the LMR division Vertex Standard and gave up the Ham radio division, Yaesu, which is not a part of Motorola, nor shares anything with them. Vertex Standard is no more. 

 

G.

[marcspaz]

I was away from the computer earlier. Now with a minute to check I found

https://abeep.com/collections/mobile-radios/tk-8180-series

Kenwood TK-8180HK, UHF 450-520 MHz, 45W, 512 Ch. sale $ 588.00 regularly $ 735.00

Kenwood TK-8180K, UHF 450-520 MHz, 30W, 512 Ch. sale $ 483.20 regularly $ 604.00

 

See what I mean. However, for a refurb I foubd

https://refitradio.com/products/kenwood-tk-8180-h-mobile-vehicle-radio

Kenwood TK-8180HK, UHF 450-520 MHz, 45W, 512 Ch. $219 with a 6 mo guarantee.

 

Wow... refurbished might be a way to go. I just don't want something DOA and be out of luck. As long as its clean and I have some recourse if there is an issue, that would be good.

Ouch, sorry to hear.

 

Kenwood sounds like a good option then. I would look into Motorola gear too and Icom could be another option.

 

As for Vertex Standard, they used to be Yaesu before they were acquired by Moto, but Moto took the LMR division Vertex Standard and gave up the Ham radio division, Yaesu, which is not a part of Motorola, nor shares anything with them. Vertex Standard is no more.

 

G.

 

You are correct to a degree. While Motorola never owned Yaesu directly, when they acquired majority shares in the Vertex Standard label, they didn't take sole ownership. They continued to work with Yaesu to develop and sell products. While Vertex Standard was defunct in 2011(2012?), Motorola is currently actively selling new parts and products with the V/S Vertex Standard label, specifically and exclusively to be operated with Yaesu amateur radios.

 

A good example is the Yaesu FT857D and the Yaesu FC-40 Antenna tuner. Brand new FC-40's are being manufactured today, exclusively by Motorola, shipped to customer in a Yaesu labeled box/packaging, but the device itself has exclusively Vertex Standard labels on the product. The tuner ONLY works with some Yaesu amateur radios.

 

There is definitely an active and ongoing relationship between Motorola and Yaesu, via the Vertex Standard label.

[RCM]

I remember when Standard was its own radio company, unaffiliated with Yaesu. Mirantz was the audio equipment division of Standard, but they also made some very good vhf and uhf handheld radios under the Standard name.

As for Yaesu, they made the best Japanese ham radio gear. All of the ham radios were Yaesu, and Vertex was their commercial division.

My first HF rig was a Yaesu FT-101. My (I think) third was also a Yaesu; an FT-840 that I still own and use.

[marcspaz]

I remember when Standard was its own radio company, unaffiliated with Yaesu. Mirantz was the audio equipment division of Standard, but they also made some very good vhf and uhf handheld radios under the Standard name.

As for Yaesu, they made the best Japanese ham radio gear. All of the ham radios were Yaesu, and Vertex was their commercial division.

My first HF rig was a Yaesu FT-101. My (I think) third was also a Yaesu; an FT-840 that I still own and use.

That's my recollection in the Ham world too. If you didn't have a Yaesu, you made a mistake. That was 18-20 years ago. You can't imagine how disappoints I was when both of my FT-8900's broke and the fact that I am on my second FT-857D because the first one had the PA's catch on fire.

 

I still have massive RFI on the FT-857D that is installed in the truck. I can't use 60m or 10m because of it. I bench tested the radio with a dummy load and everything was fine, so its RFI due to radiation exposure from the whip. It's driving me nuts... I can't fix it and Yaesu is stumped, too.

[Elkhunter521]

Hi Marc

 

If the only problem with the Midland is number of channels (same frequency, different pl tones) Consider Luiton LT 590 UHF.

Yes it is a CCR but it is also the same radio as the Midland 400.

 

200 channels, wide or narrow band, comes with programming software, and cable. 3 power levels, 45, 25, 10 watts. Split pl tones. Mi fe was 139$ at amazon.

