Used public safety radios

[Blackmar401]

I am currently looking at used PS radios that can be programmed with 16 channels when purchased. Do these radios usually support repeaters? Are they easy to program yourself?

[SteveC7010]

I am currently looking at used PS radios that can be programmed with 16 channels when purchased. Do these radios usually support repeaters? Are they easy to program yourself?

Can’t answer your questions with the minimal info you’ve provided. Need make, specific model number, etc. to give you useful information.

[BoxCar]

Almost all public safety systems use repeaters to extend the coverage within their serving area.

[Lscott]

I am currently looking at used PS radios that can be programmed with 16 channels when purchased. Do these radios usually support repeaters? Are they easy to program yourself?

Most likely they do. I have some Kenwood TK-3160's and the some what newer replacements for them the TK-3360's. They definitely will do repeaters along with wide and narrow band on a per channel basis. The programming is fairly easy but you do have to understand what all the options do in the radio. For that you can read through the help file for the programming software. For a simple to operate radio you can't beat these.

 

http://www.longislandradio.com/Kenwood%20Product%20PDFs/Portable/TK-2160_3160.pdf

 

https://www.kenwood.com/usa/Support/pdf/TK-2360_3360.pdf

 

If you buy one be VERY CAREFUL which sub type you get. These radios come in several different frequency ranges on UHF. You want one that covers at least the 462 MHz to 467 MHz range.

 

With only 16 channels this isn't a big limitation since channels 8 to 14 the power is limited to 0.5 watts and narrow band only. Not really that useful. That leaves 15 GMRS channels left. You can program those in the radio with one spare memory slot left over.

[Radioguy7268]

Be cautious. There's plenty of "surplus" Public Safety radios hitting the market that are 800 MHz units. They're never going to work on GMRS.

 

If the seller is willing to program 16 channels for you - go ahead and send them your list prior to purchase. That should give you a clue if the radios would work - at least, if the seller is honest...

[Blackmar401]

They have all different kinds but they have a selection of uhf that cover that band. Mostly Motorola

[berkinet]

Make sure they are not trunked radios. Or, if they are, make sure they can also operate standard direct uhf.  But be wary... a 16 channel trunked radio may operate standard uhf, But only on a couple of channels.