Thread: Low band radio question

I've been looking over some the the for sale posts with low band, 46mhz, radios.What I may have known about 2 ways in my youth has long since been erased from my mind. I know they have to be programmed,but how much of a pain in the rear is it going to be to do or get done?
We're at the start of a county wide upgrade and frequencies are going to be changing in a year or two, so I really don't want to throw too much money at getting a usable mobile and I thought I'd throw this out here before PMing guys with radios for sale to death.

I like the Motorola CDM family of radios. They can still be purchased new if wanted, but there are a lot of them on the used market. Most are in good or better condition and not unreasonably priced. They are very rugged and failures seem to be rare, and mostly caused by external means like physical damage or electrical issues like a power spike.

Programming requires the right software and cable, but any shop that works on Motorola gear will have it and can program it for you. (If you don't mind a bit of a drive, I have the gear here, too.)

I can't promise a great resale value on any low band radio, but the CDM's are still in demand and should continue to be for years to come. Any county that remains on low band will be a good place to sell one.

The Radius radios can also be a good choice.

Thanks for the info! I'm going to check with our local radio service about the cost to program a used unit.They seem to be a decent outfit, just rather slow sometimes.

Originally Posted by rsmartin

Thanks for the info! I'm going to check with our local radio service about the cost to program a used unit.They seem to be a decent outfit, just rather slow sometimes.

If their programming prices are reasonable, that may influence your choice of radio to purchase. What they can work on for you may be very convenient and affordable. For example, if they don't work on or have the software/cable for a particular Kenwood, it would be a larger hassle for you to buy one and then have to go elsewhere (time and money) to get it programmed or repaired.

Originally Posted by Steve0625

If their programming prices are reasonable, that may influence your choice of radio to purchase. What they can work on for you may be very convenient and affordable. For example, if they don't work on or have the software/cable for a particular Kenwood, it would be a larger hassle for you to buy one and then have to go elsewhere (time and money) to get it programmed or repaired.

What radios brands are you set up for? I'm up in Saratoga frequently which isn't too far from you ( like you didn't already know that ).

PM sent. :-)

Originally Posted by rsmartin

What radios brands are you set up for? I'm up in Saratoga frequently which isn't too far from you ( like you didn't already know that ).

Yeah, I did know that.... PM coming at you.

It wouldn't be worth the trip over here just for this (as I'm sure you can get it programmed locally for less than the cost of the gas) but if you ever make it out to the Livingston County area I'd be happy to do basic programming on any CDM750/1250/1550 or HT750/1250/1550 radios for you at no cost.

For a Delaware County buyer I would throw in programming on any of the CDM750 I have for sale.Just need a channel plan to program,will do it for free.
I was down in Grande Gorge and then Oneonta yesterday. Doh!

Originally Posted by wkr518

For a Delaware County buyer I would throw in programming on any of the CDM750 I have for sale.Just need a channel plan to program,will do it for free.
I was down in Grande Gorge and then Oneonta yesterday. Doh!

..... Hang on a second, I'm going to run out back and shoot myself in the foot.

hee hee hee

I noticed you were walking fine so I guess the shooting your foot thing didnt happen? Enjoy your upgrades to CDM1250!