Thread: Motorola spectra series

I was thinking about getting a motorola spectra series with an a5 head and possibly the siren setup too! What are your opinions on these? I've never used one, and they seem cheap for 100 watt radios

They were a good series of radios but, You will have problems getting repair parts because Motorola does not support these radios anymore. The other problem is if you don't have someone that can program it you will need programing software, a radio interface box (rib box), programing cables and an older computer to run the programing software.

Originally Posted by Fast LT1

I was thinking about getting a motorola spectra series with an a5 head and possibly the siren setup too! What are your opinions on these? I've never used one, and they seem cheap for 100 watt radios

I picked one up recently with an A9 head, not bad for the price. Definitely an older design - I haven't tried to program it yet, but I know it will require a slow computer.... I was curious about how easy the siren setup would be, those can be found for super cheap.

If this was the year 2001, I would say it's a good radio. Don't get me wrong, they are excellent radios, but as mentioned, they are not supported any longer, so parts have to come from NOS or cannibalism. Also, the programming is an issue, if you haven't replaced the famous leaky capacitors, you will have to. Add in that the earlier models cannot be narrowbanded, and it would be simply better to get a CDM1250 with a remote head kit.

If it's the one I'm thinking of, I had it in my first patrol car and the siren tones were awesome. Radio was also good, but this was a few years ago.

if you absolutely neeeeeed it for the siren purpose then get it......otherwise if this was 1999 i would say yeah, now i wouldnt buy one for $20

They are still a good radio in my opinion, but as some have said there are two main issues:

1) Replace all of the capacitors in the radio, they have a tendancy to leak at some point and cause all sorts of problems. There are several folks that do this for a reasonable price.

2) They aren't capable of being narrow banded, so if that will be a requirement for you in the near future, then I would steer away from it.

If you just want it for the Siren, might I suggest the Maratrac siren, as it does not require the radio to operate.

I would agree with the CDM 1250 or 1550 these are good radios. These radios are out of production as of aug. 31 2010 and that means the parts will be around for about 5 years so keep that in mind.

Echoing everyone elses comments with regard to the caps that fail/leak/cause major damage...


The Spectra is a kick ass mobile... For the 90s...

I still have the mix on my desk: VHF, UHF-Lo, UHF Mid, UHF-T, 800 Conv and 902 Converted Ham...

In my past vehicles, I ran the S9KCombo - Low Band Syntor X9000, A9 VHF Spectra, A9 UHF Spectra and A7 900 MHz Spectra...

I absolutely love these radios.. HOWEVER... Their time is past. Last *pallet* I bought were mostly turned in for scrap as almost all of them had either white stickers (first gen, almost all leaky caps) or early black stickers (second gen) which ultimately had signs of damage.

The CDM series is a good substitution, however, the MCS2000 was technically suppose to replace the Spectra as the conventional and trunked analog flagship radio.

I have dabbled a bit with Astro Spectras (locally we jumped directly from conventional UHF on GM300s to 700 MHz P25 on XTL series mobiles) - nice to have the 256 channels and Windows CPS but still left some minor issues with the same display, limited scan list, etc.

If you opt to go the Spectra route, GET PARTS RADIOS NOW... These are quickly finding the same fate at the Syntor X9000 - No Longer Supported from /\/\ and very limited *quality* used radios out on the market.

Ok I think I'll pass it up then! How expensive are thecdm 1250's? I'm on a budget and I don't have a lot of space to mount stuff

The siren tones in the motorola are awesome. Maybe look into an astro spectra? Where they are narrowband compliant and use Windows CPS

if you are looking for 100 watts, your choices are limited out there, and any newer radio in 100 watts is going to cost you


and legally can you run 100 watts?

Originally Posted by 911

if you are looking for 100 watts, your choices are limited out there, and any newer radio in 100 watts is going to cost you


and legally can you run 100 watts?

Yea, i don't see why not. Half our department radios are 110 watt

ok just checking b/c not everyone has a license for it........

I'm not familiar with radios, other than how to use them. What does 100 watt mean?

The 100 watts is the output of the radio when transmitting.

Realistically, I see no reason why anyone would need to have that much output power unless you are 40-50 miles and further from your repeater.

I just got a new job at another EMS service here in Pittsburgh. While the service I am coming from thought it was a good idea to use only portables (and no mobiles at all), this new service has the following equipment:

- All ambulances use a Motorola Spectra UHF-T with dual A9 heads.
- Base radio is a Motorola Spectra UHF-T dash mount on a speaker tray with the A5 head.
- Motorola HT1250 portables.
- Motorola Minitor II pagers everywhere.

I get the feeling I might make a bit of a commission next year when our system switches to 12.5khz and they have to replace the base and all the mobiles.

I would agree with you If we had a repeater but we don't! And our chief wouldnt let us have one!

Originally Posted by 108FP1

and they have to replace the base and all the mobiles.

And all the pagers as well!