Who out there is using digital technology? Our county is going digital in the next year and i am looking for input on the brands you are using and if there is anywhere to buy these at a good(cheap) price? We have purchased our mobile radios but are looking for portables.
Digital Radios are junk.. Frankly put if your even inside of a Walmart your going to have a hard time transmitting
We are on 800 Mhz in Madison County and I wish that we could all go back to the VHF systems we still have them as a back up here and some of our members have them in their POV's to work special events and such.. We have heard them talking from 3 counties away and were able to transmit to them too and as far as I know we have only 1 repeater in this county for VHF
We are switching to Digital in the near future and I am dreading every second of it
Sgt. Bobby J. King
Firefighter/EMT/EMD
Madison County Div of Emergency Services
Our dept currently uses motorola xts2500. We tested the EF Johnson and a couple others....Even thought the motorolas where a little more expensive, we chose to use them. As one of our brothers mentioned below, you do get what you pay for. The Moto's had the best display, sound and durability then any of the others.
I am a user on both ends (the fire/ems side and dispatch) and I have had NO ONE complain about the xts radio's at all. We have had the 800mhz radio's for about 4 1/2 years, the only problems we have had with the radio is from the user...(ie. dropping them in water, dropping them into a basement full of foam, etc.)
So, hope this has helped....I strongly recommend Motorola radios.
Good Luck Brother, You will be very happy with the system!
It sounds like your system needs was not researched...My county had a crew take the new digital radio's and sent them out to find the dead spots before we signed off on the sub-system. When we found them, we assessed the need for booster antenna's and installed them. Now the only dead spots we have are 2 stories below grade, then we switch to an SOA (Scene Of Action) talkgroup anyways.
Get your radio service involved in find those spots and doing something about it. When it comes to an officer/firefighter safety issue, councils & boards tend to listen a little more.
I'm not sure what it is called, but a few of the members at a neighboring station have digital texting pagers... It provides them with the address and the type of situation... I like them for having the address at my disposal but I really like my minitor....
We use Bendix King radios. We purchased all new Digital portables and hand helds recently. Stayed with Bendix King. Not cheap but get what you pay for. We have used Bendix for 25 years now and have had very little problems or issues with them. I have seen lots of Depts buying Kenwoods and turn around in a short time and purchase another one cause they dont last. An Motorola, dont even get me started on those high priced pieces of Biosolids. Garbage with a big sticker price.
Best to get what you can afford that you have someone close who can service and program for you.