[mcallahan]

What about a Maxon TM-8000?  40W UHF, 512 channels, 70cm band coverage, and something I would enjoy in a GMRS mobile - a knob that can be assigned to squelch.

 

http://maxonamerica.com/product/tm-8000-series/

 

These seem to retail around $250 - $300, about half of a comparable Kenwood.  I don't own and haven't used this particular radio, but did hear good things from a GMRS club member.

[berkinet]

What about a Maxon TM-8000? ...

 

Wide band? I don't see the mode(s) in the spec sheet.

[marcspaz]

Looks like the TM-8402A might do the trick, and cover Ham UHF, too... but the price is high on some of these.

[berkinet]

Looks like the TM-8402A might do the trick, and cover Ham UHF, too...

You might want to take a good look at the manual. In particular, the Channrel Spacing is defined as...

Dual Channel Spacing 12.5/25 kHz (12.5kHz USA)

 

Now, the features do state "WideBandCoverage(VHF:136~174MHz; UHF:400~470,450~520MHz)." However, I'd suspect that means the radio covers a wide band of frequencies rather than wide-band channels. Also, there is an indicator lamp for Narrow/Wide but, that may be meaningless if the radio is locked to Narrow.  And, finally, nowhere in the manual is there any mention of setting the bandwidth, or for that matter, the frequencies and channels.

 

Since the radio can, in some cases at least, do both Wide and Narrow modes, and frequencies cannot be set from the front panel,  it seems obvious this is a software feature. But, my guess is the US radios cannot be set to wideband, at least not without special unlocking software.  Since the software is available you might want to download a copy just to check it out.

 

OTOH, it might be easiest, and best, to just call Maxon or an official reseller.

[gortex2]

Vertex Standard, Motorola and Yaesu are all the same company. 

 

 

That is not 100% accurate. Motorola Solutions purchased Vertex Standard. Since then all amateur was sold to Yaesu and spun off off Motorola. Motorola does not have any amateur radio equipment branded by them or Vertex. 

 

To the topic on hand. I have had multiple ICOM radios over the years and SAR in NY still uses man of them the F6021 is based on the old F221. It is a solid performer and is a goto for SAR folks due to the price and reliablity. Scan is a bit quirky to get set right but once done it works well. I use the serial cables on all my ICOM stuff, but i know a few folks have had good luck with USB. 

 

I prefer Motorola gear for my GMRS and the last radio I purchased was the CM300 for my fathers truck. It is small like the M1225 but new. USB programming cable.

 

YMMV

[taco6513]

I have just purchased a AT5888UV. Dual band VHF and UHF. Part 90. 4 power levels. Crossband repeater function.

I don't like the small display. Radio has about the same foot print as the MXT400. Still playing with it.

Needed a radio that could to 2 meter and GMRS. Fits the bill so far.

Used Motorola M1225's off of Ebay for around $135 each programmed out the door. I have 6 currently. Great talker.

Yes I would say I am a Motorola fan.

Thanks

WRCW870

KI5GXD

[RCM]

I have just purchased a AT5888UV. Dual band VHF and UHF. Part 90. 4 power levels. Crossband repeater function.

I don't like the small display. Radio has about the same foot print as the MXT400. Still playing with it.

Needed a radio that could to 2 meter and GMRS. Fits the bill so far.

Used Motorola M1225's off of Ebay for around $135 each programmed out the door. I have 6 currently. Great talker.

Yes I would say I am a Motorola fan.

Thanks

WRCW870

KI5GXD

I have one I'm not using, if you want to buy another one. For substantially less than that.

 

[Downs]

I have one I'm not using, if you want to buy another one. For substantially less than that.

 

 

I may be interested.  UHF or VHF?  Channels?

[RCM]

I may be interested.  UHF or VHF?  Channels?

UHF 20 channel. PM me if you're interested, and I'll give you a price.

[SteveC7010]

Just a comment.... the M1225 20 channel model can actually do 24 channels if programmed without channel names and preferably without Talk-Around. That may be of use to some and others may may not like it.