Motorola HT1250 UHF

[Steve]

i'm looking for an HT that has an alpha numeric display that i can use to see what repeaters or stations i'm connected to, this one has that.  I also like the MDC1200 signaling, it seems from the feature list, that i can set up a way to "Ring" someone else with this radio.   i'm guessing i can set it up like a page, and have the radio stay quiet until it gets a call from the other one that you program, then it willl open up and allow voice through.  these seem to be going for around $100 or so on ebay.  It might be a nice upgrade to my UV5-R in terms of features and ruggedness.  Also, is this "type accepted" by FCC for GMRS?

[zap]

HT1250 is not type accepted for GMRS (neither is a Baofeng). I've got a bunch of HT750's (16 channel version). Program in Windows with CPS (I think I'm using version 6 something for my 750's). 

 

One of my favorite radios is the Icom F4021. It's got MDC and can be programmed through the front panel, still in current production. I paid $135 new for mine, take the same programming cable as most non-public safety Icom HTs. 

 

The JT1000 is the "predecessor" to the HT1250. It can be modified for front panel programming but it programs in DOS like the HT1000.

[Steve]

yeah, field programmable is def something to consider.   the only prob with the F4021 is it doesn't apear to have a alpha numberic display for linking MDC ids to names so when say james keys up, i will "James" on the screen (after i program that name to that MDC)

[zap]

yeah, field programmable is def something to consider. the only prob with the F4021 is it doesn't apear to have a alpha numberic display for linking MDC ids to names so when say james keys up, i will "James" on the screen (after i program that name to that MDC)

Maybe I should have stated I have the F4021T...which has the DTMF pad and display.

[Steve]

awesome.. can you assign a tag or name to the id? So when ID: 12345 keys up, it says "James" or whatever you assign that ID.   i assume that's how the 1250 will work, i have not tried it yet.

[zap]

Yes. I've been having issue with my 4021 displaying ID…it sends just fine. Motorola in my opinion is the easiest to get it setup and working properly. I recently programmed a bunch of PM400s…it was pretty simple to get the MDC working.

[Steve]

The gp328 plus and gp338 plus look like nice small versions of the HT1250.

 

then there is the EX560-XLS which looks like a tiny 1250 that is water proof to 3 feet, and submersable.

 

There is something to be said for the smaller form factor if you're hiking, biking, etc.    Is there a big difference in performance or other features I wonder.

[zap]

Battery life probably. 

[Steve]

i figured it out... the GP series is Europe's version of the 500 and 600 ex series.....  the ex560 is water proof to 1 meter for 30 min in freshwater but no dtmf keypad, so that's a deal breaker.   i'm going to return my 1250 and get the EX600XLS!  I'll post a review when I can.     i'm not sure if anyone here cares about my review of the HT1250 becuase i had a bad experience with the seller on ebay, firmeware was versoin 05.00.00 which i understand is like 10 years old or more, and after seraching forthe model number online, i found out it was a limited keyboard unit, they refurbed to a full keyboard and yellow body which is cool except when they put the extra dtmf board on they must have replaced some parts in the front that were not connected correctly so i ended up this this bad buzzing sound that woul go away if i squeeze the radio or blow air into it.   after it went away, it would come back again just from holding the radio.   i hope the seller takes it back, he will let me know tomororw.   here's a video of the issue i'm having.... so its useless because on tx, the buzz is always there.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lprTT68pqwA

 

now i have a used EX600XLS on order, from a local dealer and not ebay. warrenty, and all that.