How would you spend $3000?

[doownek]

OK, heres the deal, I have about 3 grand left in a grant. I need to buy 2 portables, one VHF, one UHF. I also need software and programming cables.
For interoperability of course.

Caveats:
1) must be from a reputable seller (ie, no ebay) since this is a state agency and I have to run everything through procurement.
2) I have to have my money spent by Feb 15, so I have to have the paperwork (quote) in first of next week.
3) I really really really want p25. If I can't afford it, oh well. If I cant get p25, how about voice inversion?
4)Mother Motos are fine, but damn, getting that software is a bitch, been there done that.

How would you go about it?

Thanks!

[tvsjr]

Pair'o'Kenwoods... you should be able to get close on your price. You might end up having to acquire software and cables yourself outside the grant, however.

[smokeybehr]

Pair'o'Kenwoods... you should be able to get close on your price. You might end up having to acquire software and cables yourself outside the grant, however.

+1. Kenwoods are relatively inexpensive for what you get compared to Motorola or EFJ; BK isn't making a UHF radio; and Icom commercial gear is crap (IMHO).

[JAYMZ]

And IIRC you may be able to get VHF and UHF Kenwoods P25 capable for around the amount for your grant.

[mancow]

You could get a pair of HT1250s with Transcrypt inverstion boards for that price.

Ours ran in the $600-700 range for the portables and damn near the same for each MO-80 Transcrypt board.

Yea, the 1250s don't have the best reputation but it sounds like you are in the same boat we were in. We had some money but not enough to go all the way and get the good stuff.

[Mong]

I really really really want p25. If I can't afford it, oh well. If I cant get p25, how about voice inversion?

Do you need some sort of "secure" radio? What are these radios really being used for, and by whom? If you're just spending grant money to get yourself issued some nice gear so you don't lose future money, that's cool, just makes it easier to know what the use if for.


I know there has been some debate on the boards as what to recommend for firefighting (as a good example), then there is also the sub-section of urban vs wildland firefighting, but that's for another day

[escomm]

Yeah, you definitely need to get kenwood digital if you want private communications because according to kenwood encryption is impossible with an analog radio

[webdoc]

I have heard from others besiades what was posted in this thread that Icom commercial radios blow, how about Vertex commercial radios?

[doownek]

If you're just spending grant money to get yourself issued some nice gear so you don't lose future money, that's cool,

Bingo.

Our state EM agency is now on p25, thats why I want digital. As for the inversion, one of my local agency uses it.

My first reaction was the kenwood stuff, we've had good success with them in the past.

Mark