New Radios At Work

[19&41]

We are starting through the process of issuing over a thousand 2 way radios. our job is to program the user's radio identity into each radio before issuing it. Each radio costs $4000. It's a wonder we got a raise this year. They are turning in the radios they were issued in 2005. They were on their last gasp.

[William]

My, my, they must be spectacular radios to cost that much, and 1000X$4000.00. OUCH!

Bill

[electra225]

What are the radios used for?

[19&41]

For individual communication and safety enhancement. Everyone in maintenance and law enforcement and operation has them.

[William]

Do you get one?


Bill

[19&41]

I got a newer one than the other people in my department last year. It'll probably be a bit before I get a newer one. It doesn't matter though, the newer ones aren't much different. They're really a well built radio, it'll be interesting to see how long they hold up.

[19&41]

This tells about them...

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/conte ... asheet.pdf

[electra225]

So handheld, portable radios are $4K a copy? Wow. How deep into these do you get? Down to component level? Or are there "repair modules" that you plug in for repair after troubleshooting?

[19&41]

We'd be equipped to replace power/volume switches, speaker assemblies, antenna connectors and housing parts. The other techs here aren't as good as I was on soldering surface mount components. and I'm too arthritic and full of tremors to do them. A say, 5 amp fuse would be 3 mm long. I hope they are as watertight as they appear to be. Much of what is done with them is programming them to change owners or update frequency lists.

[William]

Thanks Rex, and I should have known they would be Motorola. They have always been excellent in the communication business.

Bill

[electra225]

We use Motorola walkie-talkies at work. They need AVC really badly. Some people talk so loud, you can't understand them. Some people talk so quietly you can't hear them. The speakers on those things must be some of the toughest devices known to mankind. They aren't too bad if you use the headphone device. I'm sure these are entry-level, built to a price point for the company.

[19&41]

They make products for a lot of price ranges. A system to cover a store doesn't need to be that expensive. Audio sent by a portable depends greatly on the positioning of the mike and it's proximity to the mouth.